Expert chipIgnite Design Reviews

Customers of Efabless can enjoy peace-of-mind through the support of our team of experts, and one of the valuable ways we can help you is by design reviews. Customers who take advantage of our chipIgnite Design Reviews are more likely to complete a successful tapeout, and get the most out of their fabricated project.

What is a chipIgnite Design Review?

We recognize that not all designers come from the same backgrounds or have the same level of experience and expertise when it comes to chip design. Some of our customers have never designed a chip before. Others have been through many tapeouts and may be seasoned experts in the field, but need extra eyes to prove their plans within the frame of our chipIgnite technology and flow.

A design review is a built-in part of the service we offer you as a chipIgnite customer... it's your opportunity to book solid time with our team -- experts in the chipIgnite process, and chip design alike -- to help you reach for success at your tapeout.

Design reviews can be tailored to suit your needs and level of experience, but typically cover:

• High-level checks for essential aspects of a good and reliable design.
• Compliance with features of our chipIgnite frameworks, such as your intended use of GPIO/analog pin connections, Caravel/SoC features including firmware (if applicable), power, and so-on.
• A review of hardening results and any key reports/metrics.
• Readiness for final GDS preparation and submission.
• Any questions you have about: our technology and its integration; your design; or the tapeout/fabrication process.
• Help with specific problems, including high-level guidance for design-level and full-chip verification.
• Other general advice.

If you're a customer with a reservation, you can contact us any time to discuss your design review needs, or to arrange a session with us. Even if you're not a reserved customer yet, feel free to reach out for more information.

How it works

Here's how you can get a very personal, hands-on, and valuable opportunity to leverage our experience to get you further, quicker:

1. Before you start -- even before you're a customer with a reservation -- talk to us about your needs, plans, and anything you'd like clarified. We're happy to help, we pride ourselves on excellent technical and general support, and we like to welcome customers with an Onboarding meeting.
2. Make a chipIgnite reservation for one of our upcoming shuttles. A very small fee unlocks a wealth of additional value.
3. Ideally, undertake a Project Assessment with us. Up-front is best, but this can and should still be done at any time prior to the shuttle deadline. Consider using our Development Milestones and Checklist for Digital Design Projects.
4. We recommend you talk to us regularly about your design, your progress, and whether you have encountered any barriers; it's part of the service that we take an interest in your needs and your design, and the more you're willing to share, the more we are able to help.
5. Prepare for a design review with us: Our Design Review Checklist is a way to ensure you get the most value, at a time that is right for you.
6. Book a design review meeting with us, and share what you can in advance about your own design review checklist/notes so that we can prepare and assemble the right people to give you the right support. If possible, grant our team access to your design files on our platform.
7. In the design review meeting, we typically spend an hour with you going over things we know are important to check and clarify, as well as anything else you want to raise.

At times we might determine that a follow-up is required, either because of corrective action emerging from advice we give you, or because an additional expert opinion or investigation might be required. Ultimately, it's important to us that you succeed in your tapeout, and that your design is sound.

Ask us today about your interest in our design reviews, and what you can expect from us as a customer.