Managing derivative SoC design projects to better results

Many companies have moved to implementing a "platform chip" or derivative design strategy to preserve their investment in design tools. But physical design is proving to be a broken link in the efficiency chain. In most cases, SoC derivatives are completely new from a physical design standpoint. This paper presents techniques and tools a design manager can use to improve predictability, quality and throughput, including a design maturity workflow model that breaks down the SoC design process into four successive standard phases.