Samsung introduces Revolutionary 3nm Smartphone SoC, Empowered by Synopsys AI Tools

Samsung Electronics and Synopsys have announced a significant milestone in the development of Samsung’s mobile system-on-chip (SoC). The company has successfully taped out its first SoC using Samsung Foundry’s 3nm gate-all-around (GAA) process technology. This achievement is particularly noteworthy because it marks the first time Samsung has utilized this technology for its own smartphone application processors.

The unnamed high-performance mobile SoC from Samsung incorporates flagship CPU and GPU architectures, as well as various IP blocks from Synopsys. To optimize the design and maximize yields, Samsung’s SoC designers employed Synopsys.ai EDA software, including the Synopsys DSO.ai and Fusion Compiler RTL-to-GDSII solution. These tools played a crucial role in achieving higher performance, lower power consumption, and improved area optimization.

While the specifics of the process node used for the SoC have not been disclosed, it is clear that Samsung Foundry’s SF3E process, which has been in use for cryptocurrency mining chips, is not the chosen option. Instead, it is likely that Samsung is leveraging its more advanced SF3 manufacturing technology, which offers significant enhancements over SF3E and is slated for mass production in the near future.

The collaboration between Samsung and Synopsys has yielded impressive results. Synopsys’ tools have contributed to notable performance improvements in the chip’s design. The joint efforts have increased the chip’s peak clockspeed by 300MHz while reducing dynamic power usage by 10%. Design partitioning optimization, multi-source clock tree synthesis (MSCTS), smart wire optimization, and a simplified hierarchical approach were among the techniques employed to achieve these enhancements. Additionally, the utilization of Synopsys Fusion Compiler enabled Samsung to streamline the design process, saving valuable time.

Kijoon Hong, Vice President of SLSI at Samsung Electronics, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “Our longstanding collaboration has delivered leading-edge SoC designs. This milestone showcases our ability to achieve the highest performance, power efficiency, and area optimization on advanced GAA process technologies. Through our partnership, we have established an ultra-high-productivity design system that consistently delivers impressive results.”

Samsung’s successful tape-out of a high-performance SoC on its 3nm GAAFET process is a significant achievement. It not only demonstrates Samsung’s technological expertise but also highlights the effectiveness of AI-driven solutions in meeting stringent performance, power, and area targets. As Samsung continues to push the boundaries of innovation, this milestone sets the stage for even more advanced and efficient mobile processors in the future.

Background Information

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About Samsung:

Samsung, a South Korean multinational conglomerate, has established itself as a global leader in various industries, including electronics, technology, and more. Founded in 1938, Samsung's influence spans from smartphones and consumer electronics to semiconductors and home appliances. With a commitment to innovation, Samsung has contributed products like the Galaxy series of smartphones, QLED TVs, and SSDs that have revolutionized the way we live and work.

  

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About Synopsys:

Synopsys is a important American software company that specializes in electronic design automation (EDA) and semiconductor intellectual property. Founded in 1986, Synopsys provides tools and solutions for designing and testing complex integrated circuits and electronic systems. Their software aids in the development of semiconductors, electronic products, and software applications, playing a crucial role in advancing technological innovation across various industries. For more detailed information about their products and contributions, you can visit their official website at

  

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Technology Explained

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CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

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EDA: EDA stands for Electronic Design Automation, and it refers to a category of software tools and solutions used in the design and development of electronic systems and integrated circuits. EDA tools assist engineers and designers in creating complex electronic designs, from individual components to entire systems, by automating various aspects of the design process. These tools encompass a wide range of functionalities, including schematic capture, simulation, layout design, verification, and testing.

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Foundry: A foundry is a dedicated manufacturing facility focused on producing semiconductor components like integrated circuits (ICs) for external clients. These foundries are pivotal in the semiconductor industry, providing diverse manufacturing processes and technologies to create chips based on designs from fabless semiconductor firms or other customers. This setup empowers companies to concentrate on innovative design without needing substantial investments in manufacturing infrastructure. Some well-known foundries include TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), Samsung Foundry, GlobalFoundries, and UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation).

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GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

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SoC: A System-on-Chip (SoC) is a highly integrated semiconductor device that encapsulates various electronic components, including processors, memory, input/output interfaces, and often specialized hardware components, all on a single chip. SoCs are designed to provide a complete computing system or subsystem within a single chip package, offering enhanced performance, power efficiency, and compactness. They are commonly used in a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to embedded systems and IoT devices, streamlining hardware complexity and facilitating efficient integration of multiple functions onto a single chip.

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