======================================================================== SIGDA -- The Resource for EDA Professionals www.sigda.org ======================================================================== 1 February 2006 ACM/SIGDA E-NEWSLETTER Vol. 36, No. 3 Online archive: http://www.sigda.org/newsletter ======================================================================== Contents of this E-NEWSLETTER: (1) SIGDA News Contributing author: Tony Givargis Contributing author: Michael Orshansky Contributing author: Marc Riedel Contributing author: Igor Markov (2) Paper Submission Deadlines Hai Zhou (3) Upcoming Conferences and Symposia Hai Zhou (4) Upcoming Funding Opportunities Qinru Qiu (5) Call For Nominations: Outstanding Young Author Award Diana Marculescu (6) ACM/SIGDA Reception and Open Member Meeting at DATE'06 Diana Marculescu ======================================================================== Dear ACM/SIGDA members, As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions. If you would like to participate or contribute to the content of the E-Newsletter, please feel free to contact any of us. Igor Markov and Qing Wu, E-Newsletter Editors; Qinru Qiu, E-Newsletter Associate Editor; Hai Zhou, E-Newsletter Associate Editor; Tony Givargis, E-Newsletter Associate Editor; Michael Orshansky, E-Newsletter Associate Editor; Marc Riedel, E-Newsletter Associate Editor; ======================================================================== SIGDA News ----------------------- "Behind Bush's New Stress on Science, Lobbying by Republican Executives" New York Times, Feb 2, 2006. p.C4; John Markoff and Warren Leary http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/02/business/02research.html President Bush's new plan to increase federal research spending by 7% annually came as a surprise to the research community. However, apparently it was preceded by a number of meetings between administration, industry executives and academics, including Intel Chairman Craig Barrett and Charles Vest, the former president of MIT. Bush identified nanotechnology, supercomputing, and alternative energy sources as long-term priorities. "43rd Design Automation Conference Receives Record Number of Technical Paper Submissions" http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060124/20060124005310.html?.v=1 The Design Automation Conference (DAC) today announced it received 1,007 technical paper, tutorial, panel and student design contest submissions for the 43rd DAC, which will be held July 24-28, 2006, at Moscone Center in San Francisco. This level of submission responses is the highest in DAC's history. "EDA industry needs a reality check" http://www.edn.com/article/CA6298273.html Four years ago, the EDA industry appeared to be on top of the world; now, it appears to be taking desperate measures to show a recovery. If the EDA industry wants to turn the tide, it should stop dealing out marketing bull, take a realistic look at the state of its business, and address the weak points. Look below for my list of advice. (Michael Santarini, Senior Editor -- EDN, 1/19/2006) "Systems Biology Gets a Shot in the Arm" http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/23006/ A fundamental goal of systems biology is to define a biological system precisely, such that it becomes possible to predict the outcome of perturbing that system. Yesterday (Jan. 22) a team of researchers from German drug discovery firm Cellzome and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory reported in Nature a significant step toward the creation of such models, at least in budding yeast. "LSI Logic Joins Synplicity Partners in Prototyping Program" http://www.commsdesign.com/press_releases/prnewswire/showPressRelease.jhtml?&CompanyId=1&HeadlineId=X425530 LSI Logic Corporation and Synplicity, Inc. today announced that LSI has joined the Synplicity Partners in Prototyping (PIP) program. LSI will offer its system prototyping platform for the ARM926EJ-S processor through the partner program, enabling a hardware and software co-design environment. The prototyping platform is designed to ensure faster system development and a flawless transition to custom silicon, for both standard cell or Platform ASIC designs. The prototyping platform, announced in December is already being shipped to customers. "Toshiba Uses Forte Cynthesizer to Accelerate Completion of H.264 Multimedia Design" http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060123/nym077.html?.v=29 Forte Design Systems today announced that Toshiba Corporation has completed an advanced multimedia H.264 design using Forte's Cynthesizer SystemC behavioral synthesis product. In addition, Toshiba has selected Cynthesizer as a key product in its R-Cube(TM) C-based methodology, developed to significantly reduce time-to-market for Toshiba's multimedia SoC. "A Joint Effort - The Tech Industry and Academia are Interacting to Make Sure the Talent Pool Doesn't Go Dry." http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2006/01/30/stories/2006013000140200.htm The recovery in the tech sector is fuelling the pace of recruitment - and also concerns over talent demand and supply shortage.With the employed manpower base swelling past the 1-million mark in 2005 and projected to touch 2.5 million in terms of direct recruitment, as the sector grows to $60 billion in exports by 2009, the industry is expected to face a manpower crunch, according to a Nasscom-McKinsey study. Besides areas such as animation and semiconductors, even the mainstream technology sector faces a talent shortfall. "Rockwell Scientific Introduces 6Bit 4GS/s Analog to Digital Converter" http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=108064 Rockwell Scientific Company LLC (RSC), a premier developer of high speed mixed signal circuits for commercial and defense applications, announced today sample availability of a 6Bit 4GS/s analog to digital converter -- RAD004. "Sun Microsystems Delivers New Workstations Pre-Installed With Most Advanced Operating System on the Planet" http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-30-2006/0004270250&EDATE= Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced its new world-record setting Sun Ultra(TM) Workstations, including the fastest x64 (x86, 64-bit) workstation in the industry. The new Sun Ultra Workstations provide customers with more options for operating systems than any other vendor, including the Solaris(TM) 10 Operating System (OS) and standard distributions of Linux and Windows. "Applying Distributed System Concepts to Embedded Multiprocessor Designs" http://www.embedded.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=177104979 After decades of anticipation, multiprocessors are becoming a reality for the majority of software engineers, especially in embedded systems. This article descibes symmetric multiprocessors which use a number of identical processors, one operating system and a shared memory -- concepts that are commonly used in distributed systems. "Successful Development of an Upright-Type Double-Gate MOS Transistor Capable of Ultra-Large Scale Integration" http://www.azonano.com/news.asp?newsID=1792 The National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology have succeeded in manufacturing a high-performance upright-type double gate MOS transistor capable of ultra-large scale integration using neutral beams which cannot damage silicon substrates. "Logarithms: The New Floating Point?" http://www.edn.com/article/CA6298285.html?industryid=42873 From the University of Newcastle upon Tyne spin-off Northern Digital comes a microprocessor whose maker claims to be the first to operate directly on numbers that are held in a logarithmic representation. The device targets applications that involve heavy computation loads and would essentially replace today's floating-point processors or coprocessors. Its designers say that it offers a performance gain in such mathematically intensive algorithms. "A New Canonical Form for Fast Boolean Matching in Logic Synthesis and Verification" http://www.edatechforum.com/journal/dec2005/best_of_intro.cfm An efficient and compact canonical form is proposed for the Boolean matching problem under permutation and complementation of variables. In addition, an efficient algorithm for computing the proposed canonical form is provided. The efficiency of the algorithm allows it to be applicable to large complex Boolean functions with no limitation on the number of input variables. Previous approaches were not capable of handling functions with more than seven inputs. Generalized signatures are used to define and compute the canonical form while symmetry of variables is used to minimize the computational complexity of the algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of the proposed canonical form. "Intel unveils its 45 nm process technology" http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=GFEY2RYTR3UXYQSNDBESKHA?articleID=177103800 Intel Corp. on Jan. 25 disclosed the initial details of its 45-nm process and claimed that it has produced the world's first chips based on the technology. Compared to its 65-nm process, the new technology offers a two-fold improvement in transistor density, a 20-percent jump in switching speeds and a 30-percent reduction in power. The technology utilizes copper interconnects, low-k dielectrics, strained silicon and other features. "Agilent makes a foray into 3D EM Simulation Market" http://www.electronicsweekly.com/Articles/2006/01/25/37445/Agilentspotsgapfor3DEMsimulation.htm Agilent Technologies is to expand its EDA range with the launch of cut price 3D electromagnetic (EM) simulation in response to RF and microwave designer demands. 3D EM simulation allows the characterization and analysis of high frequency communications designs, taking into account the effect that things like bond wires start to have on circuits as the frequency increases. "Israeli startup unveils color LCD technology" http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=177104261 Israeli start up Genoa Color Technologies has unveiled technology that expands the color gamut beyond red, green, and blue. The new technology adds one to three colors to the current RGB mix---typically yellow, cyan and magenta---to expand a display's visible color gamut by 35 percent while increasing its brightness by as much as 40 percent. The technology allows colors to appear more natural, brighter and richer. ======================================================================== Submission deadlines: --------------------- FLoC'06 - Federated Logic Conference Seattle, WA Aug 12-21, 2006 The following six conferences will participate in FLoC: - Conference on Computer-Aided Verification (CAV). - International Conference on Logic Programming (ICLP). - International Joint Conference on Automated Deduction (IJCAR). - IEEE Symposium on Logic in Computer Science (LICS). - Conference on Rewriting Techniques and Applications (RTA). - International Conference on Theory and Applications of Satisfiability Testing (SAT). http://research.microsoft.com/floc06/ EUC'06 - Int'l Conference on Embedded And Ubiquitous Computing Seoul, Korea Aug 1 - 4, 2006 Workshop Proposal: Jan 22, 2006 Deadline: Feb 22, 2006 http://euc.wonkwang.ac.kr/ MWSCAS'06 - Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems San Juan, Puerto Rico Aug 6-9, 2006 Deadline: Feb 24, 2006 http://mwscas06.uprm.edu/ ISLPED'06 - Int'l Symposium on Low Power Electronics and Design Tegernsee, Germany Oct 4, 2006 Deadline: Feb 24, 2006 http://www.islped.org/ DAC'06 - SIGDA Ph.D. Forum at DAC San Francisco, CA Jul 25, 2006 Deadline: Feb 28, 2006 http://www.sigda.org/daforum/ EC'06 - Int'l Workshop on Embedded Computing Columbus, OH Aug 14, 2006 Deadline: Mar 06, 2006 http://juliet.stfx.ca/~lyang/icpp06-ec/ FPL'06 - Int'l Conference on Field Programmable Logic and Applications Madrid, Spain Aug 28-30, 2006 Deadline: Mar 10, 2006 http://fpl.org/ PACT'06 - Int'l Conference on Parallel Architectures and Compilation Techniques Seattle, WA Sep 16-20, 2006 Deadline: Mar 27, 2006 http://www.pactconf.org VLSI-SoC'06 - Int'l Conference on Very Large Scale Integration French Riviera, France October 16 - 18, 2006 Deadline: Mar 27, 2006 http://tima.imag.fr/conferences/VLSI-SoC06/ SBCCI'06 - Symposium on Integrated Circuits and Systems Design Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil Aug 28 - Sep 1, 2006 Deadline: Apr 2, 2006 http://www.sbc.org.br/sbcci FDL'06 - Forum on specification & Design Languages TU Darmstadt, Germany September 19 - 22, 2006 Deadline: Apr 3, 2006 http://www.ecsi-association.org/ecsi/fdl/fdl05/default.htm ICCAD'06 - Int'l Conference on Computer Aided Design San Jose, CA November 5 - 9, 2006 Deadline: Apr 19, 2006 http://www.iccad.com/ CODES-ISSS'06 - Int'l Conference on Hardware/Software Codesign and System Synthesis Seoul, Korea October 22 - 25, 2006 Deadline: May 8, 2006 http://www.codes-isss.org/ ======================================================================== Upcoming symposia, conferences and workshops: --------------------------------------------- FPGA'06 - Int'l Symposium on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays Monterey, CA Feb 22-24, 2006 http://conferences.ece.ubc.ca/isfpga2006/ SLIP'06 - System Level Interconnect Prediction Munich, Germany Mar 4-5, 2006 http://www.sliponline.org ISQED'06 - Int'l Symposium on Quality Electronic Design San Jose, CA Mar 27-29, 2006 http://www.isqed.org/ DATE'06 - Design Automation and Test in Europe Munich, Germany Mar 6-10, 2006 http://www.date-conference.com/ VLSI-TSA'06 - Int'l Symposium on VLSI Tech., Sys. & Applications VLSI-DAT'06 - Int'l Symposium on VLSI Design, Automation & Test Hsinchu, Taiwan Apr 24-26, 2006 http://vlsidat.itri.org.tw/2006/General/ IPDPS'06 - Int'l Parallel and Distributed Processing Symposium Rhodes Island, Greece Apr 25-29, 2006 http://www.ipdps.org/ GLSVLSI'06 - Great Lakes Symposium on VLSI Philadelphia, PA Apr 30 - May 2, 2006 http://www.glsvlsi.org/ ISCAS'06 - Int'l Symposium on Circuits and Systems Island of Kos, Greece May 21 - 24, 2006 http://www.iscas06.org/ ICSE'06 - Int'l Conference on Software Engineering Shanghai, China May 20 - 28, 2006 http://www.icse-conferences.org/2006/ DAC'06 - SIGDA Ph.D. Forum at DAC San Francisco, CA Jul 25, 2006 http://www.sigda.org/daforum/ DAC'06 - Design Automation Conference San Francisco, CA Jul 24 - 28, 2006 http://www.dac.com/ ======================================================================== Upcoming funding opportunities ------------------------------- DOD Electronics Design for Cold Environments (CRREL-66) Deadline: Continuous http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/contract/docs/FY2006BAA1.pdf Sensors, Sensor Systems, Data Acquisition, Processing, and Transmission Systems (ITL-6) Deadline: Continuous http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/contract/docs/FY2006BAA1.pdf High Performance Computing (HPC) and Networking (ITL-4) Deadline: Continuous http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/contract/docs/FY2006BAA1.pdf NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program . NSF 06-525 Deadline: March 27, 2006 http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12759&org=CISE&from=home High End Computing University Research Activity (HECURA) . NSF 06-503 Deadline: February 3, 2006 http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13645&org=CISE&from=home NSF CONACyT Collaborative Research Opportunities (NSF 96-145) Deadline: February 1, 2006 http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/1998/nsf96145/nsf96145.htm Cyber Trust . NSF 05-518 Deadline: March 6, 2006 http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2006/nsf06517/nsf06517.htm Mathematical Sciences: Innovations at the Interface with the Sciences and Engineering - NSF 05-622 Deadline: March 01, 2006 http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2005/nsf05622/nsf05622.htm Information and Intelligent Systems: Advancing Collaborative and Intelligent Systems and their Societal Implications - NSF 05-551 Deadline: April 18, 2006; April 20, 2006 http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf05551 DARPA Advanced Soldier Sensor Information System and Technology Deadline: August 04, 2006 http://fedbizopps.cos.com/cgi-bin/eps/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/BAA04-38/listing.html?notice=MOD NAVSEA Science and Technology BAA - Countermeasures Technology Deadline: Open until March 21, 2006 http://www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/contract/info/baa2004/ Science and Technology BAA . Audition and Communication Deadline: Open until March 21, 2006 http://www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/contract/info/baa2004/ Science and Technology BAA . Test and Evaluation Deadline: Open until March 21, 2006 http://www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/contract/info/baa2004/ Fellowship NASA Summer Faculty Research Opportunities (NSFRO) Deadline: March 14, 2006; May 02, 2006 http://www.asee.org/resources/fellowships/nsfro/general.cfm Sloan Research Fellowships Deadline: September 15, 2006 http://www.sloan.org/programs/scitech_fellowships.shtml ======================================================================== Call For Nominations: Outstanding Young Author Award ---------------------------------------------------- Deadline: Feb 15th, 2006 Purpose: To honor an especially meritorious paper published in any one of the CAS Society's Transactions whose author at the date of submission is less than 30 years of age. The award is based on general quality, originality, contributions, subject matter and timeliness. Anyone who is an author of papers published in any one of the CAS Society Transactions during the two calendar years preceding the award, who at the date of submission of the paper shall be less than 30 years of age is eligible. More information: See Awards page on CAS website http://www.ieee-cas.org/ for current submission information. ======================================================================== ACM/SIGDA Reception and Open Member Meeting at DATE'06 ------------------------------------------- Time: Tuesday, March 7 2006, 18:30-20:00 Please join us Tuesday evening, hear about some of our programs, and meet some new friends. Open to all conference delegates. http://date.eda-online.co.uk/2006/prog/index.php?id=493 ======================================================================== (This ACM/SIGDA E-NEWSLETTER is being sent to all persons on the ACM/SIGDA mailing list. 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