Unifying software and semiconductor development

In this white paper, we will discuss the emerging trend in which hardware is increasingly designed to meet the end functionality of today’s systems, which is largely defined in software. This emerging software-defined era of electronic system design requires new methodologies in which the IC and PCB design is performed in concert with software design. In this paper, we will also look closely at the new methodology and Siemens EDA’s partnership with Perforce to offer a unified design platform developing software -defined systems.

Introduction: the software-defined era

Software-defined workflows and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools are reshaping the way semiconductors are designed. The merging of software functionality and hardware intricacies is pushing traditional workflows beyond their capabilities, leaving teams at a developmental crossroads.

With this fundamental shift comes the critical need for end-to-end traceability and robust collaboration tools that easily integrate into existing workflows to unify hardware and software development.

Traceability

Traceability ensures quality, accountability, and compliance at every step. It allows teams to:

• Track every change
• Identify potential issues early
• Meet industry regulations
• Produce better outcomes at a more reliable pace
• Avoid costly re-spins
• Strategically enable AI integration

Collaboration

No two companies follow the same process; however, all organizations need a toolset that supports effective collaboration among cross-disciplinary teams. The complexity and scale of modern systems, paired with the soaring costs of advanced-node chip design, necessitates a cohesive and integrated approach.

A new path forward

In the software-defined era, we must break down the silos that historically defined software and semiconductor development workflows...