A microelectronic and microsystem design and training infrastructure for Europe
Microelectronics and related disciplines such as microsystems are key technologies in today’s information society. If Europe is to remain competitive in the many important fields that rely on these technologies, it is essential that its design engineers embrace and build upon the current most advanced techniques and methodologies. However, this is neither a simple nor a static goal. Microelectronics related design is a fast evolving, difficult and expensive discipline, needing a significant level of support and infrastructure so that engineers can acquire the necessary skills.
EUROPRACTICE is an EC-supported action to promote the use of such advanced methodologies and devices across Europe. Currently, over 650 academic and research institutions from 44 countries use EUROPRACTICE.
EUROPRACTICE has built an infrastructure for European academic and research institutions engaged in microelectronics teaching and research that allows them access to industry-standard design tools and routes to fabrication coupled with train-the-trainer programmes. This common infrastructure facilitates inter-university co-operation and allows the universities to conduct research that is relevant to the needs of industry and to produce graduates whose skills are well matched to industry’s requirements. It also benefits industry more directly through special knowledge-transfer measures and access to prototyping and small-volume fabrication.
This EUROPRACTICE infrastructure comprises cost-effective access to a portfolio of industry-standard design tools of a scope that would typically only be found in the largest multinational companies and to fabrication from a selection of leading foundries.
The design tool portfolio features best-in-class design tools from the world's leading vendors. IC design tools are very well covered, with complete front-to-back solutions for analogue, digital and mixed-signal IC design. For the rapidly growing MEMS area, the portfolio offers tools for design and analysis and integration with existing IC design flows. Further design tools in areas such as ESL, PCB, Technology CAD, FPGA, embedded systems and photonics are also available.
EUROPRACTICE makes IC fabrication affordable for universities by offering a multi-project wafer (MPW) service, where the initial set-up and manufacturing costs can be shared across the designs being submitted. A range of CMOS technologies, down to 40nm, covering areas such as mixed signal and RF are offered, as well as BiCMOS and MEMS MPW. The most advanced technologies have a considerable price premium and so are offered via the mini@sic route, where the MPW die is further divided and costs are reduced.
Collaboration between industry and academia is facilitated by compatible design tools and process, with the possibility for technology transfer through additional special license conditions.
