Multi-Core Chip Research to Lead to Performance Gains, Power Reduction for High-...

Multi-Core Chip Research to Lead to Performance Gains, Power Reduction for High- and Low-End Computing with $6M Support From SRC, NSF

Joint Research by Semiconductor Research Corporation and National
Science Foundation Aims at Ground-breaking Solutions for Problems
Challenging the Electronics Industry
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(Business Wire)--
Leaders of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Semiconductor
Research Corporation (SRC), the world's leading university-research
consortium for semiconductors and related technologies, today
announced a major joint initiative for multi-core chip design and
architecture. The three-year program, funded by the two organizations,
will focus on several components of multi-core system architecture
design that can significantly enhance and accelerate solutions for
advancing semiconductor performance. About $6 million in funding is
available to U.S. universities, who have been invited to submit
research proposals in key areas.

The program is initiating research that will lead to significant
advances in state-of-the-art multi-core chip design and architecture,
bringing about system-level performance improvements and establishing
new and innovative research areas critical to future
computing. Specific areas of research for the program include
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for multi-core systems, such as
acceleration of design automation tools via multi-core platforms;
interconnect, packaging and circuit techniques for multi-core; and
low-power innovations.

"As Moore's Law scaling becomes more difficult, researchers must
explore new means to insure continued technological advances in
computing," said Dr. Sankar Basu, NSF program director. "CMOS scaling
is increasingly limited by the realities imposed by physics, making
architectural innovations critical to achieving increased
computational performance. Multi-core-based systems promise
computational performance enhancements and power reduction for both
high- and low-end computing platforms."

"This partnership of government, industry and academia helps
expose our universities to critical computing challenges," said Dr.
Steven Hillenius, SRC executive vice president. "Cooperative programs
with NSF help SRC to deliver value to its industrial members'
capabilities while allowing universities to continue to improve their
understanding of the needs of the semiconductor industry. The work
benefits several sectors of the research, design and manufacturing
environment."

"This new collaborative research program addresses compelling
research needs in multi-core-based systems that are of paramount
importance to industry, academia and society at large," added Dr.
Jeannette Wing, assistant director for Computer and Information
Science and Engineering at NSF. "We welcome industry-based
partnerships that offer the academic research community an opportunity
to do ground-breaking, basic, long-term research inspired by problems
faced by industry."

Per its charter, SRC will continue to take a lead role in
collaborating on enhancements brought about by academic research
associated with semiconductor design and manufacturing.

About SRC

Celebrating 26 years of collaborative research for the
semiconductor industry, the Semiconductor Research Corporation defines
industry needs, invests in and manages the research that gives its
members a competitive advantage in the dynamic global marketplace.
Awarded the National Medal of Technology, America's highest
recognition for contributions to technology, SRC expands the industry
knowledge base and attracts premier students to help innovate and
transfer semiconductor technology to the commercial industry. For more
information, visit www.src.org.

About NSF

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal
agency that supports fundamental research and education across all
fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of $6.06
billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900
universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 45,000
competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding
awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service
contracts yearly. For more information, visit www.nsf.gov.

Cardinal Communications for SRC
Scott Stevens, +1-512-413-9540
Scottstevens12@hotmail.com
or
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Dana Cruikshank, 703-292-7730
dcruiksh@nsf.gov

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