Data Management in Semiconductor

 

Every individual, whether living or non-living, generates data. With gadgets, people create even more data, and now machines are producing massive amounts of it too. The world is expected to generate nearly 400 zettabytes of data, up from about 2 zettabytes in 2010. The rise of mobile phones, audio/video content, and IoT devices has led to a significant increase in data growth.

As data volume increases, the key challenge is to ensure that the right data is stored, protected, processed, optimized, analyzed, and utilized for business insights. This is crucial for making data-driven decisions that foster business growth while keeping costs manageable. The semiconductor and electronics industries, particularly Electronic Design Automation (EDA), are rapidly growing and are major consumers and generators of vast amounts of data.

The data needs of EDA cover various stages and involve different file formats, such as Verilog, GDSII, OASIS, CAD files, and 3D design files. These files can be quite large, ranging from 1GB to over 100GB each. Even small to medium-sized organizations require substantial storage space for these files. Since this data is critical intellectual property that can determine business success or failure, it is vital to store it securely and back it up properly to prevent loss from device failures or sabotage.

EDA and semiconductor design rely heavily on technology. They require significant computing power and fast storage systems. Software tools like Cadence, Synopsys, and Mentor Graphics demand high-performance computing resources. To support this computing power, storage systems must quickly provide data for processing and design generation.

With the rise of cloud computing, improper setup of cloud solutions can lead to increased costs and distorted operational expenses. Therefore, effective data storage and management are essential. A robust storage system forms the foundation for success. Data loss can result in financial setbacks and reputational damage.