CASS Talks 2022 - Marcelo Johann, UFRGS, Brazil - September 9, 2022

CASS Talks 2022 - Semtember 09, 2022
Algorithms for Physical Design - Fundamentals and Challenges
Marcelo Johann
UFRGS, Brazil

Abstract:
The IC design depends heavily on the quality of the EDA tools used in the design flow. Improved CAD tools and algorithms are needed to cope with new fabrication technology requirements, advanced performance constraints, or simply the gigantic number of elements involved. In this talk, we will emphasize the importance of automation in the design process, and what are the main approaches to solve complex optimization problems in acceptable time. Basic and advanced optimization algorithms will be presented for selected physical design synthesis problems, particularly placement and routing. The aim of this talk is to provide an overview and a background for these problems so as to motivate personal and institutional investments in research, development and education in cross-domain subjects that embrace circuit and systems design as well as the most advanced computational methods and algorithms.



Short CV:
Marcelo de Oliveira Johann (Member of IEEE, AES, ICMA, SBC) received his Bachelor (5-years), Masters and the Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), at Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1992, 1994 and 2001, respectively, having spent 6 months as a visiting student at UCLA, USA, in 1997. He worked as a professor at the Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) from 2000 to 2002, and is a full-time professor at UFRGS since 2003. Dr. Johann co-authored 9 book chapters and published more than 70 conference and journal papers mainly in topics related to Electronic Design Automation. His research interests include algorithms for placement, routing, discrete gate sizing, combinatorial optimization, circuits for audio, recording classical music and computer music.