Mixed Signal SoC design for Biometric Finger Print authentication

The Customer:

A US based world leader in fingerprint sensor solutions. These solutions provide the highest levels of performance, security, cost-effectiveness, and design flexibility. Their fingerprint sensor technology enables smartphones, tablets, notebook PCs, etc. to implement authentication applications. Tata Elxsi has created around 6 different variants of Biometric Fingerprint Sensor SoC for this customer.

Product Description & Scope:

• To build world class Biometric Authentication ICs to maintain leadership and increase market share, Tata Elxsi was selected for our extensive experience of handling turn-key SoC projects
• A mixed signal SoC for fingerprint authentication in laptops and hand held devices
• To create an end-to-end design from Spec to GDSII

Scope: ASIC (Front End) Spec definition RTL design Synthesis OVM based verification Pre Si Validation

Scope: ASIC (Back End) Place and Route Timing Closure Physical Verification Post Si Validation

The Solution:

• Flawless planning and execution of end-to-end design for targeted SoC
• Low power multi-voltage mixed signal design flow
• Successfully met analog Blocks Integration challenges
• Custom routing – channels between analog and digital, custom I/O cells
• Successful timing closures, congestion and low power in a multi-voltage domain
• FPGA prototype boards were designed and developed by Tata Elxsi and followed by a complete System Validation activity
• OVM verification methodology with 100% verification coverage
• Customized flow set up for the customer at Tata Elxsi ODC
• Digital characterization of Silicon (USB function & compliance, Custom SPI Master & Slave IP, OTPROM, GPIO, PWM)
• Characterization Setup (Characterization using patch environment covers, voltage, temperature, frequency measurement)

Business Benefits:

• Tata Elxsi has been working on the development of mixed signal SoCs for 3+ years which started with laptop application and leading to low power SoC development for handheld devices hence saving significant efforts/cost for customer for next derivatives
• Our capability with SoC and system design helped customer to come up with different offerings in their market segment ahead of competition
• Very easy migration to derivative products for different markets in authentication segment without time & cost overheads
• ODC at Tata Elxsi resulted in significant reduction of operational overheads and hence keeping cost of ownership very low