Presentation by Aart de Geus, Synopsys, at the 28th AEK
How electronics is transforming the automotive industry
In his presentation at the Automobil-Elektronik Congress, Aart de Geus of Synopsis stressed the importance of simulation, AI and multi-die design: "Multi-die is changing everything and it's happening now."
(Bild: Matthias Baumgartner)
At the 28th Automobil-Elektronik (AEK), Synopsys' Aart de Geus discussed how advances in electronics and artificial intelligence are revolutionising the automotive industry, and the new opportunities and challenges they present.
At the 28th Automobil-Elektronik Kongress, Aart de Geus, CEO and Founder of Synopsys, gave an insight into current developments and challenges in the electronics industry for the automotive sector. His presentation made it clear that the future of the automotive industry is closely linked to advances in electronics. Here are some of the highlights of his presentation:
Why are silicon and software the driving forces?
The electronics industry has always been driven by two key forces: silicon and software. Silicon provides the physical foundation of the technology, while software enables functionality and applications. "It is at the intersection of these two forces that all innovation takes place", emphasises Aart de Geus. Historically, Moore's Law has driven continuous improvements in computing power and efficiency. Today, AI complements this development and creates new opportunities in the automotive industry.
How will AI affect the automotive industry?
AI is having a profound impact on the automotive industry by providing new capabilities for simulation and analysis. These technologies make it possible to efficiently develop and optimise complex designs. "AI is changing the picture from business to technology," explains Aart de Geus. In the field of vehicle development in particular, AI enables the simulation of entire vehicle systems and the analysis of huge amounts of data, making development faster, more accurate and more cost-effective.
What role does EDA play in this transformation?
Electronic Design Automation (EDA) plays a central role in the current transformation of the electronics industry by automating the chip design process. Through modelling, simulation and optimisation, EDA enables the efficient development of complex systems. "EDA helps to speed up the design process and improve accuracy," says Aart de Geus. These tools are essential to meet the increasing demands for computing power and efficiency, especially in the context of AI and advanced automotive applications.
"The combination of AI and multi-die designs opens up a whole new era of complexity and possibilities."
Aart de Geus, CEO of Synopsys, on the potential of AI.
Why are multi-die designs important?
Multi-die designs are important because they significantly increase the performance and efficiency of chips. The tight packing of multiple chips results in higher density and faster data transfer. "Multi-die designs change the rules of the chip architecture game," explains Aart de Geus. This technology makes it possible to perform complex tasks faster and more energy-efficiently, which is particularly important in the automotive industry to meet increasing demands for computing power and integration.
What are the challenges in modern electronic design?
One of the biggest challenges in modern electronic design, especially 3D chip design, is effective thermal management. Without proper cooling, chips can quickly overheat, affecting their performance and lifetime. "Heat is the enemy of the next 20 years," says Aart de Geus. Advanced simulation tools and AI optimisations are crucial for analysing the thermal load and developing appropriate cooling measures. In addition, the cost and complexity of cooling technologies must be carefully weighed.
"Heat is the enemy of the next 20 years."
Aart de Geus, CEO of Synopsys, on thermal management.
Key questions and answers from Aart de Geus' presentation
Why are silicon and software so important to the electronics industry?
The combination of silicon and software provides the foundation for advances in electronics by improving the computing power and functionality of systems.
How will artificial intelligence change electronics design?
AI enables the automation and optimisation of design processes, leading to more efficient and powerful electronic systems.
What are the advantages of 3D chip designs?
3D chip designs offer higher power density and lower latency, but also present challenges in terms of heat generation.
What is the role of digital twins in automotive design?
Digital twins enable extensive simulation and testing of virtual vehicle models, reducing development time and increasing safety.
About Aart de Geus
Dr Aart de Geus is one of the pioneers of electronic design automation (EDA) in the semiconductor industry. He founded Synopsys in 1986, a company that developed and commercialised logic synthesis, which dramatically reduced the complexity of digital designs. Under his leadership, Synopsys became the industry leader in EDA through extensive investments in research and development and approximately 120 acquisitions. Aart served as the company's CEO from 1994 to 2024.
He is a renowned speaker who combines technology trends with the history of semiconductor design and system complexity to present an inspiring vision of an innovative, high-tech future. Aart has received numerous awards for his achievements, including the IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal and an honorary doctorate from the University of Glasgow.
He is active in the business community, serving on several boards and the Synopsys Foundation, which he founded to promote project-based learning in science and mathematics.