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Back to Top The IPe Tool Suite will include several questionnaires embedded in an integrated workflow, with the purpose of aiding the hard IP integrator/evaluator in assessing risks when evaluating specific intellectual property (IP) vendors and their IP, as well as specific foundries and their technologies.
This overall objective is to make the current ad hoc and costly decision-making procedure more efficient and effective. The Tool Suite provides easier insights and feedback to the IP vendors and foundries on the issues that the integrators could be seeing. To further aid these suppliers, the Tool Suite provides easy-to-use features (e.g., drill-down capabilities) to help IP vendors lower the risks that the integrator may highlight. Overall, this helps the hard IP supply chain work more fluid, and thus, create more opportunities for IP vendors and integrators alike.
Key Questionnaires Within the IPe Tool Suite:
- IPe Quality Risk Assessment
- Aimed to the number-one issue in the IP supply chain, addressing communication of potential risks in IP development/testing/delivery Integrated in tool version 3.1, in a mature state
- Questionnaire encompasses IP family, while allowing risk assessment of individual products in the family
- Primary users: Vendors, Integrators, Foundries
- Questionnaire completed by IP vendor
- IPe Licensing Risk Assessment
- Addresses need for risk assessment when working with a specific vendor on IP family
- Questionnaire ready for integration
- Included in Version 4.0 of Tool
- Primary users: Integrators/IP Evaluators
- Questionnaire completed by IP integrator
- IPe Technology Risk Assessment
- Addresses need for risk assessment of dealing with specific foundry technology: covering technology offering, design kits/models, standard cell library offering
- Primary users: Vendors, Integrators, Foundries
- Questionnaire completed by foundry or integrator
- Coming Soon – Q4 2008
- IPe Manufacturing Risk Assessment
- Addresses need for risk assessment when evaluating/working with a specific fabrication facility (covering cycle time, yield, OPC/Litho/DFM challenges)
- Primary participants: Integrators, Foundries, EDA
- Questionnaire completed by foundry or integrator
- Coming Soon – Q4 2008/Q1 2009
Nothing. The Tool Suite is free to the industry. We encourage all IP vendors and integrators worldwide to benefit from the best practices tools to encourage the development of IP with higher levels of quality and predictability. You can download the GSA Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment Tool and associated files at http://www.gsaglobal.org/resources/tools/ipecosystem/index.asp
Here you will be able to download the following files in a ZIP file format: - Hard IP Version X.X Application (MS Excel)
- Hard IP Guidelines
- Release Notes
Back to Top A password is not needed to open the Tool Suite. Click on the link below that matches your version of Excel for instructions on how to adjust your Macro security setting. It’s easy and only takes a couple clicks of the mouse!
? MS Excel 2007 (.PDF)
? MS Excel 2000-2003 (.JPG) The diagram below shows the process flow for completing the Quality and Licensing Risk Assessment Tools.
The current release is implemented in Microsoft Excel and requires the Vendor to answer Yes/No or All/Often/Never to each question listed with comment fields listed as required or optional. The document is hierarchical in nature, with some questions dependent on the answers to others. All potential answers are listed in drop-down boxes to allow for click-throughs to complete the questions. 
Back to Top Logging in as a Vendor allows the user to answer the questions about specific IP families in the questionnaire.
Logging in as an Integrator/Evaluator allows the user to weight answers pertaining to IPs within the questionnaire. This is typically done after the vendor has completed the questionnaire. The Integrator/Evaluator also has access to the Licensing Tool when logged in. 
Yes; Double-click the space in the lower right-hand corner of the Overview page where it indicates adding a logo and follow instructions. 
Back to Top The Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment Tool is an effective standardized questionnaire accumulating important information about an IP vendor, their design methodology, and the IP under evaluation. It aids the integrator in risk assessment when working with one or many IP vendors.
The usage mechanism is simple and effective, including the graphical user interface and features. The questions are focused, making it less time consuming for the vendor to complete each product family based on the vendor’s expertise of the IP. The output provides measurable and actionable value to the user/integrator in a chart format called a risk profile. The GSA Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment Tool was created by a core group of vendors, integrators and foundries within the GSA’s IP Subcommittee. This group developed a set of questions for the tool with three objectives in mind: - Create a strong link between the vendor, integrator and foundry in the IP engagement—whether early in the IP development phase, during IP assessment by the integrator, or during IP transfer
- Provide value in itself to the IP vendor through structured feedback from the integrator
- Keep it simple
GSA solicited foundry involvement early in the Hard IP effort.
Foundry participants include: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, IBM, Samsung, SMIC, TSMC, UMC
Companies that have contributed to the development of the tool include: Avago Technologies, Cadence Design System, Inc., Cirrus Logic, Dolphin Integration, Freescale, IDT, Impinj, Inc., Knowlent Corporation, LSI Logic, Mentor Graphics, Micro Linear (acquired by Sirenza Microdevices), Philips, PMC-Sierra, Qualcomm, Sarnoff, Synopsys, Virage Logic The foundries support GSA’s efforts at leading the charge to improve the overall quality of third-party IP. It provides an additional layer of comfort to their already-established IP vendor qualification efforts. Foundries also prefer the Hard IP focus for obvious reasons. Finally, the foundries don’t have to do anything with the tool – the vendors and integrators perform their due diligence in advance of the manufacturing process. Foundries get value from this tool by the sheer impact it can have on helping identify quality of performance issues with IP they will be manufacturing in chip designs for their customers. All types of hard IP are covered, from RF/Analog to digital to SRAM Macros. The questionnaire is completed for each product and process technology family. The tool has been carefully designed to allow the vendor to complete the questionnaire at the IP family level so that vendors do not need to spend an inordinate amount of time answering the questions. For example, if the vendor has a family of processors or PLLs, only one instance of this tool is needed and the details are automatically filled in. The vendor simply answers the questions for the IP family as a whole (where appropriate) and then enables the splitting feature for part, process, and/or option when different answers apply.
To add another level of structure, the questionnaire follows a carefully ordered set of parent questions, where the child questions only appear as needed. In this manner, a vendor can complete the application for "simple" IP in as little as 50 questions (out of a total of only 150 questions).
Finally, to allow the risk assessment of the information provided, the end user of the completed questionnaire (foundry, integrator, or vendor (itself)) reviews the information at the product level. The GSA Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment Tool is more focused on the IP silicon verification, linking it closely to the foundry. In this way, this tool has significant foundry support. The QIP Metric is primarily focused on soft IP to date.
The GSA Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment Tool is application-based, created with the vendor workflow in mind. It is feature-rich, providing the comparison of up to 20 different IPs in a single risk profile. It is a communication and productivity tool as well, providing simple ways for the vendors and integrators to communicate throughout the IP evaluation process. It also allows for vendor branding of the risk profile.
The GSA Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment Tool is not a standard. It allows companies to implement the tool into their existing internal quality control efforts without changing internal procedures. The QIP is a standard, which does not allow derivative works.
Unlike the QIP Metric, which provides a single score to the vendor on their IP, the GSA Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment Tool scores IP on seven different categories for comparison. This feature was preferred so it would not create the potential for ranking vendors by their overall scores. The vendor completes all questions in the GSA Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment questionnaire applicable to that IP family. In addition to the integrator’s internal evaluation process, the integrator uses the graphical output to evaluate the risks and strengths of the vendor and the IP. Once the IP is profiled by the vendor, the integrator can custom weight the output to evaluate key areas of focus. Back to Top It depends on the complexity of the IP. There are a total of 156 questions embedded in the questionnaire, however, if the IP is less complex, you will not need to complete all of the questions. If it is more complex, the vendor may be required to answer more questions if an integrator has added custom questions specific to their IP needs. Note: all critical and header questions must be answered before viewing the Risk Profile. Typically, it takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete the entire application, from Hard IP Deliverables Checklist (optional) to answering all of the questions. It could take some vendors less time depending on the person’s knowledge of the IP family when completing the questionnaire. The categories are in a flow sequence of how the IP vendor looks at IP. The risk profile totals will be tallied for the category next to the question being answered – not the header question’s category. Yes; several soft IP questions are included in the questionnaire to address the MS/RF soft cores included with hard IP deliverables. GSA took this into consideration and added another feature—the Comments Field. Simply add a comment in the Vendor Comments field next to the negative question. Although, if the answer is negative, you may provide reasons why this will not remain this way, and the Integrator will be able to review this when evaluating the score. The only information you can change on the Hard IP Summary page is Custom Weighting, Answer Verification and Integrator Comments. The Custom Weighting column is where you either raise or lower the weight for a question by clicking on the cell and selecting a weight (0x, 0.5x, 1x (default), 2x, 5x). The feature is intended to ensure the integrity of the information sent by the Vendor. This feature remains in effect when the integrator adds custom weighting – the Vendor cannot change the results of this either. The answer verification column allows an integrator to mark the vendor’s answers as “Pending”, “Yes”, “Unsatisfactory”, “No Plans” after they have had experience with a certain IP. The results appear in the Risk Profile table. Yes. Click on the Import Older Questionnaire button under Additional Features and follow the instructions as it guides you through the process. 
Yes; Click on the Export data as a flat file. The Tool will prompt you to save the information as a flat Excel file. The Hard IP Deliverables Checklist is an optional guide to let IP integrators/customers know what is included in the IP family and will not be used in creating the risk profile. You can access it by clicking on Additional Features on the Overview Page. 
Options can be metal layers, lane configuration/widths, I/O, oxide thickness or anything other than process. When you reduce the number of Parts, Processes or Options you need to delete your current list first, than enter in a new list. If you use your space bar to erase an entry, it will subsequently show up as a blank entry. After you type a “Y” to delete a product from the list, be sure to click out of that cell. If you aren’t able to click on “Delete”, it means the cursor is still in a cell populated with a “Y”. For integrators to include specific IP needs from a vendor, simply use the “Custom Questionnaire” feature. This feature (new to Version 3.1), allows integrators to add custom questions and answers for the vendor to complete. The Tool will guide you through the process and automatically add the question(s) to the Questionnaire. Vendors are also able to add custom questions if they have a specific IP they want to highlight. 
You may select up to 20 IPs to compare in one chart. 
The data imported into the comparison routine must come from the Questionnaires that were completed and saved with all questions visible. Make sure you have not filtered any of the data columns prior to importing. If the source data is filtered, you will need to unfilter the data and re-import the product of interest. Back to Top There are several parts to the Risk Profile views. The Vendor and Integrator/Evaluator views slightly differ.
Vendor - Questions answered negatively at a critical level are marked in red.
- A table below the chart shows how the questions were answered throughout the questionnaire.
- The "Hard IP Advisor" is a feature to help you better analyze the risk profile and determine the chart.
- The "Absolute Chart" allows users to view absolute values.
- The "Relative Chart" allows users to view normalized values.
- The "Copy Risk Profile to Clipboard" feature allows users to do just that and paste as a .BMP image into other software.
Integrator/Evaluator - The Vendor’s baseline score is noted in the left bar.
- The Integrator’s custom weighted score is in the right bar.
- Questions answered negatively at a critical level are marked in red and should be reviewed with the Vendor.
- A table below the chart shows how the questions were answered throughout the questionnaire.
- The "Hard IP Advisor" is a feature to help you better analyze the risk profile and determine the chart.
- The "Absolute Chart" allows users to view absolute values.
- The "Relative Chart" allows users to view normalized values.
- The "Copy Risk Profile to Clipboard" feature allows users to do just that and paste as a .BMP image into other software.
The Hard IP score is a normalized % (normalized to 100%) = (Total Positive Hard IP Score) / (Total Possible Hard IP Score).
The Numerator is the sum of the Positive points. If there are only 2 possible answers, the positive response is equal to the "weight". If there are multiple possible positive responses, the score for that question is a linear extrapolation (i.e., if the weight is 10 and there are 5 possible answers and one chooses the 3rd positive response, the score = 2 x 3, or 6).
The Denominator is the total possible Score (= Sum of the weights for questions answered), ignoring questions not answered or hidden. You currently have three options.
1. You can use the "Copy Risk Profile to Clipboard" feature in the Risk Profile view;
2. You can either send the risk profile as a PDF file;
3. Use the Print Screen (PrtSc) feature on your keyboard and enclose it in a document to share. Back to Top This feature (Version 3.1 and up) is a result of an exclusive agreement with ChipEstimate.com, a chip-planning portal where semiconductor design teams can find and explore IP, as well as perform accurate estimations of their chip’s die size, power and cost. With this agreement, vendors now have an option to upload their Hard Intellectual Property (IP) Quality Risk Assessment Tool “risk profiles” to Chip Estimate’s IP portal. In addition, Chip Estimate users have the option to request a vendor’s risk profiles or request that a vendor complete the Tool for their IP or family of IP within their portfolio.
As a semiconductor IP supplier/vendor, you can click on the “Export IP data for upload to ChipEstimate.com” button to export your IP quality data for upload to the ChipEstimate.com IP catalog. Once uploaded into the portal, users from the ChipEstimate.com community may request the ability to view your IP quality risk profile. All requests are routed to the IP supplier for authorization prior to the user being able to view the risk profile. 
Back to Top It has been documented that the IP licensing period can take more than 22 weeks! This industry Tool will shorten this time period by creating efficiencies for IP purchasers and enabling the negotiation process to be focused on the areas that really matter, thus accelerating the process of purchasing the IP from a vendor and aiding in lower costs for IP integrators.
This tool focuses on third-party IP licensing to aid in the negotiation process. It leverages the programming and format of the Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment Tool with a set of standard questions addressing the intangible aspects of IP licensing. This makes the time spent collecting information more efficient and decreases the weeks spent on data collection. The questions were developed around categories for the vendor to communicate the abstract answers at critical junctures for negotiation. The IP Licensing Risk Assessment Tool acts and functions similarly to the Hard IP Quality Risk Assessment Tool. It is an additional questionnaire-based business tool embedded into the application that an IP integrator/evaluator can complete before purchasing IP. Nine sections/types are included: - Scope of License
- Payment
- Warranty
- Limitation of Liability
- Indemnity
- Governing Law
- Term & Termination
- Confidentiality
- Other
Sample Questions Include:- Is the Customer licensed to use third party designers/manufacturers?
- Must the Device containing the SIP be sold under the Customer’s brand?
- Is there a flat fee payable on signing of the Agreement? What is that fee?
- Is there a "buy out"? (e.g., a fee for unlimited use)
- Does the Licensor warrant ownership of IP and sufficiency of rights to grant the license?
- Is the Licensor’s liability limited to fees paid?
- Does the Licensor provide an indemnity?
- What is the Duration of the License?
- What are the effects of termination?
- What is your Summary Risk Opinion on this IP Family?
The risk is revealed as High Risk, Medium Risk or Low Risk. It is included in the Risk Profile under the Quality chart and table and is based on the information provided in the questionnaire. 
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