An Interview with Sowmyan Rajagopalan, CEO of Thalia
In this forward-looking discussion, Thalia’s CEO, Sowmyan Rajagopalan, delves into the semiconductor industry’s transformative trends and how Thalia’s AMALIA suite is a critical tool for semiconductor businesses looking to successfully navigate this dynamic landscape.
Q: With rapid advancements, such as 2nm process technologies, how is the semiconductor industry redefining innovation?
A: The industry is on the brink of a new chapter in innovation, moving beyond Moore’s Law to redefine the limits of semiconductor capabilities. We’re heading towards an era where a 1-trillion transistor chip is within reach with foundational technologies like 3D stacking and monolithic 3D integration driving increasingly sophisticated solutions. These are not incremental changes; they’re revolutionary steps that will power the next generation of electronics.
Q: How does the AMALIA suite align with the semiconductor industry’s evolving landscape, especially in IP design migration and agility?
A: AMALIA is engineered to meet the industry’s growing need for agility. With geopolitical shifts prompting a revaluation of supply chains, design migration and second sourcing have become more than just buzzwords—they’re strategic necessities. AMALIA provides the tools for swift, efficient design migration of analog, mixed-signal and RF IP, ensuring that semiconductor companies can quickly adapt to new foundries and technologies.
Q: The automotive sector is rapidly transitioning to electric solutions and green hydrogen. How is Thalia’s AMALIA suite preparing to support the evolving needs of semiconductor technologies in this area?
A: The electric revolution within the automotive industry is indeed propelling a surge in demand for advanced semiconductor technologies. While materials like silicon carbide and gallium nitride are still emerging, they represent the future of power components in electric vehicles. Thalia is proactive in this area—our AMALIA suite is continuously evolving, incorporating the latest technological advancements. We’re enhancing our design migration tools to support our customers across the semiconductor ecosystem as they explore and integrate these next-generation materials.
Q: AI’s role in semiconductor development is becoming increasingly integral. Can you tell us more about how Thalia’s AMALIA suite is leveraging AI and ML in its solutions?
A: AI and ML have been at the core of AMALIA’s capabilities since its inception. These technologies are crucial for automating complex processes, from technology analysis to circuit optimization. By leveraging AI, we enable more efficient design centering and performance optimization, which are critical for IP reuse across different process nodes. AMALIA’s AI-driven tools have been meticulously developed to reduce design cycle times and costs, ensuring that our clients can remain agile and competitive in the fast-evolving semiconductor market.
Q: In light of the economic growth projections for Asia and the US, how does Thalia position itself in the global market?
A: Thalia is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. We’re not just observers; we’re active participants as demonstrated by our recent appointment of a business partner in China, enabling our clients to expand their product ranges and tap into new markets with agility. The AMALIA software is a reflection of our commitment to this global expansion, offering a suite of tools that are flexible, efficient, and crucial for companies aiming to lead in their respective markets.
Q: Looking ahead, how does Thalia envision its contribution to the semiconductor industry’s future?
A: Thalia’s role is to enable and accelerate the industry’s momentum. Whether it’s through advancing to new process technologies or powering the automotive sector’s electrification, we are committed to providing solutions that not only meet but drive the market forward. With AMALIA, we offer the means to navigate and influence the changing tides of the semiconductor landscape.
