# Beyond PPA: How Foundation IP Enables Predictable Execution and Lower TCO for AI-Era SoCs

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2026-10-07
- Length: 24m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-10-07-beyond-ppa-how-foundation-ip-enables-predictable-execution-and-lower-tco-for-ai
- Listen: https://podcast.show/aspencore/episode/155593341/

## Summary

Ravi Todi, Executive Director of Product Management at Synopsys, explains that competitive power, performance, and area (PPA) are no longer sufficient for AI-era SoCs, as design complexity and execution risk at advanced nodes require a focus on predictable execution and total cost of ownership (TCO). He details how Synopsys' Foundation IP platform—integrating embedded memory, logic libraries, and I/O—reduces integration risks and avoids expensive re-spins, which can cost $20–$40 million in mask sets and delay tape-outs by 6–9 months. Todi highlights that this holistic approach enables first-pass silicon success, cross-foundry portability, and optimized PPA for both high-performance compute (HPC) and edge AI (HAI) designs, shifting the buying decision from lowest IP license price to lowest total cost of silicon on time.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-10-07-beyond-ppa-how-foundation-ip-enables-predictable-execution-and-lower-tco-for-ai#t=3) Introduction: Ravi Todi and Synopsys on AI-era SoC risks
- [1:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-10-07-beyond-ppa-how-foundation-ip-enables-predictable-execution-and-lower-tco-for-ai#t=84) The shift from PPA to TCO and time-to-market in AI refresh cycles
- [2:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-10-07-beyond-ppa-how-foundation-ip-enables-predictable-execution-and-lower-tco-for-ai#t=156) Integration risks and hidden costs of multi-vendor IP sourcing
- [3:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-10-07-beyond-ppa-how-foundation-ip-enables-predictable-execution-and-lower-tco-for-ai#t=229) Synopsys Foundation IP: reducing re-spin costs and improving PPA
- [8:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-10-07-beyond-ppa-how-foundation-ip-enables-predictable-execution-and-lower-tco-for-ai#t=524) Node-to-node migration and cross-foundry portability strategies
- [14:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-10-07-beyond-ppa-how-foundation-ip-enables-predictable-execution-and-lower-tco-for-ai#t=843) Prioritizing silicon proof points and first-pass success for TCO
- [17:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-10-07-beyond-ppa-how-foundation-ip-enables-predictable-execution-and-lower-tco-for-ai#t=1042) Differentiating HPC AI and Edge AI (HAI) optimization requirements

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Synopsys (company)
- Ravi Todi (other)

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- [Synopsys' Stelios Diamantidis Is Bringing the Magic of AI To Chip Design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2023-04-04-synopsys-stelios-diamantidis-is-bringing-the-magic-of-ai-to-chip-design) (Moore's Lobby)
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## Citing this page

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