Release of an Upgraded SmartSpice Interface to Cadence

The SmartSpice Interface to Cadence integrates the Analog Artist and Composer elements of the Cadence Design Framework II (DFII) with SmartSpice. This integration is accomplished, in versions 4.4.0 and later of DFII, through the Cadence Spice Socket (cdsSpice) and the OASIS interface in the Analog Artist and Composer components of DFII. Versions of DFII prior to 4.4.0 are also supported by SmartSpice, but these solutions rely on the older HSPICE Socket, and necessarily offer substantially less functionality than is provided by the current interface.

ATLAS/MixedMode Simulation of a Three Stage CMOS Ring Oscillator Part I: MixedMode Setup

Ring oscillator circuits are a valuable test structure for determining the feasibility and success of an integrated circuit process fabrication sequence. One of the most useful results obtainable from a ring oscillator test structure is the delay time per gate.

BSIM3SOI Level=25 Model Released in SmartSpice

The Berkeley BSIM3SOI model, released in December 1997, is now available within SmartSpice as the MOSFET level=25 model. This model incorporates three separate implementations: the original Berkeley model implementation is invoked with the selector Berk=2; the Silvaco implementation is invoked with Berk=-2.

Scanbox Approach to Shape Reconstruction for Automated Reticle Inspection

The paper describes a generalization of the scanline approach [1] to reconstruction of the shape of planar object represented by a discrete point set with a given distance threshold d. This problem arises in applications of VLSI layout image processing, e.g., during automated reticle inspection.

Savage Enhanced with Recognition and Reporting of Hierarchical Structure of Errors

This article describes a method of reporting DRC errors implemented in Savage, applicable to multi-million transistor layouts. The method of hierarchical information inheritance is a perspective approach in an extension of capabilities of flat DRC systems. This technique makes it possible to report hierarchical errors in ordinary flat DRC systems.

Circuit Verification via Hypergraph Realization

One of the most challenging and time consuming tasks in VLSI design automation is Layout Versus Schematic (LVS). The problem is to test the consistency between the actual circuit, represented by the layout, and the nominal circuit upon which the design was based.

HINTS & TIPS – March 1998

Q: Is it possible to perform a DRC check on portions rather than on the whole circuit useful when only 2 or 3 errors to fix ?

3D Simulation of Power Devices Using Giga3D and MixedMode3D

Recent additions to the ATLAS device simulation framework have added the ability to simulate 3D electrothermal effects in Giga3D and mixed circuit simulation with 3D device simulation in MixedMode3D. The new modules add to the existing 3D device simulation within ATLAS as shown in Figure 1.

MixedMode Simulation of Power Electronic Converters

With mounting concern for energy conservation and nature preservation, power electronics is becoming increasingly dominant in everyday life.

Polysilicon Gate Depletion Effects in Sub-Micron MOSFETs

It is usually assumed that the poly gate in a MOSFET is doped at a concentration such that depletion in the gate either does not occur or that any depletion effects can safely be ignored. This article aims to quantify poly depletion effects for typical sub-micron device dimensions using ATHENA and ATLAS process and device simulators.