Recent Tanner EDA Articles
Massimo Sivilotti, Ph.D of Tanner EDA showed me their 3D field solver in the HiPer PX extraction tool at DAC last week.
Notes
Tool Suites – schematics, layout, SPICE simulation, DRC/LVS
- HiPer PX: 3D Field solver
o Layers, dielectrics,
o Finite element analysis
o Boundary element methods
o 2D mode for pattern matching
o PDK – includes the info for PX extraction
o 3D viewer to see the IC Layout
o Offered for a few years now
o Extract: Devices, parasitic, interconnect
o Produces RC netlist (not L, not s-parameters), coupled C
o Take parasitic from PX extraction then view it in Schematic editor (S-Edit)
Swap out cell parasitics by changing the view
o Run times are more limited by your simulator, not the extraction
o Built-in netlist reduction algorithms (supply a frequency range), typically the reduced netlist is 10% the size of the original netlist
o Not a multi-core algorithm yet (T-Spice is multi-core for circuit simulation)
o Developed at TU Delft in Europe, licensed technology
o Runs on both PC and Linux (32 or 64bit)
o Comparable accuracy with Assura RX
Licensing – Sentinelo Finite element analysis
o Boundary element methods
o 2D mode for pattern matching
o PDK – includes the info for PX extraction
o 3D viewer to see the IC Layout
o Offered for a few years now
o Extract: Devices, parasitic, interconnect
o Produces RC netlist (not L, not s-parameters), coupled C
o Take parasitic from PX extraction then view it in Schematic editor (S-Edit)
Swap out cell parasitics by changing the view
o Run times are more limited by your simulator, not the extraction
o Built-in netlist reduction algorithms (supply a frequency range), typically the reduced netlist is 10% the size of the original netlist
o Not a multi-core algorithm yet (T-Spice is multi-core for circuit simulation)
o Developed at TU Delft in Europe, licensed technology
o Runs on both PC and Linux (32 or 64bit)
o Comparable accuracy with Assura RX
- Dongles
- Commuter
- Time-based
- Rentals
- Even permanent licenses
L-Edit – used for stacked die layout with IC and Mems
- Packaging techniques to locate all pads
3D Solid Modeler
- Used for MEMS Design – have a solid modeler (air or dielectrics)
- Interfaces to Finite Element Analysis
- Optical example with mirror
Summary
Tanner EDA continues to offer affordable IC design tools, HiPer PX offers both 3D and 2.5D extraction depending on the accuracy that you need.
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