Virtuoso Heterogeneous Integration: EM Analysis of ICs Using the EMX Solver Training

Length: 4 Days (32 hours)

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Course Description

In this course, you review Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs) and are introduced to the Virtuoso Heterogeneous Integration (Virtuoso HI) Flow. You start the course by exploring the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant in the Virtuoso Layout Suite EXL, with a focus on the EMX Solver. You learn to describe the ports in the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant for running the simulations using the EMX Solver in Virtuoso HI. Following this, you review the three use models for running the simulations in Electromagnetic Solver Assistant using the EMX Solver in Virtuoso HI: Full Cellview, XL-Based, and LVS-Based. For the Full Cellview Model, you simulate complete layouts and layouts with Automatic Cell Exclusion (Blackboxing). For the XL-based model, you simulate Partial and Hierarchical Layouts. For the LVS-Based Model, you simulate the Partial and LVS-Blackboxed Layouts. You explore techniques to simplify the layout shapes in the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant for the EMX Solver in Virtuoso HI. You further describe the Currents Assistant in the Virtuoso 3D Viewer to visualize the 3D Current. You conclude this course by comparing the post-layout simulation results for the three use models explained previously.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs) and various parameters to characterize them
• Outline the Virtuoso Heterogenous Integration (Virtuoso HI) flow
• Describe different components/options in the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant GUI
• Identify the different types of ports available for EMX in the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant and different ways to manipulate the ports
• Describe the Full Cellview model for EMX in the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant  
• Outline XL-compliance and describe the XL-based model for EMX in the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant
• Describe the LVS-based model for EMX in the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant
• Define shape simplification in the Electromagnetic Models and illustrate different shape simplification techniques using EMX in the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant
• Describe the Currents Assistant to visualize 3D Current in the Virtuoso 3D Viewer
• Perform post-layout simulation for all the models in the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant

Software Used in This Course

• Virtuoso Layout Suite EXL
• Virtuoso Schematic Editor XL
• Virtuoso ADE Explorer
• Virtuoso ADE Assembler
• Virtuoso Visualization & Analysis
• Cadence Design Framework II 
• EMX Planar 3D Solver
• Spectre Classic Simulator
• Spectre RF option for 38500 and 91050
• Spectre X Simulator
• Cadence Pegasus User Interface
• Cadence Pegasus Layout vs. Schematic Check
• Cadence Pegasus Results Viewer
• Cadence Quantus Extraction XL
• Cadence Quantus QRC Extraction XL

Software Release(s)

IC 23.1, EMX 2023.2, SPECTRE 23.1, PEGASUS 23.22, QUANTUS 23.11

Modules in this Course

• Introduction to RFICs and Overview of EM Simulations in the Virtuoso Heterogenous Integration Flow
• Introduction to Electromagnetic Solver Assistant
• Specifying Ports for EM Simulations Using the EMX Solver in the Virtuoso HI  
• Full Cellview Model to Simulate Complete and Blackboxed Layouts Using the EMX Solver in Virtuoso HI
• XL-Based Model to Simulate Partial and Hierarchical IC Layouts Using the EMX Solver in Virtuoso HI
• LVS-Based Model to Simulate Partial and LVS-Blackboxed IC Layouts Using the EMX Solver in Virtuoso HI
• Shape Simplification in the Models for EM Simulations Using the EMX Solver in Virtuoso HI
• 3D Current Density Visualization Using Currents Assistant in the Virtuoso 3D Viewer
• Post-Layout Simulations from All Three Models Using the EMX Solver in Virtuoso HI

Audience

• RFIC/ Analog IC Designers
• RFIC Board and Package Designers

Prerequisites

Before taking this course, you need to: 

• Be familiar with the Virtuoso Schematic Editor and Virtuoso Layout Suite
• Have knowledge of RF theory, RF circuits, and RF design analysis  
• Have experience with using the Spectre simulator
• Understand the general features of the EMX Solver
• Have used the Spectre Circuit simulator, Pegasus, and Quantus from the Virtuoso environment

Or/And must have completed the following courses:

• Virtuoso Schematic Editor 
• Virtuoso Layout Design Basics 
• Virtuoso ADE Explorer and Assembler S1: ADE Explorer and Single Test Corner Analysis
• Virtuoso ADE Explorer and Assembler S2: ADE Assembler and Multi Test Corner Analysis
• Electromagnetic Simulations Using the EMX Solver 
• Spectre RF Analysis using Harmonic Balance 
• Pegasus Verification System
• Quantus Transistor-Level T1: Overview and Technology Setup

Related Courses

• 5G mmWave Handset System Design – S1: Simulation and Verification of the RFIC (Transceiver)
• Electromagnetic Simulations Using the EMX Solver 

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