An efficient and accurate algorithm for computing RC current response with applications to EM reliability evaluation

摘要

In this paper, we propose a current waveform estimation algorithm for signal lines without the necessity of SPICE simulation. Unlike previous methods, we do not use function fitting or compute the effective capacitance. Instead, the proposed algorithm predicts the current waveform by using current responses of a driver for multiple fixed capacitances provided by the foundry. We demonstrate usefulness of the proposed method for evaluating electromigration reliability of signal lines. Experimental results indicate excellent accuracy and run times as compared to the golden results obtained from SPICE.