Modularized, Mixed IC Device/Circuit Simulation System

摘要

A modularized, mixed-mode device/circuit simulation system is proposed to expandthe modeling capability of a circuit simulator by including numerical device models and to equip a device simulator with a generalized way to implement circuit boundary conditions (BCs). With such a system the device characteristics can be evaluated under a real circuit environment and the circuit performance can be simulated by using numerical models for critical devices. The system is highly modularized, meaning that each simulator can easily be replaced with minor code changes. Moreover, the quadratic convergence rate of member simulators is preserved for the overall system performance. This modularized approach is particularly attractive considering the rapid development of advanced device simulators with increasingly complex physics involved. For example, new opto-electronic circuits use both silicon and GaAs device technologies. Numerical techniques necessary for realizing of the system and simulation example for a three-stage ring oscillator are provided.