EEL 6325

Computer Simulation of Integrated Circuits and Devices

 

 

Instructor:   J. G. Fossum

 

Credits:   3

 

Prerequisite:   Graduate-Student Standing

 

Textbook:   None

 

Key References: Fundamentals of Computer-Aided Circuit Simulation

W. J. McCalla [1988]

 

Electronic Circuit & System Simulation Methods

T. L. Pillage, R. A. Rohrer, and C. Visweswariah [1995]

 

Circuit Analysis, Simulation and Design (Parts 1 & 2)

A. E. Ruehli (Ed.) [1986 & 1987]

 

The Designer's Guide to SPICE & SPECTRE

K. S. Kundert [1995]

 

Semiconductor Device Modeling with SPICE

P. Antognetti and G. Massobrio (Eds.) [1988]

 

Process and Device Modeling

W. L. Engl (Ed.) [1986]

 

Semiconductor Devices - A Simulation Approach

K. M. Kramer and W. N. G. Hitchon [1997]

 

Analysis and Simulation of Semiconductor Devices

S. Selberherr [1984]

 

 

Content:   The course will cover basic methods of computer simulation of semiconductor devices and circuits, with references to IC technology computer-aided design (TCAD), IC manufacturing CAD, and common tools used in IC design, e.g., MEDICI and SPICE. The main topics will be the formulations of circuit nodal equations and device transport equations, and the numerics involved in solving them. Realistic limitations to "exact" simulation of devices and circuits will be stressed.

EEL 6325

Computer Simulation of Integrated Circuits and Devices

 

 

 

I. IC TCAD Overview

 

Process Simulation

Device Simulation

Circuit Simulation

Tool Integration [Mixed-Mode Simulation]

Statistical Analysis [Manufacturing CAD]

 

II. Circuit Simulation

 

Nodal (Matrix) Equations (modified)

Linear Equation Solution (LU)

Nonlinear Equation Solution (N-R, secant)

Transient Simulation [Numerical Integration]

Convergence

 

III. Compact Device Modeling

 

MOSFET & BJT

Equivalent-Circuit (empirical)

Physical/Predictive (semi-numerical)

 

IV. Device Simulation

 

Carrier Transport Equations

Physical Modeling

Domain and Boundary Conditions; Formalism

Discretization (spatial and time)

Solution [Linearization, Method, Convergence]