Agilent Technologies 3-D EM Simulation Software Selected by ST Microelectronics

As process geometries shrink to 40 nm and beyond, energy dissipation capacity from ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection devices is becoming more of a design challenge. ESD designs are process-technology-dependent, and lengthy simulations are typically required to systematically assess key ESD issues. Therefore, accelerating the design flow is becoming critical for IC development and availability.

With its ability to perform fast EM simulations in the time domain, EMPro’s Finite Difference Time Domain EM simulator is well suited to monitor the high electrical fields generated by the electric discharge within innovative ESD structures. Running the FDTD simulation on graphical processing unit cards accelerates simulation speeds by an order of around 10x.

“Because our customers require more speed and accuracy to tackle their coupled ESD and electromagnetic compatibility challenges, it is critical for us to elaborate and assess solutions that are optimized, reliable and developed in record time to enable their first-run silicon success,” said Philippe Galy, expert ESD/Latch-Up teams manager, STMicroelectronics. “Meeting these needs is a major initiative for ST, and our collaboration with Agilent has led to successful achievements with solutions and tools that satisfy these objectives.”

“We are delighted by STMicroelectronics’ decision to adopt the EMPro platform for electromagnetic modeling and simulation of its ESD structures,” said Todd Cutler, general manager of Agilent EEsof EDA. “We are continually working to advance the platform’s usability and speed through introduction of new capabilities and innovations like the recent GPU acceleration enhancement to the FDTD simulator. It is gratifying to see a company like ST benefiting from the improved speed of the EMPro platform.”

Agilent will demonstrate EMPro at European Microwave Week (Booth 114), Oct. 29-Nov. 1, RAI, Amsterdam. The company will also show the newest microwave, millimeter-wave, wireless, radar, and antenna test and measurement solutions for the telecommunications, transportation and medical markets. Such industry-leading solutions enable R&D, design and manufacturing engineers to develop and deliver innovative products.

As a nine-year, platinum sponsor of European Microwave Week, Agilent will also host a comprehensive series of workshops and technical programs.