© 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved. 1

Where’s my glass slipper?TAU 2014

Nanda Gopal

Director R&D, Characterization

© 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved. 2

@ The Center of the Design Universe

Characterization

Synthesis Sign-off

Layout

Simulation

TCADCircuit Design

IT

modeling

optimization

correlation

resource overload

convergence

convergence

correlation

Extractioncorrelation

© 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved. 3

Challenges

• FINFETs• Parasitics• Circuit design

Technology

• Complex cells• Macros• Memories

Cell Complexity • Noise

• Statistical• IO

Model Complexity

• Low power• Leakage

Power• #Cells• #Corners• Resources

Scalability Performance

• Validation• Tools/flows• IP issues

Qualification

© 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved. 4

The Characterization Engineer

Circ

uit T

heor

y

Algorithms

Databases

Distrib

uted

Computing

Prog

ram

min

gInte

rface

Des

ignCircuit Simulation

Digita

l Des

ign

Static Timing AnalysisPo

wer

An

alys

is

© 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved. 5

Collaboration is a Must

SiliconSmart HSPICE

FineSimPrimeTimeU

ser

Settings

© 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved. 6

Characterization is your Cinderalla!

• Characterization is critical at advanced nodes today:

– It is at the confluence of analog and digital

– It provides the base for implementation

– It enables new technologies and models

– It is the glue across tools and flows

– It has to be the first thought of tool developers and users alike

• Neglect characterization at your own peril!

© 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved. 7

Thank You