Novel Approaches for Mixed Circuit-Electromagnetic Design Automation Tools

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The proposed research program, and the accompanying request for funding, are designed to bring novel solutions to the information and communication technology (ICT) sector in Canada. The target area in this application is the electronic design automation tools used in the process of micro-electronics design. More specifically, the application considers several problems that lie at the interface between circuit and electromagnetic simulation and presents solutions of interdisciplinary nature with varying degrees in range and scope. For example, some solutions that are proposed for problems arising in the area of circuit simulation are based on results reported in the simulation of aerodynamic and fluid mechanics areas. Other problems from the area of electromagnetic simulations are addressed based on classical, but hitherto untapped, ideas that appeared in circuit simulation. More problems that require simultaneous simulation of circuit and electromagnetic behavior are also approached based on methodologies that have been presented in both domains. Finally, the application, in recognition that current process design environment necessitates accounting for uncertainty in key design parameters, is proposing new methodologies to quantify the consequent uncertainty in the design performance. The applicant regards the projects outlined in the research proposal as a short-term element in a program whose long-term vision is to address the more general area of Multiphysics simulation, which encompass multi-domain and multi-timescale simulations. The goals of the proposal (both short- and long-term) are motivated by the rise of 5G smartphone and networks, whose System-On-Chip and radio frequency integrated circuits are designed to handle tremendous amounts of data. In such environment, simulations need to simultaneously solve power, thermal, variability, timing, electromagnetics and reliability challenges across the spectrum of chip, package and system to enable first-time silicon and system success. The proposed research program promotes a training-intensive component for highly qualified personnel (HQP). HQP in this program include, but are not limited to, graduate students at the PhD levels, with details of the training plans laid out in the application. Some of the HQP are part of the applicant's research group and some will join or will be recruited. With almost 41,500 companies working in the ICT sector and through contributing a 34.5% share of the overall innovation in Canada, ICT is indeed akin to the nervous system of the Canadian economy. To be able to compete on the global level, innovators in ICT need a growing capacity to capture (increasingly shrinking) market windows, which is enabled through fast, accurate and efficient design tools. The proposed research program touches upon certain areas in those tools where the innovation activities have been relatively stagnant. This fact is key to the research being of significant impact.