Software Suite Takes An EDA Approach To MEMS Design

June 21, 2004

New modeling and analysis capabilities included in the CoventorWare 2004 suite of MEMS design and simulation tools go beyond isolated MEMS device design. Created by Coventor Inc., the tools can help IC and package designers as well as process...

Roger Allan

CoventorWare complements EDA tools from Cadence and Synopsys. The suite consists of four models: Architect for creating a MEMS design, Designer for modeling the design, Analyzer for analyzing the design, and Integrator for integrating the MEMS design. Typical MEMS devices are characterized as sensors, RF devices, and microfluidic devices.

The Architect library includes new beam actuator models for modeling thermally or piezoelectrically actuated devices, as well as much faster transient simulations. Designer offers enhanced layout editor features, such as design-rule checking for small edges, enhanced file transfers, and easier layout manipulation.

Analyzer includes new post-processing options that complement its support for piezoelectric RF resonators and enhanced electro-wetting on dielectric and microheater analysis for microdrop applications. Integrator now exports reduced-order macromodels to the popular Cadence Virtuoso environment as well as Synopsys' Saber.

MEMulator 2004, which emulates a wide range of semiconductor fabrication processes, complements CoventorWare 2004. With it, designers can build 3D virtual prototypes before actual fabrication.

Pricing is $25,000 to $100,000, depending on software configuration. CoventorWare 2004 is available immediately.

Coventor Inc.www.coventor.com (919) 854-7500

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.