September 26, 2014. Mentor Graphics has announced an integration with Lumerical’s INTERCONNECT to enable new silicon photonics design methodologies that leverage the Pyxis and Calibre platforms. With the INTERCONNECT integration, users are now able to perform optical circuit simulation directly from the Pyxis schematic.
With this integration, users can capture a photonic design and testbench, set up optical simulation parameters for transient and frequency analysis, perform simulation, and view results interactively from the Pyxis Schematic simulation cockpit. This not only delivers a boost in productivity, but it also leverages the existing integration to high-capacity EZwave waveform viewer. While traditionally used as a viewer for mixed-signal waveforms in the electrical time domain, the EZwave viewer, which includes a built-in waveform-based calculator, an eye diagram tool, and TCL scripting, is also suitable for processing optical simulation results.
Complementing the Pyxis Schematic in the Pyxis custom IC design platform is Pyxis Implement, a tool for layout design. Known for its all angle editing capabilities, Pyxis Implement with schematic-driven layout enables users to quickly place and assemble photonic PCells using connectivity-driven waveguide routing with radial and adiabatic bends, as well as S-bend support. To complete this full-flow silicon photonics design methodology, Calibre tools perform DRC, LVS, lithography simulation, and smart-fill, ensuring photonic components meet the designed intent through the manufacturing process.
Lumerical INTERCONNECT for optical circuit simulation
Optical circuit simulation within the Pyxis platform design cockpit is performed by Lumerical’s INTERCONNECT photonic integrated circuit design and simulation tool. Netlist import and export features added to INTERCONNECT as part of the integration project enable design capture, simulation set up, and execution within the Pyxis platform cockpit. Time-domain and frequency-domain simulations are run using the INTERCONNECT simulators, and results are delivered for analysis to the EzWave viewer. Key operating parameters of the photonic components for accurate simulation are defined in the PDK-driven design flow as INTERCONNECT compact models. The compact models can be derived from foundry specific or measured data, improving design accuracy and eliminating device revisions.
“The integration of INTERCONNECT with Pyxis delivers a seamless environment for scalable photonic integrated circuit design, simulation, and analysis,” said Dr. James Pond, CTO of Lumerical Solutions. “Lumerical’s photonic simulation software has provided designers and researchers with the tools for innovative component design for over 10 years. Through our partnership with Mentor, we can deliver a complete design ecosystem that is the foundation for growth in integrated photonics across a wide array of applications.”
PDK development
Mentor and Lumerical have been developing Process Design Kits (PDKs) enabling a silicon photonics design flow with OpSIS and CMC/SiEPIC. Mentor and Lumerical are also collaborating with A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME), a technology leader in silicon photonics, to develop next generation PDK for its well established and widely adopted technology platform.
“Over the last three years, we’ve adopted Mentor and Lumerical tools to develop PDK-driven silicon photonics methodologies for our programs,” said professor Lukas Chrostowski, SiEPIC program director. “Lumerical provides excellent optical simulation tools, Mentor’s Calibre provides best in class verification, and Mentor’s Pyxis provides the right framework for silicon photonics design. Our next workshop scheduled for October 24-28 includes a Pyxis PDK and fabrication with IME.”