D.P. Means

The use of STADIUM statistical TCAD simulation methodology in industrial environments

The software program called STADIUM has been developed by researchers at Florida Institute of Technology. The purpose of STADIUM is to facilitate the statistical design and simulation of integrated processes, devices and products. It is a software shell which uses existing simulators in a design of experiments statistical methodology, and which allows the estimation of the statistical response of the manufacturing environment. Some of the details of STADIUM are described together with activities of the Florida SEMATECH Center of Excellence to implement this software in several industrial environments.<<ETX>>

IC yield modeling and statistical circuit simulation

An important concern whether designing a new process or maintaining an existing one is the cost of production and hence the chip yield. In order to maximize chip yield, the most significant process parameters need to be identified so that variations in these critical parameters can be minimized resulting in the highest possible chip yield. Presented in this paper is a software-based methodology for facilitating the identification of critical process parameters and relating them to circuit level performances using statistical analysis techniques and conventional simulators.

STADIUM CKT statistical simulation system

STADIUM is a software technology which drives simulators in a statistical mode and extracts statistical results from the simulation output. It allows a novice in statistics to apply design of experiments (DoE) and other statistical analysis techniques to computer simulation. Several versions of STADIUM currently exist, with each one tuned to a specific application. STADIUM CKT is a software system which drives Microsims PSpice circuit simulator in a statistical mode using DoE and extracts statistical circuit results from the PSpice output. It requires a PC environment with Windows to realize statistical models for integrated circuits and components. The STADIUM technology has been developed at the Florida Institute of Technology with funding from SRC and SEMATECH. The university has licensed STADIUM to a start-up company named AET, Inc. The mission of AET is to commercialize STADIUM for various applications. AET is turning STADIUM CKT into a product for the PSpice circuit design application.

Statistical system analysis using the Generic STADIUM simulation environment

Generic STADIUM is a software shell which can provide design of experiment (DoE) capabilities to almost any simulator. This paper discusses enhancements to the first version of Generic STADIUM to add a more intuitive and interactive user interface, to increase design of experiment capabilities and to automate optimization techniques. Representations of the graphical user interface and information about the automated optimization capabilities are presented.

Application of statistical simulation to the modeling of IC process yields

This paper presents the results of an R&D program conducted jointly by a small business and a university. The goal of the program is to develop a new methodology for IC process and device simulation. The core of the methodology is a software program called STADIUM, which enables process and device engineers to include in their designs the effects of manufacturing variation on product yield. STADIUM is used to develop statistical information about integrated circuit parameters using a statistical technique called design of experiments. The results of the simulation can then be related to potential failure modes and to product yield. This paper describes the algorithms and user interface contained in the software.

Evolution and usage of the STADIUM statistical simulation system

This paper describes a long-term research program at Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) that has been funded by both industry and government. It addresses the pervasive problem of design for manufacturability. The research has produced a software technology called STADIUM that is now being commercialized by a start-up company, AET, Inc. In the paper we describe the synergistic and technology transfer activities that have taken place between the university, government and industrial partners for the development of this STADIUM methodology and software. An overview of the methodology is also presented. Technology transfer is being accomplished through AET, Inc., which is now poised to offer design tools that will have a significant impact on the quality and yield of new products.

A statistically based design system that promotes design reuse

In a recent SBIR solicitation DARPA identified a need for Engineering Decision Support (EDS) tools for multi-disciplinary design teams involved in the specification, design and development of complex electro-mechanical products. AET Inc., with help from Florida Institute of Technology, developed a prototype architecture specification for such a tool during a Phase I contract. The specification encapsulates AETs STADIUM methodology for implementation of statistical simulation capabilities. The tool facilitates design of experiments based tradeoff studies and design rationale identification, capture and communication for multi-disciplinary design teams. This EDS tool also contains a customizable query engine which interfaces with existing user product databases and promotes design reuse. This paper describes the EDS tool architecture and provides an example of its use in the design of a product using prototype user interface software.

A new modeling and simulation capability for statistical analysis of the radiation hardness of integrated circuits

An engineering-based model has been developed that statistically simulates the effects of radiation on integrated circuits. Prototype software has been developed that facilitates these simulations and includes the statistical analysis of performance parameter degradation.

STADIUM: a new tool for design for manufacturability through the use of statistical simulation

Engineers have used simulation for product design for a number of years but only recently have the tools been in existence to aim new designs for manufacturability. This paper concentrates on coupling practical optimization techniques (based on a design of experiments methodology) to conventional simulators for the purpose of characterizing component and system performance in terms of manufacturing variables. This is accomplished with the aid of a software tool called STADIUM which is described in detail.

Statistical circuit simulation and yield analysis for IC's

The importance of running statistically based process, device and circuit simulations is becoming critical to IC design for manufacturing techniques. Thus arises the need for software-based packages that couple statistical techniques to conventional simulators. Monte Carlo techniques have been implemented in various such packages, but the nature of Monte Carlo designs often lead to time-consuming and inefficient techniques. This paper concentrates on coupling more efficient statistical techniques (based on a Design of Experiments methodology) and conventional simulators with the aid of software tools for the purpose of characterizing circuit performances in terms of equipment and material variables.<<ETX>>