what is an 'rc technology file' in PDK??

I'm trying to understand PDK files and simulators and all that stuff by reading the documents from TSMC which I am currently using with my design.

While reading, I came across this phrase:

"5. This PDK only provides Calibre DRC/LVS, Assura LVS deck and Calibre/Assura/StarRC RC technology files for
1p6m-4x1z, 1p7m-4x2z and 1p9m-6x1z1u metal options. Please contact TSMC if the other verification tools are preferred."

Does anyone know what 'RC technology files' are?? what do they do?

My wild guess is that this is related with calibre PEX where there was an option of 'no inductance'/ 'include self inductance'/ 'include mutual+self inductance'.(Check the screen capture)



A colleague of mine mentioned that this 'inductance' option was unavailable and I am now guessing that this is because of the 'RC' technology file and not the 'RLC' technology file. Is my wild guess right??

I hope someone can help me understand this.

I have seen your other thread of PEX extraction. Yes, inductance extraction depends on the models provided by your foundry. I believe you need to contact TSMC for more info.

thank you for confirming that my wild guess was worth it.
one more question though: do you by any chance know whether the metal lines (lets say width ~ 10um, length ~ 300-500um) cause inductance significnat enough that I should consider them in simulation?

kwagjj said:

A colleague of mine mentioned that this 'inductance' option was unavailable and I am now guessing that this is because of the 'RC' technology file and not the 'RLC' technology file. Is my wild guess right??

Click to expand...

Yes, you're right: the tools themselves are capable to extract (self- and mutual) inductances, but they need the appropriate technology files - which contain the physical parameters - and run sets (i.e. the extract command files, which contain the geometrical connections) in order to extract them.

BTW: the same is true for simple C extraction (standard since a long time), and for RC extraction.

well then I guess I'll have to contact the foundry company to send me a technology file that can calculate inductance as well..

Umm.. one follow up question though: Do you know whether the self/mutual inductance calculation with cadence virtuoso is reliable enough? I've heard that perhaps it would be a better idea to export the layout and import if from ADS-momentum to do S-parameter extraction... saying that this method may be more useful when taking inductance of metal lines into account.

hi,
i dont know how worth virtuoso inductance extraction.. but S-parameter extraction is the best method when we analyse a transmission line model.. so if you want to analyse the transmission line pattern means it is better to use S-parameter method..

If you need build accurate inductors, I suggest you do ADS or momentum. I know some PDKs do inductance extraction, but the kit designer told me it's not that accurate.

thank you! I guess now I should learn how to export virtuoso layout to ADS momentum and try to extract something out of the metal lines...