Rigorous extraction of process variations for 65nm CMOS design

Wei Zhao, Yu Cao, Frank Liu, Kanak Agarwal, Dhruva Acharyya, Sani Nassif, Kevin Nowka

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Statistical circuit analysis and optimization are critical for robust nanoscale design. To accurately perform such analysis, primary process variation sources need to be identified and modeled for further circuit simulation. In this work, we present a rigorous method to extract process variations from in-situ IV measurements. Transistor statistics are collected from a test chip fabricated in a 65nm SOI process. We recognize gate length (L), threshold voltage (Vth) and mobility (μ) as the leading variation sources, due to the tremendous process challenge in lithography, channel doping, and stress. To decompose them, only three IV points are needed from the leakage and linear regions. Both L and Vth variations are normally distributed, with negligible spatial correlation. By including extracted variations in the nominal model file, we can accurately predict the change of drive current in all process corners. The new extraction method guarantees excellent model matching with hardware for further statistical circuit analysis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationESSCIRC 2007 - Proceedings of the 33rd European Solid-State Circuits Conference
Pages89-92
Number of pages4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
EventESSCIRC 2007 - 33rd European Solid-State Circuits Conference - Munich, Germany
Duration: Sep 11 2007Sep 13 2007

Publication series

NameESSCIRC 2007 - Proceedings of the 33rd European Solid-State Circuits Conference

Other

OtherESSCIRC 2007 - 33rd European Solid-State Circuits Conference
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityMunich
Period9/11/079/13/07

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

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