Equivalent DC Circuit Models for ESD Path Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for simulating electronic circuits under electrostatic discharge (ESD) loading are prone to errors due to high computational complexity and inability to accurately identify critical circuit paths, especially in complex integrated circuits with many components, leading to potential overlooks of critical current paths and parasitic effects.
Innovation Solution
The method employs equivalent DC signal models to analyze circuit behavior, replacing capacitances and resistances with resistance models that account for signal parameters like amplitude and edge gradients, allowing for the identification of relevant and involved circuit parts based on predetermined relevance criteria, reducing computational complexity and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transient simulation is performed on the entire circuit to accurately identify critical circuit parts under ESD loading, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and computational capacity requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex circuit into a reduced circuit containing only critical circuit parts identified through automated DC signal analysis. This segmentation allows transient simulation to be performed only on the essential subset of components, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary DC signal analysis to identify critical circuit parts before performing transient simulation. This preliminary action filters out non-critical components, so that the subsequent transient simulation focuses only on relevant parts, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and computational complexity.
2Productivity
If manual extraction of presumed jeopardized circuit structures is performed to reduce computational complexity, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision worsens due to errors and overlooked critical paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of extracting circuit structures with an automated computer-based DC signal analysis system. This substitution eliminates human error and ensures that all critical current paths and parasitic effects are accurately identified, thereby improving both productivity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an automated system that performs DC signal analysis to self-identify critical circuit parts without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach ensures accuracy while improving productivity by eliminating the time-consuming and error-prone manual extraction process.
3Measurement precision
If the number of components and temporal resolution are increased to improve simulation accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computational capacity worsen rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circuit to include only critical components in the reduced model, allowing high temporal resolution simulation to be performed on a manageable subset of components. This maintains measurement precision while controlling computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary DC signal analysis to identify which components require high temporal resolution simulation. This preliminary filtering ensures that increased temporal resolution is applied only where necessary, thereby improving measurement precision without causing exponential growth in computational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for determining relevant circuit parts in a circuit in the event of loading with a temporally variable signal comprises providing a computer-implemented model of the circuit, in which the circuit components are represented at least partly by equivalent DC signal models, the parameters of which take account of at least one parameter of the temporally variable signal, carrying out a DC signal analysis for the circuit on the basis of the model provided, and taking account of a DC signal which is present at at least two connections for coupling in the temporally variable signal and is dependent on at least one of the parameters of the temporally variable signal.