RF Circuit RC Design Target Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for defining resistive-capacitive (RC) design targets in integrated circuits are manual and laborious, lacking accuracy, which complicates the minimization of parasitic components affecting radio-frequency (RF) performance, leading to costly layout iterations and design delays.

Innovation Solution

A methodology using computer-aided design tools and simulations to determine target capacitance and resistance values through sensitivity analysis and interpolation, based on RF simulation data, to accurately account for parasitic effects and meet RF performance specifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual methods are used to define RC design targets, then the process allows direct designer control, but the methodology becomes laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of RC design targetsVSAvoiddesign time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis methods with automated computer-based simulation and sensitivity analysis tools. The system automatically performs RF simulations, calculates sensitivity coefficients, and determines optimal RC design targets without manual intervention, thereby maintaining accuracy while dramatically reducing design time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational system that acts as a bridge between RF performance specifications and RC design targets. This intermediary automatically translates high-level RF requirements into specific RC parameter targets through simulation and sensitivity analysis, eliminating the need for manual translation and iteration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional manual methods are used for defining RC design targets, then designer experience can be applied, but the process lacks accuracy and requires costly layout iterations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of layout implementationVSAvoidaccuracy of RC design targets

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary sensitivity analysis and simulation before the actual layout design phase. By pre-calculating which RC parameters most affect RF performance and establishing target values in advance, the system enables layout designers to implement accurate designs on the first attempt without requiring iterative corrections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces subjective designer judgment with objective computer-based sensitivity analysis. The system automatically identifies critical RC parameters and their optimal target values based on simulation data, providing layout designers with precise, data-driven specifications that improve manufacturing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If layout designers use quick prototyping tools to evaluate layouts, then rapid evaluation is enabled, but the designers lack the know-how to translate RF specifications into RC design targets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout evaluation speedVSAvoidease of translating RF specifications to RC targets

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that automatically translates RF performance specifications into RC design targets. This intermediary handles the complex translation process that layout designers lack the expertise to perform manually, while still enabling rapid evaluation through automated computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the system to automatically perform the translation from RF specifications to RC targets without requiring designer expertise. The computational system serves itself by automatically calculating sensitivity coefficients and determining optimal RC parameter values, making the process as easy to use as inputting RF requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10223483B1Methods for determining resistive-capacitive component design targets for radio-frequency circuitry

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 ALTERA CORP

AI summary

A methodology for defining resistance-capacitance (RC) design targets based on radio-frequency (RF) simulation is provided. In particular, the method may involve first determining capacitance targets and then determining resistance targets. To compute the capacitance targets, integrate circuit design and simulations tools may run transient analysis to identify critical nodes, perform small signal and sensitivity analysis for the capacitance on the critical nodes, revise original RF specifications by allocating additional margin, and perform interpolation among multiple capacitance values to obtain capacitive design targets that meet the revised specifications. To compute the resistance targets, the circuit design tools may identify critical transistors, run single-pass and DC operating point simulation to determine initial resistance values for the critical transistors, simplify parallel resistive networks, perform sensitivity analysis on the simplified networks, and perform interpolation among multiple resistive values to obtain resistive design targets meet the original RF performance specifications.