New Features

Shared Features

New script commands
Bar, erfcinv, erfinv, getmeshcontours, scriptautorun, stackfield, mie3d 1, mie3ds12, currentscriptname

Optical solvers (FDTD Solutions 8.17 and MODE Solutions 7.9)

Ports (FDTD Solutions only)

• Previously, S-parameter extraction could be performed using a combination of a mode source, field monitors and a mode expansion monitor. The new port objects simplify the setup and analysis as they can act as the source and monitors and return a result "S" containing the complex S-parameters. Ports can be used alone or in conjunction with the S-parameter sweep tool to extract the S-parameters for a device by using the mode expansion method. See Ring resonator FDTD (final parameter extraction) for an application example which uses ports and the S-parameter sweep tool.

• Additional details about FDTD ports can be found at Ports.

S-Parameter Matrix Sweep Tool (FDTD Solutions only)

• This is a new analysis tool provided in the Optimizations and Sweeps window which is used in conjunction with ports to automate the S-parameter extraction. Results from the S-parameter sweep can also be exported and loaded in the Optical N Port S-Parameter element in INTERCONNECT.

• A tutorial showing the S-parameter matrix sweep tool can be found at S-parameter matrix sweep.

Broadband Mode Source (FDTD Solutions only)

• The new multifrequency calculation option available in mode source allows to inject frequency dependent mode profiles. This can significantly improve the accuracy of broadband simulations as it reduces back-scattering and injection errors due to the mode mismatch. You can learn more about this feature here.

1D Optical Solver

• One can often use analytical methods to determine the optical response of a multilayer stack instead of having to run fully-vectorial simulations. Lumerical’s optical toolbox includes a set of script-based functions that the user can use for this purpose, see here 1 for more information.

• Note that an additional license is required to use the stackdipole command of the 1D optical solver toolbox in addition to a standard FDTD Solutions license. To request an extended evaluation license for this feature, please contact us.

New script commands
exportsweep, bestoverlap2, clearportmodedata, updateportmodes

Extended script command functionality for EME ports

• In MODE Solutions version 7.9.1157 (2017a R5), clearportmodedata and updatportmodes script commands were extended to work for ports in the EME solver.

• Existing script commands geteigensolver and seteigensolver will also now work with EME ports to set up the eigensolver settings used to find modes of selected ports.

DEVICE Design Environment 6.0

New 3D Modeler

DEVICE now uses the 3D ACIS Modeler from Spatial, the industry standard in 3D modeling technology that has greatly enhanced its ability to handle complex 3D geometries. The redefined view port offers a superior design experience by providing improved visualization of the design components along with an array of controls to manipulate the 3D view.

INTERCONNECT 6.5

Monte Carlo (MC) Analysis

• The new INTERCONNECT MC analysis calculates the impact of process variations, giving an early estimation how it will affect photonic integrated circuit functionality, and mismatch variations, accounting for small variations between elements. It supports correlations constrains and statistical parameters for developing of compact model libraries and sophisticated analyses tools, including yield measurement and estimation, histograms and automatic probability density function fitting. MC analysis is also fully supported by the INTERCONNECT SPICE netlist parser, enhancing its integration with traditional EDA design flows. Additional supported SPICE commands include DEV, LOT, MC and LOTGROUP.

  • For the implementation details, please visit the page Monte Carlo analysis.

Advanced Laser Gain Fitting

• INTERCONNECT traveling wave laser model employs accurate time-domain filtering in order to represent the frequency dependence of the material or modal gain. Additionally, the time domain filter varies with the carrier density in the 1D spatial element. The filter therefore must replicate a family of arbitrarily shaped gain spectrum curves varying according to the carrier density. The new laser gain fitting functionality allows for the directly fit of the required time-domain filter impulse response spectrum to an arbitrarily shaped gain curve in such a manner that the quality of the fit is excellent over the required simulation bandwidth.

  • For the implementation details, please visit the page Gain Fitting.

Block Mode Simulation

• In addition to the sample mode simulation, INTERCONNECT now offers block mode for efficient unidirectional simulation. In block mode data is passed along the circuit as a single block of samples, or a waveform, and elements typically have to run only once per waveform, reducing data transfer and scheduling overhead. Block mode calculations can be performed in time or frequency domain, allowing for fast Fourier transform (FFT) techniques to be used. INTERCONNECT supports both sample mode and block mode elements in the same circuit, providing a flexible design and simulation environment where users can optimize simulation efficient of unidirectional and bidirectional circuits. Block mode can optionally include adaptive noise bins, where spectral noise is represented as average spectral density, providing an efficient and accurate way to represent noise outside of the simulation bandwidth.

  • For implementation details, please visit the page Scripted Element 1 and Transmission analysis.

• The block mode simulator requires a block mode simulator license, in addition to a standard INTERCONNECT license. To request an extended evaluation license for the block mode simulator, please contact us.

Improved Simulation and Design Environment

• The SPICE netlist parser was extended to supports MC analysis, including statistical parameters defined by LOT (process) and DEV (mismatch) for models and parameters.

• The Schematic editor now support drawing of lines, text, rectangles and ellipses.

• The Yield Analysis tool was replaced by the new Monte Carlo Analysis tool, where users can defined parameters, models, libraries and correlation parameters. Histograms, descriptive statistics, yield analysis and probability density function fitting are now generated as results.

Extended Element Library

• New electrical filter elements include band-stop Bessel, Butterworth, Chebyshev, Gaussian and rectangular filters. Optical filter elements include inverted Bessel, Butterworth, Chebyshev, Gaussian and rectangular filters.

• New optical passive elements include Add and Drop Multiplexer and MuxDemux elements.

• New simulation elements include Convergence Control, Loop Control, Sample to Block and Block to Sample elements.

• AC and DC blocker elements facilitate the removal and selection of electrical DC signals.

• A new time-variant n-port s-parameter element allows for the definition of time dependent transfer functions, enabling the modeling components such as frequency and voltage dependent optical modulators.

Enhanced Element Library

• Element library was updated to support sample mode, block mode and noise bins support. FFT techniques are automatically used instead of digital filters where adequate.

• Electrical, optical and digital sources include option to select the output signal mode type (block or sample). Optical noise sources also allow for defining the signal output as noise bins.

• Bidirectional elements now include a configuration property, where the user can select between bidirectional and unidirectional behavior. It updates element the model, properties and port types. For instance the same multiplexer element can now work as a unidirectional multiplexer, unidirectional demultiplexer or a fully bidirectional multiplexer/demultiplexer.

• The Laser TW model now supports user defined gain shapes, defined from filter coefficients representing carrier dependent arbitrary shaped gain curves. The model was also extended to include waveguide grating properties, including real and imaginary parts of the grating coupling coefficient, allowing for the design and simulation of DFB lasers.

New and Enhanced Script Commands
skewness, popportframe, pushportframe, erfinv, erfcinv, mczfit