New Features

Shared Features

Layer builder

The layer builder is a graphical user interface tool that allows you to import GDS files and build up a layered structure consisting of patterning defined in GDS file cells and plane unpatterned layers. This tool allows you to easily change the ordering and thickness of each layer and translate the position of the patterning within a layer. Layer builders can be added to your simulation from a button in the top toolbar. See the layer builder 1 page for more information about how to use it.

New script commands
addlayer, addlayerbuilder, chol, getcelllist, getlayerlist, loadgdsfile 1, setlayer, svd

MODE Solutions 7.1

Bidirectional eigenmode expansion (EME) solver

The EME method is a fully vectorial and bi-directional technique for solving Maxwell’s equations. The computational cost of the method scales exceptionally well with the device length, making it an ideal method for design and optimization of long devices and periodic devices. For additional information see the EME solver 1 whitepaper.

Multicore eigenmode solving engine

The FDE solver 1 is now multicore, allowing users to solve larger problems significantly faster than before.

New script commands
addeme 1, addemeindex, addemeport 1, addemeprofile, addfde 1, addvarfdtd, emepropagate, emesweep, getactivesolver,getemeanalysis, setemeanalysis

DEVICE 4.1

Support for abrupt heterojunctions

Examples applications include the SiGe photodetector, and AlGaAs/GaAs thin-film solar cells

Band structure monitor

Band structure and current flux density monitors have been added. The band structure monitor is a 1D monitor that calculates the equilibrium band structure of adjacent materials and returns the conduction, valence, intrinsic and fermi level energies in units of ev.

Current flux monitor

• The current flux monitor will calculate the total flux of the current density through a line, area or volume of the simulation region. In 2D, the currents are in units of A/m and in 3D they are in units of A.

• The monitors returns the following:
  

• Where J is the current density, n is the unit normal at the surface, and ∂Ω is the surface of the monitor

Enhanced semiconductor models for high-field and breakdown effects

• High-field mobility models

• Trap-assisted tunneling

• Band-to-band tunneling

• Impact ionization

New script commands
addbanstructuremonitor, addjfluxmonitor

INTERCONNECT 4.1

Multithreaded Dynamic Data Flow

INTERCONNECT’s new multi-threaded dynamic data flow engine allows for faster time domain simulations of large scale photonic integrated circuits containing hundreds of elements. The new multi-threaded engine allows for the concurrent running of elements that are immediately available for calculation, not requiring static rescheduling of the circuit under test before each run.

HDF5 File Format Support

INTERCONNECT’s new data monitors include support for writing and reading files that use the Hierarchical Data Format, Version 5 (HDF5). Signal waveforms are streamed to disk, reducing memory requirements for the simulation of large scale photonic integrated circuits. By supporting the HDF5 file format, third-party tools such as MATLAB® can easily import signal waveforms directly from INTERCONNECT.

Vector Signal Analyzer

The new Vector Signal Analyzer offers comprehensive characterization of amplitude and phase modulated signals such as DP-QPSK. Analyze complex modulated optical signals using vector and constellation diagrams to determine signal quality or evaluate components that are designed for IQ modulation and demodulation.

Integration with Mentor Graphics Pyxis®

Users can create an INTERCONNECT circuit schematic and run the simulations directly from Mentor Graphics Pyxis Schematic®. Simulation results can be imported into Mentor Graphics EZwave® high-capacity, high-performance graphical waveform environment. Note: For licensing and software version details regarding this function, please contact us.

Improved Simulation and Design Environment

• The new simulation status bar includes simulation progress, time elapsed and estimated time left.

• The new splash screen display progress of loading elements and PDK libraries.

• The new animation option illustrates currently running elements and threads.

Extended Element Library

• Scripted electrical and optical sources allow for arbitrary waveform generation.

• Scripted optical modulator with arbitrary voltage dependent phase and absorption parameters facilitates prototyping of new types of modulators.

• Passive elements including optical circulator and waveguide crossing.

• Network elements for the design of large optical space switch circuits.

• New symbol mapper, quantizer and data recovery elements support user defined and standard advanced modulation formats such as M-ary QAM and PSK.

• Vector Signal Analyzer offers comprehensive characterization of amplitude and phase modulated signals.

• Logical elements perform user defined specified logical operations on digital and electrical signals.

Enhanced Element Library

• PRBS Generator: new output types include ‘codeword’ and ‘load from file’, allowing for user defined bit sequences.

• Mach-Zehnder Modulator: new modulator types include ‘dual drive’, ‘balanced single drive’ and ‘unbalanced single drive’ with internal or external DC bias source.

• Optical Modulator and Mach-Zehnder Modulator Measured: new ‘coefficients’ option allows for defining voltage dependent phase and absorption parameters using a polynomial function.

• Optical Network Analyzer: new data export option facilitates extraction of multimode and multiport s-parameters from a circuit or device under test.

• Waveguide Y Branch: New insertion loss and phase shift properties.

• Double Bus Ring Resonator: Thermal effects defined by properties such as thermal fill factor and effective index ratio are now included in the model.

• Waveguide Coupler: New insertion loss and conjugate properties.

• MODE Waveguide: New excess loss and propagation loss properties allow for customization of waveguide propagation properties imported from MODE Solutions.

• Gaussian Beam: New property defines ‘2D Z normal’, ‘2D X normal’ and ‘2D Y normal’ beam direction.

• CW laser: RIN effect is now included in the model.

• Mentor Graphics ELDO Import: The new multiport element allows for loading a single file with multiple electrical signals, and to automatically associate different ports to different signals.

• Optical S-Parameter, Optical 1xN S-Parameter and Optical N-Port S-Parameter: New option to fit filter response to an IIR digital filter.

New elements
Vector Signal Analyzer, Scripted Source, Scripted Optical Source, Modulation Symbol Mapper 1, Optical Circulator 1, Waveguide Crossing, Modulation Symbol Demapper, Quantizer, Data Recovery, Optical Switch, Optical Y Switch, Digital Delay, Digital NOT, Digital Logic, Electrical NOT, Electrical Logic, Electrical Multiplier, Electrical Constant Multiplier

New and Enhanced Script Commands
setsparameter, saveelement, loadelement, probe, runoptimization, autoplace