This section describes the way in which the parameter sweeps, optimization, yield analysis, and S-parameter matrix sweeps are set up. These features allow users to automate the process of finding desirable parameter values by running a large number of simulations. A brief description of each feature is included in this page. For additional information about each feature, please visit their corresponding pages.
Parameter sweeps
Parameter sweeps are useful for finding the optimum value and sensitivity of the design performance to certain parameters.
Optimization
Optimization is done by running a large number of simulations with an advanced optimization algorithm. This particularly useful if there are multiple parameters to optimize.
Monte Carlo analysis --INTERCONNECT
The Monte Carlo analysis tool runs extensive Monte Carlo analysis, sweeping across multiple parameters. This can be useful for assessing variations of component-level simulations, and on an overall circuit performance.
S-parameter matrix sweep
The S-parameter matrix sweep tool (available only in FDTD) can be used to automate the extraction of the S-parameters of a for specified input and output ports and modes of the device. One simulation needs to be run using each port mode as a source to obtain the S-parameter matrix where elements of the matrix are obtained from the "S" result from the port objects.
S-parameter results can be exported to INTERCONNECT in a file format compatible with the Optical N-Port S-parameter element.
Workflow management
The workflow management tool (currently available in CHARGE and HEAT only) offers a series of pre-defined tasks (as summarized below) to enable the users to specify their desired simulation workflow, design parameters and simulation results entirely through the user interface while providing the capability to run the entire simulation workflow with a single click. Below is a list of the type of tasks can be included in a simulation workflow.