The CML Compiler automates the generation of compact model libraries, by compiling model data into photonic models.
As a PDK designer, all you need to do is select a model and provide the data for that model, based on the templates provided. The data can be from measurement or extracted from component level simulations.. or a combination of the two!
Once the data is ready to go, simply run the CML Compiler to get what you need for your PDK. The CML Compiler can automatically generate two different compact model libraries:
- INTERCONNECT CMLs: These compact models can be used for photonic circuit simulation using INTERCONNECT or electronic-photonic simulation driven from Cadence virtuoso using Virtuoso interoperability - INTERCONNECT. The schematic symbols are also generated to enable the latter. For more information on INTERCONNECT CML and details on how to generate such models using CML Compiler please visit My first INTERCONNECT CML overview.
- Photonic Verilog-A CMLs: These compact models can be used for Verilog-A simulation in Cadence virtuoso using Virtuoso interoperability - Photonic Verilog-A. For more information on Photonic Verilog-A CMLs and details on how to generate such models using CML Compiler please visit My first Verilog-A CML overview.
When statistical model data is provided the photonic library generated, both INTERCONNECT and Photonics Verilog-A, is compatible with Corner and statistical simulation on both INTERCONNECT and Virtuoso platforms.
What is a compact model?
Let’s use the waveguide as an example. When the optical signal passes through the waveguide compact model in circuit simulation, it will incur a transmission loss and acquire a phase delay. This photonic model response depends on the waveguide properties like effective index and propagation loss, which are specific to both the waveguide design and the foundry process. Furthermore, to be used in statistical simulation, the model needs to be sensitive to process variability like waveguide width and height and needs data to back that up. So the PDK designer needs to obtain the waveguide properties and data for their specific design, and then input them into a photonic model to create a compact model that can be passed on to the circuit designer.