Creating calibrated compact models that perform accurately in circuit simulation comes with many challenges. Ansys Lumerical’s CML Compiler goes a long way in supporting PDK designers by providing a tool to easily compile model data into verified pre-built photonic models. With our automated workflows, we aim to provide solutions to common questions that arise in data collection and preparation for CML Compiler:
- What data is required for the model?
- What if I can’t measure all of the data needed?
- How can I supplement the measured data with simulation data?
- Once I’ve combined experimental and simulation, how can I be sure the model is still physical?
- Can I plug all of this data into CML Compiler? What format do I need?
Workflow overview
The automated workflows make data collection easy and speed up your compact modeling process. Follow three easy steps:
- Update the template files with your data and run the automated workflow.
- Verify combined external and simulation data with diagnostics and visualization
- Import data directly to CML Compiler to generate compact model
The template includes:
Element configuration data: Settings that determine the look and feel of the compact model (element name, port names, visible parameters, etc).
External data: Files with data coming from external sources (e.g. measurements) in formats including comma-separated values (csv) and text files.
Simulation/process set-up: Simulation files and/or simulation set-up data (e.g. process file, gds) that are used in the automated workflow process.
Controls: Workflow settings, data combination options (when both external and simulation data are being used), plotting options, etc.
The workflow analyzes the input data and uses built-in methods to generate complete data for the CML Compiler model. This process includes running simulations, combining data sets and enforcing physical behaviour. It outputs the element data file for CML Compiler, as well as visualizations of the final data.
Workflows available today
Note: The workflows are currently in a "Beta release" phase. You are welcome to reach out to us for:
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S-parameter/passive workflow
- Processes noisy data for numerical stability in circuit simulation
- Enforces passivity and reciprocity
- Supplements experimental data with simulation data
- Automated simulation set-up by leveraging Layer Builder with process file + GDS file import
Waveguide workflow
- Generates parameterized straight, arc and s-bend waveguide and back-annotation waveguide data for CML Compiler in single workflow
- Automated simulation routine helps supplement sparse data sets
- Locks simulation data to experimental data
- Enforces self-consistency in noisy data sets
- Support statistical models (for parameterized waveguides only)
Electrical phase shifter workflow
- Packages your multi-physics data from different sources into a single data file for CML Compiler
- Optionally supplements measured data with simulation
- Automates the multiphysics simulation process using CHARGE and MODE solvers
- Supports statistical models
Workflow package
The workflow package consists of the following:
- src: Folder that contains all the necessary encrypted files to run the workflow.
- templates: Folder contains example(s) for collecting the modeling data. Example folder(s) contains following:
- input_data: Folder that contains template input data to be updated.
- output_data: Folder that contains final data files for CML Compiler.
- working_dir: Folder that contains simulation project files and results.
- run_waveguide_collection.lsf: Configuration script to launch workflow.
Compact model library data folder
The data files generated by the automated workflows must be provided to CML Compiler to create the compact model library. For your convenience, here you can find an example foundry folder (see "workflow_library.zip" in "Associated Files", found in the upper right-hand corner of this page). Simply run CML Compiler to generate the compact model library.
For more information on running CML Compiler, please visit CML Compiler product reference manual. To get started with creating a custom library, visit the "My first INTERCONNECT CML (tutorial)" section.