Configuring Process Settings for IC Layouts

For an IC layout, you also need to define the process settings that provide the physical layer stack information required by EM solvers to create and solve a model.

For the models that use Clarity 3D Solver, layer stack information is available in one of the following files provided by the foundry:

• ICT technology file
• QRC technology file

If you do not have these files, you can provide your own process corner.emproc files with custom stackup information. In a process corner file, you need to add references to the technology files or add custom stackup details.

For the models that use EMX 3D planar solver, you just need a standard .proc EMX process file. Check with your foundry if they provide this file. Check the EMX User Guide for more information on the EMX process file format.

When you have process corner files or technology files for your design, configure the process corner settings for the EM models by performing the following steps:

1. Choose Settings – Environment on the toolbar of the Electromagnetic Solver assistant.
   The Environment Settings form is displayed.
   
   
   
2. For the models that use EMX 3D Planar, specify the path to the process corner directory and the name of the default process corner in the EMX section. Ensure that the .proc files are saved at this path.
   The Process Corner Directory field in the EMX section depends on the value set for the emxProcessCornerDirectory environment variable. When this variable is set to "", the tool considers .cadence/dfII/Sigrity/corners as the path. Similarly, the Default process corner field in the EMX section shows the corner name specified by the emxProcessDefaultCorner environment variable. When multiple process corners are defined, the tool uses the corner specified in this field.
   
   If the default process corner is not found in the process corner directory, the tool uses the first found process corner in the alphabetical order.
3. For the models that use Clarity 3D Solver, specify the path to the process corner directory and the name of the default process corner in the Clarity section.
4. By default, the Process Corner Directory field in the Clarity section depends on the value set for the processCornerDirectory environment variable. When this variable is set to "", the tool considers .cadence/dfII/Sigrity/corners as the path. Similarly, the Default process corner field in the Clarity section shows the corner name specified by the processDefaultCorner environment variable. When multiple process corners are defined, the tool uses the corner specified in this field.
   
   If the default process corner is not found in the process corner directory, the tool uses the first found process corner in the alphabetical order.
5. (Optional) If the process corner settings are saved in a .cdsenv file, click Load From to load the settings from that file.

Related Topics

Environment Settings Form

Format of the Process Corner Setting File Referring to an ICT or QRC Technology File

Format of the Custom Process Corner Setting File

emxProcessCornerDirectory

emxProcessDefaultCorner

processCornerDirectory

processDefaultCorner