Knowledge Booster Training Bytes: Simplifying Shapes in the Virtuoso EM Solver

In this Knowledge Booster blog, let us discuss an important feature of the Virtuoso electromagnetic (EM) solver integration for performing EM simulations with the EMX Solver (in Electromagnetic Solver Assistant): Shape Simplification. By simplifying the shapes of EM models, the number of unknowns is reduced, simplifying the overall model. This leads to faster EM simulations of the IC structures.

 In the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant, you have the shape simplification options to:

• Merge and stripe the shapes of a coarser grid
• Remove fill shapes

The Shape Simplification videos discussed in this blog are part of a four-day training course on the EM Analysis of ICs in the Virtuoso EM Solver integration (using the EMX Solver) are as follows. 

1. Video 1: In this video, various options available in the GUI for Shape Simplification, i.e., the Simplify Layout for EM Simulation Form in the Electromagnetic Solver Assistant are listed. These include the options for merging and striping of the shapes. Also, the options to remove fill shapes are listed.
2. Video 2: This video describes configuring the initial settings for creating a model on which the shape simplification is applied. These include invoking the software (Virtuoso Layout Suite EXL) and creating and setting up the model.
3. Video 3: Next, you learn to perform the merging and striping of shapes using the Simplify Layout for EM Simulation Form. The Merge Shapes option specifies the rules for merging shapes if they are within a given distance. The Stripe Shapes option converts a fine mesh into a coarse mesh.
4. Video 4: This video describes how to protect the stripped-off shapes, i.e., to avoid useful shapes from getting simplified in an instance.
5. Video 5: You are now introduced to removing the fill shapes, i.e., the floating metal fill shapes.
6. Video 6: The fill shape removal using the EMX fill size Option (available under the Advanced EMX settings) is performed in this video.
7. Video 7: The fill shape removal using the Skip all shapes on Lpp Option in the Simplify Layout for EM Simulation Form is performed in this video. Using this option allows you to eliminate unwanted metal fills.
8. Video 8: The fill shape removal using the Remove dangling shapes Option in the Simplify Layout for EM Simulation Form is performed in this video. This option is applied on the specified metal fills and removes the shapes with no connectivity.
9. Video 9: The fill shape removal using the Remaster instances Option in the Simplify Layout for EM Simulation Form is performed in this video. This option is used to remaster the complex instance with an equivalent simpler cell.

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