SemiConductor Devices Is Sensing the World with Infrared Detectors

When it comes to infrared detectors and laser diodes, SemiConductor Devices (SCD) is a world leader. Its devices enable the visualization of the world around us, even during complete darkness or in weather conditions such as fog, haze, and smoke. These products are integrated into cutting-edge systems, meeting today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges in the areas of defense, homeland security, and the commercial sector. And for designing these devices, the SCD team is using Cadence tools.

SCD’s sensor technology is mostly based on a two-chip solution. One chip is the sensing material that acts as a converter of infrared radiation into electrical signals, while the second chip is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip that receives the electrical signals and converts them into raw images. Both of these capabilities have been developed at SCD over the past 40 years.

What all the different types of sensors have in common is their demand for high sensitivity and high performance. At the pixel level, the sensitivity is so high that the accuracy needed in the parasitic abstraction is in the range of the outer third. Extreme and extensive full-chip AMS simulations are required to eliminate picture artifacts and patterns. For this reason, the SCD team depends on the Virtuoso Layout Suite and the solid framework of tools that it provides. The Pegasus and Quantus tools are used for verification, and Sigrity and Clarity technologies are used for analyzing the placement and design.

Tuvy Markowitz, vice president of R&D at SCD, stated, “With its integrated tools neatly packaged into seamless flows, Cadence considerably bolsters our confidence to deliver our chips faster and with the required accuracy demanded by our customers.”

“Designed with Cadence” is a series of videos that showcases creative products and technologies that are accelerating industry innovation using Cadence tools and solutions. Learn more about how SemiConductor Devices is sensing the world with Cadence.

For more Designed with Cadence videos, check out the Cadence website and YouTube channel.