problem with CDF

Dear mDad,

Mdad said:

When I select a transistor, on the side window next to parameters a warning says that a function : "tsmcCdfFormInitCB" does not exist.

I checked CDF editor and it is a CDF form initialization procedure.

My guess is that the path to that script or function is not correct. 

Where can I find the correct path and how can I fix this error.

I have a slightly different interpretation of the error you are displaying and a thought as to its origin. My impression is that the error does not indicate the function tsmcCdfFormInitCB() is not accessible, but rather the function was called and experienced an error for cell nth_ulvt_mac.

A couple of thoughts came to mind when I examined your screenshot and error.

1. First, it appears you are examining the properties of a device contained in a standard cell. In my experience with TSMC and their standard cells, the standard cells often use devices whose parameters are not consistent with their analog device models. In addition, if I recall for 3 nm, TSMC constrains the fin boundary for regions of standard cells. I am wondering if the procedure tsmcCdfFormInitCB() is failing as the properties of the device within the standard cell are not consistent with the rules of your fundamentally analog tsmc model library. To examine if this hypothesis is a  possibility, if you place a device from your 3 nm PDK library (tsmcN3) outside of the standard cell and query its properties, do you still experience the same error?

2. I also noticed your query suggests that the device is a macrocell - not a "core" device model. In essence, a macro often contains a core device model and other components to represent analog effects (such a estimated gate resistance and layout capacitances). I may be wrong, but I never recall seeing devices within TSMC standard cells using macrocells. Hence, I am wondering if your standard cell schematic may be calling macrocell models and not core device models. 

Shawn

Dear mDad,

Mdad said:

When I select a transistor, on the side window next to parameters a warning says that a function : "tsmcCdfFormInitCB" does not exist.

I checked CDF editor and it is a CDF form initialization procedure.

My guess is that the path to that script or function is not correct. 

Where can I find the correct path and how can I fix this error.

I have a slightly different interpretation of the error you are displaying and a thought as to its origin. My impression is that the error does not indicate the function tsmcCdfFormInitCB() is not accessible, but rather the function was called and experienced an error for cell nth_ulvt_mac.

A couple of thoughts came to mind when I examined your screenshot and error.

1. First, it appears you are examining the properties of a device contained in a standard cell. In my experience with TSMC and their standard cells, the standard cells often use devices whose parameters are not consistent with their analog device models. In addition, if I recall for 3 nm, TSMC constrains the fin boundary for regions of standard cells. I am wondering if the procedure tsmcCdfFormInitCB() is failing as the properties of the device within the standard cell are not consistent with the rules of your fundamentally analog tsmc model library. To examine if this hypothesis is a  possibility, if you place a device from your 3 nm PDK library (tsmcN3) outside of the standard cell and query its properties, do you still experience the same error?

2. I also noticed your query suggests that the device is a macrocell - not a "core" device model. In essence, a macro often contains a core device model and other components to represent analog effects (such a estimated gate resistance and layout capacitances). I may be wrong, but I never recall seeing devices within TSMC standard cells using macrocells. Hence, I am wondering if your standard cell schematic may be calling macrocell models and not core device models. 

Shawn

Normally with PDKs from that foundry, the callbacks and related code is loaded via the libInit.il in the tsmcN3 library. It sounds as if that hasn't happened - maybe the library has been moved elsewhere and either the libInit.il is missing or the skill directory relative to the library is missing (this is normally part of the original PDK).

Either way, it's a PDK setup issue - you should check that the PDK is installed as the foundry provided it, or contact the foundry for support.

Regards,

Andrew