How to create a Process Design Kit (PDK) in AWR

A PDK is a configuration of the AWR Design Environment software for a specific foundry process, which is a collection of models, layout cells, symbols, and other information. You can use the same mechanism to deliver custom components. The Process Definition Wizard provides an easy way to create new PCB/LTCC PDKs.

Steps to create a PDK in AWR:

1.Create a new project and go to Tools > Create New Process. Enter the details of the process, as shown in Figure 1.

                                                                    Figure 1

2. Click on Defaults to display Layer Generation Defaults. Fill in the substrate and via details, as shown in Figure 2.

                                                                                     Figure 2

3. Click on Create Layers. Layers will be created.

4. Click on Create PDK, as shown in Figure 3.

                                                                                           Figure 3

5. Save the .ini file in a new folder. Many new files will be created in a new folder. Now, a new PDK has been created.

6. To use this new PDK, go to File > New using Library > New PDK. You can see the new PDK under Project > Global Definitions > New PDK.

 A STACKUP is also created and added to Global Definitions and the XML with appropriate EM mappings and SPP rules. Now, any circuit schematic can be created using this new PDK, as shown in Figure 4.

                                                                                            Figure 4

To understand more about creating PDKs, visit https://www.awr.com/extranet/e-learning.

Team SimTech

Cadence Design Systems