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James Victory

Abstract

Title: Practical and Efficient Statistical Modeling and Simulation for Modern Day ICs
 
Process variation in modern semiconductor technologies is unavoidable. Single digit circuit manufacturing yield changes translate to millions of dollars lost or gained in particular for mixed signal, analog and RF IC applications. The obvious goal of statistical and corner models is accurate simulation of the process-induced variation of circuit performances, such as gain-bandwidth products, distortion levels and phase noise. The missing elements in most PDK offerings, whether from foundry or IDM, are the practicality of the corner and statistical models in providing IC designers accessibility and flexibility in understanding a circuit’s robustness to process variation. This presentation provides an insightful look into typical corner and statistical model libraries, highlighting trouble spots that lead to loss of accuracy, longer design cycles, and overall loss of practical application by IC designers. Innovative remedies are then provided that go beyond the typical boundaries, greatly enhancing a designer’s ability to achieve ICs with maximum yield and fasted time to market.
 

Bios

James Victory, Ph. D President, Sentinel IC Technologies. In June 2008, Dr. Victory co-founded Sentinel IC Technologies Inc., to develop and deploy innovative design enablement solutions to the greater semiconductor design and manufacturing industry. His 18 years experience and leadership in design enablement spans the entire semiconductor industry spectrum from IDM, to fabless, to foundry. Prior to founding Sentinel, he was the Executive Director of IC Design Enablement at Jazz Semiconductor from 2003. From 2001-2003, Dr. Victory was with UWB pioneer XtremeSpectrum where he was Director of Semiconductor Technology. Dr. Victory started his career with Motorola from 1992-2001. He directed the ramp up of the RF Characterization and Modeling Lab for Motorola’s European IC Design Center in Geneva from1997 to 2001. From 1992-1997, as a Principal Member of the Technical Staff, he specialized in semiconductor device modeling for circuit simulation of RF analog and power technologies. Dr. James Victory received his BSEE, MSEE, and Ph. D in electrical engineering from Arizona State University in 1990, 1992, and 1994 respectively. Dr. Victory has over 30 publications, including invited papers & workshop tutorials on semiconductor device modeling and design enablement for RF, power, analog, mixed-signal, and nanoscale technologies.