Efficient extraction of K-sigma corners from Monte Carlo simulation
US9805158B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2015 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2111/08
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system, method, and computer program product for efficiently finding the best Monte Carlo simulation samples for use as design corners for all design specifications to substitute for a full circuit design verification. Embodiments calculate a corner target value matching an input variation level by modeling the circuit performance with verified accuracy, estimate the corner based on a response surface model such that the corner has the highest probability density (or extrapolation from the worst sample if the model is inaccurate), and verify and/or adjust the corner by performing a small number of additional simulations. Embodiments also estimate the probability that a design already meets the design specifications at a specified variation level. Composite multimodal and non-Gaussian probability distribution functions enhance model accuracy. The extracted design corners may be of particular utility during circuit design iterations. A potential twenty-fold reduction in overall design specification verification time may be achieved.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.