IEEE SSCS Distinguished Speaker - Truths, Lies, and Simulations - A Tutorial on Process Corner Models

About

ABSTRACT

Device models play the essential role of bridging technology and design.

Yet, as the late statistician George Box once said, "all models are wrong, but some are useful". Given this fundamental truth, this tutorial attempts to demystify the basics of how transistor models are constructed, what they attempt to capture, and how they are incomplete.

We will provide a conceptual overview of corner models used in both fixed-corner and Monte Carlo simulations. A deeper understanding of model limitations and simulation methodology can only enable better design judgment and lead to higher-quality designs.

BIOGRAPHY

Alvin Loke just joined Marvell as Senior Distinguished Engineer in the new San Diego design center, working on analog design/technology co-optimization for gate-all-around CMOS. He has previously worked on CMOS nodes spanning 250nm to sub-2nm at Agilent, AMD, Qualcomm, TSMC, NXP, and Intel Foundry. Alvin received a BASc from the University of British Columbia, and an MS and PhD from Stanford. After several years in CMOS process integration, he has since worked on analog/mixed-signal design, focusing on a variety of wireline links, including chiplet IOs, design/model/technology interface, and analog design methodologies.

Alvin has been an active IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society (SSCS) volunteer since 2003, having served as AdCom Member, CICC Committee Member, Webinar Chair, Denver and San Diego Chapter Chair, as well as JSSC, SSCL, and Solid-State Circuits Magazine Guest Editor. He currently serves as the VLSI Symposium Program Chair, SSCS Global Chapters Chair, and again as SSCS Distinguished Lecturer. Alvin frequently speaks on CMOS technology and its impact on analog design, having authored invited publications including the CICC 2018 Best Paper and short courses at ISSCC, VLSI Symposium, CICC, and BCICTS.