The PDK will enable engineers to select multiple methodologies, including layout centric, schematic driven and layout automation and provides access to CEA-Leti’s 300mm photonics multi-project wafers (MPW).
The methodologies are compliant with Siemens’ Calibre platform for physical IC verification.
Additional benefits of using CEA-Leti's PDK with Siemens’ Tanner L-Edit software tools include autonomous photonic design, easy creation and editing of waveguides, automatic insertion of crossing waveguides, an export simulation netlist and layout-oriented design.
Combined with Siemens’ LightSuite Photonic Compiler, an automated electronic and optical line-routing tool for a seamless design flow, the new PDK includes:
- The industry's first integrated electrical/photonic layout automation tool,
- Automated routing of both the waveguides and electrical control
- Rapid production of a new layout without DRC error (verified by Calibre software), and
- A tool based on EDA standards: OpenAccess, Python & iPDK.
In addition to simplifying optical-circuit design, the new PDK version allows increased flexibility and evolution for future designs, along with many more components for both C-band and 0-band applications.
“Our close collaboration over many years with the EDA segment of Siemens Digital Industries Software (formerly Mentor Graphics), has produced a new level of maturity in content, layout design rules, photonic routing and other EDA features with this state-of-the-art PDK,” said Christophe Kopp, Head of the Photonic Circuit, Sensor and Display Lab at CEA-Leti and Director of the Nanoelec Photonic sensors program. “In addition, thanks to its compatibility with the LightSuite Photonic Compiler tool, designers will have the tools to produce electro-optical circuits with optical and electrical routing on thousands of components in a matter of minutes. The design of optical circuits will be greatly simplified and shortened, while adding flexibility and evolution for future versions.”
