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Photonic Device Compiler

Photonic device simulation and optimization

Create PDKs and Overview

add custom Photonic Device Compiler is the Synopsys solution for photonic IC designers and PDK
developers to design, analyze, optimize, and use photonic devices within the Synopsys
devices to unified electrical and photonic design platform.
complement a
foundry PDK Introduction
Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are efficiently simulated using compact models from
a model library provided as part of a PDK to represent individual components in the
circuit. The lack of complete and mature model libraries is a major impediment to high
yields in PIC manufacturing. This is partly due to the current maturity of the ecosystem,
and partly because of the wide variety of photonic devices required to address a certain
application. PIC technology is vastly different than digital design and largely different
than electrical analog mixed signal design. Most PIC components are optimized for a
certain function, wavelength, fabrication process, etc.

Photonic Device Compiler provides a wide range of physical simulation methods in a

single tool. Photonic Device Compiler also adds automation to take the results of the
device design cycle and add it to a custom or personal device library, a PDK, or IP library.
You can use these custom devices in the Synopsys PIC software solutions for
schematic capture, circuit level simulation, layout, and verification. With Photonic Device
Compiler, you use the industry’s most comprehensive set of photonic device simulators
seamlessly integrated with TCAD Sentaurus™, the industry-leading process and
electrical device simulation tool.

Unlike electronics, photonic circuit design requires direct access to device level tools
to complement PDKs. Photonic Device Compiler is the solution for this.

Photonic Simulation Electrical and Photonic Design Cockpit

Schematic Entry, Simulation Bridge, Layout
OptSim Elite
OptoCompiler
Electrical Simulation

PrimeSim Physical Verification (DRC/LVS)

Continuum
IC Validator

Design

PDK GDS II
Manufacture

Mask Mask data

Process and electrical Photonic passive synthesis/OPS prep/fracture Fab
device simulation and active device
Proteus CATS
Sentaurus simulation
Process and Photonic Device
Device Compiler Foundries use TCAD and Photonic Device Compiler
for device design and modeling, and tools for
mask flows on the production side.

Figure 1: The role of Photonic Device Compiler in the complete Synopsys platform for PIC
design and manufacturing

synopsys.com
Photonic Device Compiler Features
• Complete photonic device simulation, analysis, and optimization solution
• Works seamlessly with OptoCompiler™, OptSim™ Elite, and IC Validator
• Enables E/O device level co-simulation with TCAD Sentaurus™
• Enables design of custom components that can be used with foundry PDKs

Base Elite
Simulators: Simulators:
• Mode-solver • Mode-solver
• FDTD • FDTD (2x)
• BPM • BPM (2x)
Tools and Utilities: • EME
• Optimization • RCWA
• Clustering Tools and Utilities:
• AWG Utility • Optimization
• Custom PDK Utility • Clustering
• AWG Utility
• Multi-Physics Uility
• Custom PDK Utility

Figure 2: Photonic Device Compiler Tiers

Use Photonic Device Compiler to create and use a custom library with OptoCompiler:

• Use Custom Devices in conjunction with a foundry-provided PDK

• Design, simulate, and optimize passive and active integrated photonics devices for a targeted foundry
• Create symbols, layouts, and simulation models for OptoCompiler and OptSim Elite

Parameter Extraction

RSoft CAD, Sentaurus TCAD, All Passives:

OptoDesigner SPT, (S-Device), • S Matrix
Sentaurus TCAD, (S-process) RSoft Photonic • Neff (Lambda)
GDS, and/or Python Device Tools Phase Shifters/
Modulators:
Foundry Device Electronic • Neff (Lambda) Schematic Capture,
and Optical Custom Simulation, Layout,
Technology Geometry • Neff (V)
Simulation Model Verification
Info • Bandwidth
Detectors:
• Responsivity
• Bandwidth
• Generates: Symbols, Layouts, and Simulation Models
Generation of: Symbols (icons), • Enables: Custom design within the Foundry Design Rules
Ports, Scripts, Layout (SPT, GDSII) • Improves: Flexibility, Quality, and Efficiency

Figure 3: Photonic Device Compiler flow for custom library generation

2
Applications
• Passive photonic device design
Includes waveguides, bends, splitters, couplers, MMIs, AWGs, and polarization devices (rotators, splitters, or a
polarization analysis of any of the previously listed devices)
• Active photonic device design
Includes phase shifters, photodetectors, and modulators

• Assists in the creation of custom device models that can be used with a foundry PDK, to create a new PDK, or to
create photonics IP

Platform Support
To learn more about our System Requirements, visit https://www.synopsys.com/photonic-solutions/product-system-requirements.html

• Linux: We officially support Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and CentOS 6.6+, 7.1+, and 8+
• Windows 10 64-bit

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available at synopsys.com/copyright.html . All other names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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