Introduction to High Frequency Analogue IC design flows for Photonics Application

Gain hands-on experience with high frequency analogue integrated circuit (IC) design flows tailored for photonics applications. Delivered in person by the STFC Microelectronics Support Centre team, this four-day course uses the Cadence Virtuoso tool suite with the UMC 65nm CMOS process.

The course covers the full flow from schematic entry, through simulation to connectivity-driven layout techniques, sign-off checks and stream out, with special attention to high frequency design techniques and tools.

The course focuses on best-practice flows for analogue design, simulation and layout, coupled with specific tool knowledge, enabling designers to use a range of analysis techniques and connectivity driven layout on modern CMOS processes. The design examples demonstrated on this course will cover low frequency analogue, and specialised high frequency designs for photonics applications. Course attendees will be able to directly apply what they have learnt to their own designs after the course.

DAY 1

  • Block-level and system level design flows
  • Analogue design infrastructure – technology files and libraries
  • Circuit design and initial sizing methodology
  • Schematic entry and hierarchical design
  • Circuit simulation and analysis of results
  • Specification-driven simulation

DAY 2

  • S-Parameters analysis
  • Periodic steady state and noise analysis
  • High frequency transient analysis
  • Monte Carlo and Corner Simulation
  • Parametric analysis and multiple tests simulation

DAY 3

  • Layout fundamentals
  • Schematic driven layout
  • Custom Inductor design and analysis
  • High frequency layout techniques and implementation
  • Layout verification – DRC, LVS and Parasitic extraction
  • Post-layout simulation

DAY 4

  • High frequency layout electromagnetic simulation
  • System level layout implementation
  • Package modelling with electromagnetic simulation
  • Stream Out/In

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for those working on photonics-related IC design who want to deepen their understanding of high frequency analogue flows. While the course introduces key methodology concepts, a basic knowledge of circuits is expected. Prior experience with UNIX/Linux systems will also be helpful for the practical sessions.

Fees

  • Standard Rate: €300.00

  • Discounted Rate for qualifyingC-PIC Members: €100.00

Date: 10 – 13 June 2025

Time: 09:30 – 17:30 (local time)

Location: STFC, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK​

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