1. © 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved.1 Wheres my glass slipper? TAU 2014 Nanda Gopal Director R&D, Characterization

2. © 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved.2 @ The Center of the Design Universe Characterization Characterization Simulation TCAD Circuit Design IT modeling optimization correlation resource overload convergence correlation Extraction correlation

3. © 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved.3 Challenges FINFETs Parasitics Circuit design Technology Complex cells Macros Memories Cell Complexity Noise Statistical IO Model Complexity Low power Leakage Power #Cells #Corners Resources Scalability Performance Validation Tools/flows IP issues Qualification

4. © 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved.4 The Characterization Engineer Circuit Theory Algorithms Databases Distributed Computing Programming Interface Design Circuit Simulation Digital Design Static Timing Analysis Power Analysis

5. © 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved.5 Collaboration is a Must

6. © 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved.6 Characterization is your Cinderalla! Characterization is critical at advanced nodes today: –It is at the confluence of analog and digital –It provides the base for implementation –It enables new technologies and models –It is the glue across tools and flows –It has to be the first thought of tool developers and users alike Neglect characterization at your own peril!

7. © 2014 Synopsys. All rights reserved.7 Thank You