Patent ID: 8255849
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of modeling an integrated circuit (IC) that includes one or more layers disposed on a substrate, each layer including a top wall, a bottom wall and a sidewall that connects the top wall and bottom wall, and the method comprising: specifying a mesh for modeling the IC with a mesh model, wherein the mesh includes a plurality of mesh elements for defining values on the mesh from discrete values of the mesh elements, the mesh elements including top-wall elements for the one or more top walls, bottom-wall elements for the one or more bottom walls, and sidewall elements for the one or more sidewalls; specifying a grid for a modeling of the IC with a grid model, wherein the grid includes a plurality of grid points for defining values on the grid, the grid including a top grid for each top wall and a bottom grid for each bottom wall; determining projection values for projecting values from the mesh to the grid; determining interpolation values for interpolating values from the grid to the mesh; for at least some mesh elements, specifying at least some other mesh elements as nearby mesh elements or far-away mesh elements, whereby corresponding pairs of mesh elements are specified as nearby mesh-element pairs or far-away mesh-element pairs; using at least one computer to determine direct values for modeling impedances at nearby mesh-element pairs of the IC by using the mesh model to calculate impedance values on the mesh for the one or more layers and the substrate; using the at least one computer to determine indirect values for modeling impedances at far-away mesh-element pairs of the IC by using the grid model to calculate impedance values on the grid for the one or more layers and the substrate and using the projection values and the interpolation values to relate the grid and the mesh; using the at least one computer to determine pre-correction values for correcting impedances from the grid model at nearby mesh-element pairs, wherein the direct values, the indirect values and the pre-correction values provide a decomposition of impedances for the IC and provide a corresponding decomposition of voltage values for specified current values of the IC; and saving one or more impedance values for the IC in a non-transitory computer-readable medium.