DGEI

1
Student Projects using Microwind
Etienne SICARD INSA Toulouse
March 2007
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What is Microwind

• Layout editor and analog simulator
• Configured to 1.2µm CMOS technology down to 32nm
  technology
• Used for education in Microelectronics since 10
  years

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Microwind Web Sites

• A web site dedicated to Microwind was built in
  2002
• www.microwind.org (information) and
  www.microwind.net (commercial)

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Microwind tool optimal usage
Teachers
Student Pyramid
Design of integrated circuits
Reduced number of students
BAC5
Professional design tools
Basic cell design
Optimum use of Microwind
BAC4
Educational tools
Semiconductor devices
Large number of students
BAC2 BAC3
Fonctions logiques
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Microwind Learning Curve
Learning Curve
Larger progess marging
Educational tools
Very fast initial learning (simple tool)
Industry-oriented tools
Slow initial learning (complex tool)
Time
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Course on Physics of Semiconductors

• 4th year of studies  Automatics, Electronics 
• Theoretical course on physics of semiconductors
  (20 H)
• Microelectronics is difficult
• A lot of theory
• Do not wish to follow microelectronics option in
  5th year
• Practical training using Microwind (5 x 3H)
• First training (3 H) nMOS, pMOS, inverter, ring
  oscillator
• Goal 1 understand the MOS as a switch see
  threshold voltage
• Goal 2 see the link between design and
  performance
• Goal 3 show attractive views (2D, 3D)
• Goal 3 get used to Microwind

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Student projects at INSA

• Second training (3 H) basic gates
• Goal 1 combine switches
• Goal 2 get used to interconnect
• Goal 3 introduce design rules, guidelines, save
  silicon
• 3rd-5th training (3 x 3H) student project
• Proposed subjects
• ADC converters 2-bit exists, make 3 or 4 bits
• Memory team of four students learn to work
  together
• Logic design power of automatic conversion
  VERILOG to layout
• Analog design magic operationnal amplifier
• Process design VSM project
• FPGA layout design

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Available Documentation

• Version 3.1 free user manual (120 pp)
• Application notes on several topics 90 nm, 65 nm,
  signal integrity, CIF/GDS2 format
• Freeware version www.microwind.org
• Possible version pro www.microwind.net
  (ni2design)

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Feedback

• Strong motivation from nearly all students
• Modified opinion about Microelectronics
• Ready to start learning professionnal tools
• Understand the link between layout and
  performance
• Good contents on line
• Feel the gap between Microwind layout and real
  layout
• Design rules
• Silicon area saving
• Many guidelines for optimum layout