Co-simulation of microelectronic systems is a process in which different models of the components of a microelectronic system are simulated simultaneously to analyse their interrelationships and behaviour. This makes it possible to test system designs, such as integrated circuits, microcontrollers, and embedded systems, without creating physical prototypes. Co-simulation enables the integration of different simulation environments, which provides a more accurate representation of the actual operating conditions of electronic systems.
Co-simulation of Microelectronic Systems
Type of technology
Description of the technology
Basic elements
- Model integration: Co-simulation enables the combination of analogue, digital, and physical models in a single simulation process.
- Real-time simulation: It enables simultaneous simulation of electrical, mechanical, thermal, and logical processes in real time.
- Interfaces between systems: Co-simulation software uses interfaces that enable different simulation tools (e.g. SPICE, VHDL, Verilog) to work together.
- Testing prototypes: Co-simulation makes it possible to analyse the behaviour of microelectronic systems, such as integrated circuits and microcontrollers, without creating physical prototypes.
- Project optimisation: With co-simulation, the system design can be optimised, minimising the risk of errors in later phases of production.
Industry usage
- Automotive industry: Co-simulation of microelectronic systems in cars, such as engine control systems, sensors, and autonomous systems.
- Aviation industry: Testing advanced electronics used in navigation and flight control systems.
- Telecommunications: Co-simulation of integrated circuits in communication devices, such as base stations, routers, and modems.
- Consumer electronics: Testing microelectronic circuits used in smartphones, computers, and mobile devices.
- Medical industry: Co-simulation of microelectronic medical systems such as implants, health monitoring devices, and diagnostic equipment.
Importance for the economy
Co-simulation of microelectronic systems is crucial for electronics and semiconductor companies, enabling them to shorten the design and test cycle for new circuits. With co-simulation, companies can quickly prototype and optimise their products, which makes them more competitive in the market. The technology is particularly important in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, and consumer electronics, where innovative and advanced microelectronic circuits are crucial.
Related technologies
Artificial Intelligence
AI can support co-simulation, e.g. by automating the optimisation of microelectronic circuits based on simulation results.
Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics
Co-simulation enables testing and optimisation of micro- and nanoelectronic circuits before they are put into production.
Cloud Computing
Simulations can be run in the cloud, providing scalability and access to greater computing resources.
Big Data
Analysis of the large amounts of data generated during co-simulation enables a better understanding of the behaviour of microelectronic systems.
Automation
Co-simulation supports automation of integrated circuit testing and optimisation, saving time and reducing design costs.
Mechanism of action
- Microelectronic co-simulation involves simultaneous simulations on various models of electronic system components, such as analogue, digital, and mechanical circuits. Each part of the system is simulated in its own environment and results are exchanged between parts in real time via special interfaces. This enables a comprehensive analysis of how individual components work together under real operating conditions, which leads to better design optimisation.
Advantages
- Shortening the design cycle: Co-simulation makes it possible to test and optimise designs without building physical prototypes, which reduces time-to-market.
- Cost reduction: It eliminates the need for multiple physical prototypes, significantly reducing the costs of designing and testing microelectronic circuits.
- High accuracy: With co-simulation, it is possible to accurately represent the actual operating conditions of a microelectronic system and thus conduct more detailed analysis and identify potential problems.
- Increased innovation: It enables experimentation with new designs and technologies, minimising investment risk.
- Performance optimisation: It enables optimisation of various aspects of microelectronic systems, such as energy consumption, computational efficiency, and noise immunity.
Disadvantages
- The cost of advanced simulation tools: Costly licences for advanced co-simulation software can be a barrier for smaller companies.
- Technological complexity: Co-simulation requires advanced knowledge and skills in both modelling and systems integration, which can be challenging for engineering teams.
- Long calculation time: Running complex simulations in real time can require a lot of computing resources, which increases the project’s execution time.
- Dependence on external tools: Co-simulation relies on the integration of different simulation tools, which can lead to compatibility issues.
- Risk of modelling errors: Incorrect modelling of parts of the system can lead to erroneous co-simulation results, which carries the risk of improper design optimisation.
Implementation of the technology
Required resources
- Simulation software: Tools, such as SPICE, VHDL, Verilog, and simulation environments, for mechanical and thermal models.
- IT infrastructure: Powerful computing resources, such as compute servers, cloud computing, and engineering workstations.
- Engineering team: Microelectronics specialists, software engineers, and analysts responsible for model development and analysis of co-simulation results.
- Testing and validation: Testers responsible for checking the validity of models and the accuracy of simulations against actual results.
- Technical knowledge: Experts in microelectronic systems modelling, design optimisation, and integration of various simulation tools.
Required competences
- Knowledge of hardware description languages (HDL): Ability to program in hardware description languages, such as VHDL, Verilog, that are key to modelling digital microelectronic systems.
- Simulation of analogue and digital systems: Knowledge of analogue (e.g. SPICE) and digital circuit simulation tools for the creation of complex mixed models of microelectronic systems.
- Management of co-simulation processes: Ability to integrate and synchronise various simulation tools to effectively manage the co-simulation process.
- Optimisation of microelectronic circuits: Knowledge of methods to optimise electronic circuits, such as reducing energy consumption, minimising circuit size, and improving performance.
- Embedded systems engineering: Ability to design and test embedded systems that can be part of larger, complex microelectronic systems.
Environmental aspects
- Energy consumption: Co-simulation of microelectronic systems requires large computing resources that generate significant energy consumption. Optimising simulation processes and using energy-efficient data centres can reduce environmental impact.
- IT equipment recycling: The high intensity of simulations may require regular hardware updates, leading to increased electronic waste. Companies should ensure that used equipment is properly recycled to reduce its negative impact on the environment.
- Reducing the number of physical prototypes: Co-simulation makes it possible to reduce the production of physical prototypes, which reduces the consumption of raw materials and the generation of production-related waste.
- Optimisation of material consumption: Simulations can help optimise designs, leading to a reduction in material consumption in the integrated circuit manufacturing process.
Legal conditions
- Information security standards: Co-simulation of complex microelectronic systems must meet information security standards, such as ISO/IEC 27001 (example: ensuring the security of data processed in simulation systems).
- Software licences: Software used for co-simulation is often covered by commercial licences that must be complied with when using simulation tools (example: EDA licences for tools such as SPICE, VHDL, and Verilog).
- Compliance with industry standards: Co-simulation of microelectronic systems in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and medicine must comply with relevant industry regulations (example: compliance with ISO 26262 standards for functional safety in the automotive industry).
- Protection of intellectual property: Simulated microelectronic circuit designs can be protected by intellectual property rights, which requires compliance with patent and licensing laws (example: patents for innovative solutions in microelectronics).