Spectre Simulations

using CMOSP18 RF Models

Mohammad Hekmat
April 2005

Table of Contents:

Spectre Simulations..........................................................................................................................1
TSMC Models................................................................................................................. 2
RF versus other models................................................................................................... 2
How to define an RF device ........................................................................................... 3
1-Setup your model path............................................................................................. 3
2-Modify the Netlist.................................................................................................... 5
3-Run the simulation................................................................................................... 7
4-An example.............................................................................................................. 7

Syntactical Conventions
This document uses the same syntactical conventions as Cadence documentation.
Menu commands and the fields in dialog boxes in the GUI are given in Arial italic font:
File – Save
An en dash (–) separates the menu name and the command name.

Variables for which you are to substitute a value are given in Courier italic font:
Filename, cellname

File names and paths are given in Courier font:

library.lib

Copyright © 2005, Mohammad Hekmat – All Rights Reserved

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Spectre simulations using CMOSP18 RF Models

TSMC Models

TSMC provides three types of CMOSP18 device models for circuit simulations with
Spectre. Each of these models is optimized for a certain application. Table 1 lists the
name of the model definition files, their location, and their intended application.

Model Name Path1 Application

log018.scs $CAD/spectre445_logical/ Logic
mm018.scs $CAD/spectre445_mixed/ Mixed-signal
rf018.scs $CAD/t018mmsp001RF/ High Frequency (RF)
Table 1: Different models and their applications
Equivalent models are available for HSpice simulations in Cadence. Furthermore, TSMC
also provides equivalent Mixed-signal and RF models for simulations within Agilent's
ADS. You can expect to obtain the same simulation results using either tool (ADS or
Cadence). Using the CMOSP18 RF models in the ADS graphical environment is
straightforward since you simply select RF MOS transistors from the TSMC library. This
is similar to the way the Logic and Mixed-signal models are used with Cadence’s
Schematic Editor. However, this is not the case for the RF models in Cadence’s
Schematic Editor, where CMC’s current setup does not provide graphical interface
support for the RF models. This interface support can be created by modifying the CDF
parameters of the instances in Cadence; however, here we assume that no configuration
change in Cadence is possible. Instead, in this document, we describe an alternate and
simple work-around to this problem. We assume that the user has chosen Spectre as the
simulator for his circuit. A similar procedure can be followed for HSpice or SpectreS
simulations.

RF versus other models

All TSMC’s models use BSIM3v3.2 for device definition; however, the assigned model
parameters are slightly different in different models because they are based on physical
process measurements taken at different frequency ranges. Furthermore, the difference
between the RF and mixed-signal models is more than just a difference in parameters. In
RF models the basic transistor is replaced with a subcircuit composed of the intrinsic
transistor surrounded by a few parasitic elements such as resistances and diodes2. These
parasitic elements are mostly responsible for those effects that BSIM model does not take
into account and can significantly affect simulation results. As an example, the simulated
noise figure of a sample LNA using both mixed-signal and RF models is shown in Fig. 1.
The considerable difference in the results comes from the contribution of gate, source,
drain, and substrate parasitics that are absent in the Mixed-signal models.

1
Throughout this document $CAD is used instead of : /CMC/kits/cmosp18/models/spectre
2 For more details of this subcircuit see: TSMC 0.18um Mixed Signal 1P6M Salicide 1.8V/3.3V RF Spice
Models, Document Number: T-018-MM-SP-001
Can be found in: /CMC/kits/cmosp18/doc/CMOSP18elecRFParams.pdf

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Spectre simulations using CMOSP18 RF Models

(a)

(b)
Figure 1 : Noise figure of a sample LNA using (a) mixed-signal, and (b) RF models
Another important point is that TSMC’s RF models are built based on measurements at
frequencies up to 20GHz for transistors of 2.5µm length. As such, the gate width of RF
transistors in the model is fixed to 2.5µm and cannot be changed. The user can modify
the number of fingers but not the width. This is an important consideration in drawing the
final layout of the circuit.

How to define an RF device

1-Setup your model path

Draw the schematic of your circuit the same way as any other schematic in the Schematic
Composer window of Cadence. Once the schematic view of your circuit is drawn and you

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Spectre simulations using CMOSP18 RF Models

are ready to simulate your circuit, use the following steps to define an RF model for your
device:

-In the ADE3 window choose Setup-Model Libraries. The Model Libraries Setup menu will
open. In the Model Library File field add:

/CMC/kits/cmosp18/models/spectre/t018mmsp001RF/rf018.scs

-In section part type: tt_rfmos4.

-Click on Add button. Notice that clicking on OK will not add the model to the path.

The final menu looks like Fig 2.

Figure 2 : Setting the model path

Note that you do not need to include the top line i.e. the path to mixed-signal models is
not necessary; however, having both models in your path enables you to use different
models for different parts of your circuit e.g. you can use RF models for critical parts of
your design and mixed-signal models for the rest. Nonetheless, remember that RF models
are not in general as accurate as mixed-signal models unless you are specifically looking
for RF performance and as discussed before, the use of these models imposes some
limitations on the width of the transistors in your design.

An alternative way to setup your model libraries is to manually modify the model library
definition file icfspectre.init. This file is located by default in the $CAD/ directory
where you are not allowed to modify it. In order to modify the file, copy icfspectre.init to
a folder in your home directory, and then modify it by simply adding the following line:

3
ADE stands for Analog Design Environment, previously known as Analog Artist.
4
Other process corners can be used by replacing tt_rfmos with ss_rfmos, ff_rfmos, etc.

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Spectre simulations using CMOSP18 RF Models

include "$CAD/t018mmsp001RF/rf018.scs" section=tt_rfmos

Then, go back to the Model Library Setup, and in the Model Library File field add:

$PATH$/icfspectre.init.

Either of these two methods will include the RF library to your models path.

2-Modify the Netlist

So far your model path is set up for RF models, but still Spectre will not simulate the
circuit correctly. So, the final step is to generate and edit the netlist of your circuit. Since
the netlist is a text file you can edit it using any text editor e.g. emacs. If you do not know
the path to the netlist, run the simulation once and choose Simulation/Netlist/Display in the
ADE window5. A new window will pop up and the current netlist will be shown. The
path is shown in the top window bar. It should be similar to the following path:

$Simulation-Directory/spectre/schematic/netlist/input.scs

Note that although this file contains netlist information it is NOT the netlist file you need
to modify. This input.scs file is created every time you simulate your circuit by
combining information from the netlist file, and the simulation control and analysis
statements that result from your selections in the GUI. Note that in contrast, the
standalone netlist file, which contains only information about the electrical components
and their connections, is generated/updated only if you choose the Simulation/netlist and
run or Simulation/Netlist/Create or recreate in the ADE.

The actual netlist that we need to modify is located in the same directory and its name is
netlist:
$Simulation-Directory/spectre/schematic/netlist/netlist

Before simulating the circuit, Cadence’s ADE prepares the netlist of the schematic view
drawn in Schematic Composer Window. The parameters assigned by the user in the
object properties dialogue box appear in the netlist as instance parameters. It is the task of
ADE to compose the appropriate netlist based on the schematic symbols i.e. whenever an
instance of an NMOS transistor is used in the circuit; the ADE will automatically add the
proper device definition to the netlist (the proper format is chosen based on library
definitions and the model path). However, the current version of CMOSP18 libraries
available from CMC does not support this feature for RF models; therefore, it is the
designer’s task to edit the netlist so that the correct model definition is used. If you do not
change the netlist manually the simulation will most probably be done without issuing
any error messages; however, the results will not be correct because some device
parameters are missing for the simulation.
To understand why and how the parameters should be changed, here is the heading of the
subcircuit definition in the rf018.scs file:

5
Or if you just want to create the netlist use: Simulation/Netlist/Create

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Spectre simulations using CMOSP18 RF Models

subckt nmos_rf ( D G S B )
parameters lr=18.e-08 nr=12.8e+01

As can be seen this subcircuit has four nodes and two parameters that should be set by the
user. The four terminals of the transistor require no change by the user, but the other two
parameters namely nr and lr should be adjusted. nr is the number of fingers and lr is the
length of the MOS device. Note that for a mixed-signal model there are a couple of
parameters such as the area and periphery of diffusion regions and so on; however, in RF
library, all these values will be automatically set by the TSMC model and are assigned
internally in the subcircuit definition of the RF model and need not be set by the user.

In order to correct the netlist, remove all parameters of the MOS devices except the
terminal connections and add two parameters: ‘nr’ and ‘lr’. As an example the netlist of
the LNA simulated in Fig. 1 before and after modification is shown here:

Original Netlist Prepared by Cadence:

// Library name: LNA
// Cell name: LNA_CMC1
// View name: schematic
PORT0 (net9 0) port r=50 num=1 dc=600m type=sine
PORT1 (net3 0) port r=50 num=2 type=sine
C1 (net17 net5) capacitor c=10.1p
C0 (net17 net3) capacitor c=1u
V0 (net5 0) vsource dc=1.8 type=dc
L2 (net17 net5) inductor l=1n
L1 (net9 net13) inductor l=38n
L0 (net16 0) inductor l=450.00p
M0 (net21 net13 net16 0) nch w=2.5u l=180.00n as=0.48u*(2.5u) \
ad=0.48u*(2.5u) ps=0.96u+2*(2.5u) pd=0.96u+2*(2.5u) \
nrd=0.27u/(2.5u) nrs=0.27u/(2.5u) m=60 region=triode
M1 (net17 net5 net21 0) nch w=2.5u l=180.00n as=0.48u*(2.5u) \
ad=0.48u*(2.5u) ps=0.96u+2*(2.5u) pd=0.96u+2*(2.5u) \
nrd=0.27u/(2.5u) nrs=0.27u/(2.5u) m=60 region=triode
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Modified Netlist of the LNA:
// Library name: LNA
// Cell name: LNA_CMC1
// View name: schematic
PORT0 (net9 0) port r=50 num=1 dc=600.0m type=sine
PORT1 (net3 0) port r=50 num=2 type=sine
C1 (net17 net5) capacitor c=10.1p
C0 (net17 net3) capacitor c=1u
V0 (net5 0) vsource dc=1.8 type=dc
L2 (net17 net5) inductor l=1n
L1 (net9 net13) inductor l=38n
L0 (net16 0) inductor l=450.00p
M1 (net17 net5 net21 0) nmos_rf lr=180.00n nr=60
M0 (net21 net13 net16 0) nmos_rf lr=180.00n nr=60

Note that the only difference is in MOS definition part.

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Spectre simulations using CMOSP18 RF Models

3-Run the simulation

There are two options in the simulation menu of Analog Environment. One is “Run” and
the other one is “Netlist and Run”. The latter generates netlist prior to simulation. After
performing the netlist modification the “Run” option should be used in Spectre otherwise
the new netlist will overwrite the one you have already edited. To make sure that the
correct netlist is being used choose Simulation/Netlist/Display in ADE window and inspect
the input.scs for changes you have made. Note that after the simulation, you might get
some warning messages in your output log regarding the length and width of the
transistors, these messages can be ignored.

4-An example

As an example of the procedure described, we will use the netlist given in this document
and compose a schematic for a sample LNA. Create the following schematic6.

Figure 3: The schematic of the sample LNA

6
For further information about how to create new cellviews and schematics refer to other tutorials available
on CMC’s website e.g. Tutorial on schematic entry and digital simulation at:
http://cmc.ca/prod_serv/education/training/

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Spectre simulations using CMOSP18 RF Models

The list of elements and their corresponding libraries is given in Table 2. For any
parameter not given in this table use default values.

Part Library Instance name Value

L0 analogLib ind 450pH
L1 analogLib ind 38nH
L2 analogLib ind 1nH
C0 analogLib cap 1uF
C1 analogLib cap 10.1pF
Port0 analogLib port Resistance=50 Ohms
Port number=1
DC voltage= 600mV
Port1 analogLib port Resistance=50 Ohms
Port number=2
V0 analogLib vdc 1.8v
M0 cmosp18 nfet Multiplier=60
Width=2.5um
M1 cmosp18 nfet Multiplier=60
Width=2.5um
Table 2: Value of parameters for te sample LNA
In the ADE window choose Spectre as simulator (You do not need to change anything,
usually, the default simulator is Spectre). Choose SP analysis and make sure to enable
noise analysis. Set the frequency range to 1-2GHz. Once you enable noise analysis you
have to select output and input ports. Select Port1 and Port0 for output and input ports,
respectively. Click OK and run the simulation. Once the simulation is complete, in the
ADE window choose Results/Direct Plot/ Main Form. The direct plot form will open. In this
form choose NF and dB10 and finally click on plot. Fig. 2a will be shown in the
Waveform window of Cadence.

Modify the netlist created by Cadence following the steps shown in this document.
Resimulate the circuit after setting model paths (As described before, do not use Netlist
and Run just Run). This time you will see Fig. 2b in the waveform window. Both original
and modified versions of the netlist are given in the previous section.

As a final note, one might think what happens if one simply changes the model name for
the NMOS transistor to nmos_rf and set the model paths to RF libraries without
modifying the parameters in the netlist. Obviously, as you have understood throughout
this document, the simulation results will not be correct. However, Spectre simulates
your circuit even though the parameters are not correct. You will get a couple of warning
messages stating that Spectre has ignored anything that it could not understand. A sample
result is shown in Fig. 4, which is obviously wrong.

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Spectre simulations using CMOSP18 RF Models

Figure 4: A sample simulation result that can occur due to ignoring some of the design parameters