pspice esd simulation
I have a number of questions:
- Why do you want to simulate ESD behavior?
- Is it because there is lack of trust in the foundry supplied ESD solutions?
According to experts in the field Spice simulation of ESD is not accurate enough yet. currently models supplied by the foundry do not include high current, fast transient behavior required for such simulations.
- Is it because you are creating your own ESD solution? Be sure to watch out for patent infringement. Many companies have developed and patented ESD structures in the past. You do not want your ASIC production to be halted because it infringes on some-one's patent. Copying a protection concept from a paper of publication might bring you in to problems. Several companies spent multiple expert manyears every year looking for new solutions so it might be hard to suddenly get a new solution that is not existing (patented) yet and works from the first time.
- What simulator do you plan to use?
I guess you plan to use SPICE. As mentioned above not many models include the behavior required for ESD relevant simulations.
Some people tend to use TCAD simulators in 3D simulation. But the TCAD mesh network and process calibration influence the results drastically. Actually, even with these kind of simulations is that it is time consuming to get it right. If you can't spend full-time on the simulator it may be hard to get any relevant results!
- What is the required outcome of the simulations?
Different options:
- Proof that ESD will be fine on a full ASIC? - multiple clamps work together or not?
- Proof that ESD protection (1 clamp) is robust enough?
- Proof that ESD protection is effective (fast enough, low voltage triggering)
Depending on the answers I might provide further reference.
- Good material exists for RC-triggered BigFET simulations from the people of Freescale. As mentioned before, these solutions are patented!
- several people have spend phD's on the study of TCAD simulation for ESD. I can look up some paper references if that is what you are looking for.
Actually, this week there is an international symposium on ESD on-going in Tucson, Arizona. check-out
https://www.esda.org/
I'm sure there are sessions, workshops and discussions about modeling and simulations