Microcosm Technologies Expands System Level Support for Telecommunications MEMS Development
The enhancements provide the capability to use standard IC and system design tools for top-down design of systems integrating MEMS and non-MEMS. The first interface announced is to Cadence's schematic-driven layout environment. Designers can create MEMS structures within the familiar Cadence design environment using Microcosm-provided library elements and foundry-specific process information. Or, they can import parameterized 6-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) models created using Microcosm's MEMCAD software.
Subsequently, they can model and simulate MEMS devices integrated with the controlling electronics, refine the MEMS component design from within Cadence by changing parameters as required, then produce files used for manufacturing. When designers require detailed MEMS component performance verification, they can perform boundary/finite element 6DOF modeling within the Microcosm software tool suite.
"This approach allows engineers to perform top-down tradeoffs when optimizing their design," said John Studders, Director of Product Development at Microcosm. "We chose Cadence as our first interface based on customer request and our desire to link MEMS technology into best-of-class tools. We also intend to integrate with other leading system design CAD tools."
Microcosm also announced support for opto-electro-mechanical modeling of MOEMS (micro-optical-electro-mechanical systems) within MEMCAD using a single simulation environment incorporating the three domains inherent to 3-D optical MEMS - electronic, mechanical, and free-space optical. For optical applications, this robust modeling capability shortens the development cycle by enabling network systems developers to simulate the impact of the MOEMS device in the complete system, and adjust the device and system design, if needed, prior to prototyping. Designers can implement top-down design of a proposed MOEMS system, as well as bottom-up verification of the system performance, entirely within MEMCAD.
"Opto-electro-mechanical simulation is especially important for micro-mirrors and micro-lenses used for wavelength selection and optical routing in network switches," said Dr. Art Morris, Advanced Development Manager for RF and Optics at Microcosm. "Optical switching solutions for large fiber counts require precise analog control to achieve the critical alignment needed for low optical loss. The design of these optical systems requires co-simulation of the optics, MEMS electro-mechanics, and control systems, sensors, and circuitry. Co-simulation enables the evaluation of tolerance, environmental, and packaging effects, as well as the optimization of the system as a whole."
For RF/wireless applications, Microcosm has extended its support of MEMS modeling to allow the development of novel RF/wireless components such as high-Q resonators and varactors, inductors, filters for K-band and higher frequency applications, and switches. From within MEMCAD, RF/wireless designers can create novel, application-specific components using Microcosm's Catapult 2-D layout editor, and perform full 6DOF simulation within the MEMCAD environment.
Edited by Kristin Keiser