Hybrid methodology to extract kinetic and magnetic inductances for superconductor technologies

Integrated circuits (ICs) using superconductors have emerged as the technology of choice for artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, and cloud computing. However, innovative technology requires equally innovative physical verification solutions to ensure that these superconductor ICs deliver the performance and reliability they promise. We introduce an innovative hybrid methodology to extract both magnetic and kinetic inductances for superconductor designs. Magnetic inductance is extracted using a field solver engine based on the current flow through the interconnects, while a calibration mechanism is used to extract kinetic inductance based on foundry measurement. The flow extracts and generates both inductances together. The results display high correlation to physical measurement, while delivering very short runtimes.

Calibre hybrid inductance extraction provides fast runtimes and exceptional accuracy for supercomputer IC designs

Superconductors provide the performance and reliability needed for advanced computing technologies, but introduce new challenges for physical verification. Electronic design automation (EDA) tools for magnetic inductance extraction exist in conventional IC design flows, but inductance extraction for superconductors requires a novel methodology to accurately extract both magnetic and kinetic inductance. A hybrid extraction methodology using Calibre xACT and Calibre xL parasitic extraction tools provides a fast, efficient flow for extracting total inductance (kinetic and magnetic) for superconductor chips to enable this advanced technology’s high-performance capabilities.