SUCCESS STORY

CADENCE AND SAIFUN SEMICONDUCTORS LTD.

Saifun Improves Productivty in Characterization Flow and Dramatically Reduces Runtime for
IBIS Model Generation Using Virtuoso Spectre Cicuit Simulator and Spectre MDL

CORPORATE PROFILE
Saifun Semiconductors Ltd. is a

leading provider of intellectual

property solutions for the nonvolatile memory market

Using the Cadence Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator and

Spectre MDL, we were able to create a modular implementation of our standard cell characterization flow, which allowed

DESIGN CHALLENGE

us to reuse complete modules in the development of our IBIS

Establish an in-house,

model generation flow. As a result, we saved development and

automated flow for I/O buffer

characterization

debug time, and ultimately beat our deadline by two weeks.

Develop a methodology that

would speed IBIS model

generation
and validation

Ronen Moldovan, Staff Engineer, Saifun Semiconductors, Ltd.

CADENCE SOLUTION

Saifuns Breakthrough Technology for Non-Volatile Memories

Recommended a move to the

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Israel, Saifun Semiconductors Ltd. has a

mission to be the leading IP provider to the fast growing non-volatile memory
(NVM) market. Saifuns innovative NROM solutions represent a technology
breakthrough in the NVM market. The NROM solution overcomes essential
limitations of conventional floating-gate technology, offering a single process for
all NVM applications, lower cost per megabit, unparalleled scalability, and the
industrys first and only four-bits-per-cell technology.

Cadence Virtuoso Spectre

Circuit Simulator and its powerful
Measurement Description
Language, Spectre MDL
CADENCE PRODUCTS
AND SERVICES
Virtuoso custom design platform,

featuring Virtuoso Spectre Circuit

Simulator, Spectre MDL and
Virtuoso Schematic Editor.

As the market demand for NVM technology increases, so does the need for rapid
customer response. The Saifun design team embarked on a project to improve
their in-house flow for I/O buffer characterization and IBIS model generation and
validation to better meet customer requirements. Goals for the project were to
automate the I/O buffer characterization flow, and to improve the time required for
IBIS model generation and validation.

Seamless Transition to Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator

Keeps Design Team on Schedule
To achieve their goals, the Saifun team needed to adopt a new circuit simulation
solution. After exploring competitive options, they chose the Cadence Virtuoso
Spectre Circuit Simulator. We decided to migrate to the Virtuoso Spectre Circuit
Simulator based on several factors, including our need to automate elements of
our flow and need for better performance, said Ronen Moldovan, staff engineer,
Saifun Semiconductors. At first, we were concerned about the schedule impact
that the move would have on our design team, but the Virtuoso Spectre Circuit
Simulator fit right into our existing design flow, so the process was fairly
seamless.

At first, we were concerned about the schedule impact that the

move would have on our design team, but the Virtuoso Spectre
Circuit Simulator fit right into our existing design flow, so the
process was fairly seamless.
Ronen Moldovan, Staff Engineer, Saifun Semiconductors, Ltd.

Automating I/O Buffer Characterization Flow

Using the Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator
Because the Saifun teams NROM solution is unique
technology, they do their own cell characterization. They
found that they were up and running quickly with their new
solution. Our characterization flow takes an empty .lib format
(without tables) and the schematic of the standard cell, and
uses Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator along with MDL
scripts to perform all the required simulations to complete
characterization and generates the complete timing library,
said Rom Bronfman, CAD Engineer at Saifun.

implementation of our standard cell characterization flow,

which allowed us to reuse complete modules in the
development of our IBIS model generation flow, said
Moldovan. As a result, we saved development and debug
time, and ultimately beat our deadline by two weeks.
For simulation, the team was able to reduce the overall
generation process from a matter of days to several minutes.
Using Spectre MDL, we were able to run all of our different
simulations in parallel using separate Spectre MDL run files,
said Moldovan. From that point, the IBIS models were quickly
validated using the Virtuoso Schematic Editor and the
Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator.

Saifun Leverages Spectre MDL Features

The Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator includes a powerful
language for dealing with complex measurements called
Spectre Measurement Description Language (Spectre MDL).
The Saifun team has realized signficant benefit from using
this language. Using Spectre MDL gave us an easy
interface for data analysis through the measurement alias,
continued Bronfman. It also gave us parameterized
measurements, which allowed us to reuse code over various
applications. The Saifun team found that Spectre MDL gave
them a convenient interface for sweeping simulations over
varying conditions, e.g., different modes, process corners,
etc., and they were able to run simulations in batch mode.
Importantly, they found it easier to write complex scripts using
Spectre MDL, enabling them to finish up to 5X faster than in
their previous flow.

Straightforward Path to IBIS Model Generation

and Validation

Next Steps: Saifun Plans to Create Top-Down

Analog Mixed-Signal Flow
Based on the success of this project, Saifun has adopted the
Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator as their block-level analog
simulator of choice, and they plan on expanding their use with
a top-down analog mixed-signal flow. Saifuns commitment to
this new methodology was particularly evident when
members their technical team, including Bronfman, Moldovan,
and Dr. Yoram Betser received the MVP award at the 2005
CDN Live event for a technical paper entitled, IBIS
Generation and Validation Methodology Using
Spectre MDL. As the NVM market continues to grow, we
need to do all we can to maintain a top level of expertise and
customer service, said Moldovan. We look forward to
working with Cadence to further enhance the productivity our
design environment.

Once the Saifun team had their characterization flow in place,

they had a clear path to develop their IBIS model generation
flow. Using the Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator and
Spectre MDL, we were able to create a modular

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Success Story Reference Saifun 11/05