Designing complex integrated circuits relies heavily on mathematical
methods and calls for suitable simulation and optimization tools. The
current design approach involves simulations and optimizations in
different physical domains (device, circuit, thermal, electromagnetic)
and in a range of electrical engineering disciplines (logic, timing,
power, crosstalk, signal integrity, system functionality). COMSON was a
Marie Curie Research Training Network created to meet these new
scientific and training challenges by (a) developing new descriptive
models that take these mutual dependencies into account, (b) combining
these models with existing circuit descriptions in new simulation
strategies and (c) developing new optimization techniques that will
accommodate new designs.
The book presents the main project results in the fields of PDAE
modeling and simulation, model order reduction techniques and
optimization, based on merging the know-how of three major European
semiconductor companies with the combined expertise of university groups
specialized in developing suitable mathematical models, numerical
schemes and e-learning facilities. In addition, a common Demonstrator
Platform for testing mathematical methods and approaches was created to
assess whether they are capable of addressing the industry's problems,
and to educate young researchers by providing hands-on experience with
state-of-the-art problems.