Synopsys recently launched a new RF design flow for TSMC's N6RF process to meet the increasingly complex design needs of RF ICs. TSMC's N6RF process utilizes industry-leading RF CMOS technology to deliver significant performance and power efficiency improvements. Synopsys, Ansys, and Keysight jointly developed the new RF design flow to help mutual customers optimize 5G chip designs and improve development efficiency to accelerate time-to-market.

"Our latest collaboration with Synopsys looks at the challenges of next-generation wireless systems, empowering developers to deliver stronger connectivity, better connectivity to an increasingly connected world," said Suk Lee, deputy general manager of the Design Infrastructure Management Group at TSMC. Large bandwidth, lower latency, and wider coverage. With a high-quality, tightly integrated solution developed by Synopsys, Ansys, and Keysight, TSMC's new RF design reference flow for N6RF provides a modern , an open approach that can help improve the efficiency of developing complex integrated circuits."

Improving Bandwidth and Connectivity for Next-Generation Wireless Systems

Based on the development needs of the Internet of Everything world, RF integrated circuits used in wireless data transmission systems such as transceivers and RF front-end components are becoming increasingly complex. These next-generation wireless systems will provide greater bandwidth, lower latency and wider coverage across more connected devices. To ensure that RF integrated circuits can meet these requirements, developers must be able to accurately test parameters such as RF performance, spectrum, wavelength, and bandwidth.

The new RF design reference flow accelerates design delivery time with industry-leading circuit simulation and layout productivity, as well as accurate electromagnetic (EM) modeling and electromigration/IR drop (EMIR) analysis. The flow includes Synopsys Custom Compiler design and layout solution, PrimeSim circuit simulation solution, StarRC parasitic extraction signoff solution and IC Validator physical verification solution; Ansys VeloceRF sensing components and transmission line synthesis products, RaptorX and RaptorH advanced nano Electromagnetic analysis products, Totem-SC products; and Keysight's PathWave RFPro for electromagnetic simulation.

"RF design customers will significantly benefit from the interoperability of Synopsys' custom design solutions Customer Compiler and PathWave RFPro in TSMC's design reference flow," said Niels Fache, vice president and general manager of PathWave software solutions at Keysight. Enables developers of RF circuits to optimize the parasitic effects of advanced chips and multi-technology modules for 5G and WiFi 6/6E applications by moving electromagnetic co-simulation to the left before the design flow. This can save days or even days in the simulation workflow weeks while reducing the risk of costly re-spins in the product development cycle. Our collaboration with Synopsys and TSMC provides RF customers with the design tools and advanced process technologies they need to Ensuring high performance and first tapeout success.”

Yorgos Koutsoyannopoulos, vice president of R&D at Ansys, said: "It is a pleasure to work with Synopsys and TSMC to develop an advanced reference flow for RFIC design. The growing demand for 5G and 6G designs has created tremendous complexity, as well as nano-nodes. Advanced process effects on the Internet pose great challenges for RFIC developers. Accurate simulation of advanced process effects in EM and EMIR analysis is critical to creating one-off tape-out success from DC to tens of GHz. Ansys Tools such as VeloceRF, RaptorX, Exalto, and Totem-SC work seamlessly with Synopsys' Custom Compiler platform to provide industry-leading capabilities to handle the most challenging designs and model all advanced process effects. It provides an intuitive and easy-to-use flow for the design, optimization, and verification of RF design modules."

Aveek Sarkar, vice president of engineering at Synopsys, said: "Synopsys is committed to continuing to deliver robust RF design solutions that enable key differentiators for 5G designs by integrating electromagnetic synthesis, extraction, design, layout, signoff techniques and simulation workflows. Based on the deep cooperative relationship between Synopsys and TSMC, as well as the close relationship with Ansys and Keysight, after customers adopt TSMC's advanced N6RF technology for 5G applications, they will be able to customize the design series through Synopsys The advanced features of the product to improve production efficiency and successfully realize the chip design.”