Mentor Graphics and Lumerical unify optical design and simulation flow

WILSONVILLE, USA: Mentor Graphics Corp. announced an integration with Lumerical's INTERCONNECT to enable new silicon photonics design methodologies that leverage the Pyxis and Calibre platforms.

With the INTERCONNECT integration, users are now able to perform optical circuit simulation directly from the Pyxis Schematic.

With this integration, users can capture a photonic design and testbench, set up optical simulation parameters for transient and frequency analysis, perform simulation, and view results interactively from the Pyxis Schematic simulation cockpit.  This not only delivers a tremendous boost in productivity, but it also leverages the existing integration to high-capacity EZwave waveform viewer.

While traditionally used as a viewer for mixed-signal waveforms in the electrical time domain, the EZwave viewer, which includes a built-in waveform-based calculator, an eye diagram tool, and TCL scripting, is also ideal for processing optical simulation results.

Complementing the Pyxis Schematic in the Pyxis custom IC design platform is Pyxis Implement, a tool for layout design.  Well renowned for its all angle editing capabilities, Pyxis Implement with schematic-driven layout enables users to quickly place and assemble photonic PCells using connectivity-driven waveguide routing with radial and adiabatic bends, as well as S-bend support.

To complete this full-flow silicon photonics design methodology, Calibre tools perform DRC, LVS, lithography simulation, and smart-fill, ensuring photonic components meet the designed intent through the manufacturing process.