Efficient method and computer program for modeling and improving static memory performance across process variations and environmental conditions
First Claim
1. A computer-performed method for characterizing a design of a memory cell, comprising:
- pre-selecting subsets of circuit parameters of memory cell circuit elements, wherein the subsets correspond to a plurality of operational performance variables describing performance of the memory cell, wherein the subsets are pre-selected according to an expectation that first sensitivities of the operational performance variables to changes in the circuit parameters within their corresponding subsets are greater than second sensitivities of the performance variables with respect to changes in other circuit parameters that are not included in their corresponding subsets;
determining values of statistical descriptors, including at least mean values, for the associated circuit parameters for simulation by a simulation program within a computer system;
statistically simulating, by the computer program, the operational performance variables using the values of the statistical descriptors;
repeating the statistically simulating, while systematically varying the circuit parameters in the corresponding subsets by adjusting their associated mean values and while maintaining the mean values associated with the circuit parameters that are not included within the subsets at fixed values across the multiple repetitions of the statistically simulating until the circuit parameters have been varied across corresponding predetermined ranges;
computing the first sensitivities of the operational performance variables to the systematic variations of the mean values of the memory cell circuit parameters within their corresponding subsets from results of the statistically simulating by computing measures of partial derivatives of variations of the corresponding operational performance variables to the variations of the mean values of the memory cell circuit parameters; and
storing the computed sensitivities in a memory of the computer system.
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Abstract
An efficient method and computer program for modeling and improving stating memory performance across process variations and environmental conditions provides a mechanism for raising the performance of memory arrays beyond present levels/yields. Statistical (Monte-Carlo) analyses of subsets of circuit parameters are performed for each of several memory performance variables and then sensitivities of each performance variable to each of the circuit parameters are determined. The memory cell design parameters and/or operating conditions of the memory cells are then adjusted in conformity with the sensitivities, resulting in improved memory yield and/or performance. Once a performance level is attained, the sensitivities can then be used to alter the probability distributions of the performance variables to achieve a higher yield. Multiple cell designs can be compared for performance, yield and sensitivity of performance variables to circuit parameters over particular environmental conditions in order to select the best cell design.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-performed method for characterizing a design of a memory cell, comprising:
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pre-selecting subsets of circuit parameters of memory cell circuit elements, wherein the subsets correspond to a plurality of operational performance variables describing performance of the memory cell, wherein the subsets are pre-selected according to an expectation that first sensitivities of the operational performance variables to changes in the circuit parameters within their corresponding subsets are greater than second sensitivities of the performance variables with respect to changes in other circuit parameters that are not included in their corresponding subsets; determining values of statistical descriptors, including at least mean values, for the associated circuit parameters for simulation by a simulation program within a computer system; statistically simulating, by the computer program, the operational performance variables using the values of the statistical descriptors; repeating the statistically simulating, while systematically varying the circuit parameters in the corresponding subsets by adjusting their associated mean values and while maintaining the mean values associated with the circuit parameters that are not included within the subsets at fixed values across the multiple repetitions of the statistically simulating until the circuit parameters have been varied across corresponding predetermined ranges; computing the first sensitivities of the operational performance variables to the systematic variations of the mean values of the memory cell circuit parameters within their corresponding subsets from results of the statistically simulating by computing measures of partial derivatives of variations of the corresponding operational performance variables to the variations of the mean values of the memory cell circuit parameters; and storing the computed sensitivities in a memory of the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A workstation computer system comprising a processor for executing program instructions and a memory coupled to the processor for storing program instructions, the program instructions including program instructions for characterizing a design of a memory cell, the program instructions comprising program instructions for:
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pre-selecting subsets of circuit parameters of memory cell circuit elements, wherein the subsets correspond to a plurality of operational performance variables describing performance of the memory cell, wherein the subsets are pre-selected according to an expectation that first sensitivities of the operational performance variables to changes in the circuit parameters within their corresponding subsets are greater than second sensitivities of the performance variables with respect to changes in other circuit parameters that are not included in their corresponding subsets; determining values of statistical descriptors, including at least mean values, for the associated circuit parameters for simulation by a simulation program within a computer system; statistically simulating, by the computer program, the operational performance variables using the values of the statistical descriptors; repeatedly executing the program instructions for statistically simulating, while systematically varying the circuit parameters in the corresponding subsets by adjusting their associated mean values and while maintaining the mean values associated with the circuit parameters that are not included within the subsets at fixed values across the multiple repetitions of the statistically simulating until the circuit parameters have been varied across corresponding predetermined ranges; computing the first sensitivities of the operational performance variables to the systematic variations of the mean values of the memory cell circuit parameters within their corresponding subsets from results of the statistically simulating by computing measures of partial derivatives of variations of the corresponding operational performance variables to the variations of the mean values of the memory cell circuit parameters; and storing the computed sensitivities in a memory of the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer program product comprising non-transitory computer-readable media storing program instructions for execution on a workstation computer, the program instructions for characterizing a design of a memory cell, the program instructions comprising program instructions for:
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pre-selecting subsets of circuit parameters of memory cell circuit elements, wherein the subsets correspond to a plurality of operational performance variables describing performance of the memory cell, wherein the subsets are pre-selected according to an expectation that first sensitivities of the operational performance variables to changes in the circuit parameters within their corresponding subsets are greater than second sensitivities of the performance variables with respect to changes in other circuit parameters that are not included in their corresponding subsets; determining values of statistical descriptors, including at least mean values, for the associated circuit parameters for simulation by a simulation program within a computer system; statistically simulating, by the computer program, the operational performance variables using the values of the statistical descriptors; repeatedly executing the program instructions for statistically simulating, while systematically varying the circuit parameters in the corresponding subsets by adjusting their associated mean values and while maintaining the mean values associated with the circuit parameters that are not included within the subsets at fixed values across the multiple repetitions of the statistically simulating until the circuit parameters have been varied across corresponding predetermined ranges; computing the first sensitivities of the operational performance variables to the systematic variations of the mean values of the memory cell circuit parameters within their corresponding subsets from results of the statistically simulating by computing measures of partial derivatives of variations of the corresponding operational performance variables to the variations of the mean values of the memory cell circuit parameters; and storing the computed sensitivities in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification