FinFETs have been replacing traditional planar MOSFETs in modern circuits. However, the real-device effects of FinFETs make fast and accurate simulation challenging. This paper introduces a new algorithm for fast FinFET simulation based on the latency insertion method (LIM). Compared to the conventional modified nodal analysis (MNA) method, LIM exhibits linear numerical complexity and has proven to be superior in speed. In this work, we combine the BSIM-CMG compact model with the LIM to perform fast DC and transient simulation of FinFETs. The Newton Raphson (NR) iteration method is incorporated to further improve the simulation speed. The algorithms for both DC and transient analyses are explained. Optimization methods for accelerating the code are discussed. The proposed algorithm is tested on several circuit examples. While providing accurate results, the proposed method can be more than an order of magnitude faster than conventional solutions.

This paper presents the efficient systematic methods for modeling and analysis of spike signal sequence in crossbar arrays for neuromorphic computing chips. A novel spike signal sequence is proposed, where the ideal spike sequence with only spike time information in the original spiking neural network (SNN) algorithm is mapped onto actual spike waveform by stitching neighboring sequential spikes together with certain overlaps. We thoroughly investigate and analyze the performance of the input encoding as well as the implementation of spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP)-based SNN on memristor crossbar arrays with the proposed spike signal sequence. A detailed circuit model of a crossbar array, consisting of resistance, capacitance and inductance derived by the partial equivalent element circuit (PEEC) method, is created to simulate the training process of SNN. The proposed spike signal sequence is demonstrated that is able to achieve accurate input encoding as well as high recognition accuracy when it is used to perform the classification task on MNIST handwritten digits. The spike signal sequence is further analyzed and assessed in terms of the main factors affecting its encoding accuracy and the parasitic effects of crossbar arrays on its robustness.

Provides an overview of the technical articles and features presented in this issue.

A wave propagation method model is proposed for the extraction of propagation parameters of high-bit rate digital subscriber twisted-pair cables. The model is derived from the scattering parameters of a transmission line. The frequency dependence and the skin effect are studied. Experimental simulations are performed to evaluate the accuracy of the extracted parameters. Good agreement is found in the cases studied.

An efficient transient analysis of diode switching circuits using the asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE) technique is presented. The method accurately simulates the excess carrier redistribution phenomenon in a diode junction using a reduced order model. The diode model is derived by directly solving the carrier continuity equations in an analogous manner to that of the AWE solution to transmission-line equations. The method efficiently calculates the poles and the residues of the diode model by recursively generating the moments of the carrier concentrations. It reduces the computational cost by an order of magnitude over that for Linvill's multisection model of ladder or lattice networks of many lumped elements used to model carrier diffusion and the recombination process. The pole-residue model is capable of providing an increasingly accurate approximation to the characteristics of a diode under all operating conditions. The diode recovery phenomenon is simulated for illustration, and the improved accuracy is verified by comparisons with results from conventional methods and published works.