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A typical problem in engineering is to find a numerical solution to a partial differential equation (or a coupled set thereof), given a number of boundary conditions, and the usual approach of solving the problem starts by discretizing the domain into elementary volumes. In this paper, we focus on mesh generation suitable for the solution of field problems in arbitrary VLSI structures. We assume that the problem cannot be easily reduced to a lower dimensionality by exploiting symmetry or regularity, so that the problem-domain is intrinsically threedimensional. Also, we assume that the selected numerical technique (e.g., the finite element method) requires a three-dimensional discretization (as opposed to a surface-discretization). Surveys on mesh generation are given in [2] and [5]. The mesh generator described in this paper is based on techniques from the Delaunay-based mesh generation literature. The main benefit of these techniques is that the quality of the resulting meshes can be guaranteed, and, equally important, that the meshes are still small enough to be practically useful. An additional advantage is that computation of the mesh is efficient in practice. In general, mesh computation is much faster than solving the subsequent numerical problems. An example mesh generated by our implementation is shown in Figure 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nonlinear electromagnetic field computations, one is not only faced with large jumps of material coefficients across material interfaces but also with high variation in these coefficients even inside homogeneous materials due to the nonlinearity. The radiation condition can conveniently be taken into account by a coupled boundary integral and domain integral variational formulation. The coupled finite and boundary element discretization leads to large-scale nonlinear algebraic systems. In this paper we propose special inexact Newton methods where the Jacobi systems arising in every step of the Newton method are solved by a special preconditioned finite and boundary element tearing and interconnecting solver. The numerical experiments show that the preconditioner proposed in the paper can handle large jumps in the coefficients across the material interfaces as well as high variation in these coef- ficients on the subdomains. Furthermore, the convergence does not deteriorate if many inner subdomains touch the unbounded exterior subdomain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the application of the Newton method in conjunction with the Finite Integration Technique. Even on orthogonal grid pairs, the material matrices become nondiagonal and lead to higher algorithmic complexity. A uni-directional version of these matrices provides a computationally inexpensive alternative. The paper compares and discusses the two algorithms' order of convergence and their computational complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes the recent circuit-simulation activities [Roo04]-[Sil06] at Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), Circuit Theory Laboratory (CTL). This paper is mostly based on the results of the national projects Advanced Radio Frequency SImulation and Modeling (ARFSIM 2002-2003) [Roo04], MOdeling and Simulation for Advanced Integrated Circuits and Systems (MOSAICS 2004-2005), and Accurate Models Aim for Zero Errors (AMAZE 2006-2008). All these projects have been funded by the National Technology Agency of Finland, Nokia Corporation, and AWR-APLAC Corporation; the annual volume at TKK CTL has been 4.0-5.5 man years. In these projects, APLAC circuit simulation and design tool [A06] has been used as a common platform for the circuit analysis and modeling methods developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of microwave and millimeter wave devices requires more and more accurate synthesis procedures to satisfy the increasingly stringent specifications of modern communication systems [1]. Most of the available synthesis techniques are based on models that do not conveniently describe the physical behavior of circuits. The goal of the present paper is to calculate the scattering matrix for the case of single and cascaded strip gratings. The strip gratings allow a complete transmission of certain frequencies and a complete reflection at other frequencies and, then, exists a simple type of frequency selective surface [2]. A wide variety of filter characteristics can be obtained by cascading multiple layers of frequencies-selective surfaces. In this paper, a new method for scattered matrix analysis is presented. This method is based on Floquet harmonics analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grid technologies offer powerful computing resources for all domains, but the highly heterogeneous and dynamic nature of the Grids needs adaptable, scalable and extensible scheduling systems. In this paper we describe a dynamic, centralized scheduling mechanism based on Master-Worker paradigm for efficient execution of a set of loosely coupled tasks in a Grid environment. This mechanism offers high programmability features, adaptability and reliability towards processor failure. Experiments are presented that demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic differential algebraic equations (SDAEs) arise as a mathematical model for electrical network equations that are influenced by additional sources of Gaussian white noise. In this paper we discuss adaptive linear multi-step methods for the numerical integration of SDAEs, in particular stochastic analogues of the trapezoidal rule and the two-step backward differentiation formula, together with a new step-size control strategy. Test results illustrate the performance of the presented methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we will discuss certain aspects of the transient simulation of electrical circuits. It is a well known problem that DAEs in circuit simulation may possess a higher index (e.g. 2) and thus exhibit undesirable numerical behaviour. While methods for the reduction of the higher index exist, they are usually algebraic in nature. The large size of the systems in VLSI circuit simulation prohibits the use of algebraic methods for index reduction. We will present a topological approach to index reduction that changes certain elements of the circuit netlist to obtain a circuit DAE with usually improved numerical behaviour with respect to workload or accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitivity analysis is an important tool that can be used to assess and improve the design and accuracy of a model describing an electronic circuit. Given a model description in the form of a set of differential-algebraic equations it is possible to observe how a circuit's output reacts to varying input parameters, which are introduced at the requirements stage of design. In this paper we consider the adjoint method more closely. This method is efficient when the number of parameters is large.We extend the transient sensitivity work of Petzold et al., in particular we take into account the parameter dependency of the dynamic term.We also compare the complexity of the direct and adjoint sensitivity and derive some error estimates. Finally we sketch out how Model Order Reduction techniques could be used to improve the efficiency of adjoint sensitivity analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a numerical algorithm solving large sparse linear systems that arise in electromagnetic field computation will be presented. It is based on hierarchical partitioning of the matrix and uses block-wise low-rank approximation in combination with element dropping in order to construct a preconditioner for iterative solution. Within the BE-FE coupling, this approximate factorisation is applied as preconditioner for the FE system. The treatment of multiply connected domains will also be described. The efficiency of the presented solver will be shown by means of an electromagnetic valve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we compare the numerical results obtained by different model order reduction software tools, in order to test their scalability for relevant problems of the microelectronic-industry. MOR for ANSYS is implemented in C++ and ROMWorkbench is a MATLAB code.We further compare two Arnoldi-based reduction algorithms, which seems to be the most promising for microsystem design applications. The chosen benchmarks are large scale linear ODE systems, which arise from the finite element discretisation of electro-thermal MEMS models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present a hierarchy of extended hydrodynamical models for electron transport in Silicon, which differ from each other for the number of scalar and vector moments of the electron distribution function used as state variables. The closure of the moment equations is achieved by means of the Maximum Entropy Principle. The main scattering mechanisms between electrons and phonons are taken into account. An application to the case of bulk Silicon is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This papers deals with the optimal design of semiconductor devices, based on the adjoint method and the Energy Transport model. A partially decoupled adjoint system is obtained by considering the electrostatic potential as the new design variable and by interpreting the Poisson equation as a state equation for the doping profile. This leads to an efficient iterative optimization algorithm based on a variant of the Gummel iteration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes the influence of the computational errors on the accuracy of magnetic material modelling with scalar Preisach model. The numerical tests on magnetic recording media allow the correct choosing of numerical algorithms for model parameter identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major goals in designing of the integrated EMI filters is to improve their highfrequency characteristics. To achieve this, special technologies need to be developed, including the mechanisms for suppression of the equivalent parallel capacitance (EPC) and of the equivalent series inductance (ESL), in spite of increasing the high-frequency losses. In this light, the main goal of the paper is to develop and analyse the effectiveness of several EPCreducing technologies. The study is performed using the numerical analysis software Maxwell Q2D Extractor that is able to give at the end of the numerical analysis process the values of the lumped per-unit-length capacitance or inductance of the geometrical structure proposed. There are calculated the EPC of the four single winding structures and of the coupled windings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a historical review and the current state-of-the-art of the Finite Integration Technique (FIT), method which has been successfully used for almost 30 years for the solution of electromagnetic field problems. The presented applications are in the range of high-end RF and microwave technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multidimensional model yields an alternative strategy for the numerical simulation of frequency-modulated signals. Thus the differential algebraic equations (DAEs), which describe an electric circuit, change into warped multirate partial differential algebraic equations (MPDAEs). Houben [6] introduced an approach for solving efficiently initial-boundary value problems of such MPDAE systems. Thereby, envelope-modulated solutions of the DAEs are reproduced. In this paper, the technique is analysed for obtaining quasiperiodic solutions of the DAEs. The crucial question is if biperiodic solutions of the MPDAEs are generated automatically by Houben's approach provided that the initial values of a biperiodic solution are applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The (nonlinear) transient analysis of electrical circuit models plays an important role in circuit design. Multirate time integration can be able to achieve the same accuracy for much lower costs. An essential assumption is the existence of a good partition of the circuit in a slow and fast part. This paper describes how this can be done automatically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents basic principles of the thermal networks method. Modeling of network elements has been shown for convection and radiation. A concept of hierarchical thermal network models for complex geometries has been explained. A formulation of a mass transfer model and a new iterative method of coupling ventilation and thermal networks have been introduced. The last section includes an example of the thermal network computation and a comparison with test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric aerosols exhibit a high degree of variability in their properties and their spatial and temporal distribution. Laser remote sensing is now-days used to provide systematic monitoring of the temporal evolution of the aerosol in order to understand the radiative, physical, chemical and dynamic processes in the atmosphere. In this paper, we present a new method for solving the inverse problem in LIDAR sounding based on a hybrid regularization procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]