A Perturbation Scheme for Passivity Verification and Enforcement of Parameterized Macromodels

This paper presents an algorithm for checking and enforcing passivity of behavioral reduced-order macromodels of LTI systems, whose frequency-domain (scattering) responses depend on external parameters. Such models, which are typically extracted from sampled input-output responses obtained from numerical solution of first-principle physical models, usually expressed as Partial Differential Equations, prove extremely useful in design flows, since they allow optimization, what-if or sensitivity analyses, and design centering. Starting from an implicit parameterization of both poles and residues of the model, as resulting from well-known model identification schemes based on the Generalized Sanathanan-Koerner iteration, we construct a parameter-dependent Skew-Hamiltonian/Hamiltonian matrix pencil. The iterative extraction of purely imaginary eigenvalues ot fhe pencil, combined with an adaptive sampling scheme in the parameter space, is able to identify all regions in the frequency-parameter plane where local passivity violations occur. Then, a singular value perturbation scheme is setup to iteratively correct the model coefficients, until all local passivity violations are eliminated. The final result is a corrected model, which is uniformly passive throughout the parameter range. Several numerical examples denomstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.Comment: Submitted to the IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology on 13-Apr-201

Sequential sampling strategy for the modeling of parameterized microwave and RF components

Accurate modeling of parameterized microwave and RF components often requires a large number of full-wave electromagnetic simulations. In order to reduce the overall simulation cost, a sequential sampling algorithm is proposed that selects a sparse set of data samples which characterize the overall response of the system. The resulting data samples can be fed into existing modeling techniques. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by a parameterized H-shaped microwave antenna

Matrix-interpolation-based parametric model order reduction for multiconductor transmission lines with delays

A novel parametric model order reduction technique based on matrix interpolation for multiconductor transmission lines (MTLs) with delays having design parameter variations is proposed in this brief. Matrix interpolation overcomes the oversize problem caused by input-output system-level interpolation-based parametric macromodels. The reduced state-space matrices are obtained using a higher-order Krylov subspace-based model order reduction technique, which is more efficient in comparison to the Gramian-based parametric modeling in which the projection matrix is computed using a Cholesky factorization. The design space is divided into cells, and then the Krylov subspaces computed for each cell are merged and then truncated using an adaptive truncation algorithm with respect to their singular values to obtain a compact common projection matrix. The resulting reduced-order state-space matrices and the delays are interpolated using positive interpolation schemes, making it computationally cheap and accurate for repeated system evaluations under different design parameter settings. The proposed technique is successfully applied to RLC (R-resistor, L-inductor, C-capacitance) and MTL circuits with delays

Comprehensive and modular stochastic modeling framework for the variability-aware assessment of Signal Integrity in high-speed links

This paper presents a comprehensive and modular modeling framework for stochastic signal integrity analysis of complex high-speed links. Such systems are typically composed of passive linear networks and nonlinear, usually active, devices. The key idea of the proposed contribution is to express the signals at the ports of each of such system elements or subnetworks as a polynomial chaos expansion. This allows one to compute, for each block, equivalent deterministic models describing the stochastic variations of the network voltages and currents. Such models are synthesized into SPICE-compatible circuit equivalents, which are readily connected together and simulated in standard circuit simulators. Only a single circuit simulation of such an equivalent network is required to compute the pertinent statistical information of the entire system, without the need of running a large number of time-consuming electromagnetic circuit co-simulations. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach, which is applicable to a large class of complex circuits, are verified by performing signal integrity investigations of two interconnect examples

Machine learning for the performance assessment of high-speed links

This paper investigates the application of support vector machine to the modeling of high-speed interconnects with largely varying and/or highly uncertain design parameters. The proposed method relies on a robust and well-established mathematical framework, yielding accurate surrogates of complex dynamical systems. An identification procedure based on the observation of a small set of system responses allows generating compact parametric relations, which can be used for design optimization and/or stochastic analysis. The feasibility and strength of the method are demonstrated based on a benchmark function and on the statistical assessment of a realistic printed circuit board interconnect, highlighting the main features and benefits of this technique over state-of-the-art solutions. Emphasis is given to the effects of the initial sample size and of input noise on the model estimation

Enhanced macromodels of high-speed low-power differential drivers

High-speed differential interfaces implementing specific solutions for low-power consumption and low-EMI disturbances are vastly used in mobile platforms. In these devices, the slew rate is suitably controlled, the communication scheme alternates data-bursts followed by power-saving states, the voltage swing and the common-mode level are reduced. To achieve these targets, a key role in voltage-mode output drivers is played by an internal voltage-regulator. The latter exhibits a rich dynamic behavior, with non-negligible effects on the transmitter outputs, that need to be carefully characterized. In this paper, a modeling strategy based on a few key enhancements of state-of-the-art solutions is presented, leading to compact and accurate models. The feasibility and strengths of the proposed approach are verified on a low-power high-speed voltage-mode driver