TOPOLINANO & MAGCAD: A DESIGN AND SIMULATION FRAMEWORK FOR THE EXPLORATION OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

We developed a design framework that enables the exploration and analysis of emerging beyond-CMOS technologies. It is composed of two powerful tools: ToPoliNano and MagCAD. Different technologies are supported, and new ones could be added thanks to their modular structure. ToPoliNano starts from a VHDL description of a circuit and performs the place&route following the technological constraints. The resulting circuit can be simulated both at logical or physical level. MagCAD is a layout editor where the user can design custom circuits, by plac-ing basic elements of the selected technology. The tool can extract a VHDL netlist based on compact models of placed elements derived from experiments or physical simulations. Circuits can be verified with standard VHDL simulators. The design workflow will be demonstrated at the U-booth to show how those tools could be a valuable help in the studying and development of emerging technologies and to obtain feedbacks from the scientific community