Pathfinding Design Kits to Bridge Academia and Semiconductor Innovation

The introduction of pathfinding process design kits (P-PDKs) marks a significant shift in the semiconductor industry, aiming to restore the essential role of academia in process development. These innovative kits are designed to empower researchers by providing access to predictive models of emerging technologies, thus fostering a collaborative environment between academic institutions and industry leaders.

The Need for Innovation in Semiconductor Design

Since the advent of the 20-nanometer node, semiconductor design has evolved dramatically. The integration of advanced architectures such as FinFETs, nanosheets, and chiplet solutions has transformed the landscape into a complex process of design-technology co-optimization (DTCO) and system-technology co-optimization (STCO). Despite these advancements, academic research has struggled to keep pace.

As the intricacies of semiconductor design increased, traditional abstraction layers became inadequate for exploring realistic scenarios. This disconnect has led to a gradual drift of university research away from practical industrial applications, limiting their ability to drive significant innovation in the field. With P-PDKs, this trend is poised to reverse.

Introducing Pathfinding Process Design Kits

P-PDKs are designed to anticipate future technologies, enabling researchers to examine system-level trade-offs and architectural implications long before these innovations reach maturity. According to Anita Farokhnejad, DTCO Program Manager at imec, “When it comes to beyond-2nm semiconductor innovation, you can’t tape out a physical circuit, because the technology simply doesn’t exist yet. But you can already explore what the performance will look like, what the system implications are, and how to prepare architecture and design flows for what’s coming.”

The first P-PDK is set for release in 2024, featuring imec’s 2nm process flows. The forthcoming second P-PDK is scheduled for November 2025. These kits will provide detailed 3D device structures, compact models for circuit-level simulation, full standard cell libraries, predictive transistor models, and design rule files, among other resources. This comprehensive access will create an integrated design environment that facilitates a feedback loop connecting design insights back to technology development.

By bridging the gap between process innovation and system design, P-PDKs will ensure that the future of computing is developed collaboratively. This initiative will not only align academic exploration with cutting-edge technology benchmarks but also allow industries to harness disruptive ideas that emerge from academic research.

The introduction of P-PDKs represents a pivotal advancement in semiconductor technology, reinstating a vital connection between academic research and industrial practice. As universities align their research with practical technology paths, they enhance their ability to innovate, while the industry stands to gain from fresh perspectives that can influence the next generation of semiconductor designs.