3_usage.md

SemiDevKit — Usage Guide

This document explains how to run the major tools included in SemiDevKit, including TCAD playgrounds, BSIM4 analyzers, Paramus Physical Edition, and OpenLane-Lite.

1. Running TCAD Playgrounds

1.1 MOSFET / MOSCAP (tcad_playground)

cd tcad/tcad_playground
python mosfet_vgid_1d.py
python mosfet_vdid_1d.py
python moscap_cv_1d.py

Output figures are stored in:

tcad/tcad_playground/fig/

1.2 PZT P–E Loop Playground (tcad_playground_pzt)

cd tcad/tcad_playground_pzt
python pzt_pe_hysteresis_1d.py

Figures are stored in:

tcad/tcad_playground_pzt/fig/

2. Running BSIM4 Analyzers

2.1 DC Analyzer (VG–ID / VD–ID)

cd bsim/analyzer_dc
python run/run_vgid.py
python run/run_vdid.py
python plot/plot_vgid.py
python plot/plot_vdid.py

Results:

bsim/analyzer_dc/results/...

2.2 CV Analyzer (Cgg–Vg)

cd bsim/analyzer_cv
python run_cv.py
python plot_cv.py

Results are generated under:

bsim/analyzer_cv/results/<node>/

2.3 DIM Analyzer (L/W Sweep)

cd bsim/analyzer_dim
python run/run_vg_dim.py
python run/run_vd_dim.py
python plot/plot_vg_dim.py
python plot/plot_vd_dim.py

Results:

bsim/analyzer_dim/results/<node>/

2.4 Reliability Analyzer (HCI / NBTI)

cd bsim/analyzer_reliability
python run/run_hci_nmos.py
python run/run_nbti_pmos.py

Plots and extracted degradation data:

bsim/analyzer_reliability/results/...

3. Paramus Physical Edition

Generate a BSIM4 modelcard from simple physical parameters:

Examples:

cd bsim/paramus_physical
python paramus.py --node 130nm --type nmos --out nmos130.sp
python paramus.py --node 130nm --type pmos --out pmos130.sp

Presets are located in:

bsim/paramus_physical/presets/

Generated .sp files appear in the working directory.

4. Running OpenLane-Lite

Requires: Docker + Linux/WSL2 environment.

cd openlane/openlane-lite
./docker/run_in_docker.sh ./scripts/run_flow.sh

Results (GDS / DEF / logs) appear in:

openlane/openlane-lite/runs/<design-name>/

5. General Troubleshooting

Python cannot find module

→ Ensure your venv is activated.

ngspice not found

→ Install ngspice and ensure it is in PATH.

Docker cannot run

→ Linux: ensure your user is in the docker group
→ Windows: ensure Docker Desktop is running and WSL2 backend is enabled.

6. Next Step

Proceed to 4_license.md or continue exploring each module in detail.