Computer -aided design of microwave and millimeterwave integrated circuits - progress during the last decade and future perspectives

CAD of hybrid and monolithic ICs for high-frequency and hig-speed applications (MICs) has rushed forward during the last decade with the development of microelectronics technology and computers towards much higher sophistication and is reaching out now to establish standardized custom design procedures. Starting from a previous state-of-the-art analysis as presented in the early 1980´s, this paper describes the progress made since then, in particular with respect to CAD methodology for layout- and process-oriented modelling and simulation. Further progress like electromagnetic (EM) simulation for chip level complexity, full-wave EM-based distributed active device modelling and unified process-oriented passive and active EM circuit simulation is just around the corner. The ultimate goal of CAD driven IC manufacturing process control (CIM) has clearly become feasible, but it is still a long way to arrive there.