Algorithms for transient three-dimensional mixed-level circuit and device simulation

Algorithms for transient mixed-level circuit and device simulation using a full two-carrier three-dimensional (3-D) device simulator SIERRA and the circuit simulator SPICE3 are presented. Circuit and device simulator coupling algorithms that are suited for two-dimensional mixed-level circuit and device simulation using direct solvers cannot be successfully employed when iterative solution techniques are used in 3-D device simulation. New algorithms to couple the circuit and 3-D device simulator have been developed and evaluated. The importance of 3-D mixed-level circuit and device simulation is demonstrated by applying it to single-event upset in CMOS SRAM cells