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Overview
CoreHW, a fabless semiconductor company established in 2013 and based in Finland, has achieved an 80GHz millimeter wave PLL (MMW PLL) with superior phase noise performance. Developed with the 17³Ô¹Ï RFIC design flow on the GlobalFoundries (GF) 22FDX? process technology, the MMW PLL IP is ideal for applications including autonomous driving, 5G/6G communication, IoT networks, aerospace, and defense systems.
"The RF and mmWave design flow we are deploying, based on 17³Ô¹Ï Custom Compiler and PrimeSim circuit simulator, along with the Keysight RFPro electromagnetic simulator integration, provides our designers an accelerated predictive process for the creation of high-quality, full-custom RF and millimeter wave mixed-signal ICs."
Tomi-Pekka Takalo
|CEO of CoreHW
Challenges
CoreHW faced several significant challenges in developing their cutting-edge MMW PLL:
High-Quality Signal Generation: Ensuring frequency purity was essential to maintain accurate radar detection and communication.
Time-to-Market Pressures: The need to meet aggressive market timelines while maintaining high-quality, repeatable results.
Complex Design Requirements: Managing the iterative and manual processes involved in RF and mmWave IC design.
Solution
To tackle these challenges, CoreHW implemented the 17³Ô¹Ï RFIC design flow on GlobalFoundries 22FDX process technology. This comprehensive solution includes:
- 17³Ô¹Ï Custom Compiler?: A design environment tailored for full custom analog, custom digital, and mixed-signal IC designs.
- 17³Ô¹Ï PrimeSim?: A unified workflow of next-generation circuit simulation technologies.
- : An integrated electromagnetic (EM) analysis tool that allows designers to run interactive EM-circuit co-simulation for tuning and optimization.
The 17³Ô¹Ï RFIC design flow provided CoreHW with a certified process design kit (PDK) for the GF 22FDX process technology. This enabled a more efficient and predictive design process, significantly reducing the time-to-market while maintaining high-quality outcomes.
Results
By implementing the 17³Ô¹Ï RFIC design flow, CoreHW achieved:
- High-Accuracy PLL: Developed an 80GHz MMW PLL with superior phase noise performance.
- Faster Time-to-Market: The integrated design flow allowed for efficient design and verification cycles, meeting aggressive deadlines.
- Customizable Architecture: The PLL IP can be scaled and customized for various mmWave wireless communication frequency bands.
- Enhanced Performance: The PLL synthesizer provides low-noise voltage-controlled oscillation, supporting high-quality signal generation for advanced applications.
With the 17³Ô¹Ï RFIC design flow, CoreHW successfully developed a high-performance 80GHz mmWave PLL, positioning themselves at the forefront of advanced RFIC design and innovation.
