AUTOMICS: A novel approach for substrate modeling for Automotive applications

This paper introduces the ICT/FP7 STREP project named AUTOMICS. AUTOMICS aims at modeling the substrate current induced by the minority carriers propagation in the substrate of smart power ICs where low and high voltage circuits are integrated on the same chip. Owing to switching of the high-voltage circuits, an induced minority coupling currents may detrimentally disturb the low voltage circuits. However, the substrate minority carrier current is not modeled in the existing models and the designers deal with this current based on their own experience. AUTOMICS attempts to solve this problem and provides facilities to ease the modeling of such parasitics. In AUTOMICS, a new enhanced diode and resistor model is used which accounts for the minority and majority carriers propagation in the semiconductor substrate. A generic CAD tool based on the enhanced diode and resistor models is intended to be developed in AUTOMICS. Using this tool, a circuit model for the whole substrate can be provided. The substrate circuit model in conjunction with the original circuit can be simulated for transient analysis. This will help in the investigation of the electrostatic discharge (ESD) phenomenon which is a compelling motivation of the project. The validation and verification of the designed models are provided by the AUTOMICS consortium. The significant impact of the project is to reduce the cost of the electrical vehicle, to enhance its reliability and to ensure its durability and safety.