Chapter 1: Getting Started

• Overview
• Windows Installation
  • System Requirements
  • OpenGL Settings
  • MPI Installation and Use on Windows
• Linux Installation of xSYMMIC
  • System Requirements
  • Installing xSYMMIC
  • Environment Variables
  • MPI Installation for Linux
• License Activation
  • Single Node-Locked Licenses
  • Multiple Node-Locked Licenses
  • Floating Licenses
  • RLM Network Port Usage
  • License Roaming
  • License Queuing
  • RLM on Virtual Machines
  • RLM on Non-Windows Platforms
  • Licensing for Linux
• Support
  • Support Resources

Chapter 2: Display of Models

• Template Files
  • Opening Template Files
  • Modifying Templates
  • Saving Template Files
  • Getting Help
• Adjusting Views
  • Rotate View
  • Template Wireframe
  • Aspect Ratio
  • Only Outline Model
  • About Tranparency
  • GPU colormapping
  • Window Location
• Using the Mouse
  • Translate
  • Rotate
  • Zoom
  • Temperature
  • Scroll Time
  • Zoom To
  • Slicing
  • Device Selection
  • Movements Using the Keyboard
• Statusbar
  • Temperature Range
  • Memory Usage
  • Statusbar Text
• Slicing
  • Slicing at Location
  • Slicing with Cursor
  • Slicing at Max. Temperature
  • Working with Multiple Slices

Chapter 3: Devices

• Device Templates
  • Why Templates?
  • What's in a Template?
  • Template Units and Resolution
  • Template Errors
  • XML Syntax and Validation
• Device Parameters
  • Navigating Parameter Lists
  • Changing Parameter Values
• Device Components
• Device Materials
• Device History
• Importing Values
  • Importing Values From a Template
  • Importing Values From a CSV File
• Comparing Values
  • Compare Values to Template
• Device Template Editor
  • Edit Menu Commands
  • Inserting a Via
  • Filling Empty Regions

Chapter 4: Layouts

• Layout Templates
  • Device Selection
  • Device Numbers
• Creating Layouts
• Editing Layouts
  • Editing a Device Entry
  • Adding a Device
  • Device Selection Check Boxes
  • The Undo Button
  • Equalizing Components or Parameters
  • Copying Parameters between Devices
• Valid Layout Caveats
  • Alternatives to Superposition
• Creating Device Templates from Layouts
  • Exporting a Simplified Model
  • Template Creation by Parts
  • Solving a Flip Chip Using Export
  • Export Requirements and Limitations
• Extracting and Using Boundary Conditions
  • Boundary Condition Temperature File Format

Chapter 5: Top-Down Analysis

• Introduction to Analysis
• Mesa Resistor Template
  • Layers
  • Dimensions
  • Boundary Conditions
  • Heating Profile
  • Power Cycle Parameters
  • Materials
  • Meshing
  • Layout Characteristics
• Generic FET Template
  • Layers
  • Source Lengths
  • Drain Lengths
  • Pad/Bus/Boundary Dimensions
  • Finger/Channel/Gate Dimensions
  • Via Hole Dimensions
  • Boundary Conditions
  • Heating Profile
  • Power Cycle Parameters
  • Materials
  • Meshing
  • Layout Characteristics
• MMIC Thermal Analysis
  • Configure a Driver Stage FET
  • Create the MMIC Layout
  • Configure a Power Stage Device Template
  • Add Power Stage to the Layout
  • Set the Dissipation Levels
  • Running a Thermal Simulation
  • Analyzing the Results
  • Snapshot of the Simulation Results
  • Conclusion
  • References
• The g-Family Templates
  • Common Layers
  • Materials
  • Application to Power Amplifier MMIC
  • References
• Use of Export to Model T/R Module and LRU
  • Export a Layout for Every MMIC
  • Create a layout for the T/R Module
  • Solve the T/R Module
  • Extract Boundary Conditions for MMICs
  • Export the T/R Module for the LRU

Chapter 6: Analysis Methods

• Temperature Computations
  • Heat Conduction Theory
  • Finite Element Method
  • Linear Solvers
  • Nonlinear Fixed-Point Iterations
  • Superposition Method
  • Parallel Computations
  • The PARDISO Linear Solver
  • The PCG Linear Solver
  • The PETSc Linear Solver
  • References Cited
• Choosing Parallel Computing Methods
  • Choosing the Best Solver
  • Choosing Parallel Methods for Layouts
  • Environment Variables Not Recommended
  • Choosing the Best Hardware
• Choosing Appropriate Boundary Conditions
  • Heat Transfer Coefficient Calculator
  • Heat Transfer Types
  • References Cited
• Checking the Model
• Thermal Impedances Calculations
  • Electro-Thermal Design Flows
  • Generating a Compact Thermal Model
  • Thermal Impedance Representation
  • Thermal Impedance Calculations
  • Dynamic Thermal Impedance
  • Impedance File Formats
  • Thermal Impedances of a FET
  • Setting Limits on RC Values
  • Combining the RC Network with an External Source and Resistance
  • Impedance of Device Not in a Layout

Chapter 7: SYMMIC Simulations

• Running a Simulation
  • Aborting a Simulation
  • Error Messages
  • Files Generated
  • Running Multiple Instances
• Saving a Solution
  • Native Binary Format
  • Tecplot Format
  • Comma Separated Values Format
• Loading a Previous Solution
• Recording Run Values
• Solutions Through Time
  • Solving Unsteady Finite Element Equations
  • Start From Temperature
  • Output Temperature at Times
  • Gradually Increasing Integration Steps
  • Adaptive Time Stepping
  • Running an Unsteady Simulation
  • Display of Solution
  • Run Values

Chapter 8: xSYMMIC Simulations

• Command Line Utility
  • Command Line Options
  • /e for Export
  • /i for Input
  • /o for Output of Solution
  • /p for Plot of Temperatures
  • /c for Component Temperatures
  • /s Superposition Parallelization Option
  • /z Thermal Impedance Option
  • Using a Parameter Table
• Background Run
• mpiexec xSYMMIC
  • Level 2 Superposition
  • Accessing the PETSc Solver
• Running on a Remote System
  • Using the MPI Parameters
  • Running in the Cloud
  • About MPI Implementations
• SYMMIC in the Cloud
  • AWS Clusters
  • Estimating Cluster Performance
• Managing Jobs on a Remote Cluster

Chapter 9: Examining Results

• 3D Temperature Distribution
  • Temperature Probes
  • Mesh overlay
  • Template Wireframe
• Temperature Scale
  • Changing the Temperature Scale
• Differences Between Solutions
• Snapshot
  • Saving a Snapshot
• Recorded Values
• Saving an Image of the Solution
• Component Temperatures
• Temperature Plots
  • Plot of Maximum Temperatures
  • Plot of Temperature at X
  • Plot of Temperature at Y
  • Plot of Temperature at Z
  • Surface Plots
  • Plot of Temperatures Along a Line
  • Plot Axes Dialog
  • Save Plot Data
  • Show Device or Plot

Appendices

• Device Template File Format
  • ID Attributes
  • Evald Attributes
  • Parameters Section
  • Points Section
  • ZLayers Section
  • Materials Section
  • Device Section
  • BoundaryConditions Section
  • Simulation Section
  • History Section
  • Comments
• Layout Template File Format
  • DeviceTemplate
  • Export
• Material Properties
  • Included Materials
  • References Cited