Machine-Learning-Based Compact Modeling for Sub-3-nm-Node Emerging Transistors

Abstract

In this paper, we present an artificial neural network (ANN)-based compact model to evaluate the characteristics of a nanosheet field-effect transistor (NSFET), which has been highlighted as a next-generation nano-device. To extract data reflecting the accurate physical characteristics of NSFETs, the Sentaurus TCAD (technology computer-aided design) simulator was used. The proposed ANN model accurately and efficiently predicts currents and capacitances of devices using the five proposed key geometric parameters and two voltage biases. A variety of experiments were carried out in order to create a powerful ANN-based compact model using a large amount of data up to the sub-3-nm node. In addition, the activation function, physics-augmented loss function, ANN structure, and preprocessing methods were used for effective and efficient ANN learning. The proposed model was implemented in Verilog-A. Both a global device model and a single-device model were developed, and their accuracy and speed were compared to those of the existing compact model. The proposed ANN-based compact model simulates device characteristics and circuit performances with high accuracy and speed. This is the first time that a machine learning (ML)-based compact model has been demonstrated to be several times faster than the existing compact model.

Keywords

• artificial neural network
• compact model
• nanosheet FETs
• TCAD/SPICE simulation