Circuit - Technology File
The Sonnet Technology File (.stf) stores information about the stackup of a circuit, including its Technology Layers, dielectric layers, metal types, dielectric bricks, top cover metal type and bottom cover metal type. The full stack-up in the order it would appear in Sonnet is also included. A Sonnet Technology File is separate from the Sonnet Project and can be predefined for use in multiple projects with the same technology.
Sonnet's Technology File provides the capability for foundries to develop material stack-ups for their PDKs and to distribute them in an encrypted format to protect their proprietary information. There is a public section of the file which is viewable in Sonnet and a private section which hides all of the foundry proprietary information which will be encrypted. If an encrypted technology file is used in a project, any encrypted information is displayed as "Hidden" in the user interface. Any field that displays "Hidden" is read only and may not be changed.
Sonnet's Technology File Editor allows for users to create and edit their own technology stacks in a familiar interface and to save those files for sharing and future use. Also, the technology file may be linked to a Sonnet project, thereby keeping it separate from the geometry shapes. This allows for experimentation by giving the user the capability to quickly swap technology files for example, a corner analysis. Click on the links below to learn more about these functions.