Computer-aided design for manufacturability

Abstract

Microwave engineers have been using CAE tools for several decades. Commercial CAE systems for RF, wireless and microwaves are no longer regarded as complete without a variety of design automation capabilities, such as optimization. and statistical techniques. Computer-integrated manufacturing, including CAD, CAM, information management and decision support systems will be a reality facing the design engineer in the next century. Contributing to this environment will be techniques which fall into the broad area of optimization technology: methods for performance sensitivity analysis, automated postproduction alignment and tuning, fault diagnosis, fault-tolerant design, manufacturing tolerance assignment, yield-and cost-driven design, six-sigma statistical design, design of experiment methods, Taguchi design techniques, etc. The workshop will focus on implementable methodologies, strategies and software applicable to diverse CAE practices such as active and passive device, circuit and system design. The workshop will be biased towards exploitation of physically-based and electromagnetic simulators, including electrical, mechanical and thermal. Possible future developments in integrated CAE tools will be addressed linking geometry, layout, physical, electromagnetic and process simulations, with performance, yield, cost, system specifications, manufacturability and testability in a manner transparent to the designer. Technological and methodological issues will be discussed that are generally closely related. The workshop will feature a wide variety of experienced speakers, including practicing designers, software developers and academic innovators. Theory, implementation and practical discussions will be geared toward a wide range of engineers.