Modelling and simulation of reliability for design

This paper provides a review of the use of simulation tools in the design p rocess. It provides examples of applications where such tools can be effect ive in improving device functionality: yield, manufacturability and reliabi lity. Topics covered are numerical process and device simulation, electromi gration and stress migration simulation as well as circuit simulation and r eliability modelling. Specific example of how such simulators work are prov ided and examples of currently available software tools are reviewed.