Gateway

Reference Manual

Silvaco, Inc.
2811 Mission College Blvd, Floor 6 June 1, 2020
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Phone: (408) 567-1000
Web: www.silvaco.com
 Notice

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

Silvaco, Inc. MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS
MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY
OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Silvaco, Inc. shall not be held liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this
material.
This document contains proprietary information, which is protected by copyright laws of the
United States. All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied,
reproduced, or translated into another language without the prior written consent of Silvaco
Inc.
AccuCell, AccuCore, Athena, Athena 1D, Atlas, Blaze, C-Interpreter, Catalyst AD, Catalyst
DA, Clarity RLC, Clever, Clever Interconnect, Custom IC CAD, DeckBuild, DevEdit,
DevEdit 3D, Device 3D, DRC Assist, Elite, Exact, Expert, Expert C++, Expert 200,
ExpertViews, Ferro, Gateway, Gateway 200, Giga, Giga 3D, Guardian, Guardian DRC,
Guardian LVS, Guardian NET, Harmony, Hipex, Hipex C, Hipex NET, Hipex RC,
HyperFault, Interconnect Modeling, IWorkBench, Laser, LED, LED 3D, Lisa, Luminous,
Luminous 3D, Magnetic, Magnetic 3D, MaskViews, MC Etch & Depo, MC Device, MC
Implant, Mercury, MixedMode, MixedMode XL, MultiCore, Noise, OLED, Optolith,
Organic Display, Organic Solar, OTFT, Quantum, Quantum 3D, Quest, RealTime DRC, REM
2D, REM 3D, SEdit, SMovie, S-Pisces, SSuprem 3, SSuprem 4, SDDL, SFLM, SIPC, SiC,
Silvaco, Silvaco Management Console, SMAN, Silvaco Relational Database, Silos,
Simulation Standard, SmartSpice, SmartSpice 200, SmartSpice API, SmartSpice Debugger,
SmartSpice Embedded, SmartSpice Interpreter, SmartSpice Optimizer, SmartSpice RadHard,
SmartSpice Reliability, SmartSpice Rubberband, SmartSpice RF, SmartView, SolverLib,
Spayn, SpiceServer, Spider, Stellar, TCAD Driven CAD, TCAD Omni, TCAD Omni Utility,
TCAD & EDA Omni Utility, TFT, TFT 3D, Thermal 3D, TonyPlot, TonyPlot 3D, TurboLint,
Universal Token, Universal Utility Token, Utmost III, Utmost III Bipolar, Utmost III Diode,
Utmost III GaAs, Utmost III HBT, Utmost III JFET, Utmost III MOS, Utmost III MultiCore,
Utmost III SOI, Utmost III TFT, Utmost III VBIC, Utmost IV, Utmost IV Acquisition
Module, Utmost IV Model Check Module, Utmost IV Optimization Module, Utmost IV
Script Module, VCSEL, Verilog-A, Victory, Victory Cell, Victory Device, Victory Device
Single Event Effects, Victory Process, Victory Process Advanced Diffusion & Oxidation,
Victory Process Monte Carlo Implant, Victory Process Physical Etch & Deposit, Victory
Stress, Virtual Wafer Fab, VWF, VWF Automation Tools, VWF Interactive Tools, and Vyper
are trademarks of Silvaco, Inc.
All other trademarks mentioned in this manual are the property of their respective owners.
Copyright © 1984 - 2020, Silvaco, Inc.

2 Confidential
 How to Read this Manual

Style Conventions

Font Style/Convention Description Example

Courier This represents the commands, ENTER

parameters, and variables syntax.
Courier Bold This represents keywords. FUNCTION

Times Roman Bold This represents the menu options File

and buttons in the GUI.
New Century Schoolbook This represents the variables of x+y=1
Italics equations.

3 Confidential
4 SILVACO, Inc.
 Table of Contents

Chapter 1 
Gateway Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1 Netlist Structure Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.2 Example Syntax using a pmos4.symbol file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.3 Command Line Option Syntax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chapter 2 
Standard Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.1 Spicelib Library Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.2 $default Library Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.3 Digilib Library Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Chapter 3 
Symbol Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.1 Attaching Verilog, Verilog-A, or SPICE to Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.2 Using Embedded Symbol Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.3 Encryption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Chapter 4 
Supported Functions for the Gateway Equation Parser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.1 Gateway Equation Parser Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.1.1 Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.1.2 Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

4 Confidential
Table of Contents

5 Confidential
 Chapter 1
Gateway Syntax
Netlist Structure Syntax

1.1 Netlist Structure Syntax

Netlist strings may be formatted in Gateway using two mechanisms: metatokens or functions.
Table 1-1 describes the syntax of the both the function-based approach and the metatoken
approach for comparison of how both are accomplished and what they represent.

Table 1-1 Netlist Syntax Options

Function Metatoken Type Description

$(signal(n)) %n Pin Denotes a pin on a symbol, such

as PLUS, MINUS, A, B, Z.
$(signal(n, true) %$n Pin Displays the signal name
attached to the pin in the format
signal_name = pin_name.
Example: pin_name=a,
signal_name=NET1, then %$a
renders NET1=a.
$(value(n)) @n Attribute Denotes an attribute, which will
always appear in the netlist. For
example, PREFIX, PATH.
$(namevalue(n)) $n Attribute This is outputted as
name=value. For example,
MIN=2.

$(namevalue(n, $@n Attribute Attribute displayed as

false)) name=value, (non-recursive).
Example: if a=b and b=2, then
$@a renders a=b where $a
renders a=2.
$(value(n, false)) @@n Attribute Attribute displayed as value,
(non-recursive). Example: if a=b
and b=2, then @@a renders b
where @a renders 2.
$(optvalue(n)) &n Optional Attribute If the attribute is specified, it will
be included in the netlist.
$(condition(n)) #n# Conditional Statement This will be evaluated as a
statement. For example, #DC &DC
# if &DC has a value then include
DC &DC in the netlist.

$(result(n)) ~n Result This prints out the result of the

attribute.

6 Confidential
Netlist Structure Syntax

Table 1-1 Netlist Syntax Options

Function Metatoken Type Description

$(nameresult(n)) ?n Result This is outputted as

name=result. For example,
MAX=2.00.

$(optresult(n)) ^n Optional Result If the result is specified, it will be

included in the netlist.
$(libpath(n)) $$n Library reference Used as a shortcut to reference
files used in a workspace library.
Gateway resolves the true file
path.
$(literal(n)) \n Escape Character Escape character used to escape
other metatokens.
$(breakcondition(n)) &@n Conditional Breaks condition if n evaluates to
an empty value.
$(defparam(v, n)) n/a Parameter Creates a defparam statement
in the netlist with name n and
value v.

7 Confidential
Example Syntax using a pmos4.symbol file

1.2 Example Syntax using a pmos4.symbol file

The following figures illustrate what the SmartSpice string looks like for the same symbol,
pmos4.symbol, when different approaches are used. Figure 1-1 shows how the SmartSpice
string looks when metatokens are used. Figure 1-2 shows how the SmartSpice string looks if
the function mechanism is used instead.

Figure 1-1 SPICE String Editor (Metatoken Style)

8 Confidential
Example Syntax using a pmos4.symbol file

Figure 1-2 SPICE String Editor (Functional Style)

9 Confidential
Command Line Option Syntax

1.3 Command Line Option Syntax

Syntax
gateway [-help]
gateway [-suppress] [-start <location>] [-spf] [-views]
[-w <workspace> [<files...>]]
Description
-help shows the usage.
-spf specifies the preference file to load.
-suppress suppresses automatic session loading.
-start specifies an initial workspace location.
-views specifies launching of the GatewayViews application.
-w specifies a workspace.
-mnu specifies a javascript file to be run during startup that contains menu customization
commands.
-jscript specifies a javascript file to be run during startup.

10 Confidential
 Chapter 2
Standard Libraries
Spicelib Library Symbols

2.1 Spicelib Library Symbols

SmartSpice
Symbol Name Type Description
Device

and21 standard cell 2 input and gate X

and31 standard cell 3 input and gate X
and41 standard cell 4 input and gate X
bcs primitive analog behavioral device (current) A
bvs primitive analog behavioral device (voltage) A
cap primitive capacitor C
cccs primitive current controlled current source F
cccspoly primitive current controlled current source F
(polynomial case)
cccspwl primitive current controlled current source F
(piecewise linear case)
ccs primitive current controlled switch S
ccvs primitive current controlled voltage source H
ccvspoly primitive current controlled voltage source H
(polynomial case)
ccvspwl primitive current controlled voltage source H
(piecewise linear case)
diode primitive diode D
idc primitive DC current source I
iexp primitive exponential current source I
ind primitive inductor L
inv2 standard cell inverter (implicit power and ground) X
inv standard cell inverter (implicit power and ground) X
ipulse primitive pulse current source I
ipwl primitive piecewise linear current source (t,v) I
ipwlfile primitive piecewise linear current source from specified I
file
isffm primitive single frequency current source I
isin primitive sinusoidal current source I

12 Confidential
Spicelib Library Symbols

SmartSpice
Symbol Name Type Description
Device

k primitive coupled mutual inductor K

nand21 standard cell 2 input nand gate X
nand31 standard cell 3 input nand gate X
nand41 standard cell 4 input nand gate X
njfet primitive n-type jfet (3 terminal) J
njfet_b primitive n-type jfet (bulk node specified) J
njfet4 primitive n-type jfet (4 terminal) J
nmes primitive n-type MESFET (3 terminal) B
nmes_b primitive n-type MESFET (bulk node specified) B
nmes4 primitive n-type MESFET (4 terminal) B
nmos primitive n-type MOSFET (3 terminal) M
nmos_b primitive n-type MOSFET (bulk node specified) M
nor21 standard cell 2 input nor gate X
nor31 standard cell 3 input nor gate X
nor41 standard cell 4 input nor gate X
npn primitive npn bipolar junction transistor Q
npn_b primitive npn bipolar junction transistor (substrate node Q
specified)
npn4 primitive npn bipolar junction transistor (4 terminal) Q
op_ideal subcircuit ideal operational amplifier X
or21 standard cell 2 input or gate X
or31 standard cell 3 input or gate X
or41 standard cell 4 input or gate X
pjfet primitive p-type jfet (3 terminal) J
pjfet_b primitive p-type jfet (bulk node specified) J
pjfet4 primitive p-type jfet (4 terminal) J
pmos primitive p-type MOSFET (3 terminal) M
pmos_b primitive p-type MOSFET (bulk node specified) M
pmos4 primitive p-type MOSFET (4 terminal) M

13 Confidential
Spicelib Library Symbols

SmartSpice
Symbol Name Type Description
Device

pnp primitive pnp bipolar junction transistor Q

pnp_b primitive pnp bipolar junction transistor (substrate node Q
specified)
pnp4 primitive pnp bipolar junction transistor (4 terminal) Q
res primitive resistor R
RSFF subcircuit RS Flip Flop X
Tline_O primitive lossy transmission line (Berkeley SPICE O
model)
Tline_T primitive lossless transmission line T
Tline_TXL primitive lossy transmission line TXL
transformer primitive Ideal Transformer E
vccs primitive voltage controlled current source G
vccsbhv primitive voltage controlled current source (behavior) G
vccspoly primitive voltage controlled current source G
(polynomial)
vccspwl primitive voltage controlled current source (piecewise G
linear)
vccstbl primitive voltage controlled current source (table) G
vcs primitive voltage controlled switch S
vcvs primitive voltage controlled voltage source E
vcvsbhv primitive voltage controlled voltage source (behavior) E
vcvspoly primitive voltage controlled voltage source E
(polynomial)
vcvspwl primitive voltage controlled voltage source (piecewise E
linear)
vcvstbl primitive voltage controlled voltage source (table) E
vdc primitive DC voltage source V
vexp primitive exponential voltage source V
vpl primitive piecewise linear voltage source (v,t) V
vpulse primitive pulse voltage source V
vpwl primitive piecewise linear voltage source (t,v) V

14 Confidential
Spicelib Library Symbols

SmartSpice
Symbol Name Type Description
Device

vpwlfile primitive piecewise linear voltage source from specified V

file
vpwlfiledesc primitive This is read from the specified file as a series V
of (time, voltage) pairs.
vpwlfiledesc2 primitive This is read from the specified file as a series V
of uniformly separated values.
vsffm primitive single frequency voltage source V
vsin primitive sinusoidal voltage source V

15 Confidential
$default Library Symbols

2.2 $default Library Symbols

Symbol Name Type Description

bischpin pin bidirectional schematic pin

chord special connection symbol that establishes alias mapping
between signals of different nets.
code special symbol that allows text entry to be used in the netlist
in specific locations
gnd special analog ground
inschpin pin input schematic pin
netInherit special defines net expressions for the purpose of overriding
global signals throughout a hierarchy.
noconn special symbol indicating a no-connection point on the
schematic
outschpin pin output schematic pin
pageschpin pin signal continuation pin used for sheet-to-sheet
connections.
param special .PARAM statement symbol for SPICE

parameters special defines attributes to be passed through hierarchy

pwr voltage rail user-defined power symbol
vcc voltage rail positive voltage rail
vdd voltage rail positive voltage rail
vee voltage rail negative voltage rail
vss voltage rail negative voltage rail

16 Confidential
Digilib Library Symbols

2.3 Digilib Library Symbols

The digilib library contains symbols representing Verilog primitives.

Symbol Name Type Description

and21 primitive 2 input AND gate

and31 primitive 3 input AND gate
and41 primitive 4 input AND gate
buf primitive Buffer
bufif0 primitive three-state logic gate, buffer if zero
bufif1 primitive three-state logic gate, buffer if one
clk_gen standard Simple clock generator
cmos primitive Standard CMOS switch
dff_sr standard D Flip Flop
inv primitive Inverter
nand21 primitive 2 input NAND gate
nand31 primitive 3 input NAND gate
nand41 primitive 4 input NAND gate
nmos primitive Standard NMOS transistor
nor21 primitive 2 input NOR gate
nor31 primitive 3 input NOR gate
nor41 primitive 4 input NOR gate
or21 primitive 2 input OR gate
or31 primitive 3 input OR gate
or41 primitive 4 input OR gate
pmos primitive Standard PMOS transistor
pulldown primitive Pulldown
pullup primitive Pullup
rcmos primitive RCMOS switch
rnmos primitive RNMOS switch
rpmos primitive RPMOS switch
RSFF standard RS Flip Flop

17 Confidential
Digilib Library Symbols

Symbol Name Type Description

rtran primitive Bi-directional pass switch

tff primitive T Flip Flop
timescale standard timescale device
tran primitive Bi-directional pass switch
verilog_testbench standard Simple code block
xnor21 primitive 2 input XNOR gate
xnor31 primitive 3 input XNOR gate
xnor41 primitive 4 input XNOR gate
xor21 primitive 2 input XOR gate
xor31 primitive 3 input XOR gate
xor41 primitive 4 input XOR gate

18 Confidential
 Chapter 3
Symbol Files
Attaching Verilog, Verilog-A, or SPICE to Symbols

3.1 Attaching Verilog, Verilog-A, or SPICE to Symbols

To use the attached file definition for a symbol:
1. Open a symbol for edit or create a new symbol.
2. Add pins as necessary.
3. Click EditProperties.
4. Press the SmartSpice or Verilog button, depending on the type.
5. Click the Definition tab.
6. Choose Attached File from the pulldown menu.
7. Browse to the file and select it.
8. For SPICE types, specify whether it is a .LIB, .INCLUDE, or .VERILOG (for Verilog-A).
9. Click the Instance tab and press the Generate String button.

3.2 Using Embedded Symbol Definitions

To use the embedded definition for a symbol:
1. Open a symbol for edit or create a new symbol.
2. Add pins as necessary.
3. Click EditProperties.
4. Press the SmartSpice or Verilog button, depending on the type.
5. Click the Definition tab.
6. Choose Embedded Definition from the pulldown menu.
7. Enter the definition in the text box.
8. Click the Instance tab and press the Generate String button.

3.3 Encryption
Files can be encrypted and then included to prevent users from seeing a technology that may
be proprietary.
Use the Sencrypt program to encrypt all required files. Please see the Sencrypt User’s Manual
for all details.

20 Confidential
 Chapter 4
Supported Functions for the
Gateway Equation Parser
Gateway Equation Parser Functions

4.1 Gateway Equation Parser Functions

This document details the mathematical functions supported by GATEWAY when an
attribute’s visibility is changed to “Name=Result” or “Result”.
‘expression’ means any valid mathematical expression. For example, 10, 1+2, 2*3,
1+2*(3+4).
These functions can also be nested (e.g., SQRT(ABS(-1))).

4.1.1 Functions

Function Description Equation

ABS(x) The absolute function returns the absolute N/A
value of any number.
ACOS(z) The inverse cosine or arc cosine (i.e., cos-1) of 
2n + 1
  2n ! - -------------------
 ------------------- z
z. --- –
2   2n 2
2  n!   2n + 1 
-
n=0
ASIN(z) The inverse sine or arc sine (i.e., sin-1) of z. 
2n + 1
 2n ! - -------------------
 ------------------- z
  2n
2  n! 
2  2n + 1 
-
n=0
ATAN(z) The inverse tangent or arc tangent (i.e., tan )-1 
n 2n + 1
 –1  z
of z.
 ---------------------------
2n + 1
-
n=0
CEIL(x) Returns the nearest integer greater than x (e.g., N/A
rounds up).
COS(x) The cosine of x. 
n
 – 1  - 2n
 ------------
 2n !
x
n=0
COSH(x) The hyperbolic cosine of x. 
2n
x -
 ------------
 2n !
n=0
EXP(x) The exponential function is defined as: ex 
n
x-----
where e is defined as the constant, 2.718… .
 n!
n=0
FLOOR(x) Returns the nearest integer less than x (e.g., N/A
rounds down).
INT(x) Returns the integer part of x. N/A

22 Confidential
Gateway Equation Parser Functions

JN(, x) Bessel functions of the first kind, denoted as 

m 2m + 
J(x), are solutions of Bessel's differential

 –1 
J x = ---------------------------------------  --x-
 m!  m +  + 1   2
equation that are finite at the origin (x = 0) for
m=0
non-negative integer  and diverge as x
Where
approaches zero for negative non-integer .   n  =  n – 1 !

LOG10(x) Log to the base 10, also known as the common ln  x 

logarithm, is defined to be the inverse of log 10  x  = ----------------
ln  10 
taking a number. For example, a to the power
of another number say b (i.e., ab). Therefore,
Log to the base 10 is the inverse of taking 10
to the power of a number (i.e., 10x).
LN(z) or Log to the base e, also known as the natural 
n
LOG(z) logarithm, is defined as the inverse of taking e 1 – z
to the power of a number (i.e., ez).
ln  z  =  – ------------------
n
n=1
MIN(a,b) The minimum of the a and b values. N/A
MAX(a,b) The maximum of the a and b values. N/A
MOD(n,m) Computes the remainder on dividing n by m. N/A
Both arguments must be integers.
POW(a, n) The power function is defined as taking a 
n
number a to the power of n (i.e., an).  =






n
ROUND(x) The round function will round any number to N/A
ROUND(x, n) the n number of decimal places (e.g.,
ROUND(1.2345, 3) would equal 1.235). If n is
not specified, the default precision will be 0
decimal places.
SGN(x) The sgn function returns 1 for positive values N/A
of x ( x >= 0) and -1 for negative values of x
( x < 0).
SIN(x) The sine of x. 
n
 – 1  - 2n + 1
 ---------------------
 2n + 1 !
x
n=0
SINH(x) The hyperbolic sine of x. 
2n + 1
x
 ---------------------
 2n + 1 !
-
n=0
SQRT(x) x1/2
The square root of a number (e.g., x ).
TAN(x) The tangent of x (B is the Bernoulli number). 
n – 1 2n 2n 2n – 1
 –1  2 2 – 1B x

2n
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2n !
n=1

23 Confidential
Gateway Equation Parser Functions

TANH(x) The hyperbolic tangent of x (B is the Bernoulli 

2n 2n 2n – 1
number). 2 2 – 1B x

2n
------------------------------------------------------------------
 2n !
n=1

YN(, x) The Bessel functions of the second kind, J  x  cos    – J  x 

 –
Y  x  = ------------------------------------------------------------
denoted by Y(x), are solutions of the Bessel  sin   
differential equation. They have a singularity
at the origin (x = 0).

4.1.2 Operators

Operator Description Usage

> or >> Greater than operator. Used to determine if an A > B
expression A is larger than expression B.
>= Greater than or equals operator. Used to A >= B
determine if an expression A is larger or equal
to expression B.
= = Equality operator. Used to determine if two A == B
expressions are identical.
!= Inequality operator. Determines if two A != B
expressions are not equal.
< or << Less than operator. Used to determine if an A < B
expression A is less than expression B
<= Less than or equal to operator. Determines if A <= B
an expression A is less than or equal to and
expression B.
&& Logical AND operator. Returns a true A && B
boolean statement (1) if both expressions on
either side of the operator are true (1).
|| Logical OR operator. Returns a true boolean A || B
statement (1) if either expression is true (1).
IIF IIF statement. This can be used as a switch IIF(A>10, 20, 30)
statement to return back different values
depending on whether the expression in the If A is greater than 10, then the return value 20.
statement is true. Otherwise, the return value is 30.
? Ternary operator. This is similar to the IIF A>10?“greater”:“less than or equal”
statement and can be used to return
different values (or expressions) depending of If A is greater than 10, then the return value will
the evaluation of the statement before the be “greater”. Otherwise, the return value
operator. will be “less than or equal”.

24 Confidential