Virtual Device: A New Approach in Microelectronics Device Education

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to present a tool for simulating generic microelectronic devices using specialized integrated circuits. The Monte Carlo method in three dimensions is used as the most simple and the most physical technique. The virtual device takes the shape of a small scientific calculator provided with analog I/O terminals upon which various apparatus, such as: oscilloscopes, signal analyzers or others in order to perform various measurements, from which physical interpretations can be extracted. With the same specific hardware one can characterize various types of devices (diodes, BJTs, FETs) realized in any material (Si, GaAs...), depending on parameters that can be varied at will. A first demonstrator, a synthetic noise generator exists already.