The Advance Design System (ADS) Desktop DRC is a comprehensive MMIC and RFIC layout design rule checker (DRC) from Keysight EEsof EDA, the technology and innovation leader in high-frequency mixed-signal electronic design automation (EDA). It is seamlessly integrated into ADS, the only design simulation platform that enables the co-design of IC, package and board in high-frequency and hi-speed applications. The ADS Desktop DRC integrates system, circuit, full 3D electromagnetic simulation with Keysight’s test instrumentation to perform single pass successful electronic designs repeatedly.

The ADS Desktop DRC is fully integrated with ADS Layout to enable MMIC and RFIC designers to rapidly verify and correct their layouts against foundry DRC rules before tape out to eliminate foundry rejection delays from DRC violations. It fully accepts foundry endorsed DRC rules that can include component/cell- specific identification and checks on flattened and hierarchical layouts. It runs on both PC and Linux platforms; and integrates with Mentor Calibre and Cadence Assura to allow results from these 3rd party DRC tools to be viewed and corrected in the engineer’s ADS DRC environment.

The ADS Desktop DRC includes:

  • Seamless integration with ADS Layout to enable development of DRC rules, viewing of DRC results and correction in the same layout design environment
  • Complete set of standard and advanced DRC capabilities, extensible through powerful C-like Application Extension Language (AEL) to accommodate automation and custom rules
  • Intelligent application of cell- or components-specific DRC rules on hierarchical and flattened layouts
  • Completely programmable conditional selection of edge and polygon for DRC checks
  • Comprehensive all-angle geometry and Boolean checking on: Spacing, Width, Extension, Intrusion, Exclusion/Inclusion
  • Auto-zoom graphical error location by clicking on DRC results, sorted by classification, from native DRC or from 3rd party DRC tools such as Mentor Calibre and Cadence Assura
  • Sizing operation in all dimensions to adjust layout for DRC compliance
  • Support for mailDRC to view and fix foundry generated DRC results through email

Unlike other DRC tools, the ADS Desktop DRC offers the best performance in foundry endorsed DRC capabilities. The ability to run on both PC and Linux platforms to view results from ADS native, Mentor Calibre or Cadence Assurance DRC checks allows the layout to be quickly fixed by the MMIC/RFIC designer locally in ADS before final error-free fabrication.

The ADS Desktop DRC is integrated into the ADS Layout Element.