On-Chip Interconnects Modeling in Time-Domain using the Explicit DuFort-Frankel Algorithm

In this paper, a tractable time domain scheme is proposed for the effective modeling of microwave planar structures. Our study relies on the DuFort-Frankel algorithm (DF) which is in principle an alternative of the conventional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique but yields unconditionally stable estimates and is more accurate. We focus on the integrated stripline circuits since they are less susceptible to radiation and dispersion effects compared to microstrips. A quasi-static approximation was adopted and a comprehensive field characterization is achieved by discretizing the time and space into cells and thereafter applying the Maxwell's equations and boundary conditions. Finally, the frequency dependent circuit parameters, namely the per-unit length (p.u.l) resistance and conductance, were estimated using the fundamental laws of electromagnetism.