Microcosm snaps up Coyote Systems, enhances MEMCAD product

Coventoronths, it seemed like every company out there focusing on micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology was getting bought by a major telecom player. Now MEMS specialist <%=company%> (Cary, NC) is turning the tables by acquiring software developer Coyote Systems Inc. (San Francisco) in a stock transaction; further financial terms were not disclosed. All Coyote Systems employees have been offered and accepted positions with Microcosm.

Coyote produces software for MEMS testing and analysis. Microcosm plans to integrate the company's capabilities into its MEMCAD software. The eventual product will also have other uses such as VLSI deep submicron interconnect design applications.

In a related story, Microcosm has enhanced MEMCAD, allowing IC designers to develop mixed-signal systems that incorporate MEMS, using tools and methodology familiar to them. The package now includes an interface to Cadence's schematic-driven layout environment. Engineers can create MEMS structures within the Cadence design environment using Microcosm-provided library elements and foundry-specific process information. Alternatively, they can import parameterized 6-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) models created using MEMCAD software. Subsequently, they can model and simulate MEMS devices integrated with the controlling electronics, refine the MEMS component design from within Cadence by changing parameters as required, then produce files used for manufacturing. When designers require detailed MEMS component performance verification, they can perform boundary/finite element 6DOF modeling within the Microcosm software tool suite.

The package now also supports opto-electro-mechanical modeling of micro-optical-electro-mechanical systems (MOEMS) using a single simulation environment incorporating the three domains inherent to 3-D optical MEMS: Electronic, mechanical, and free-space optical. The modeling capability enables network systems developers to simulate the impact of the MOEMS device in the complete system, and adjust the device and system design, if needed, prior to prototyping. Designers can implement top-down design of a proposed MOEMS system, as well as bottom-up verification of the system performance, entirely within MEMCAD.

Edited by Kristin Lewotsky, Photonics Online