CEMWorks, a Canadian startup founded by Jonatan Aronsson, is making significant strides in the field of electromagnetic (EM) simulation tools aimed at tackling the complexities of electronic design automation (EDA). Established nearly a decade ago, CEMWorks arose from Aronsson’s recognition of market limitations in existing simulation technology. As products become increasingly complex, the need for innovative solutions to accurately simulate electromagnetic interactions is greater than ever.
Aronsson, who holds a PhD in computational electromagnetic and a rich background in electronic design automation and computational physics, leads a talented team dedicated to advancing simulation technologies. This team, comprised of approximately 20 experts with a combined experience of about 100 years, has been deeply engaged in research and development to create solutions that address industry challenges, particularly in advanced packaging, which is crucial in integrated circuit (IC) design.
The company’s flagship product, Emerald, is designed to revolutionize the way EM simulations are conducted. With Emerald, CEMWorks has demonstrated the capability to perform simulations up to 100 times faster than existing solutions. This speed is particularly vital in the simulation of complex electrical components—including IC packaging, antenna arrays, and interposers—allowing engineers to verify designs and predict behaviors before manufacturing. CEMWorks has also expanded its focus to encompass areas such as metamaterials and communication systems, including advancements in reconfigurable surfaces that enhance communication efficiency.
CEMWorks has gained recognition for its contributions to the industry, winning innovation challenges such as Canada’s Connected Vehicle Challenge and leading international R&D projects with established partners like NXP, Infineon, and Ericsson. These collaborations focus on developing EDA tooling for cutting-edge communication technologies like 5G and 6G as part of the ambitious Project InnoStar. The company’s technology supports millimeter wave frequencies exceeding 100 gigahertz, leveraging an integral equation-based software approach that offers higher accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional finite element methods often used for similar simulations.
One notable advantage of CEMWorks’ technology is the ability to manage larger problem sizes without sacrificing accuracy. As simulated problems scale, traditional methods can struggle to maintain performance, but CEMWorks ensures reliable results even for highly intricate and large-scale simulations. This capability is crucial for applications in advanced packaging and high-density interconnect simulations, where designers face increasing demands for precision.
The benefits of using CEMWorks’ products also include accelerated design cycles and enhanced design optimization through rapid simulations of multiple design variations. By shortening time-to-market cycles, companies can remain competitive in a fast-evolving technology landscape. For instance, benchmarks showcasing CEMWorks’ rapid simulation capabilities demonstrate its superiority over competing tools—simulating an entire package in approximately three hours on a standard computer, whereas competitors might require ten times longer on more powerful systems.
Out-performing competition
Case studies highlight CEMWorks’ exceptional performance in real-world applications. The technology has demonstrated that it can handle CoWoS (Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate) technology by simulating it for a fraction of the time required with existing tools. Another compelling example involved simulating a large-phased array antenna, where CEMWorks completed the entire simulation in just seven hours on a small computer, compared to over 30 hours required by traditional solutions.
Moving forward, CEMWorks aims to forge partnerships in Taiwan to conduct validation studies and co-innovation efforts. The company has identified three areas of interest for potential collaborations:
Modeling Complex Advanced Packaging or Antenna Arrays: Focusing on co-simulation and design optimization to enhance product accuracy and performance.
Uncertainty Quantification: Incorporating uncertainty in simulations to reflect better real-world conditions, including variations in material properties and manufacturing tolerances.
Environmental Simulation: Develop simulations that account for environmental impacts on electronic performance, thereby improving reliability and functionality in diverse conditions.
CEMWorks is poised for growth as it continues to innovate and address the pressing challenges within the electromagnetic simulation landscape. With opportunities for collaboration and a commitment to advancing technology, CEMWorks is set to make a lasting impact on the industry.
This is one of the articles in Tech Soda's dedicated feature on Canadian startups.
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