Algorithmic Design of Nonintuitive On-Chip Multilayered Passive Networks

This paper presents various approaches to applying electromagnetic inverse design and optimization algorithms for nonintuitive passive network design in integrated circuits (ICs). The use of multiple metal and via layers in IC substrates to create multilayered EM structures with superior performance compared to single-layer designs is demonstrated. Then, stochastic nature of metaheuristic algorithms is exploited to diversify designs and obfuscate hardware, enabling multiple distinct layouts with near-identical performance. An algorithm is introduced to utilize inverse design to shrink layout sizes adiabatically with minimal performance loss — an outcome previously unexplored in classical passive network design. These methods are validated through the design of compact, multilayer, wideband, low-loss mm-Wave impedance-transforming power combiners and experimental results from multilayer mm-Wave bandpass filters.