Lecture Series Archive

Abstract – Analog simulators allow complex behavior to be modeled and are a critical part of Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) tools used by designers to predict circuit performance. Early generations of simulators were inseparable from the specific transistor models integrated in their program. Resource-limited commercial simulator vendors would pair off with university and industry groups to add select models to their simulators while designers were restricted to simulators that support the models that they needed. Custom simulator interfaces were never successful as these interfaces were often quite complex – and each vendor’s interface was unique, so the effort had to be repeated for each. Model developers realized that hardware description languages (HDLs) such as Verilog, with a few changes, could provide a simple and portable way to implement complex model equations. This talk will describe how this standardized subset, Verilog-A, has changed the way “compact” transistor models are developed. We will illustrate how easy it is for anyone to create a model, not just for electrical simulation, but for any analog behavior. It is now possible – and has been demonstrated – for individual developers to invent models with as much influence on the industry as models coming from large university research groups. (Dr. Marek Mierzwinski's Slides)

Dr. Marek Mierzwinski is an R&D engineer at Keysight Technologies. He started at Hewlett Packard as a product engineer in the fab, then an R&D project manager responsible for their first modulation doped FET IC. He later moved to EEsof division and was R&D project manager for the analog circuit simulator. In 2002 he co-founded Tiburon Design Automation, which developed the industry’s first Verilog-A compiler that could be used by different commercial simulators. Marek graduated with a B.S. in Engineering Physics from Cornell and received his Masters and Ph.D. from Stanford in Electrical Engineering.

Abstract – Juniper Networks is a networking equipment vendor based in Sunnyvale, CA. Since its creation in 1996 and IPO in 1999, Juniper has been an active strategic corporate venture investor to accompany its organic growth. The talk will provide an overview of why, where and how Juniper invest in startups.

Dr. Patrick Pfeffer is Senior Director of Growth Strategy and Venture Investments at Juniper Networks where he spends most of his days thinking about the future of the Internet. Since joining Juniper in 2008 he has led Juniper's packet optical strategy and has developed the concept of next generation central office. Before joining Juniper, Patrick was a managing director for Detecon a management consulting firm, he worked also for Alcatel on access networks, for Gluon Networks on VoIP, and for Qwest on IPTV. Patrick started his career over 20 years ago as a professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He holds Ph.D. degree in computer science from Paris University.