4.5 Integration into a TCAD Framework

During an optimization cycle the algorithm requests the evaluation of a new parameter set and collects the resulting data afterwards. This is realized quite easily if the evaluation function can be coded and linked to the optimizer program (see Figure 4.5).

Figure 4.5: Evaluation function linked to the optimizer executable.

If, however, the target function is calculated from simulation results the evaluation has to be split (see Figure 4.6). The optimizer generates a request and sends it to an output stream using the defined optimization protocol (see Section 4.7). This request is executed by the framework, which is responsible for starting the simulators, checking the outputs, and assembling the data of the result vector. This vector is then sent back to the optimizer.

Figure 4.6: Binding of external model functions.