im using the same kit and i use vpcd. heres how:

in icfb, tools>pcd. then pcd>configuration. library is a folder created with cmos8rf techfile, run directory is ., assura process data directory is /IBM_PDK/cmrf8sf/rel/Assura/QRC/32 (or RCX if you're pre-1.5.0.0). then in pcd you have to save a new techfile since the procfile from IBM is encrypted and it includes layers which are not for inductors (beol resistor, mim and dualmim caps). in the techfile tab choose internal format then save and give it a filename like cmrf8sf.tlib. then hit load and open cmrf8sf.tlib. now you sohuld have only the metal layers which would be used for inductors.

theres still some work to make the pcd inductors DRC legal.  From MOSIS:

Instantiate a similar IBM pcell inductor somewhere, flatten it, and study
it carefully.  Your job will be to "mimic" all the layers found in
that pcell, as there are a few important "dummy" layers which control
the generation of fill.  Don't extend those layers any farther than the
pcell does;  include them all; note that density requirements of the
MA and E1 layers will be met by the coils themselves, but the LY layer
is a problem and you must be aggressive in placing as much DRC-legal
but tight and dense LY around the periphery of the inductor,
else there will be problems.  The four "corners" of the bounding box
are usually empty so you should pack them with LY fill.

I'm pretty sure QRC is separate from the basekit, so you'll have to get it from MOSIS document server (if you are a customer). you can also ask your questions at MOSIS user group, http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MOSIS_Users_Group/, since a lot of people there discuss this kit.

Here's the procedure I follow:
ICFB>Tools>PCD
ICFB>PCD>Configuration
  Library Name: (library that you created via ICFB>IBM_PDK>Library>Create)
  Run Directory: .
  Process Data Directory: /IBM_PDK/cmrf8sf/rel/Assura/QRC/32 (whatever your path is)
In VPCD, click on Techfile tab, select Internal Format, hit Save and give the file a name (such as cmosp13.tlib), then hit Load and load that file.

Sorry I wasn't in front of Cadence when I wrote my reply before, I just did it off the top of my head.

I'm using V1.5.0.1DM, we didn't upgrade to V1.6 b/c we've been advised to wait until the July22 MPW submission to upgrade.

Have you been able to use QRC to extract? I followed qrcxUser.pdf for setting up QRC but I can't load the technology information even though assura_tech.lib is in my local folder and I can set up Assura DRC/LVS without issue.

I think the problem is the #order column. The numbers for the metal layers are assigned a second time for the dielectric layers. Is this also the case in your file, or are all numbers uniquely assigned?

Thanks in advance,
Jens

Hi,
unfortunately I didn't download the QRC files for the V1.5 design kit. My current status is that I get the PC, M1, M2, M3 and MA layers right, but no vias. So I cannot do anything regarding synthesis. I will try a bit more but I'm running out of ideas. Maybe I try to write a real procfile myself taking the ADS momentum dielectric data for the ILDs.

Anyway, I'll keep trying until I get something to work .

Thanks a lot for your help and I'll keep you updated if I make some progress.

Works, if I just take the encrypted file and load it. I have all those useless layers, but still I can synthesize the inductors without problems. No I'll start making them LVS clean. Which, I guess, will be at least as much fun as synthesizing them.

Coil synthesize works fine now and I can also simulate the synthesized coils in ADS without problems. Just out of curiosity: did anybody manage to get the EMSS tool to work in Cadence with the IBM 0.13 CMOS technology? When I try to load my gdsII files into the tool I get many warnings that layers (including the metal layers used for the coil) could not be mapped because they are missing in the p2lvs file.

I tried EMSS once with CMOS8RF, it just hangs when it starts building the green functions library (or at least doesn't update the progress bar). I left it running for 40mins and it sat at 0%. But as pancho_hideboo mentioned, its best to use Momentum.