Simulation backplane : an integrated environment for mixed mode simulation of multiple analogue, digital and behavioural circuit simulators
Simulation backplane : an integrated environment for mixed mode simulation of multiple analogue, digital and behavioural circuit simulators
This thesis describes research work on an integrated simulation environment that combines multiple simulators of different abstraction levels to perform mixed-signal circuit simulation. The approach to solve mixed-signal simulation problems introduced in the thesis is based on a draft standard of the Simulation Backplane, published by the CAD Framework Initiative. The simulation backplane prototype named: Alfa was developed. Circuit level, gate level and behavioural level simulators were successfully integrated into the system. The concept of the simulation backplane and the characteristics of mixed-signal simulation were thoroughly examined.
In the backplane environment, circuit simulators run as separate processes. Each is free to run on its own algorithm, and a consistent mixed-signal simulation is obtained through backplane controls. A standardised set of Application Programming Interface (API) was introduced as a means to control simulators to perform their tasks and to provide a common communications protocol among integrated components. The Lock-step algorithm was adopted to synchronise the simulation processes. The technique is effective and flexible in that it can integrate simulators with or without backtracking capabilities.
Digital and analogue simulators exchange simulation data by employing a standardised signal conversion scheme, which is based on threshold functions and Boolean-controlled switches. A signal latency detection technique is employed to define analogue events, that are transferred between analogue partitions.
Several circuit simulators were integrated into the environment. The Alfa logic simulator is used to simulate gate level designs. The Alfa behavioural simulator provides primitive C routines to develop and simulate system level designs. Additionally, a de-factor standard circuit level simulator; SPICE3e2 is included. Simulations of several practical mixed-signal applications including circuits that contained feedback loops and sensitive paths, were carried out successfully. The results convincingly showed the capability and flexibility of the backplane approach.
University of Southampton
1997
Garagate, Chugiat
(1997)
Simulation backplane : an integrated environment for mixed mode simulation of multiple analogue, digital and behavioural circuit simulators.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
This thesis describes research work on an integrated simulation environment that combines multiple simulators of different abstraction levels to perform mixed-signal circuit simulation. The approach to solve mixed-signal simulation problems introduced in the thesis is based on a draft standard of the Simulation Backplane, published by the CAD Framework Initiative. The simulation backplane prototype named: Alfa was developed. Circuit level, gate level and behavioural level simulators were successfully integrated into the system. The concept of the simulation backplane and the characteristics of mixed-signal simulation were thoroughly examined.
In the backplane environment, circuit simulators run as separate processes. Each is free to run on its own algorithm, and a consistent mixed-signal simulation is obtained through backplane controls. A standardised set of Application Programming Interface (API) was introduced as a means to control simulators to perform their tasks and to provide a common communications protocol among integrated components. The Lock-step algorithm was adopted to synchronise the simulation processes. The technique is effective and flexible in that it can integrate simulators with or without backtracking capabilities.
Digital and analogue simulators exchange simulation data by employing a standardised signal conversion scheme, which is based on threshold functions and Boolean-controlled switches. A signal latency detection technique is employed to define analogue events, that are transferred between analogue partitions.
Several circuit simulators were integrated into the environment. The Alfa logic simulator is used to simulate gate level designs. The Alfa behavioural simulator provides primitive C routines to develop and simulate system level designs. Additionally, a de-factor standard circuit level simulator; SPICE3e2 is included. Simulations of several practical mixed-signal applications including circuits that contained feedback loops and sensitive paths, were carried out successfully. The results convincingly showed the capability and flexibility of the backplane approach.
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Published date: 1997
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Local EPrints ID: 463038
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/463038
PURE UUID: 9130be7e-61f5-4be8-afbd-2731638b0a86
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 20:40
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 20:40
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Author:
Chugiat Garagate
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