Mixed-signal ASIC simulation via an analog modeling package

Abstract

Problems in designing mixed-signal ASICs come from different simulation accuracy requirements and, as a result, different modeling approaches for analog and digital circuits. The conventional design styles for mixed-signal ASICs use two separate simulators, such as a SPICE-like simulator for analog circuits and a logic simulation for digital circuits. This approach is engineering-intensive, time-consuming, and error-prone. To solve these problems, the analog modeling package (AMP) has been developed. The authors describe how the AMP presents a systematic solution to mixed-signal simulation on a pure digital-logic simulator. In the AMP, analog behavioral models are created by connecting parameterized building blocks in a schematic capture tool with SPICE-characterized data. Then a chip-level mixed-signal design verification is implemented on one simulator to eliminate errors. An analog-signal trace file is also created for automatic test program generation. This solution significantly enhances the competitiveness of mixed-signal design and development in cost, cycle-time, and first-pass success.<>