Circuit level modeling and simulation of mixed-technology systems

The goal of this paper is to describe a methodology for circuit level modeling and simulation of mixed-technology systems, which fits into a standard electronic design flow and allows one to model and simulate such systems in a standard circuit simulator. The basis for the methodology is the use of the model compiler that allows one to compile models written in high-level behavioral description language and make them available to a standard circuit simulator. For demonstration purposes, we consider two mixed-technology examples: an optoelectronic example (a laser diode circuit) and a thermo-electronic example (thermally coupled MOS inverter). We use model compiler MCAST developed in our group to compile VHDL-AMS models and make them available to SPICE circuit simulator. Our results demonstrate that model compiler technology allows one to perform simulation of mixed-technology systems in a circuit simulator. The methodology described here is general and can be used with various model compilers and circuit simulators, as long as good mathematical models for mixed-technology devices are available.