Institute of Microelectronic Systems Research
New Simulation Methods for Accelerated Mixed-Signal Simulation

New Simulation Methods for Accelerated Mixed-Signal Simulation

Led by:  Prof. Dr.-Ing. Erich Barke
Team:  Dipl.-Ing. Sara Divanbeigi
Year:  2019
Date:  01-03-14
Funding:  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG): BA 812/24-1
Duration:  March 2014 - February 2017

Its continuous development in microelectronics enables an increasing integration of multi components on a single chip. In order to reliably verify the interaction between analog and digital circuit, the verification of mixed-signal circuits requires special methods. Today the performance of traditional simulation methods are insufficient to meet the increasing demands of the present mixed-signal system-level simulation. This research project is based on an approach for the automated model generation for accelerated mixed-signal simulation of analog circuit models and the associated simulation methodology for a transient analysis. Studies have shown good results, which make a significant acceleration in the simulation of mixed analog/digital-systems.Up to now, the current approach is limited to piecewise-constant input stimuli. One of the fundamental goals of this project is an extension of the novel simulation methodology that enables additional input signal types. A further aim of the project is to integrate the novel simulation methodology into conventional simulation environments. Thus, a significant acceleration in verification of integrated mixed-signal-systems can be achieved.At present, merely small-sized mixed-signal circuits at a relatively low level of abstraction of the analog part are evaluated for this approach. Due to the support and integration of conventional simulation environments an acceleration of a system-verification can be reached. Subsequent to this, the performance of the simulator properties should be analyzed. These examinations should be performed within and outside of other simulationenvironments.