Integrated Circuit Simulation Using Sub-Circuit Transfer Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit simulation methods using Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software are slow due to large data matrices and high calculation requirements, especially when simulating circuits with periodic output signals.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dividing a large-scale integrated circuit into sub-circuits, generating a function correspondence relation formula for periodic waveforms, and using this formula for simulation, while directly simulating non-periodic waveforms, thereby reducing the need for complex matrix calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If EDA simulation software performs matrix calculations on large-scale integrated circuits, then simulation accuracy is maintained, but simulation speed becomes very slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large-scale integrated circuit into multiple sub-circuits based on functional modules. Each sub-circuit is simulated independently using EDA software to obtain its transfer function, avoiding the need to perform matrix calculations on the entire large-scale circuit. This segmentation approach maintains simulation accuracy while dramatically reducing computational complexity and simulation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates transfer functions as mathematical models that copy the input-output behavior of sub-circuits. Instead of directly simulating the physical circuit behavior through matrix calculations, the transfer functions serve as simplified mathematical representations that replicate the essential characteristics of each sub-circuit, enabling fast computation while preserving accuracy.
2Reliability
If EDA software calculates matrices for complicated circuits with large data, then complete circuit behavior is captured, but calculation speed becomes very slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complicated circuit into smaller sub-circuits, each with fewer nodes and branches. This reduces the size of matrices that need to be calculated for each sub-circuit compared to calculating a single large matrix for the entire circuit. The segmented approach maintains complete circuit behavior accuracy through proper connection of sub-circuit transfer functions while significantly reducing calculation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the circuit simulation problem from direct matrix calculation in the time domain to transfer function computation in the frequency domain. By changing the representation parameters from time-domain signals to frequency-domain transfer functions, the computational complexity is reduced while maintaining the ability to capture complete circuit behavior.
3Measurement precision
If EDA software performs simulation on circuits with periodic output signals, then accurate waveform analysis is achieved, but simulation speed slows down during transition stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the simulation approach from time-domain transient analysis to frequency-domain transfer function analysis. By converting periodic signals to their frequency representations, the patent achieves accurate waveform analysis including transition stages without the computational burden of time-domain matrix calculations. The transfer functions naturally capture the frequency characteristics of periodic signals, providing both accuracy and speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick simulation method and apparatus for an integrated circuit, and a storage medium, are provided, wherein, by dividing a large-scale integrated circuit into a plurality of sub-circuit, then performing simulation on each sub-circuit, generating a corresponding function correspondence relation formula for each of those sub-circuits for which a simulated waveform is a periodic waveform, and then, when performing simulation on the large-scale integrated circuit, directly performing simulation on each of those sub-circuits for which the waveform is not a periodic waveform, and performing calculation by using the function correspondence relation formula corresponding to each of those sub-circuits for which the simulated waveform is a periodic waveform to complete a corresponding simulation thereof, so as to realize a simulation for the whole large-scale integrated circuit. Wherein, because an output waveform obtained according to the function correspondence relation formula is the same as the simulated waveform obtained by directly performing simulation, there is no need to perform complicated matrix calculations on the circuit, thereby improving the simulation speed when the integrated circuit is subject to transient analysis.