Mixed-Signal Simulation Binding via Portbind Files

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for replacing digital design blocks with analog blocks in mixed-signal integrated circuit designs are cumbersome and error-prone, particularly due to the difficulty in switching between Verilog-AMS and SPICE languages, and the need for manual intervention to insert interface elements with varying analog circuit parameters.

Innovation Solution

A computer system that allows users to input parameter information for binding analog and digital circuit blocks, generating a portbind file to map digital and analog versions of blocks, and using configuration and connect rules to facilitate mixed-signal simulation, abstracting HDL complexity into simple commands and enabling automatic insertion of interface elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual intervention is used to insert interface elements with varying analog circuit parameters, then the simulation accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the design process increases and errors are more likely to occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimulation accuracyVSAvoiddesign process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically inserts interface elements with appropriate analog circuit parameters without requiring manual intervention. The simulator reads portbind files to determine bindings between analog circuit blocks and digital circuit design components, and automatically configures interface elements based on this information, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring designer intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Portbind files serve as an intermediary mechanism between analog and digital design representations. These files contain parameter information that determines bindings between analog circuit blocks and digital circuit design components, facilitating automatic interface element insertion while reducing manual complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If designers switch between Verilog-AMS and SPICE languages to replace digital blocks with analog blocks, then the simulation accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to language switching complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimulation accuracyVSAvoidease of block replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a universal interface mechanism that works across different HDL representations (Verilog, Verilog-AMS, SPICE) without requiring designers to manually switch between languages. The portbind file format and automatic interface element insertion mechanism can handle multiple language formats through a unified approach, making the block replacement process easier while maintaining simulation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If detailed analog circuit parameters are manually configured for each interface element, then the simulation accuracy is improved, but the time required for design verification increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimulation accuracyVSAvoiddesign verification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically determining bindings between analog circuit blocks and digital circuit design components using portbind files before simulation begins. Interface elements are pre-configured with appropriate parameters based on the binding information, eliminating the need for manual parameter configuration during design verification and reducing verification time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If interface elements are automatically inserted with default parameters, then the ease of operation is improved, but the simulation accuracy deteriorates due to lack of precise parameter matching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of interface element insertionVSAvoidparameter matching accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Portbind files serve as an intermediary that provides precise parameter information for automatic interface element insertion. The files contain binding information between analog circuit blocks and digital circuit design components, allowing the system to automatically insert interface elements with accurately matched parameters rather than using generic defaults, thus maintaining both ease of operation and parameter matching accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8661402B2Method and apparatus for AMS simulation of integrated circuit design

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 CADENCE DESIGN SYST INC

AI summary

A method to create an integrated circuit that includes digital and analog components comprising: displaying on a computer system display, user input to the computer system that specifies parameter information to determine a binding between an analog circuit design component and a digital circuit design component; saving the user specified parameter information within a file that also specifies at least a portion of the analog circuit design; associating the analog circuit design component a first design block of an integrated circuit that also includes a second digital design block coupled to the first design block; using parameter information to determine a binding between the first analog circuit design component and the first digital circuit design component; saving the determined binding in computer readable storage media.