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	<title>Analog Insights: Analog/Mixed-Signal Design and Verification Blog</title>
	
	<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights</link>
	<description>“Analog Insights” offers a lively discussion of topics of interest to analog design engineers and those who provide or support analog design tools </description>
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		<title>UVM-based random verification using CustomSim-VCS for Analog Mixed Signal Designs</title>
		<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/04/17/uvm-based-random-verification-using-customsim-vcs-for-analog-mixed-signal-designs/</link>
		<comments>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/04/17/uvm-based-random-verification-using-customsim-vcs-for-analog-mixed-signal-designs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:45:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hélène Thibiéroz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[AMS Circuits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[analog design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Behavioral Modeling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fast-SPICE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[verification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CustomSim VCS UVM verification VerilogAMS analog mixed signal]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/?p=395</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[While at SNUG, I attended our AMS technical track session. One of the presentations described an innovative flow using UVM with Verilog-AMS. Synopsys CustomSim-VCS was successfully used on AMS designs to demonstrate the performance advantages of this methodology. The title was: “Universal Verification Methodology (UVM)-based Random Verification through VCS and CustomSim in Analog Mixed-signal Designs [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While at SNUG, I attended our AMS technical track session. One of the presentations described an innovative flow using UVM with Verilog-AMS. Synopsys CustomSim-VCS was successfully used on AMS designs to demonstrate the performance advantages of this methodology. The title was:</p>
<p>“Universal Verification Methodology (UVM)-based Random Verification through VCS and CustomSim in Analog Mixed-signal Designs for Faster Coverage Closure” by Warren Anderson and Ravi Ram from AMD, and Vijay Akkaraju, from Synopsys.</p>
<p>To give you a little more insight (don’t thank me <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> ), this paper describes specific application of RTL verification methodology for AMS designs. Given the increasing complexity of mixed-signal circuits, a larger and larger number of stimulus need to be ran  to ensure functional correctness.  Because of lengthy run times of SPICE-based simulations and limitations of Verilog only models, more sophisticated approaches are needed.  AMD presented their approach, where low-level analog blocks were modeled using Verilog-AMS, and instantiated in a System Verilog top-level testbench for mixed-signal simulations. This flow was successfully implemented using Synopsys CustomSim-VCS.</p>
<p>Because I am a really nice person <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  , I have included the presentation at the end of this post.</p>
<p>In this interview, Warren and Vijay share their insights about this approach and their overall experience at SNUG.</p>
<div id="attachment_404" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 110px"><img class="size-full wp-image-404 " src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/04/WarrenAnderson.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Warren Anderson</p></div>
<p>Warren Anderson is currently a Fellow at AMD’s Boston Design Center, where he works on high-speed I/O and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection design.  Warren leads a team designing I/O and ESD circuits and developing solutions for high-speed off-chip signaling on AMD’s microprocessors.  Prior to joining AMD, he worked for Intel, Hewlett Packard and Digital Equipment Corporation. Warren’s areas of expertise include I/O circuit design, I/O jitter modeling and performance prediction, ESD protection, and signal integrity.  His publications include numerous papers on ESD protection design as well as contributions to three books. Warren currently holds 11 patents on ESD protection devices, circuits, and I/O design techniques.</p>
<p>Vijay is an Staff Application Consultant for Synopsys’s Simulation products, supporting key strategic accounts in Silicon Valley. He has been in the semi-conductor industry for 13 years including multiple roles in Design Engineering and has been part of 17 Silicon tape-outs. Before his current role he had stints in Analog Devices, AMCC and a start up.</p>
<p><strong>Q- Warren, what was your overall experience at SNUG as a speaker? Which feedback did you receive after your presentation?</strong></p>
<p>A- It was a very good experience.  I particularly enjoyed the Q&amp;A discussion after the talk.  We received many thoughtful questions, showing that the audience was highly engaged during the talk (and it’s always nice for a speaker to know that the audience stayed awake!).  The amount of time allotted for the talk and questions was just right, making for a comfortable setting and pace.  The publication submission process was well organized and easy to follow.</p>
<p><strong>Q- Could you please describe your job responsibilities within AMD ? What types of circuits do you simulate and which specific  Synopsys tools/simulator do you use ?</strong></p>
<p>A- I manage a design team working on custom circuits for memory I/O.  My team is responsible for the transistor-level design of the circuits discussed in the paper: drivers, receivers, amplifiers, comparators, biasing, clocking, etc.  Most of our work involves creating and tuning the transistor-level design through HSPICE.  For the Verilog-AMS modeling, we run VCS+CustomSim/XA.</p>
<p><strong>Q- Can you give us some background on this paper and using Verilog-AMS in conjunction with UVM? What were you trying to achieve?</strong></p>
<p>A- High-speed I/O designs use a large amount of digital logic to control analog circuits.  The increasing mixed-signal nature means more digital-analog interactions, where sequences have to be performed in the right order, control bits need to be set properly, and missing a flop on an analog control wire could completely break the design.  In fact, in our prior project, we had a couple of near misses where we caught a few such bugs late in the project by manual inspection or transistor-level co-simulation with XA.  I didn’t want to repeat that scenario.</p>
<p>Verilog-AMS models run faster and follow a top-down design approach, enabling earlier verification of the mixed-signal interactions.  UVM increases our coverage of mixed-signal interactions by allowing us to randomize variables, such as offsets, device-related variations, and delays, in the Verilog-AMS models.</p>
<p><strong>Q-   What are the main advantages (besides performance) in using this flow? Which challenges did you encounter during implementation?</strong></p>
<p>A- As I mentioned, transistor-level co-simulation with VCS+XA has to wait for the transistor design to complete before it can be run.  Verilog-AMS models enable mixed-signal verification earlier in the design process, before the transistor-level design is finished or sometimes before it even starts, catching bugs earlier when they are easier to fix.  I think of it as RTL for analog designs.</p>
<p>In our implementation, automatic converter insertion caused some challenges.  It took a bit for us to become educated on the converter insertion algorithm, but it made sense in the end.  In order to configure the simulation to propagate analog signals through the top-level I/O block the way we wanted, we had to edit a few models once we saw where the converters were placed.  We did find a few bugs in the simulator, but those have been fixed.  Synopsys was responsive and committed to help us meet our design completion targets.</p>
<p><strong>Q- What do you see moving forward in advanced Mixed-Signal/SoC verification?</strong></p>
<p>A- We want to unleash more of the power behind the mixed-signal verification models and tools.  We will add more variables to our Verilog-AMS models and tie these into UVM constraints and randomization so deeper aspects of mixed-signal interaction can be covered.  In addition, I expect to propagate the AMS methodology to other I/O interfaces within AMD.</p>
<p><strong>Q- Vijay, from a Synopsys point of view, we have a very robust and highly competitive mixed –signal solution using our leading edge fast-spice solver CustomSim in conjunction with VCS. Which design/customers would benefit the most from using this flow?</strong></p>
<div id="attachment_399" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 83px"><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/04/vijay_photo.jpg" rel="lightbox[395]"><img class="size-full wp-image-399" src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/04/vijay_photo.jpg" alt="" width="73" height="102" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Vijay Akkaraju</p></div>
<p>A- I feel most AMS designs where Mixed-signal simulations are more than just “sign-off” can benefit from this methodology. The environments  likely to get the most are the ones with a mature UVM flow with large number of constrained random testcases. Also, designs where some rtl (digital) code can only be reached in a mixed-signal context for purposes of coverage (both functional and code) can immensely benefit from adapting this. I say that since for them, waiting for availability of a finished spice netlist comes in the way of speedy coverage closure. Also, designs with a complex Analog-Digital interface where constraint randomization of stimulus can expose bugs not likely to be exposed using directed testcases only.</p>
<p>You can find the presentation and paper clicking on the link below. Enjoy and see you soon!</p>
<p>SNUG presentation:</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/04/SNUG_AMS_v6_final_presentation.pdf">SNUG_AMS_v6_final_presentation</a></p>
<p>SNUG Paper:</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/04/SNUG_2012_AMS13.pdf">SNUG_2012_AMS13</a></p>
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		<title>Back from SNUG 2012 !</title>
		<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/04/06/back-from-snug-2012/</link>
		<comments>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/04/06/back-from-snug-2012/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:00:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hélène Thibiéroz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/?p=389</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Just a small post as we all are back to our daily job duties and in catch-up mode I attended SNUG Monday AMS technical sessions as well as our technology keynote on Finfet technology by Professor Chenming Hu. I also got the chance to meet a lot of our customers at our DVE event and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Just a small post as we all are back to our daily job duties and in catch-up mode <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/04/snug.jpg" rel="lightbox[389]"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-390" src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/04/snug-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>I attended SNUG Monday AMS technical sessions as well as our technology keynote on Finfet technology by Professor Chenming Hu. I also got the chance to meet a lot of our customers at our DVE event and discuss emerging trends and simulation needs for Analog and Mixed-Signal designs.</p>
<p>I am therefore currently working on several posts that I will be releasing in the incoming weeks:</p>
<p>- I attended a very interesting talk by AMD on AMS verification using UVM : “Universal Verification Methodology (UVM)-based Random Verification through VCS and CustomSim in Analog Mixed-signal Designs for Faster Coverage Closure”, by Warren Anderson, Ravi Ram (AMD), and Vijay Akkaraju (Synopsys). This paper presented our UVM methodology using Synopsys CustomSim-VCS solution and VerilogAMS. I will have a follow up interview with AMD on this topic as performance and innovation shown by this Synopsys flow are worth a specific post.</p>
<p>- The Wednesday technology keynote “3D FinFET &#8211; New Structure Extends the Life of the Transistor!” presented by Professor Chenming Lu was extremely interesting and received the highest ranking of all previous SNUG keynotes.  Professor Hu provided insight into the driving factors behind these new transistors and how these transistors will enable the continued use of existing infrastructures of circuit and system designs, as well as device fabrication, for decades to come. Because Synopsys is the EDA leader on FinFet technology, I will have in a near future an interview with Professor Lu and our R&amp;D experts to further expand on this technology and Synopsys initiative.</p>
<p>That’s it for now. ..HAPPY EASTER! Joyeuses Paques !</p>
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		<title>UCSC Synopsys AMS Mixed-Signal verification class coming your way this summer !</title>
		<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/03/22/the-class-on-ams-verification-you-all-have-been-waiting-for-is-coming-this-summer/</link>
		<comments>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/03/22/the-class-on-ams-verification-you-all-have-been-waiting-for-is-coming-this-summer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:23:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hélène Thibiéroz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[AMS EDA tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fast-SPICE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mixed Signal/Cosimulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SPICE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[behavioral modeling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CustomSim-VCS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mixed-signal verification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real number modeling]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/?p=345</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you need a very thorough refresh and/or advanced class on Analog Mixed Signal simulation, I have some good news for you ! I have been working with a team of experts to create a class on AMS verification for UCSC. I will be teaching this class this summer every Tuesday night from June 19th [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you need a very thorough refresh and/or advanced class on Analog Mixed Signal simulation, I have some good news for you <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  ! I have been working with a team of experts to create a class on AMS verification for UCSC. I will be teaching this class this summer every Tuesday night from June 19<sup>th</sup> to July 27<sup>th</sup>, as part of UCSC evening classes offering. So in addition to enjoy my remarkable teaching skills <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> , you will hear the latest on Analog Mixed signal verification, from basic simulation topics (design types, analog and digital solvers, communication interface) to more advanced features (Behavioral modeling, real number modeling, AMS verification flow). We designed this class to present some basic concepts first, and to naturally evolve to more complex elements necessary for today AMS and SOC designs. We will be using Synopsys CustomSim-VCS, Custom Designer and CustomExplorer Ultra tools to showcase Synopsys advanced mixed signal solution. Synopsys CustomSim-VCS mixed signal flow has been used successfully by many large corporations and has been chosen for performance, robustness and ease of use.</p>
<p>You can get more information and register using the link below:</p>
<p><a title="UCSC Synopsys AMS verification class" href="http://course.ucsc-extension.edu/modules/shop/index.html?action=section&amp;OfferingID=5270152&amp;SectionID=5271225">http://course.ucsc-extension.edu/modules/shop/index.html?action=section&amp;OfferingID=5270152&amp;SectionID=5271225</a></p>
<p>Our development team includes experts in both Analog, Mixed Signal and Digital domains: Dave Cronauer, Farzin Rasteh, Fabian Delguste, Aravinda Pondury and Shankar Hemmady worked closely with me to provide an extensive description of Synopsys advanced mixed signal verification flow.</p>
<p>Hope to see you this summer</p>
<div id="attachment_346" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/03/shankar.jpg" rel="lightbox[345]"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-346" src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/03/shankar-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Shankar Hemmady</p></div>
<p>Shankar Hemmady is responsible for knowledge sharing and methodology in the Verification Group at Synopsys.  Over the past four years, Shankar took a lead in power-aware verification, and verification planning and management solutions.</p>
<div id="attachment_347" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/03/DaveCronauer.jpg" rel="lightbox[345]"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-347" src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/03/DaveCronauer-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Dave Cronauer</p></div>
<p>Dave worked at Boeing Aerospace creating Spice and MAST models.  He joined Analogy in 1990 doing training, support, and technical marketing for Saber. He is now working on Mixed-Signal Verification tools including CustomSim-VCS, concentrating on Verilog-AMS modeling and support.</p>
<div id="attachment_348" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/03/Fabian-Naxos.jpg" rel="lightbox[345]"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-348" src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/03/Fabian-Naxos-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Fabian Delguste</p></div>
<p>Fabian is a Principal CAE at Synopsys / Verification Group. He’s in charge of supporting key accounts in Europe, working on Next Generation VIPs, verification methodologies and has been involved with setting up new methodologies for mixed-AMS verification</p>
<div id="attachment_349" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/03/aravinda.jpg" rel="lightbox[345]"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-349" src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/03/aravinda-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Aravinda Ponduri</p></div>
<p>Aravinda is a Staff CAE at Synopsys, Verification Group. He has been providing the technical support to some of the key customers in North America, and working on the new methodologies for both Digital and mixed-signal verification.</p>
<p>Farzin Rasteh is a Staff CAE at Synopsys, in the Analog Mixed Signal Group. He has been providing  technical support to some of the key customers in North America, and working on the new methodologies for Synopsys mixed-signal verification flow.</p>
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		<title>HSPICE SIG event summary – Interview with our speakers – Overall impression and HSPICE latest features</title>
		<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/28/hspice-sig-event-summary-interview-with-our-speakers-on-overall-impression-and-hspice-latest-features/</link>
		<comments>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/28/hspice-sig-event-summary-interview-with-our-speakers-on-overall-impression-and-hspice-latest-features/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:43:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hélène Thibiéroz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[AMS EDA tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[analog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EDA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SPICE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HSPICE SIG DESIGNCON RELIABILITY]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/?p=327</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[yes, an other field trip report   You may remember we held our HSPICE Special Interest Group event during DesignCon week. This event gives you an opportunity to talk with Synopsys HSPICE R&#38;D personnel and hear what our customers have to say about using HSPICE in today&#8217;s most challenging designs. The agenda was: Altera: “28nm [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>yes, an other field trip report <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />   You may remember we held our HSPICE Special Interest Group event during DesignCon week. This event gives you an opportunity to talk with Synopsys HSPICE R&amp;D personnel and hear what our customers have to say about using HSPICE in today&#8217;s most challenging designs.</p>
<p>The agenda was:</p>
<address>Altera: “28nm MOSFET Aging Modeling and Simulation Using HSPICE MOSRA”</address>
<address>Cavium: “HSPICE Signal Integrity Portfolio for High-Speed SERDES Channel Design”</address>
<address>Micron:”Simulating IBIS 5.0 Power-aware Models using HSPICE</address>
<address>Synopsys: “HSPICE for Signal Integrity: a Peek under the Hood” </address>
<p>It was a great success:  we had a <strong>27% increase in customer attendance</strong> vs. 2011 as well as <strong>11 HIP partners exhibiting</strong>. Because I received extremely positive feedback from our audience on the format of this event and the topics we discussed, I wanted to give you more insights from an attendee/speaker angle. I therefore asked our Synopsoid Scott Wedge to share his experience as a speaker.</p>
<p>A little more about Scott.. He spent ten years as an analog/RF/AMS design engineer with Hughes Aircraft Company working on a variety of military and satellite communications systems. After receiving his Ph.D. from Caltech, he joined the Touchstone R&amp;D team at EEsof (now Agilent-EEsof), where he helped pioneer many new high-frequency circuit simulation and analysis capabilities.  Scott was director of IC design tool research at Tanner EDA before joining the HSPICE R&amp;D team at Synopsys where he has worked for the past 10 years developing new simulation approaches for noise, jitter, and signal integrity.</p>
<p><strong>Q- Scott, you presented HSPICE/HPP latest features. Based on our post-mortem analysis and my discussions with multiple customers, your presentation was really well received by the audience. Could you please tell us more about the content? Which features do you consider being a differentiator for HSPICE/HPP?</strong></p>
<p>A-     Thanks, Helene! Since the HSPICE SIG event coincided with DesignCon, we took the opportunity to emphasize the many capabilities in HSPICE for handling critical aspects of signal integrity analysis. There are some other good tools out there for SI, especially for linear link modeling, but HSPICE has the advantage of being the only SI simulator that is also the gold standard for chip simulation. The strengths we have for nonlinear simulation, including our multi-core HPP engine, combined with high-performance modeling for link components, set us apart. In my content I showed how we are combining these strengths to deliver our multi-edge StatEye analysis; an approach that uses the speed of statistical eye diagram methods, yet captures critical nonlinear effects, for an outstanding combination of speed and accuracy.</p>
<p><strong>Q- What were the highlights of this year’s event? As an HSPICE R&amp;D member and as an attendee, did you benefit from this event? What was your major take-away (besides having a three-course meal <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  )?</strong></p>
<div id="attachment_329" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/Scott_wedge1.jpg" rel="lightbox[327]"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-329  " style="margin: 2px 5px;border: 0pt none" src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/Scott_wedge1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Scott Wedge</p></div>
<p>A- What is always a highlight for me at the HSPICE SIG events is seeing and talking with all the HIP partners – the HSPICE Integrator Program members.  I get a big kick out of seeing all the ways HSPICE is combined with other excellent tools to solve a variety of problems. The science buff in me loves seeing the latest electromagnetic analysis tools, and how they are getting faster and more accurate for solving a variety of geometries – and extracting models – that are very important for circuit and system design. The EE in me loves seeing the Design Environment tools – those that run HSPICE under the hood – how they make the designer more productive, and how they handle all the data and test benches that are crucial in modern design. The mathematician and computer buff in me loves seeing the behavioral modeling solutions used with HSPICE, such as IBIS and IBIS-AMI, and how they streamline the design and verification flows. The highlight was talking with customers that use HSPICE with the HIP tools, and all the amazing engineering solutions they are coming up with.</p>
<p><strong>Q- How do you think this event could be improved?</strong></p>
<p>A- I had such a good time, and the event was so well put together, with such excellent food and drink, it would be hard to improve upon. One thing: it was impossible to talk with all the people I had hoped to, and it was difficult connecting with them again at DesignCon with everyone’s busy schedules. In hindsight it would have been nice to have also had a Synopsys HSPICE exhibit at DesignCon, where HSPICE users and developers could connect and share additional information informally without the time constraints necessary for the SIG event.</p>
<p><strong>Q- Based on the audience, which hot topics would you select for our next event?</strong></p>
<p>A- Based on questions I had afterwards, there was a lot of interest in our new transient noise analysis solutions, and how they apply to challenges in both analog design and signal integrity. With ever higher speeds, and smaller geometry technology trends, design engineers must continually contend with shrinking signal-to-noise ratios. Transient noise simulations allow them to realistically predict signal and noise combinations and interactions. This is definitely a hot topic of interest for the future!</p>
<p>Input well taken, I have just signed Scott for an other post on HPP transient noise&#8230;..</p>
<p>That&#8217;s it for this post. If you want more information (and more visual content <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> ) , you can use the following link to our 2012 HSPICE SIG Videolog page :</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hspice-sig.com/">www.hspice-sig.com</a></p>
<p>A bientot !</p>
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		<title>Q&amp;A: Post-DesignCon Insights from our AMS tutorial speakers</title>
		<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/24/qa-post-designcon-insights-from-our-ams-tutorial-speakers/</link>
		<comments>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/24/qa-post-designcon-insights-from-our-ams-tutorial-speakers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:48:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hélène Thibiéroz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[AMS Circuits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMS EDA tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[analog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Signal Integrity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SPICE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[S-parameters signal Integrity HSPICE DESIGNCON]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/?p=269</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Happy Friday, &#8220;Chose promise, chose due&#8221; &#8211; In other words, I owed you a full report on our S-parameters tutorial As mentioned in one of my previous posts, we received a lot of interest for the AMS tutorial we created for DesignCon 2012. We managed to hold 120 persons in average for three hours talking [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Happy Friday,</p>
<p>&#8220;Chose promise, chose due&#8221; &#8211; In other words, I owed you a full report on our S-parameters tutorial <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>As mentioned in one of my previous posts, we received a lot of interest for the AMS tutorial we created for DesignCon 2012. We managed to hold 120 persons in average for three hours talking about S-parameter modeling for SI without even locking doors <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  . Our three Speakers (Brad Brim, Sigrity; Amir H. Motamedi, Aruba Networks; Donald Telian, SiGuys) explored this topic from an intermediate to a more advanced level. Because each speaker is an expert in a different area, we were able to cover this topic from different angles and with a lot of depth. In this interview, Amir, Brad and Donald talk about their presentations and share their overall impressions (I have also listed each presentation below). We will further explore and refine this topic at next year  tutorial so you&#8217;d better be there  !</p>
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<p><strong>Q&gt;  I will be including each of your presentations at the end of this post. Would each of you give a few lines summary of your presentation?</strong></p>
<div id="attachment_305" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/BradBrim_21.jpg" rel="lightbox[269]"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-305" src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/BradBrim_21-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Brad Brim</p></div>
<p>[Brad]  My presentation can be described as: An introduction to S-parameters with a focus on issues relevant to designers of chips/packages/boards and systems with high-speed signals. A few basic definitions are covered with the major focus being on practical issues SI engineers tend to learn and re-learn all too often.</p>
<p>[Amir] My presentation is titled “SPICE Simulation with Frequency Domain Models” and covers the following topics: What to learn about the channel just by observing its S-parameter and impulse response and group delay;  Correlation/Calibration the models with measurements to increase accuracy; S-parameter data interpolation/extrapolation; What to do about missing DC data, how to “interpolate”, simulate or estimate it; Requirements for transient simulation; passivity, causality; Convolution and maximizing simulator performance; Best practices at getting good S-parameters from EM solvers; Efficient EM solver data formats for SPICE simulation; Handling reference planes for S-parameter Ports; Defining high-speed link simulations in SPICE; Special cases: Power delivery systems and needed modifications to S-parameters; Nonlinear I/O modeling with IBIS and encrypted HSPICE buffers; and Adding DJ and RJ effects with SPICE Thermal noise.</p>
<p>[Donald] My presentation explains how to combine S-Parameters with active models to simulate high-speed serial links and assess performance using eye diagrams.  Now that S-Parameter and AMI models are flowing more freely throughout the industry it has become possible to examine and validate link behavior, pre-hardware.  I offer a full-day Seminar on this topic that shows how to use these techniques to validate a design and its compliance with the major serial standards, even though the standards still have a post-hardware bias.  There’s huge value in figuring out how to do this before you fabricate or assemble anything.</p>
<p><strong>Q&gt; It appears that this topic was really well received among DesignCon community. Which feedback did you receive from the attendees?</strong></p>
<div id="attachment_303" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/Amir_Juniper.jpg" rel="lightbox[269]"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-303   " style="margin: 5px 2px;border: 0pt none" src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/Amir_Juniper-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Amir Motamedi</p></div>
<p>[Brad]  I received positive feedback from attendees concerning the breadth of what was covered. Not from a technical or theoretical perspective but from basic concepts to detailed application for high-speed serial link systems. My choice not to focus on regurgitating basic concepts and definitions that may be found elsewhere on the web, in college texts or in commercially available training classes seemed to resonate with attendees; especially the lessons I covered for which I work with EDA tool users on a daily basis to learn and re-learn. Amir’s intuitive description of the relevance of S-parameter behaviors was also noted as a big positive by attendees. They liked the practical knowledge Amir was able to share based on his experience applying S-parameters in his designs. Donald’s presentation addressed a hot topic for DesignCon for the past few years – high speed serial links. Since a large portion of the attendees are focused on board design, his system-centric focus of bits-to-bits serial link communications through each chip/package/board was highly relevant. For all three presentations I received feedback they were received well in the tutorial nature intended; not as too detailed or too factual, but rather fun and informative.</p>
<p>[Donald] One attendee claimed it was the most useful session he attended.  I think the combination of the talks – all the way from matrices to Bit Error Rates – scratched where people itched.</p>
<p><strong>Q&gt; I noticed DesignCon had an increasing content of AMS/RF related papers and subjects. Have you noticed a change in DesignCon traditional venue?</strong></p>
<p>[Brad]  I have observed the number of RF-related topics peak and valley over the years at DesignCon. Each year the TPC (technical program committee) does a good job of maintaining the traditional focus of DesignCon with its paper selections. In fact, notice the title of the RF-centric track is “<em>RF/Microwave Techniques for Signal Integrity</em>”. This is true also for the “<em>Test and Measurement Methodology</em>” track. Other conferences such as IEEE MTT Symposium are intended for more pure RF/microwave topics.  RF/microwave measurement conferences also exist; as I am suspect Analog IC conferences are plentiful. I believe the “mixed-signal” portion of AMS and analog-specific designs required to support high-speed signaling is very relevant to DesignCon attendees. As bandwidths increase for high-speed signals, we can expect to see a continued increase in the analog content present in topics of interest to DesignCon. For example, the coupling of analog to digital signal and power noise seems a relevant topic for DesignCon, though the design of a purely analog circuit not relevant to high speed signaling may not be.</p>
<p>[Donald] Higher frequencies have forced SI Engineers to increasingly borrow from RF tools and techniques.  In addition, the abundance of silicon gates has pushed things we used to solve on the PCB inside silicon causing convergence of SI, AMS, and DSP design techniques.  So yes, things are changing – they always do.</p>
<p><strong>Q&gt; which subjects would you add for our next year tutorial? Are there emerging trends/hot topics we should cover?</strong></p>
<div id="attachment_306" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 160px"><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/DonaldTelian3.jpg" rel="lightbox[269]"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-306" src="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/DonaldTelian3-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Donald Telian</p></div>
<p>[Brad]  We should ask ourselves what questions we ask ourselves or what questions our colleagues and customers ask us repeatedly. As authors or “faculty” as DesignCon called us this year, we sometimes forget the presentation is for the benefit of the attendee (not to hear ourselves talk). This is especially true for a tutorial forum. Even if we personally believe the issue to be trivial or covered well in other readily available media we should consider the frequency with which the issue comes up as an indicator of need for further discussion. A tutorial forum is ideal for this type of discussion, since the authors are likely accustomed to addressing the topic daily and have the skill and readily available materials to share with DesignCon attendees.<br />
I was surprised at the high percentage of package and board designers who attended this AMS-sponsored tutorial. Seems the topic was not as well understood even by these attendees, as I had suspected it would be unfamiliar for AMS IC-centric designers.</p>
<p>[Donald] Emerging equalization techniques and associated IC/PCB design capabilities are the next big thing that will push interfaces faster than 10 Gbps into the mainstream.  Engineers are calling for Tutorials that help them bring these things together at the system level.</p>
<p>**********************</p>
<p>Brad&#8217;s slides:</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/BradBrim_TutorialSlides_final1.pdf">BradBrim_TutorialSlides_final</a></p>
<p>Amir&#8217;s slides:</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/Amir_slides.pdf">Amir_slides</a></p>
<p>Donald&#8217;s slides:</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/files/2012/02/Donald_tutorial.pdf">Donald_tutorial</a></p>
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		<title>10 tips to improve performance using CustomSim</title>
		<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/16/10-tips-to-improve-performance-using-customsim/</link>
		<comments>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/16/10-tips-to-improve-performance-using-customsim/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:47:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hélène Thibiéroz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[AMS Circuits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMS EDA tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fast-SPICE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mixed Signal/Cosimulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fastspice CustomSim performance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[multi-rate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/?p=260</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Happy Thursday ! Since I had a post on how to improve performance using HSPICE, I am now due for a similar post for CustomSim. CustomSim being our fast spice simulator, different techniques and options can be invoked to speed up simulation and improve performance. With the collaboration of our famous corporate application engineer Tom [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Happy Thursday !</p>
<p>Since I had a post on how to improve performance using HSPICE, I am now due for a similar post for CustomSim. CustomSim being our fast spice simulator, different techniques and options can be invoked to speed up simulation and improve performance. With the collaboration of our famous corporate application engineer Tom Hsieh, we are releasing today our secrete recipes <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Tom has over 9 years of experience in FastSPICE simulation technologies and applications. He has spent the last 5 years working closely with R&amp;D, sales and marketing to mature and lead deployment of CustomSim. He is a respected expert on FastSPICE simulation of custom digital, analog and memory circuits. Tom holds Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Electronic Engineering from UCLA and Santa Clara University, respectively.</p>
<p>10 tips to improve performance using CustomSim :</p>
<p><strong>#1 – use ‘set_synchronization_level’ cmd for memory circuits:</strong></p>
<p>set_synchronization_level  1|2|3|4|5|6 | 7   (recommend to start with ‘3’)</p>
<p><strong>#2 – invoke multi-threading option</strong>: -mt &lt;number&gt; or with the following cmd:</p>
<p>set_multi_core -cpu Ncpu                                                        (With CustomSim 2012.06 release)</p>
<p><strong>#3 – use the new multi-rate engine</strong></p>
<p>set_multi_rate_option –mode 2                                         (With CustomSim 2012.06 release)</p>
<p><strong>#4 – for post-layout  netlists contained large number of coupling caps, use:</strong></p>
<p>set_ccap_option –ccap_to_scap 1 –ccap_to_gcap 1e-18</p>
<p><strong>#5-  re-define the usage of wildcard, especially on post-layout Netlist, use cmd</strong></p>
<p>set_wildcard_rule -match* one                                         (limit the hierarchies to match)</p>
<p><strong>#6- limit the output waveform file size with the following cmd:</strong></p>
<p>set_probe_window [ -window ] tstart [ tstop {tstart tstop} [tstart] ]</p>
<p><strong>#7- reduce simulation time by process only the measurement statement without generate the waveform file with the following cmd:</strong></p>
<p>set_probe_option -netlist_probe_control 2</p>
<p><strong>#8- reduce simulation time by skip simulating the instance that is completely inactive with the following cmd:</strong></p>
<p>skip_circuit_block [-inst inst_name {inst_name}] [-subckt subckt_name {subckt_name} ]</p>
<p><strong>#9- re-use simulation measurement data set directly and post-process data without re-running the same netlist by using the cmd :</strong></p>
<p>xa &lt;Netlist.sp&gt; -c <strong>cmd</strong> –o output_file</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">include the following cmd</span></p>
<p>meas_post –waveform waveform_file</p>
<p><strong>#10- reduce simulation time by stopping your simulation as soon as the last measurement is completed by specifying the following option:</strong></p>
<p>.option autostop</p>
<p>Enjoy ! <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
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		<title>10 tips to improve performance using HSPICE</title>
		<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/09/10-tips-to-improve-convergence-using-hspice/</link>
		<comments>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/09/10-tips-to-improve-convergence-using-hspice/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:56:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hélène Thibiéroz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[analog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[analog design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SPICE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HSPICE convergence tips HPP]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/?p=253</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Good morning ! well, since this is a technical blog, I thought I owed you some tools-related posts I am compiling below 10 tips to make your HSPICE simulation even more efficient If you want to look into those options in more details, we conducted a webinar a few weeks ago hosted by Szekit Chan, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Good morning ! well, since this is a technical blog, I thought I owed you some tools-related posts <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  I am compiling below 10 tips to make your HSPICE simulation even more efficient <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>If you want to look into those options in more details, we conducted a webinar a few weeks ago hosted by Szekit Chan, that discussed those topics in more details. I have listed the link at the end of this post.</p>
<p>And as usual, feedback/comments are more than welcome !</p>
<p><strong>#1 – use HSPICE runlvl</strong> to replace old options convergence parameters:</p>
<p>.option runlvl=1|2|3|4|5|6</p>
<p><strong>#2 – invoke multi-threading option with HPP</strong>: -mt &lt;number&gt; -hpp</p>
<p><strong>#3 – use distributed processing</strong>: -dp &lt;number&gt;</p>
<p><strong>#4 – for post-layout  netlists, use RC reductions techniques:</strong> .option sim_la</p>
<p><strong>#5-  avoid the usage of wildcard within your .probe statement, especially on post-layout netlist</strong></p>
<p>Instead of .probe tran v(*) I(*) use .probe tran v(xi.*) i(xi.r*)</p>
<p><strong>#6- declare port current directly </strong></p>
<p>Instead of .probe tran isub(*) use .probe tran isub(xinv.vdd) isub(xinv.v*)</p>
<p><strong>#7- if using .ALTER statement, reduce netlist processing and checking time with the following options: </strong>.option altcc altchk</p>
<p><strong>#8- reduce simulation time by bypassing element checking and suppressing topology checking with the following options:</strong></p>
<p>.option notop noelchk</p>
<p><strong>#9- re-use simulation measurement data set directly and post-process data without re-running the same netlist by using the command line option:</strong></p>
<p>&gt;&gt; hspice –i ***.tro –meas &lt;meas_file&gt;</p>
<p><strong>#10- reduce simulation time by stopping your simulation as soon as the last measurement is completed by specifying the following option:</strong></p>
<p>.option autostop</p>
<p>The link to the webinar is:</p>
<p>https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/prereg/register.jsp?eventid=381394&#038;sessionid=1&#038;key=E48E59582DA6321FCDE78BBF5BEFD169&#038;cmp=WEBR-circ100094-HPW</p>
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		<title>Valentine’s day cards for geeks</title>
		<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/08/valentines-day-cards-for-geeks/</link>
		<comments>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/08/valentines-day-cards-for-geeks/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:26:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hélène Thibiéroz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/?p=249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Happy wednesday.. Just in case you have no idea for Valentine&#8217;s day http://mashable.com/2012/02/08/valentines-day-cards-geek/#449557-Youre-More-Awesome-Than-Inbox-Zero]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Happy wednesday.. Just in case you have no idea for Valentine&#8217;s day <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>http://mashable.com/2012/02/08/valentines-day-cards-geek/#449557-Youre-More-Awesome-Than-Inbox-Zero</p>
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		<title>Back from DesignCon !</title>
		<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/07/back-from-designcon/</link>
		<comments>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/02/07/back-from-designcon/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:58:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hélène Thibiéroz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[AMS Circuits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[analog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[analog design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Behavioral Modeling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EDA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fast-SPICE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mixed Signal/Cosimulation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Signal Integrity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SPICE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DesignCon AMS S-parameter]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/?p=242</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Well, I have to say DesignCon 2012 was a complete success. Attendance was high and many industry topics were covered. The tutorial we created for DesignCon AMS track was very well received, we had an average of 120 people over 3 hours. I will have a following post where I discussed the content and format [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Well, I have to say DesignCon 2012 was a complete success. Attendance was high and many industry topics were covered.</p>
<p>The tutorial we created for DesignCon AMS track was very well received, we had an average of 120 people over 3 hours. I will have a following post where I discussed the content and format with the three speakers and post their presentations, as multiple attendees asked for it. I received really positive feedback from the audience, as it bridged Signal Integrity with Spice simulators. The tutorial also provided various aspects of S-parameter modeling for Signal Integrity. We will probably extend more on this theme next year, with an increased focus on addressing passivity or causality problems while dealing with S-parameters.</p>
<p>As a chairman of the AMS track, it is actually interesting to notice that AMS is on the raise. In addition to an extremely well attended tutorial, we received more papers this year and even had a specific panel on Analog. Focus for the AMS papers were mostly on PLLs, I am hoping to expand it next year to mixed-signal design and simulation challenges as well as behavioral modeling. So if you have any ideas, feel free to send it my way.</p>
<p>The panel “Is Analog making a comeback?” moderated by Brain Bailey included experts in different areas (and yes, we did have our famous Synopsoid Navraj Nandra in the panel). Personally, I don’t think Analog ever left <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  (which is good, it means job security for me). There was in this regard not a really definitive answer to this question, as the complexity and challenges of new mixed-signal designs and advanced process nodes makes it hard to measure. However, an emerging trend, confirmed by both SYNOPSYS and CYPRESS, seems to be that Analog is now finding its way into digital periphery products and other generic digital processing ICs.</p>
<p>SYNOPSYS also had its HSPICE SIG event during that week…Great event, DesignCon committee should definitively use the same catering services for next year <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> . We had more than 120 customers and packed HIP exhibit hall.  I will also talk about this event in more details in a following post, as we had a good crowd and really good technical content from our four speakers.</p>
<p>That’s it for now. ..Until my next post !  A bientot</p>
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		<title>Almost time for Signal Integrity social hour !</title>
		<link>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/01/26/almost-time-for-signal-integrity-social-hour/</link>
		<comments>http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/2012/01/26/almost-time-for-signal-integrity-social-hour/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:35:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Hélène Thibiéroz</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[AMS Circuits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AMS EDA tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Device Modeling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Signal Integrity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SPICE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HSPICE Signal Integrity]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/?p=236</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Happy Thursday ! I would like to inform you of our Synopsys HSPICE Special Interest Group event. In addition to having a culinary experience and meeting great people , you will be able to network with peers and hear what industry leaders have to say about using HSPICE in some of today&#8217;s most challenging designs. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Happy Thursday !</p>
<p>I would like to inform you of our Synopsys HSPICE Special Interest Group event. In addition to having a culinary experience and meeting great people <img src='http://blogs.synopsys.com/analoginsights/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> , you will be able to network with peers and hear what industry leaders have to say about using HSPICE in some of today&#8217;s most challenging designs. The 2012 event is being held on January 31 at the Marriott Hotel in Santa Clara and will focus on Signal and Power Integrity.</p>
<p>The event format is the following:<br />
DATE:    January 31, 2012<br />
TIME:    6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.<br />
LOCATION:        Santa Clara Marriott Hotel<br />
2700 Mission College Blvd.<br />
Santa Clara, CA 95054<br />
map &amp; info.</p>
<p>HSPICE SIG EVENT AGENDA<br />
6:00 &#8211; 7:00 p.m.                Registration and Cocktail Hour<br />
7:15 &#8211; 8:15 p.m.                Dinner and Technical Presentations:<br />
Altera: &#8220;28nm MOSFET Aging Modeling and Simulation Using HSPICE MOSRA&#8221;<br />
Cavium: &#8220;HSPICE Signal Integrity Portfolio for High-Speed SERDES Channel Design&#8221;<br />
Micron:&#8221;Simulating IBIS 5.0 Power-aware Models using HSPICE&#8221;<br />
8:15 &#8211; 8:30 p.m.                Q&amp;A and Prize Draw</p>
<p>This event is a great opportunity for users to exchange challenges, solutions and best practices as well as to network with peers.<br />
If you are interested, I have included our registration page below:</p>
<p>http://app.connect.synopsys.com/e/es.aspx?s=700&#038;e=29779&#038;elq=2e0672756e024505b1dfd4f2122c3374</p>
<p>I will post next an interview I conducted with Amir Motamedi, one of our speakers for last year event, where he shares his insights about  HSPICE SIG event and Signal Integrity.</p>
<p>Hope to see you there !</p>
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