EDN — 07.04.96 Electronic Design Automation

Electronic Design Automation: July 4, 1996

Windows-based design tools fit Philips' CPLDs.

A version of the Synario design system is configured for Philips Semiconductors' complex PLDs (CPLDs). The integrated suite of Windows-based EDA tools includes the Synario Project Navigator, schematic capture, ABEL-HDL, VHDL entry, Verilog and VHDL simulation, and Philips' place-and-route tools. Prices start at $1900. Synario Design Automation, Redmond, WA. (206) 881-6444.

Timing-analysis tool wields hierarchical capabilities.

Motive V5.0 reads and preserves hierarchical netlist information to give you a flexible and powerful timing-analysis environment. The tool lets you reread netlists for any level of the hierarchy, interactively evaluate design implementations, and dynamically change timing-analysis parameters and assumptions. Motive 5.0 provides timing-model generation that is as much as 20× faster than previous versions. Network prices start at $36,000. Quad Design, Camarillo, CA. (805) 988-8250.

Thermal-analysis program runs under Windows NT.

With capabilities exceeding its DOS, Unix, and Windows 3.1 predecessors, the Windows NT version of Betasoft-Board-NT performs thermal analysis on boards with >2000 components on each side and provides an unlimited library size. The software provides information on board temperatures and gradients to identify where cracking or warping may occur. Betasoft-Board-NT, which is offered with a choice of ECAD interfaces, costs $7000. Dynamic Soft Analysis Inc, Pittsburgh, PA. (412) 683-0161.

Power estimator analyzes cell-based blocks.

Handling cells from one gate to entire register-transfer-level blocks, the Poet power-analysis tool accurately evaluates dynamic, short-circuit, and leakage power. The software considers edge-rate and state-dependent power consumption and accepts dynamic information from logic simulators. Poet works with the vendor's Motive timing-analysis software. Together, they identify timing-critical paths and hot spots. Prices start at $65,000. Quad Design, Camarillo, CA. (805) 988-8250.

CD-ROM demonstrates Windows-based EDA program.

A free CD-ROM presents the OrCAD Design Desktop for Windows, an integrated 32-bit EDA program for schematic, PLD, and pc-board design. The demo disc supplies multimedia presentations, on-line tutorials, and no-save versions of the latest OrCAD software. You can obtain the CD through OrCAD Direct at (800) 671-9505 or through OrCAD's Web site at http:www.orcad.com. OrCAD, Beaverton, OR. (503) 671-9500.