Electronic Design Automation: July 18, 1996

Tools ease hardware/software integration.

The Eaglei tool set for high-speed, virtual-system integration comes in a Windows NT version as well as in Sun and Hewlett-Packard platforms. The software consists of two components: the Virtual Product Console (VPC) and the Virtual Software Processor (VSP). VSPs are models of standard microprocessors for use with the VPC, which links these descriptions with application-software code. Eaglei works with such simulators as the Cadence Verilog XL, the Chronologic VCS, the Model Technologies V-System/VHDL, the Vantage Optium, and the Viewlogic Viewsim/SHDL. The Windows-based Eaglei tool set costs $40,000. Eagle Design Automation Inc, Beaverton, OR. (503) 520-2300.

FPGA-design software improves productivity.

DesignBook/Actel, a set of FPGA-design capture-and-management tools, initiates and manages third-party synthesis, simulation, and FPGA-layout tools within one environment. The front-end software comes with design scripts that shorten the hardware-description-language learning curve by as much as 50%. DesignBook/Actel generates a design, including functionally correct VHDL or Verilog HDL descriptions, simulation-test vectors, implementation of constraint files, and synthesis scripts. The software costs $9995. Actel Corp, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 739-1010.

Tool extracts deep-submicron RC values.

OptEM Inspector is an interconnect- and device-extraction tool for deep-submicron digital, analog, and mixed-IC designs. Using 2- and 3-D EM-field analysis, the batch-mode tool screens the physical-IC layout, extracting the resistance and capacitance of the interconnects and devices. The software also reports any potential cross-talk and time-delay violations. You can re-extract nets that the reports identify and generate a Spice circuit model for detailed simulation. OptEM Inspector runs on Hewlett-Packard and Sun SPARC platforms and costs approximately $75,000. OptEM Engineering Inc, Santa Clara, CA. (408) 248-9165.

Program analyzes EMC on multiple pc boards.

Version 3.0 of the EMC-Workbench, a suite of electromagnetic-capability (EMC) simulation and analysis tools, works with data from multiple pc boards to provide system-level analysis. You can extract connectivity data from boards designed on different systems and analyze the data for signal integrity as a single system. Version 3.0 handles board-to-board, board-to-cable, and cable-to-cable connections, accommodating both backplane- and cable-connected systems. The multiboard extension to EMC-Workbench costs $5000; system prices start at $17,000. Incases North America, Dallas, TX. (214) 373-7344.

Tool set generates HDL testbenches.

In addition to simplifying the design process of reactive and passive testbenches, the BestBench tool set verifies that the testbench behaves as expected. The tool set also analyzes the structure of the testbench independent of the circuit to be simulated. BestBench supports an unlimited number of parallel-transaction sequences, as well as advanced HDL constructs, such as conditional branches, unpredictable waits, multiprocess synchronization, and loops. BestBench costs from $9000 on Windows-32 and from $15,000 on Unix platforms. Diagonal Systems Inc, Mountain View, CA. (415) 930-2255.

Simulation tool adds DSP real-time support.

Hypersignal for Windows Block Diagram simulation software offers enhancements that allow you to run and test DSP algorithms designed with Block Diagram in real time on DSP boards. You can easily modify algorithms by graphically changing the block diagram or modifying block parameters. Block Diagram uses a real-time driver to communicate with the DSP board, transferring data asynchronously to and from the host PC. Drivers are available for several industry-standard DSP boards. Bundled software prices range from $1495 to $7995. Hyperception, Dallas, TX. (214) 343-8525.

Revised Windows system simulator handles 32 bits.

A 32-bit version of the SystemView dynamic system simulator for communications, signal processing, and control systems takes advantage of the memory-management and processing capabilities of Windows 95, Windows NT, and the latest generation of Pentium processors. SystemView32 also incorporates a tool for real-time dynamic signal analysis, which speeds simulation and waveform display 2 to 10× over the 16-bit version. The SystemView 32 executable file and all dynamic-link libraries are written in fully optimized 32-bit code. SystemView 32 costs $2950. Elanix Inc, Westlake Village, CA. (818) 597-1414.

Layout tools gain shape-based auto-router.

Updated releases of Or-CAD Layout, Layout Plus, and Layout Ltd for Windows include a gridless, shape-based autorouter; computer-aided manufacturing capabilities; a library of >3000 documented pc-board footprints; and interactive polar placement of circular boards. The auto-router provides high completion rates and route quality. Layout's integrated CAM tool comes with a Gerber editor that reads and writes all standard Gerber formats and IPC-350. Respective prices for Version 7.0 of Layout, Layout Plus, and Layout Ltd are $5995, $10,995, and $1995. OrCAD, Beaverton, OR. (503) 671-9500.

Verilog code checker catches more errors.

The updated version of Verilint, a semantics, synthesis, and code-style checker for designs written in Verilog HDL, adds checks for clocking and reset-scheme consistency. Verilint 4.0 also provides code-checking reports and summaries for each design module, plus more than 560 design-rule checks, including variable naming conventions. The software runs under Windows and Unix. Prices range from $1500 for PC versions to $25,000 for an interactive Unix Turbo license. InterHDL Inc, Los Altos, CA. (415) 428-4200.

FPGA/PLD design tools run under Windows NT.

The vendor is now supplying MINC's PLD-design tools as part of its synthesis package to create a combined FPGA/PLD design solution for Windows NT. Under the terms of an OEM agreement, the vendor will offer MINC's automatic device-partitioning technology, which automatically fits a design into multiple heterogeneous devices. The schematic-based VeriBest PLD on Windows NT costs $8000. Support for Verilog and VHDL synthesis will be available as a $2000 option in September, 1996. VeriBest Inc, Boulder, CO. (303) 581-2419.

Low-cost CAD programs run under Windows.

You can now purchase WinDraft schematic-design software and WinBoard pc-board layout software from IVEX Design International through the vendor. Both of the CAD programs run under Windows 95, NT, 3.1, and 3.11 and require at least a 486/DX PC, 8 Mbytes of RAM, 10 Mbytes of hard-disk space, and an SVGA display. Each program costs $29.95 with a maximum of 200 component pins on the board; versions for unlimited pin counts cost $495. NTE Electronics Inc, Bloomfield, NJ. (201) 748-5089.

Modeling software adds extraction modules.

Version 4.5 of the HP Integrated Circuit Characterization and Analysis Program (IC-CAP) comes with extraction modules for two key MOSFET models: Philips' MOS Model 9 and an updated extraction module for the University of California—Berkeley's Short-Channel Insulated Gate FET Model. Both modules automate measurements of MOSFETs and extract model parameters that you can use in circuit simulation. IC-CAP V4.5 costs $33,500; the Philips Model 9 and BSIM3 cost $9730 each. Hewlett-Packard Co, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 452-4844, ext 1652.

Software evaluates electronic packaging options.

MCM/SMT Assistant software gives you initial estimates of electronic packaging parameters early in the design stage. With it, you can estimate such parameters as size, weight, critical net delay, thermal capability, number of signal layers, packaging efficiency, and cost. You can also evaluate the economical viability of rework based on component yields and rework costs. MCM/SMT Assistant runs under Windows NT, 95, 3.1, and Workgroups. Single copies cost $4450. Relative Metrics Inc, Austin, TX. (512) 458-5560.