The Analog
FastSPICE™ Platform (AFS
Platform) is a unified circuit verification platform that
provides analog, mixed-signal, and RF (AMS/RF) design teams the
ultimate in accuracy, performance, capacity, and functionality. The AFS Platform delivers
nanometer SPICE accuracy, 5x-10x higher performance single-core, up to
50x faster
characterization with multi-core parallel
mode, >10M-element
capacity,
and
advanced analyses. AMS/RF design teams that use the AFS
Platform
from
block-level design through full-circuit verification can design and
verify circuits twice as fast and still perform a far more
thorough verification than is possible with traditional circuit and RF
simulation tools.
The AFS
Platform is a modular single-executable implementation that
guarantees
identical waveforms to traditional SPICE every run regardless of the
size, complexity, or type of analysis. Its modularity enables
independent optimization of every component, while ensuring all
functionality works together seamlessly.
At the block level, the AFS Platform
delivers the fastest iterations,
the only nanometer-accurate device noise analysis, and unparalleled
corner and variation analysis. Complex blocks such as ADCs, PLLs, and
SerDes require long runtimes with detailed parasitics including device
noise effects—runs only possible with the AFS Platform. Finally,
the AFS Platform’s
capacity and performance enable full-circuit
DC operating point generation and performance simulation—with
complex package models and co-simulation of top-level digital logic.
Through
increased productivity, 5x-20x faster turnaround times, and thorough
analysis of all physical effects, design teams realize a proven 2x
improvement in overall efficiency while maintaining nanometer
SPICE
accuracy. The AFS Platform includes:
AFS
Design
Flow
Integration In addition to batch mode operation, the
AFS Platform
offers seamless integration with the leading EDA design
environment. Literally no training is required. Designers set up and
run simulations and analyses using the standard environment menus and
forms. They can analyze and view results using their existing waveform
viewer or the AFS WaveCrave
waveform processor.
The AFS Platform reads
industry-standard SPICE netlists and foundry
certified device models based on a standard formats, including BSIM3,
BSIM4, Gummel-Poon, MOS11, and Mextram. It also supports a wide variety
of non-device models including Verilog-A, s-parameters, and w-elements.
Target
Applications Design
teams from over 70 companies, including 15 of the world's top 20
semiconductor companies, use the AFS Platform to
efficiently
verify AMS/RF circuits use the AFS
Platform
to efficiently verify analog,
mixed-signal and RF circuits. The target applications include:
Block-Level
Design
5x-10x
faster transient simulations
5x-10x
faster periodic analysis
Up to 50x faster characterization with
multi-core parallel mode
]Detailed
device noise impact
Rigorous
characterization
Complex-Block
Verification
5x-20x
faster transient simulation
Up to 50x faster characterization with
multi-core parallel mode
Detailed
parasitic impact
Device
noise impact
HDL
co-simulation
Full-Circuit
Verification
>10M-element capacity
Targeted
performance simulations
Inter-block
validation
Silicon-package
analysis
Sample
Customer Results Verify Without
Compromise
Traditional SPICE simulators deliver “golden” accuracy, but
they are slow and have limited capacity. “Digital
fastSPICE” and AMS simulators compromise accuracy that is
critical to analog and RF verification. Only the AFS Platform combines
nanometer SPICE accuracy with 5x-20x higher performance and
>10M-element
capacity.
Accuracy Berkeley
Design Automation guarantees that the AFS Platform produces
identical
waveforms to the leading “golden” SPICE simulators down to
SPICE tolerance settings,
which by default are typically within ~0.1% of the magnitude of the
desired
signal. For the most sensitive measurements, the AFS Platform provides
time-domain
accuracy exceeding 120 dB of dynamic range. Doing so requires
generating true
operating points and solving the full-circuit matrix and original
device
equations each timestep without every taking shortcuts.
Performance
The AFS Platform achieves
5x-10x higher performance versus traditional
SPICE simulators on a single core. With multiple core operation, the AFS Platform
can deliver more than 2x additional performance for a
total 5x-20x speedup. It achieves this through advanced numerical
analysis and computational efficiency – never by sacrificing
accuracy.
Capacity
A circuit simulator’s useful capacity is a function of DC
convergence and performance. The AFS
Platform robustly converges on
circuits with >10M total elements. Coupled with 5x-20x higher
performance, the AFS Platform can
run full-circuit performance
simulations in a timeframe of relevance.
Specifications
Netlist
compatibility
Accepts industry-standard SPICE
netlists
VCD
for simulation stimulus
Model
support
Gummel-Poon,
HICUM, Mextram, VBIC
BSIM3,
BSIM4, BSIMSOI, MOS11, PSP
MOS1,
MOS3, JFET, Diode, Juncap
Verilog-A,
s-parameter, w-element
Outputs
PSF
ASCII, PSF binary, tr0, FSDB
Nutmeg
ASCII, Nutbin, Nutbinf
Integration
Comprehensive
integration with the
leading EDA design environment
