Article View: comp.lsi.cad
Article #673Frequently Asked Questions With Answers (Part 2/2) [LONG]
From: Michael Altarriba
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 01:37
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 01:37
444 lines
21921 bytes
21921 bytes
PC dos version: 5.0 wuarchive.wustl.edu in
/mirrors/msdos/electrical/,
pspice5a.zip, pspice5b.zip, pspice5c.zip
PC windows3 version 5.1: WSMR-SIMTEL20.Army.Mil in
pd1:<msdos.windows3>
called PSPIC51A.ZIP and PSPIC51B.ZIP
Mac version 5.1: wuarchive.wustl.edu in
/mirrors/info-mac/app/pspice-51.hqx
The PC version is also available at a number of U.S. and non-U.S. sites.
30: Esim:
A new version of the switch-level simulator ESIM that can handle CMOS
transmission gates is available through MUG, ftp venera.isi.edu
(128.9.0.32))
31: Isplice3 (Current version 2.0):
This is a high level simulator, I do not know much more then that. It is
available via anonymous ftp from uicadb.csl.uiuc.edu.
32: Watand:
(From Phil Munro's posting <FC138001@ysub.ysu.edu>)
Spice is not the only circuit simulator available. There is one called
WATAND (WATerloo ANalysis and Design) which runs on a mainframe (and some
other workstations). We use it here under CMS on our mainframe computer.
Unlike Spice and its derivatives, Watand is a fully *interactive* pro-
gram; that is, one enters an environment where analyses can be run and
rerun, values changed and queried, options changed, and even different
circuits can be run, all without leaving the environment.
"WATAND Users Manual", by Dr. Phil Munro, April 1992, 233 pages,
unbound, $7.00 plus whatever shipping charges the bookstore might ask
of you.
"WATAND Introduction and Examples", by Dr. P. Munro, September 1991,
160 pages, spiral bound, incomplete edition Chapters 1 - 10. The cost
is $4 or $5, I think, plus shipping.
You should write to Youngstown State University Bookstore
Youngstown, Ohio 44555
Watand itself is available from Mark O'Leavey, Waterloo Engineering
Software, 22 King St. S., Suite 302, Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA, N2L 1C6.
Fax: (519) 746-7931 Phone: (519) 741-8097. It's currently only available
for DECStation and Sparcstation.
33: Caltech VLSI CAD Tools:
(From John Lazzaro <lazzaro@boom.CS.Berkeley.EDU>)
Caltech VLSI CAD Tool Distribution
We are offering to the Internet community a pre-release version of the
Caltech electronic CAD system for analog VLSI neural networks. This dis-
tribution contains tools for schematic capture, netlist creation, and
analog and digital simulation (log), IC mask layout, extraction, and DRC
(wol), simple chip compilation (wolcomp), MOSIS fabrication request gen-
eration (mosis), netlist comparison (netcmp), data plotting (view) and
postscript graphics editing (until). These tools were used exclusively
for the design and test of all the integrated circuits described in
Carver Mead's book "Analog VLSI and Neural Systems". Until was used as
the primary tool for figure creation for the book. The distribution also
contains an example of an analog VLSI chip that was designed and fabri-
cated with these tools, and an example of an Actel field-programmable
gate array design that was simulated and converted to Actel format with
these tools.
These tools are distributed under a license very similar to the GNU
license; the minor changes protect Caltech from liability.
To use these tools, you need:
1) A unix workstation that runs X11r3, X11r4, or Openwindows
2) A color screen
3) Gcc or other ANSI-standard compiler
Right now only Sun Sparcstations are officially supported, although
resourceful users have the tools running on Sun 3, HP Series 300, and
Decstations. If don't have a Sparcstation or an HP 300, only take the
package if you feel confident in your C/Unix abilities to do the porting
required; someday soon we will integrate the changes back into the
sources officially, although many "ifdef mips" are already in the code.
If you are interested in some or all of these tools,
1) ftp to hobiecat.cs.caltech.edu on the Internet,
2) log in as anonymous and use your username as the password
3) cd ~ftp/pub/chipmunk
4) copy the file README, that contains more information.
European researchers can access these files through anonymous ftp using
the machine ifi.uio.no in Norway; the files are in the directory chip-
munk. We are unable to help users who do not have Internet ftp access.
34: Switcap2 (Current version 1.1):
This is a switched capactor simulator. It is available from:
SWITCAP Distribution centre,
411 Low Memorial Library,
New York,
N.Y. 10027.
35: Test Software for Abramovici Text:
(Contributed by Mel Breuer of the Univ. of Southern California)
Many faculty are using the text by Abramovici, Breuer, and Fried- man
entitled "Digital Systems Testing and Testable Design" in a class on
testing. They have expressed an interest to supplement their course
with software tools. At USC we have developed such a suite of tools.
They include a good value simulator, fault simulator, fault col-
lapsing module, and D-algorithm-based ATPG module for combinational
logic. The software has been specifi- cally designed to be easily
understood, modified and enhanced. The algorithms follow those described
in the text. The software can be run in many modes, such as one
module at a time, single step, interactively or as a batch process. Stu-
dents can use the software "as is" to study the operation of the
various algo- rithms, e.g. simulation of a latch using different delay
models. Also, simple programming projects can be given, such as
extend the simulator from a 3-valued system to a 5-valued system; or
change the D-algorithm so that it only does single path sensiti- zation.
There are literally over 50 interesting software enhancements
that can be made by changing only a small part of the code. The system
is written in C and runs on a SUN.
If you are currently using the Abramovici text and would like a copy
of this software, please send a message to Prof. Melvin Breuer at
mb@poisson.usc.edu.
36: Test Generation and Fault Simulation Software
(Contributed by Dr. Dong Ha of Virginia Tech)
Two automatic test pattern generators (ATPGs) and a fault simula- tor
for combinational circuits were developed at Virginia Tech, and the
source codes of the tools are now ready for public release.
ATLANTA is an ATPG for stuck-at faults. It is based on the FAN algorithm
and a parallel-pattern, single-fault propaga- tion technique. It
consists of optional sessions using random pattern testing, deterministic
test pattern generation and test compaction. SOPRANO is an ATPG for
stuck-open faults. The algo- rithm of SOPRANO is similar to ATLANTA
except two consecutive patterns are applied to detect a stuck-open
fault. FSIM is a parallel-pattern, single-fault simulator. All the
tools are written in C. The source codes are fully commented, and
README files contain user's manuals. Technical papers about the tools
were presented at DAC-90 and ITC-91. All three tools are free to univer-
sities. Companies are requested to make a contribution of $5000 but
will have free technical assistance. For detailed in- formation, con-
tact:
Dr. Dong Ha
Electrical Engineering
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
TEL: 703-231-4942
FAX: 703-231-3362
dsha@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu
37: Olympus Synthesis System
(From Rajesh K. Gupta <rgupta@sirius.Stanford.EDU>)
Recently there have been several enquiries about the Olympus Synthesis
System. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions. For details
please send mail to "synthesis@chronos.stanford.edu".
1. What is Olympus Synthesis System?
Olympus is a result of a continuing project on synthesis of digital cir-
cuits here at Stanford University. Currently, Olympus synthesis system
consists of a set of programs that perform synthesis tasks for synchro-
nous, non-pipelined circuits starting from a description in a hardware
description language, HardwareC.
The output of synthesis is a technology independent netlist of gates.
This netlist can be input to logic synthesis and technology mapping tools
within Olympus or to UC Berkeley's mis/sis. Current technology mapping in
Olympus is targeted for LSI logic standard cells and a set of PGA archi-
tectures: Actel and Xilinx.
2. How is Olympus distributed?
The source code and documentation for Olympus is distributed via ftp.
3. What are the system requirements for Olympus?
Olympus has been tested on following hardware platforms: mips, sparc,
hp9000s300, hp9000s800, hp9000s700, vax. All the programs in Olympus
come with a default menu-driven ASCII interface. There is also a graphi-
cal user interface, called "olympus", provided with the distribution.
This interface is written using Motif procedures.
You would need about 40 MBytes of disk space to extract and compile the
system.
4. How can I obtain a copy of Olympus?
Olympus is distributed free of charge by Stanford University. However,
it is not available via anonymous ftp. In order to obtain a copy please
send a mail to "olympus@chronos.stanford.edu" where an automatic-reply
mailer would send instructions for obtaining Olympus software.
38: OASIS logic synthesis
(From William R. Richards Jr. <richards@mcnc.org>)
OASIS is a complete logic synthesis system based on the Logic3 HDL
develped at MCNC (unfortunately neither VHDL or Verilog compatible).
kk@mcnc.org is the person responsible for it. OASIS is available to US
universities for $500 and non-US universities for $600. Industrial
license is $3000.
39: CAzM, a Spice-like table-based analog circuit simulator
(From William R. Richards Jr. <richards@mcnc.org>)
Second is CAzM, a Spice-like table-based analog circuit simulator. It
offers significant performance advantages over other Berkeley Spice
derivatives. It is used fairly extensively in our design community. US
university license is $175, non-US $250. Commercial license is $800. It
comes with an X11- based signal viewing tool Sigview which is public
domain and may be anonymous ftp'd from mcnc.org. I am the primary contact
for CAzM at MCNC.
40: Galaxy CAD, integrated environment for digital design for Macintosh
Thanks to Simon Leung <sleung@sun1.atitech.ca>
The Galaxy CAD System is an integrated environment for digital design and
for rapid prototyping of CAD tools and other software. The system
currently includes schematic capture and simulation of both low-level and
high-level digital designs and is being expanded to include physical
design tools. Galaxy runs on a number of 680X0 platforms, including the
Apple Macintosh, HP9000/3XX, Apollo Domain, and Atari ST. Others will be
added according to demand.
The Galaxy CAD System is an ideal environment for teaching digital
design. It has been used successfully for both introductory logic design
and computer design courses at Wisconsin. Some of the features of Galaxy
that make it suitable for education are:
1. Integrated multiple-window environment: All Galaxy tools run
concurrently in a multiple window environment. Copying data
from one window to another is simple. Any number of simulation
sessions can be active simultaneously.
2. Hierarchy: the schematic editor and simulator are both fully
hierarchical. Building hierarchical designs is simple, including
creating symbols for modules. The simulator is a true hierarchical
simulator: it does not require a time-consuming macro-expansion
step.
3. Integrated editing and simulation: Designs are edited and
simulated in the same environment. Simulation input and output
can be shown directly on schematics, allowing direct manipulation
of net values. Unlike other products, Galaxy does not require
modification of the schematic to insert "switch" and "light"
components. In addition, Galaxy allows display of bus values in
hexadecimal directly on schematics to simplify debugging of
high-level designs. Simulation I/O can also use waveforms,
text files, and tables.
4. Faults: Stuck-at faults can be introduced on the schematic
editor and simulated immediately without rebuilding the
simulation model. This provides an excellent way to display
the effects of faults.
5. Buses: Galaxy supports specification and simulation of bus
structures, including complex extractions, fanouts, and bit
reversal. Buses are specified by annotating nets with text.
For simulation, buses are kept intact so that multiple-bit
high-level components can be used. Galaxy includes a library
of register-transfer components suitable for high-level
computer design and simulation.
6. Alternate specification of designs: In addition to schematics,
Galaxy users can specify design modules using a textual HDL
(GHDL) and using hardware flowcharts and state diagrams. A
hierarchical design can mix these representations as desired.
7. High-quality PostScript output: Galaxy schematics are of excellent
quality. Gates are drawn according to standard practices, e.g.,
OR gates are drawn with the correct circular arcs and not ellipses.
8. Uniform user interface: Galaxy tools have the same user interface
on all platforms, reducing student learning curves. In fact,
the same tool OBJECT CODE runs on all platforms due to the unique
structure of Galaxy.
9. Adding new simulation primitives is straightforward.
10. No cost: Galaxy is available for free via anonymous FTP (Apple
Macintosh version). Other versions will be made available based
on demand.
Galaxy is also an excellent environment for rapid prototyping of new CAD
tools. By building on top of available resources, we have been able to
prototype new tools in days or weeks that would ordinarily have taken
months or years. For more information, send e-mail.
To obtain Galaxy CAD, connect to "eceserv0.ece.wisc.edu" using FTP. Log
in as "anonymous" with password "guest". Galaxy is in directory
"pub/galaxy". The file "README" in that directory gives further instruc-
tions. Please register as a user by sending e-mail to
"beetem@engr.wisc.edu".
John F. Beetem
ECE Department
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI 53706
USA
(608) 262-6229
beetem@engr.wisc.edu
41: Gabriel DSP development system
The Gabriel software is available via ftp from copernicus.Berkeley.EDU
(128.32.240.37). It's not quite "anonymous": you can use anonymous ftp
to get the license agreement. When you sign that and mail it back to us,
we give you the password to an ftp account that allows you to grab the
actual software. It's free, just not anonymous. :-)
For the uninitiated, Gabriel is a block diagram programming environment
for DSP that runs on Sun 3 and Sun 4 workstations. It can simulate DSP
designs, generate assembly code for Motorola DSP56000 and DSP96000 chips,
and automatically perform parallel scheduling when multiple DSP chips are
used.
For more information, ftp to copernicus.Berkeley.EDU, log in as
"anonymous" (any password will do), and grab the files "gabriel-
overview", "gabriel-release-info", and "gabriel-license.shar". Be warned
that a new version of Gabriel will be out by the end of January, so if
you're interested in it, it might pay to wait until then.
Phil Lapsley
phil@ucbarpa.Berkeley.EDU
42: WireC graphical/procedural system for schematic information
(From Larry McMurchie <larry@cs.washington.edu>)
WireC is a graphical specification language that combines schematics with
procedural constructs for describing complex microelectronic systems.
WireC allows the designer to choose the appropriate representation,
either graphical or procedural, at a fine-grain level depending on the
characteristics of the circuit being designed. Drawing traditional
schematic symbols and their interconnections provides fast intuitive
interaction with a circuit design while procedural constructs give the
power and flexibility to describe circuit structures algorithmically and
allow single descriptions to represent whole families of devices.
The procedural capability of WireC allows other CAD tools to be incor-
porated into the design system. For example, we have defined an inter-
face to the SIS logic synthesis system wherein the designer can represent
part of the system behaviorally. WireC invokes logic synthesis on these
components to produce a structural description that can be incorporated
into the rest of the design.
Libraries of devices defining a particular netlist output format may be
defined by the user. The libraries currently distributed with WireC
include a default CMOS gate library whose output is the SIM format. This
format can be simulated with COSMOS or IRSIM and compared against a cir-
cuit extracted from layout. This library also includes devices that
allow a behavioral description to be synthesized and mapped using MIS or
SIS and incorporated into a larger circuit.
Another library is the xnf library for designing systems with Xilinx
FPGAs. Written by Jackson Kong, Martine Schlag and Pak Chan of UCSC,
this library contains devices specific to the 2000 and 3000 series Xilinx
LCA's. In addition to drawing the devices explicitly, one can represent
parts of a circuit with equations and have these synthesized automati-
cally.
Currently in progress is a library of CMOS gates for Cascade Design
Automation's ChipCrafter product. WireC provides a mixed
schematic/procedural design frontend for ChipCrafter, which uses module
generation, timing analysis and place and route software to create a phy-
sical layout from the WireC design specification.
WireC was written by Larry McMurchie, Carl Ebeling, Zhanbing Wu and Ed
Tellman. We are interested in any libraries you may develop and will
provide a limited degree of support.
WireC requires an X-Windows compatible environment and a C++ compiler
such as Gnu G++ and AT&T CC. WireC is available via ftp on the Internet.
For details send mail to
larry@cs.washington.edu ebeling@cs.washington.edu
43: LateX circuit symbols for schematic generation
(From Adrian Johnstone <adrian@cs.rhbnc.ac.uk)
A set of circuit schematic symbols are available for use in LaTeX picture
mode. The set includes all basic logic gates in four orientations, FETs,
power supply pins, transmission gates, capacitors, resistors and wiring
T-junctions. All pins are on a 1mm grid and the symbols are designed to
be easily used with Georg Horn's TeXcad program: we even supply you with
a palette picture file that displays all 52 symbols in a compact grid
that you can cut and paste from within TeXcad. Each symbol lives in its
own .mac file and is defined as a 'savebox' so as to reduce memory con-
sumption. You must add the [bezier] option to your 'documentstyle' com-
mand. A small manual is provided in both Postscript and .dvi forms.
The files lcircuit.zip and lcircuit.tar are available for anonymous ftp
from cscx.cs.rhbnc.ac.uk (134.219.200.45) in directory pub/lcircuit. I
will also be uploading them to various ftp servers in the coming week.
44: Tanner Research Tools (Ledit and LVS)
(From Bhusan Gupta <bgupta@micro.caltech.edu>)
There is a "low" cost tool from Tanner Research (Pasadena, Ca) called LVS
that will compare two spice decks. It is a tool that is still evolving
and is flexible. It can be a lifesaver if you have to compare spice
decks. It is much easier to use than netcmp/netcomp (the caltech VLSI
tools). I realize that this is a commercial tool for $, but the only rea-
son I suggest it is that it isn't as expensive as a tool from a main-line
CAD vendor. (University pricing is around $245 for the PC version, and
$995 for the commercial version.)
Tanner also sells a layout mask editor called Ledit which they sell for
the PC, Sun, HP, and Mac platforms. It has a DRC tool, extract to spice,
a cross-section viewer, etc for additional money. The cross-section
viewer is neat gadget in that given some of your design, it will show
what the vertical cross-section looks like. Demo versions are available.
For more info contact Tanner Research - 180 N. Vinedo Ave. Pasadena 91107
(818) 792-3000 or fax (818) 792-0300.
Technical Details
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Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!sparky!uunet!cis.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!ucbvax!ucdavis!tyfon!altarrib From: altarrib@tyfon.eecs.ucdavis.edu (Michael Altarriba) Newsgroups: comp.lsi.cad,comp.lsi Subject: Frequently Asked Questions With Answers (Part 2/2) [LONG] Keywords: FAQ Message-ID: <20133@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu> Date: 15 Dec 92 01:37:55 GMT Sender: usenet@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu Followup-To: comp.lsi.cad Organization: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UC Davis Lines: 444