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Started by Michael Altarriba
Mon, 14 Jun 1993 18:29
comp.lsi.cad Frequently Asked Questions With Answers (Part 1/2) [LONG]
Author: Michael Altarriba
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1993 18:29
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1993 18:29
1181 lines
53514 bytes
53514 bytes
Archive-name: lsi-cad-faq/part1
Welcome to comp.lsi.cad / comp.lsi: this is the biweekly posting of fre-
quently asked questions with answers. Before you post a question such as
"Where can I ftp spice from?", please make sure that the answer is not
already here. If you spot an error, or if there is any information that
you think should be included, please send us a note at
clcfaq@eecs.ucdavis.edu.
The products and packages described here are intended for research and edu-
cational use. As such, we try to limit our entries to applications which
are available for free or at low cost (< $500). We also wish to limit the
descriptions to at most a page (60 lines) in length.
Bret Rothenberg <rothenbe@eecs.ucdavis.edu>
Wes Hardaker <hardaker@eecs.ucdavis.edu>
Mike Altarriba <altarrib@eecs.ucdavis.edu>
Solid State Circuits Research Laboratory
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
University of California, Davis
Davis, California 95616
----------------------------------------------------------------------
$Id: comp.lsi.cad.FAQ.ms,v 1.54 93/06/14 11:15:33 altarrib Exp $
Frequently Asked Questions with Answers
! 1: Readership report for comp.lsi.cad and comp.lsi
2: Mosis Users' Group (MUG)
3: Improved spice listing from magic.
4: Tips and tricks for magic (Version 6.3)
5: What can I use to do good plots from magic/CIF?
6: What tools are used to layout verification?
7: EDIF data exchange format.
8: What layout examples are available?
9: How can I get my lsi design fabbed and how much will it cost?
10: Mosis fabrication services.
11: Archive sites for comp.lsi.cad and comp.lsi
12: Other newsgroups that relate to comp.lsi*
13: Simulation programs tips/tricks/bugs
14: Getting the latest version of the FAQ
15: Converting from/to GDSII/CIF/Magic
16: CFI (CAD Framework Initiative Inc.)
17: What synthesis systems are there?
18: What free tools are there available, and what can they do?
19: What Berkeley Tools are available for anonymous ftp?
20: What Berkeley Tools are available through ILP?
21: Berkeley Spice (Current version 3f2)
22: Octtools (Current version 5.1)
23: Ptolemy (Current version 0.4)
24: Lager (Current version 4.0)
25: BLIS (Current version 2.0)
26: COSMOS and BDD
27: ITEM
28: PADS logic/PADS PCB
29: Another PCB Layout Package
30: Magic (Current version 6.3)
31: PSpice
32: Esim
33: Isplice3 (Current version 2.0)
34: Watand
35: Caltech VLSI CAD Tools
36: Switcap2 (Current version 1.1)
37: Test Software based on Abramovici text
38: Atlanta and Soprano automatic test generators
39: Olympus Synthesis System
40: OASIS logic synthesis
41: T-SpiceTM (was CAzM), a Spice-like table-based analog circuit simulator
42: Galaxy CAD, integrated environment for digital design for Macintosh
43: Gabriel DSP development system
44: WireC graphical/procedural system for schematic information
45: LateX circuit symbols for schematic generation
46: Tanner Research Tools (Ledit and LVS) (Commercial Product)
47: SIMIC, a full-featured logic verification simulator
48: LASI CAD System, IC and device layout for IBM compatibles
49: EEDRAW, an electrical/electronic diagramming tool for IBM compatibles
50: MagiCAD, GaAs Gate Array Design through MOSIS
51: XSPICE, extended version of Spice
! 52: MISIM, a model-independent circuit simulation tool
+ : new item
! : changed
? : additional information for this subject would be appreciated.
1: Readership report for comp.lsi.cad and comp.lsi
This is the full set of data from the USENET readership report for May
93. Explanations of the figures are in a companion posting in
news.lists.
+-- Estimated total number of people who read the group,
| worldwide.
| +-- Actual number of readers in sampled population.
| | +-- Propagation: how many sites receive this group
| | | at all.
| | | +-- Recent traffic (messages per month).
| | | | +-- Recent traffic (kilobytes per
| | | | | month).
| | | | | +-- Crossposting percentage
| | | | | | +-- Cost ratio:
| | | | | | | $US/month/rdr
| | | | | | | +-- Share: % of
| | | | | | | | newsreaders
| | | | | | | | who read this
| | | | | | | | group.
V V V V V V V V
501 32000 637 82% 35 178.6 21% 0.01 1.4% comp.lsi
506 32000 634 78% 77 153.1 15% 0.01 1.4% comp.lsi.cad
2: Mosis Users' Group (MUG)
(From the Microelectronics Systems Newsletter)
The MOSIS Users' Group (MUG) Newsletter is now known as the Microelec-
tronic Systems Newsletter. The name change reflects the increased scope
of this newsletter which includes not only items of interest to those
designing integrated circuits for prototyping via MOSIS but also for
those designing, prototyping and producing microelec- tronic systems.
This issue is being distributed only via elec- tronic means to about 1600
individuals throughout the world.
We hope that you enjoy receiving this newsletter and find it useful.
Comments and suggestions should be directed to the Editor along with any
change in address. If you prefer not to receive messages of this type,
which will occur no more often than monthly, please contact the Editor.
Newsletter Editor
Prof. Don Bouldin
Electrical & Computer Engineering
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996-2100
Tel: (615)-974-5444
FAX: (615)-974-5492
Email: bouldin@sun1.engr.utk.edu
Compmail II: D.Bouldin
A variety of design files and CAD tools contributed by the members of the
MOSIS Users' Group (MUG) are now available via anonymous ftp from
"venera.isi.edu" (128.9.0.32) in directory "pub/mug". The files "readme"
and "index" should be retrieved first. These files are provided "as is",
but may prove very helpful to those using the MOSIS integrated circuit
prototyping service.
3: Improved spice listing from magic.
Hierarchical extractions with net names: ext2spice done by Andy Burstein
<burstein@zabriskie.berkeley.edu>:
This program will do hierarchial extraction using node names. It sup-
ports PS, PD, AS, and AD extraction as well. It is available for ftp
from ic.berkeley.edu in pub/spice3/ext2spice.tar.
Poly and well resistance extraction: There are persistent rumors that
people have this working, however, all I have seen is extracted poly
resistor with each end shorted together, ie each end has the same node
name/number.
(This is the most annoying problem that I typically encounter daily. If
ANYONE knows a fix for this, please tell us! I wrote a real quick and
dirty set of scripts/programs to edit the magic file. It will break the
poly contacts and relabel them. This is a real hack, but all other solu-
tions require modification of the magic code itself. This procedure only
works with an extractor that handles labeled nodes, i.e. ext2spice from
above. --WH)
There is an upcoming release of Magic 6.45 that is supposed to have a
greatly improved netlister. Here is part of the annoucement:
The AuE Magic release provides hierarchical SPICE and LSIM netlist
extractors not available in previous Magic releases. Previously, a flat
SPICE netlist could be obtained using a program called "ext2spice". AuE
provides a hierarchical SPICE netlister which provides a robust set of
SPICE parameters for every device, including transistor source/drain dif-
fusion perimeters and areas. The extractor has also been modified to
correctly account for the shared S/D regions on stacked devices.
The AuE extractor supports LSIM netlists, an Hspice compatible netlist,
and a SpiceIIG compatible netlist. The SpiceIIG format uses node numbers
instead of node names. The AuE SPICE extractor also recognizes bipolar
junction transistors (BJTs) in several configurations. The previous Magic
netlist extractor does not recognize BJT devices in any form.
Spice listing from magic with MESFETs.
(from Jen-I Pi <pi@isi.edu>)
We have a revised version (of sim2spice) that goes with version6. It is
available from our anonymous FTP host "venera.isi.edu" (128.9.0.32) under
the pub/mosis/magic directory. The file you need is "gaas_extract.tar.Z".
Assuming file inv.ext exist, the procedure for using 'sim2spice' is
ext2sim inv
sim2spice inv.sim
Here's the resulting SPICE decks for SPICE3e...
SPICE 3 Deck created from inv.sim, tech=edgaas
*
z2 3 4 2 efet1.2 2.8
C3 3 0 0.485F
C4 4 0 1.062F
z1 1 4 3 dfet1.2 2.8
*
A new capacitance rule has been added to the base Magic extractor to
facilitate the extraction of accurate dielectric capacitances. The previ-
ous verion of Magic did not handle coupling capacitances correctly and
frequently inserted a substrate capacitor in addition to the correctly
extracted coupling capacitor.
The AuE Magic release also includes an updated and enhanced technology
file. Modifications include fixes to several MOSIS DRC rules which were
previously improperly checked, modifications to the CIF writer to resolve
software bugs, and updated capacitance and resistance values in the
extraction sections of the tech file. Special extraction sections for
more commonly used processes have also been added.
For information on how to order this version of Magic send an E-mail
request to magic@AuE.com or send your request in writing to the address
given below. We will start filling orders in mid October.
4: Tips and tricks for magic (Version 6.3)
Searching for nets:
Yes, magic does actually let you search for node names. Use :specialopen
netlist. Then click on the box underneath label, you will be prompted
for the name of the label you want to search for. Enter the name, and
then press enter twice. Click on show, and then find, magic will then
highlight the net.
Bulk node extraction:
Problems with getting the bulk node to extract correctly? Try labeling
the well with the node name that it is connected to.
Painting Wells:
Supposedly :cif in magic will automatically paint in the wells correctly.
However this is not always the case. If you are using mosis 2u technol-
ogy, and your wells are getting strange notches in them, you might try
changing the grow 300 shrink 300 lines in your lambda=1.0(pwell) and
lambda=1.0(nwell) cif sections of your tech file to grow 450 shrink 450.
(Remember you can use :cif see CWN to see nwell, if :cifostyle is nwell,
or :cif see CWP to see pwell if its pwell technology to preview what will
be done with the well. You may use :feedback clear to erase what it
shows you.)
Magic notes available from gatekeeper.dec.com (16.1.0.2):
(Located in pub/DEC/magic)
Magic note.1 - 9/14/90 - ANNOUNCEMENT: Magic V6 is ready
Magic note.2 - 9/19/90 - DOC: Doc changes (fixed in releases after 9/20/90)
Magic note.3 - 9/19/90 - GRAPHICS: Mode problem (fixed 9/20/90)
Magic note.4 - 9/19/90 - HPUX: rindex macro for HPUX 7.0 and later
Magic note.5 - 9/19/90 - GCC: "gcc" with magic, one user's experience
Magic note.6 - 9/19/90 - FTP: Public FTP area for Magic notes
Magic note.7 - 9/20/90 - RSIM: Compiling rsim, one user's suggestions & hints
Magic note.8 - 9/26/90 - GENERAL: Magic tries to open bogus directories
Magic note.9 - 9/26/90 - GRAPHICS: Mods to X11Helper
Magic note.10 - 10/5/90 - DOS: Magic V4 for DOS and OS/2
Magic note.11 - 10/11/90 - GENERAL: reducing memory usage by 600k
Magic note.12 - 12/19/90 - EXT2xxx: fixes bogus resistances
Magic note.13 - 12/19/90 - EXTRESIS: fixed bug in resis that caused coredump.
Magic note.14 - 12/19/90 - EXTRESIS: new version of scmos.tech for extresis
Magic note.15 - 12/19/90 - TECH: documentation for contact line in tech file
Magic note.16 - 12/19/90 - EXTRACT: bug fix to transistor attributes
Magic note.17 - 5/13/91 - CALMA: Incorrect arrays in calma output
Magic note.18 - 5/14/91 - CALMA: Extension to calma input
Magic note.19 - 6/28/91 - IRSIM: Some .prm files for IRSIM
Magic note.20 - 7/18/91 - EXTRESIS: fixes for Magic's extresis command
Magic note.21 - 2/7/92 - FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Magic note.22 - 11/6/91 - CALMA: how to write a calma tape
Magic note.23 - 11/4/91 - EXT2xxx: fix for incorrect resistor extraction
Magic note.24 - 11/8/91 - EXTRESIS: fix 0-ohm resistors
Magic note.25 - 11/15/91 - NEXT: porting magic to the NeXT machine
Magic note.26 - 11/21/91 - IRSIM: fix for hanging :decay command
Magic note.27 - 12/17/91 - RESIS: fix for "Attempt to remove node ..." error
Magic note.28 - 1/28/92 - MAGIC: anonymous FTP now available
Magic note.29 - 3/27/92 - PLOT: support for Versatec 2700
Magic note.30 - 4/8/92 - PATHS: Have the ":source" command follow a path
Magic note.31 - 4/10/92 - MPACK: Mpack now works with Magic 6.3
Magic note.32 - 3/13/92 - AED: Using AED displays with Magic 6.3
Magic note.33 - 3/13/92 - OPENWINDOWS: Compilation for OpenWindows/X11
Magic note.34 - 2/14/92 - OPENWINDOWS: fix mouse problem
5: What can I use to do good plots from magic/CIF?
(Thanks to Douglas Yarrington <arri@ee.eng.ohio-state.edu> and Harry
Langenbacher <harry@neuronz.Jpl.Nasa.Gov>, for feedback here.)
CIF:
CIF stands for CalTech Intermediate Form. It's a graphics language which
can be used to describe integrated circuit layouts.
cif2ps version 2 (Gordon W. Ross, MITRE):
A much better version of cif2ps, extending the code of cif2ps (Marc
Lesure, Arizona State University) and cifp (Arthur Simoneau, Aerospace
Corp). It features command line options for depth and formatting. Can
extend one plot over several pages (up to 5 by 5, or 25 pages). By
default, uses a mixture of postscript gray fill and cross-hatching.
Options include rotating the image, selecting the hierarchy depth to
plot, and plotting style customization. Plots are in B/W only.
It was posted to comp.sources.misc, and is available by ftp from
uunet.uu.net(192.48.96.2) as: comp.sources.misc/volume8/cif2ps.Z.
cifplot:
Cifplot plots CIF format files on a screen, printer or plotter. Cifplot
reads the .cif file, generates a b/w or color raster dump, and sends it
to the printer. Plots can be scaled, clipped, or rotated. Hierarchy
depth is selectable, as well as the choice of colormap or fill pattern.
An option exists which will compress raster data to reduce the required
disk space. For those plotting to a Versatec plotter, there is also a
printer filter/driver available called vdmp.
cifplot (m2c version, from chiang@m2c.org <Rit Chiang>):
The cifplot program from M2C is not in public domain. However, we do
provide P.D. CAD tools to university for a fee of $2500/year to cover our
cost on distribution, telephone hotline support, documentation and
tutorials, etc., under our CUME (Clearinghouse for Undergraduate
Microelectronics Education) program. This program, in the past, was sub-
sidized by NSF.
The cifplot program was modified by M2C to support plotting for B&W
PostScript and color PostScript printers, besides the versatec plotters.
We also provide plotting services for people who sent us a cif file. The
cost is $20/per 24" color versatec plot for University and $50 for oth-
ers.
For more information on the CUME program or the plotting service, please
send e-mail to hotline@m2c.org.
oct2ps (available as part of the octtools distribution):
It is possible to convert your .mag file to octtools, and then you may
use oct2ps to print it.
Both cif2ps and oct2ps work well for conversion to postscript. They do
look slightly different, so pick your favorite. Note that cif2ps can be
converted to adobe encapsulated postscript easily by adding a bounding
box comment. oct2ps does convert to color postscript, which can be a
plus for those of you with color postscript printers.
Flea:
Flea ([F]un [L]oveable [E]ngineering [A]rtist) is a program used to plot
magic and cif design files to various output devices. Parameters are
passed to flea through the flags and flag data or through .flearc files
and tech files. Supports: HP7580 plotter, HP7550 hpgl file output,
HP7550 plotter lpr output, Postscript file output, Laser Writer lpr out-
put, Versatec versaplot random output. Options include: Does line draw-
ings with crosshatching for postscript, versatec, and hp plotters. Many
options (depth, label depth, scale, path, format...)
Available by ftp from zeus.ee.msstate.edu in pub/flea.tar.Z.
pplot:
Can output color PostScript from CIF files. The source is available from:
tesla.ee.cornell.edu in /pub/cad/pplot.tar.Z. It only generates PS files
(including color PS), and there's no support for EPS files. It is lim-
ited in its support of cif commands. (Wire, roundflash, and delete are
not supported.) It only supports manhattan geometry (Polygons and rota-
tions may only be in 90 degree multiples.)
vic:
Part of the U. of Washington's Northwest Lab, for Integrated Systems Cad
Tool Release (previously UW/NW VLSI Consortium). Does postscript and HP
pen plotters. Only available as part of the package.
CIF/Magic -> EPS -> groff/latex
Currently no prgram here directly generates EPS files. It is possible to
add an EPS bounding box (%% BoundingBox: l t b r) to the output from
these programs to get an EPS file. Alternatively, ps2eps or ps2epsf may
be used.
6: What tools are used to layout verification?
Gemini:
This is an excellent program that was done by Carl Ebeling. There is a
new version that is currently in beta. This version supports serveral
different netlist formats. Devices with any number of terminals are sup-
ported. (This could be suitable for use at digital block level LVS, for
example.) LVS of mosfet w/l and capacitor values is supported as well.
Contact:
Carl Ebeling
Computer Science Department, FR-35
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
ebeling@cs.washington.edu
Tanner LVS:
This is a relatively inexpensive commercial product, see the section on
Tanner tools.
Wellchecker:
(from MUG) ftp venera.isi.edu (128.9.0.32)
netcmp:
Part of the caltech tools (see the "Caltech VLSI CAD Tools" section)
7: EDIF data exchange format.
(From Nigel Whitaker <nigelw@computer-science.manchester.ac.uk>)
The following are published by the Electronic Industries Association:
The EDIF Version 2 0 0 Reference Guide (ISBN 0 -7908-0000-4)
EIA-1 -- Introduction to EDIF (User Guide)
EIA-2 EDIF Connectivity (User Guide)
Using EDIF 2 0 0 for Schematic Transfer (TSC Application Note EDIF/P-1)
and are available from:
Electronic Industries Association
Standard Sales Department (Attn: Cecelia Fleming)
2001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20006, USA
and
American Technical Publishers
27--29 Knowl Piece, Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 0SX, UK
Tel: +44 462 437933
The University of Manchester publish a set of `Questions and Answers'.
These are user's technical questions about EDIF answered by the EDIF
technical committee. There are currently 5 volumes.
There is also a University of Manchester Technical Report which presents
a description of the semantics of EDIF Version 2 0 0. This includes an
Information Model of part of EDIF Version 2 0 0 written in EXPRESS. The
title of this report (UMCS-6-91) is `Proposal for an Information Model
for EDIF', by Rachel Lau.
The Questions and Answers and the technical report are available from:
Julie Spink
EDIF Technical Advisory Centre, Depeartment of Computer Science
University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
Tel: +44 61 275 6289, FAX: +44 61 275 6280, e-mail: edif-support@cs.man.ac.uk
EDIF Version 2 9 0 has just been released. This was originally expected
to be called EDIF Version 2 1 0 but it is felt that the enhancements and
changes from the current standard (EDIF Version 2 0 0) are significant
enough to choose a name for the version that reflects this.
EDIF Version 2 9 0 is an an Official EIA Interim Standard. It contains
many improvements for the handling of connectivity and schematics exclud-
ing the handling of schematic frames.
EDIF Version 3 0 0 is due for release in March 1993. It will consist of
EDIF Version 2 9 0 enhanced by solutions to the schematic frames
representation plus some additional capabilities. This version will be
sumbitted to formal ballot.
The EDIF Version 2 9 0 Manual is available from the EIA at the above
address. An electronic copy of the BNF, together with other EDIF related
information such as tests files, syntax checkers and EDIF documents can
be obtained by anonymous ftp from edif.cs.man.ac.uk (130.88.229.234) in
subdirectories of /pub/edif
An electonic mailing list is available to people interested in EDIF and
for EDIF developers/programmers. Send email to edif-support@cs.man.ac.uk
to be added.
New files are being added, as we have time. If you have any suggestions
for things which we should put up for FTP, please email us.
We also need people to contribute example EDIF files, which can be made
publically available, to our collection, again please email us.
(email address is: edif-support@cs.man.ac.uk)
8: What layout examples are available?
From MUG:
Analog neural network library of cells, 66-bit Manchester carry-skip
adder, static ram fabricated at 2-micron, an analog op amp, ftp
venera.isi.edu (128.9.0.32) Located in pub/mug.
9: How can I get my lsi design fabbed and how much will it cost?
See section on mosis fabrication services as well.
(From chiang@m2c.org <Rit Chiang>) M2C can also provide low-cost, low-
volume prototyping fab services. The current technology available to the
public is the 2um NWell single-poly double-metal process.
For pricing information and fab schedule, please send e-mail to
hotline@m2c.org.
Unfortunately, the fab line is currently inactive. We have no informa-
tion as to when the fab will be back up.
(From MUG 20 George Lewicki of Orbit Semiconductor)
Orbit Semiconductor operates an integrated circuit prototyping service
that accepts designs each week for all of its processes. The service is
available to both U.S. and non-U.S. designers. In- quiries about the
FORESIGHT prototyping service should be ad- dressed to George Lewicki.
Designs can now be submitted directly via email.
Orbit Semiconductor, Inc.
1215 Bordeaux Drive
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
TEL: (408)-744-1800
FAX: (408)-747-1263
Email: foresight@orbsemi.com
(Contributed by Don Bouldin of the University of Tennessee)
Recently, I contacted several foundries to determine which com- panies
are interested in fabricating small to moderate lots of wafers for cus-
tom CMOS designs. I believe many of the readers of this column are
designers who wish to have fabricated only 1,000 to 20,000 parts per
year. There are currently several prototyp- ing services (e.g. MOSIS
and Orbit) that can produce fewer than 100 parts for about $100 each and
there are also several foun- dries which are willing to produce
100,000 custom parts for $5- $20 each (depending on the die size and
yield). My purpose was to identify those companies filling the large
gap between these two services.
The prices in the table below are a result of averaging the data sup-
plied by four foundries. The raw data varied by more than +/- 40% so the
information should be used only in the early stages of budgetary plan-
ning. Once the design specifications are fairly well known, the
designer should contact one or more foundries to obtain specific
budgetary quotes. As the design nears comple- tion, binding quotes can
then be obtained.
The following assumptions were made by the foundries:
All designs will require custom CMOS wafer fabrication using a
double-metal, single-poly process with a feature size between 2.0 and 1.2
microns. The designs may contain some analog circuitry and some RAM
so the yield has been calculated pessimistically. The dies will be pack-
aged and tested at 1 MHz using a Sentry- type digital tester for 5-10
seconds per part. The customer will furnish the test vectors.
Piece Price includes Wafer Fabrication+Die Packaging+Part Testing
Size Package Quantity
|1,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |100,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2 mm x 2 mm; 84 PLCC: | $ 27 | $ 6 | $ 5 | $ 4 | $ 3 |
5 mm x 5 mm; 84 PLCC: | $ 31 | $ 12 | $ 8 | $ 7 | $ 6 |
5 mm x 5 mm; 132 PGA: | $ 49 | $ 30 | $ 25 | $ 22 | $ 18 |
7 mm x 7 mm; 132 PGA: | $ 65 | $ 44 | $ 36 | $ 31 | $ 27 |
Lithography charges: $ 20,000 - $ 40,000
Preferred Formats: GDS-II or CIF Tapes
Additional charges for Second-Poly: $ 5,000
(This is from MUG 19, there is also a list of foundries that these prices
were derived from. In the interested of saving space, I have ommitted
the list. The list is available from MUG's ftp site included in MUG
newsletter #19.)
10: Mosis fabrication services.
(From Mosis) Information is available from mosis for pricing and fab
schedules through an automatic email system:
Mail to mosis@mosis.edu with the message body as follows:
REQUEST: INFORMATION
TOPIC: TOPICS
REQUEST: END
for general information and a list of available topics.
If you need to contact a person at mosis, you may mail to mosis@mosis.edu
with REQUEST: ATTENTION.
Also anonymous ftp is available. ftp to ftp.mosis.edu. This is a dupli-
cation of all files that are available from the mail server.
(From MUG 20 Contributed by Don Bouldin of the University of Tennessee)
Multi-project fabrication of BICMOS designs are already available to
European universities via CMP and to Canadian universities via the Cana-
dian Microelectronic Corporation. However, in the United States, the
demand for BiCMOS fabrication via MOSIS has not been considered signifi-
cant. MOSIS is currently planning to start offering 0.5-micron BiCMOS
during the first quarter of 1994. This will have a core voltage operation
of 3.3v and a clock frequency in the range of 220-250Mhz. MOSIS is
interested in seeing if a larger demand exists in the community than
expressed so far.
If you would like to have BiCMOS available before 1994, please send a
short note to mosis@mosis.edu (with a copy to bouldin@sun1.engr.utk.edu)
using the following format.
REQUEST: ATTENTION
.
.
your message goes here
.
.
REQUEST: END
(From MUG 20 and Chris Donham of the University of Pennsylvania)
Support for mosis technologies under Cadence Analog Artist 2.4 is avail-
able as is from University of Pennsylvania. This includes DRC, LVS, EXT,
and a beginner's guide. Currently they are working on support for Opus
4.2. The files supporting Artist 2.4 are currently available via
anonymous FTP. Penn is not affiliated with MOSIS, except as a satisfied
customer, and as a result, NO WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WITH
REGARDS TO THE FILES, OR THEIR FITNESS FOR ANY USE. Use the files at
your own risk. To obtain the files, FTP to axon.ee.upenn.edu
(130.91.6.208), using the name "anonymous" and your mailing address as
the password. The files are in the "pub" directory.
Penn is in the process of switching from Artist 2.4 to Opus 4.2. The
manual is being rewritten, and the support files are being updated.
Technology files supporting DRC, Extract, and Compare are currently in
beta-test. If problems or bugs are detected, please send email to
"cadence@axon.ee.upenn.edu".
11: Archive sites for comp.lsi.cad and comp.lsi
(None of these are comprehensive archives, rather, they have about 3
postings each)
comp.lsi.cad:
cnam.cnam.fr in /pub/Archives/comp.archives/auto/comp.lsi.cad
cs.dal.ca in /pub/comp.archives/comp.lsi.cad
srawgw.sra.co.jp in /.a/sranha-bp/arch/arch/comp.archives/auto/comp.lsi.cad
12: Other newsgroups that relate to comp.lsi*
alt.cad
comp.cad.cadence
comp.lang.verilog
comp.lang.vhdl
comp.sys.mentor
sci.electronics
13: Simulation programs tips/tricks/bugs
Berkeley spice:
Pspice:
Hspice:
If your simulation won't converge for a given DC input, you can ramp the
input and print the DC operating point and then set the nodes that way
for future simulations.
A number of documents are available for information on BSIM model parame-
ters: (from Mark Johnson, as posted to comp.lsi <mjohnson@netcom.com>)
1. The very best written description I have seen is in a software manual.
The good news is that this manual is free; the bad news is that you
have to buy the multi-thousand-dollar program in order to get the free
manual. The program is HSPICE from Meta-Software Inc (Campbell,
Calif., USA). The HSPICE User's Manual, chapter 7, gives all the
details you'd ever want to know regarding BSIM parameters.
2. The second best description I have seen of BSIM is in, strangely
enough, a manual for BSIM2 (!). It is available from the University
of California at Berkeley. Telephone (510)-643-6687 and they will
give you instructions on how to buy the manual. (They'll probably
suggest that you might want to buy some software too).
J.S. Duster, M.C. Jeng, P.K. Ko, and C. Hu, "Users
Guide for the BSIM2 Parameter Extraction Program and
the SPICE3 with BSIM Implementation"
3. You can learn some things about BSIM parameters by reading about pro-
grams which extract the parameters from measured data. UC Berkeley
offers several programs and manuals for this. The one that I person-
ally prefer is
M.C. Jeng, B.J. Sheu, and P.K. Ko: "BSIM Parameter
Extraction - Algorithms and User's Guide," Memo
No. UCB/ERL M85/79, 7 October 1985.
4. Next, look at Sheu's Ph.D. thesis. He is the guy who combined the
Bell Labs CSIM model with a bunch of other published equations, and
formulated BSIM. It's available from the same phone number.
B.J. Sheu, "MOS Transistor Modelling and Characterization
for Circuit Simulation", Memo No. UCB/ERL M85/85,
26 October 1985
5. The worst description (in +my+ opinion of course) is unfortunately in
the most-accessible publication. To save space in the journal they
left out some parameter discussions and (again in my opinion) produced
a disjointed, not-fully- informative paper. Others may have different
views, naturally.
B.J. Sheu, D.L. Scharfetter, P-K Ko, M-C Jeng, "BSIM:
Berkeley Short-Channel IGFET Model for MOS Transistors,"
IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol SC-22, No. 4,
August 1987, pp. 558-565.
14: Getting the latest version of the FAQ:
Mail to clcfaq@eecs.ucdavis.edu with the subject "send faq".
If you wish to be added to the FAQ mailing list, send a note to
clcfaq@eecs.ucdavis.edu with subject heading 'Subscribe'. You will then
have the FAQ regularly emailed to the return address of the note. Like-
wise, use the subject heading 'Unsubscribe' to be removed from the list.
This FAQ is now cross-posted to news.answers and comp.answers. This news-
group is archived periodically on rtfm.mit.edu [18.70.0.226]. Postings
are located in the anonymous ftp directory /pub/usenet/news.answers, and
are archived as "lsi-cad-faq/part1" and "lsi-cad-faq/part2".
15: Converting from/to GDSII/CIF/Magic
Magic version 6.3 is capable of reading and writting to all three for-
mats. (From the magic man page):
calma [option] [args]
This command is used to read and write files in Calma GDS II Stream for-
mat (version 3.0, corresponding to GDS II Release 5.1). This format is
like CIF, in that it describes physical mask layers instead of Magic
layers. In fact, the technology file specifies a correspondence between
CIF and Calma layers. The current CIF output style (see cif ostyle) con-
trols how Calma stream layers are generated from Magic layers.
cif [option] [args]
Read or write files in Caltech Intermediate Form (CIF).
16: CFI (CAD Framework Initiative Inc.)
(From Randy Kirchhof <rkk@cfi.org>)
CFI abridged FAQ guide for release 1.0
For those of you who may be unfamiliar with our work, The CAD Framework
Initiative Inc. was formed in May 1988. We're located in Austin, TX,
although we're a distributed company. We're a not-for-profit consortium
formed under the laws of the state of Delaware. Our charter is to gain
consensus from industry users, the academic community, and vendors, to
develop guidelines for an industry acceptable CAD framework implementa-
tion.
A CAD framework is a software infrastructure which provides a common
operating environment for CAD tools. Through a framework, a user should
be able to launch and manage tools, create, organize, and manage data,
graphically view the entire design process and perform design management
tasks such as configuration management, version management, etc. CFI
Release 1.0 started shipping in January.
Q When can users buy CFI compliant tools?
A Several vendors, some of which include Viewlogic, AT&T and very
shortly Cadence Design are already shipping products which they
claim are compliant to one or more of the 1.0 Standards. CFI has
already begun certification audits and expects to begin awarding
the first certification brand marks in the second quarter of 1993.
We expect to see a rapid expansion of 1.0 compliant products
beginning in the third quarter of 1993.
Q How can the Standards be obtained? Are there any restrictions?
A The 1.0 Standards, copyrighted by CFI, are available to members
and non members priced as a set or individually through CFI Member
Services. They will also being distributed under license by
Cadence, Mentor Graphics, and Viewlogic as part of their product
documentation. Versions of the 1.0 Standards are available on
diskette in an electronic format.
Q How do the CFI Standards relate to vendor framework programs like
Mentor's Open Door, Viewlogic Power Team and Cadence Connection
Partners - with so many point tool vendors participating, don't
they have this problem solved?
A The major EDA vendors have been and continue to be challenged by
their customers over multi-vendor integration. These programs
were a practical response by opening up their existing interfaces
and providing services to assist integration. CFI 1.0, and future
releases, will create a functional alternative to a growing subset
of those interfaces so that the requirement that point tool ven-
dors create partnership specific versions of their tool will
decrease. Actually, the service provided through these programs
will likely complement the CFI certification effort as these
supplier's frameworks become fully certified.
Contact: karen@cfi.org (Karen Buerkle, Member Services)
(512) 338-3739
17: What synthesis systems are there?
Thanks to Simon Leung <sleung@sun1.atitech.ca>, Michel Berkelaar
<michel@ele.tue.nl>, Noritake Yonezawa <yonezawa@cs.uiuc.edu>, Donald A
Lobo <lobo@guardian.cs.psu.edu>, Greg Ward <gregw@bnr.ca>, Peter Duzy,
Robert Walker <walkerb@turing.cs.rpi.edu>, Heinrich Kraemer
<kraemer@fzi.de>
ADPS
- Case Western Reserve University, USA
- scheduling and data path allocation
- Papachristou, C.A. et al.: "A Linear Program Driven Scheduling and
Allocation Method Followed by an Interconnect Optimization Algorithm",
Proc. of the 27th DAC, pp. 77-83, June 1990.
ALPS/LYRA/ARYL
- Tsing Hua University
- scheduling and data path allocation
- Lee, J-H: et al.: "A New Integer Linear Programming Formulation of
the Scheduling Problem in Data Path Synthesis", Proc. of ICCAD89, pp.
20-23, November 1989.
BDSYN
- University of California, Berkeley, USA
- FSM synthesis from DECSIM language for multilevel combination-logic
realization
- Brayton, R.: "Multiple-level Logic Optimization System", Proc. of IEEE
ICCAD, Santa Clara, Nov. 1986
BECOME
- AT & T Bell Labs, USA
- FSM synthesis from C-like language for PLA, PLD and standard cell realization
- Wei, R-S.: "BECOME: Behavior Level Circuit Synthesis Based on Structure
Mapping", Proc. of 25th ACM/IEEE Design Automation Conference, pp. 409-414,
IEEE, 1988
BOLD
- logic optimization
- Bartlett, K. "Synthesis and Optimization of Multilevel Logic Under Timing
Constraints", IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design, Vol 5, No 10,
October 1986
BRIDGE
- AT & T Bell Labs, USA
- High-level synthesis FDL2-language descriptions
- Tseng: "Bridge: A Versatile Behavioral Synthesis System", Proc. of 25th
ACM/IEEE Design Automation Conference, pp. 415-420, IEEE, 1988
CADDY
- Karlsruhe University, Germany
- behavioral synthesis using VHDL as the input/output language, based on
data-flow analysis; automated component selection (allocation), scheduling,
and assignment. Different architechture styles are supported, such as
multiplexers vs busses and two-phase vs single phase clocks.
- Camposano, R.: "Synthesing Circuits From Behavioral Descriptions", IEEE
Transactions on Computer-Aided Design, Vol. 8, No. 2, February 1989
Rosenstiel, W., Kraemer, H.: "Scheduling and Assignment in High-Level
Synthesis", in 'High-Level VLSI-Synthesis' R. Camposano, W. Wolf Ed.
Kluwer, 1991
Gutberlet P., Mueller J., Kraemer H., Rosenstiel W.: "Automatic Module
Allocation in High-level Synthesis", Proc. of 1st EURO-DAC, 1992
CALLAS
- Siemens, Germany
- highlevel, algortihmic and logic synthesis (contains CADDY, see
above)
- Koster, M. et al.: "ASIC Design Using the High-Level Synthesis
System CALLAS: A Case Study", Proc. IEEE International Conference on
Computer Design (ICCD '90), pp. 141-146, Cambridge, Massachusetts,
Sept. 17-19, 1990
CAMAD
- Linkoping University, Sweden
- scheduling, data path allocation and iteration from a Pascal subset
- Peng, Z.: "CAMAD: A Unified Data Path/ Control Synthesis
Environment", Proc. of the IFIP Working Conference on Design
Methodologies for VLSI and Computer Architecture, pp. 53-67, Sept.
1988.
CARLOS
- Karlsruhe University, Germany
- multilevel logic optimization for CMOS realizations
- Mathony, H-J.: "CARLOS: An Automated Multilevel Logic Design System for
CMOS Semi-Custom Integrated Circuits", IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided
Design, Vol 7, No 3, pp. 346-355, March 1988
CATHEDRAL
- Univ. of Leuve, Phillips and Siemens, Belgium
- synthesis of DSP-circuits from algorithm descriptions
- De Man, H.: "Architecture-Driven Synthesis Techiques for VLSI Implementation
of DSP Algorithms", Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 78, NO. 2, pp. 319,
February 1990
CATREE
- Univ. of Waterloo, Canada
- scheduling and data path allocation
- Gebotys, C.H.: "VLSI Design Synthesis with Testability", Proc. of
the 25th DAC, pp. 16-21, June 1988
CHARM
- AT & T Bell Labs., USA
- data-path synthesis
- Woo, N-S.: "A Global, Dynamic Register Allocation and Binding for a
Data Path Synthesis System", Proc. of the 27th DAC, pp. 505-510, June 1990.
CMU-DA (2)
- Carnagie-Mellon University, USA
- behavioral synthesis from ISPS
- Thomas, D.: "Linking the Behavioral and Structural Domains of Representation
for Digital System Design", IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design, pp.
103-110, Vol. 6, No. 1, January 1987
CONES
- AT & T Bell Labs, USA
- FSM synthesis, produces 2-level logic realizations (truth-table)
- Stroud, C.E.: "CONES: A System for Automated Synthesis of VLSI and
programmable logic from behavioral models", Proc. of IEEE ICCAD, Santa Clara,
Nov. 1986.
DAGAR
- University of Texas, Austin, USA.
- scheduling and data-path allocation
- Raj. V.K.: "DAGAR: An Automatic Pipelined Microarchitecture
Synthesis System", Proc. of ICCD '89, pp. 428-431, October 1989.
DELHI
- IIT
- design iteration, scheduling and data path allocation
- Balakrishnan, M. et al.: "Integrated Scheduling and Binding: A
Synthesis Approach for Design Space Exploration", Proc. of the 26th
DAC, pp. 68-74, June 1989
DESIGN AUTOMATION ASSISTANT (DAA)
- AT & T Bell Labs, USA
- expert system for data path synthesis
- Kowalski, T.J. "The VLSI Desig Automation Assistant: An Architecture
Compiler", Silicon Compilation, pp. 122-152, Addison-Wesley, 1988
ELF
- Carleton University, Canada
- scheduling and data path allocation
- Girczyc, E.F. et al.: "Applicability of a Subset of Ada as an
Algorithmic Hardware Description Language for Graph-Based Hardware
Compilation", IEEE Trans. on CAD, pp. 134-142, April 1985.
EUCLID
- Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands
- logic synthesis
- Berkelaar, Michel R.C.M. and Theeuwen, J.F.M., "Real Area-Powe-Delay
Trade-off in the EUCLID Logic Synthesis System" , proceedings of the Custom
Integrated Circuits Conference 1990, Boston MA USA, pp 14.3.1 ff
EXLOG
- NEC Corporation, Japan
- expert system, synthesizes gate level circuits from FDL descriptions
- M. Watanabe, et al.,: "EXLOG: An Expert System for Logic Synthesis in
Full-Custom VLSI Design", Proc. of 2nd Int. Conf. Application of Artificial
Intelligence, August 1987.
FACE/PISYN
- General Electric, USA
- FACE: high-level synthesis tools and a tool framework, PISYN:
synthesis of pipelined architecture DSP systems (mostly)
- Smith, W.D. et al.: "FACE Core Environment: The Model and it's
Application in CAE/CAD Tool Development", Proc. of the 26th DAC, pp.
466-471, June 1989.
FLAMEL
- Stanford University, USA
- data path and control-logic synthesis from Pascal description
- Trickey, H. "Flamel: A High-Level Hardware Compiler", IEEE Transactions
on Computer-Aided Design, Vol 6, No 2, March 1987.
HAL
- Carleton University, Canada
- data path synthesis
- Paulin, P.: "Force-Directed Scheduling for the Behavioral Synthesis of
ASIC's", IEEE Transaction on Computer-Aided Design, pp. 661,
Vol. 8, No. 6, June 1989.
HARP
- NTT, Japan
- scheduling and data path-allocation from FORTRAN
- Tanaka, T. et al.: "HARP: Fortran to Silicon", IEEE Trans. on CAD,
pp. 649-660, June 1989.
HYPER
- UCB, USA
- synthesis for realtime applications (scheduling, allocation, module
binding, controller design)
- Chu, C-M. et al.: "HYPER: An Interactive Synthesis Environment for
Real Time Applications", Proc. of ICCD '89, pp. 432-435, October 1989
IMBSL/RLEXT
- Univ. of Illinois, USA
- data-path allocation, RTL-level design
- Knapp D.W.: "Manual Rescheduling and Incremental Repair of Register
Level Data Paths", Proc. of ICCAD '89, pp.58-61, November 1989.
LSS (Logic Synthesis System)
- IBM, USA
- logic synthesis and optimization from many RTL-languages
- Darringer, J. et al. "LSS: A System for Production Logic Synthesis",
IBM Journal of Research and Developement, vol. 28, No. 5, pp. 272-280,
Sept 1984.
MAHA
- University of Southern California, USA
- data path synthesis
- Parker, A.C. "MAHA: A Program for Data Path Synthesis", Proc. 23rd ACM/IEEE
Design Automation Conference, pp. 252-258, IEEE 1986.
MIMOLA
- University of Dortmund, Germany
- scheduling, data-path allocation and controller design
- Marwedel, P. "Matching System And Component Behavior in MIMOLA
Synthesis Tools", Proc. of EDAC '90, pp. 146-156, March 1990.
MIS (II/MV)
- University of California, Berkeley, USA
- multilevel/multivalued logic optimization
- Brayton, R.K. "MIS: A Multiple-Level Logic Optimatization System",
IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design, Vol. 6, No. 6, November 1987.
pp. 1062-1081
OLYMPUS/HERCULES
- Stanford University, USA
- behavioral synthesis from C-language (HERCULES), logic and physical
synthesis
- De Micheli, G.: "HERCULES - A System for High-Level Synthesis", Proceedings
of the 25th ACM/IEEE Design Automation Conference, pp. 483-488, IEEE 1988
SEHWA
- University of Southern California, USA
- pipeline-realizations from behavioral descriptions
- Park, N. "SEWHA: A Program for Synthesis of Pipelines", Proc. 23rd ACM/IEEE
Design Automation Conference, pp. 454-460, IEEE 1986.
SIEMENS' SYNTHESIS SYSTEM
- Siemens, Germany
- partitioning, data path allocation and scheduling
- Scheichenzuber, J. et al.: "Global Hardware Synthesis from
Behavioral Dataflow Descriptions", Proc. of the 27th DAC, pp. 456-461,
June 1990.
SOCRATES
- General Electric, University of Colorado, USA
- expert system
- logic optimization and mapping for different technologies
- de Geus, A.J., "The Socrates Logic Synthesis and Optimization System",
Design Systems for VLSI Circuits, pp. 473-498, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers,
1987.
SPAID
- Universty of Waterloo, Canada
- DSP-synthesis for silicon compiler realizations
- Haroun, B.: "Architectural Synthesis for DSP Silicon Compilers", IEEE
Transactions on Computer-Aided Design, pp. 431-447, Vol. 8, No 4, April 1989.
SYNFUL
- Bell-Northern Research, Canada
- RTL and FSM synthesis for a production environment
- G. Ward, "Logic Synthesis at BNR: A SYNFUL Story", Proceedings
Canadian Conference on Very Large Scale Integration, October 1990.
SYSTEM ARCHITECT'S WORKBENCH
- Carnagie-Mellon University, USA
- behavioral synthesis
- Thomas, D. "The System Architect's Workbench", Proceedings of the 25th
ACM/IEEE Design Automation Conference, pp. 337-343, IEEE 1988
UCB'S SYNTHESIS SYSTEM
- UCB, USA
- transformations, scheduling and data path allocation
- Devadas, S.: "Algorithms for Hardware Allocation in Data Path
Synthesis", IEEE Trans. on CAD, pp. 768-781, July 89
SPLICER
- University of Illinois, USA
- scheduling and data-path allocation
- Pangrle, B.M.: "Splicer: A Heuristic Approach to Connectivity
Binding", Proc. of the 25th DAC, pp. 536-541, June 1988.
V COMPILER
- IBM, USA
- scheduling and data path allocation from V-language
- Berstis, V: "The V Compiler: Automatic Hardware Design", IEEE Design
and Test, pp. 8-17, April 1989.
VSS
- Univ. of California at Irvine, USA
- transformations, scheduling and data path allocation from VHDL to
MILO
- Lis, J. et al.: "Synthesis from VHDL", Proc. ICCD'88, pp. 378-381,
October 1988.
YORKTOWN SILICON COMPILER
- IBM T.J.Watson Research Centre, USA
- data path synthesis, logic synthesis etc.
- Brayton, R.K., et al. "The Yorktown Silicon Compiler", Silicon Compilation,
pp. 204-311, Addison-Wesley, 1988
18: What free tools are there available, and what can they do?
(This section can be viewed as a cross reference to the detailed descrip-
tion of software that follows.)
Analog VLSI and Neural Systems: Caltech VLSI CAD Tools
Automated place and route: octtools, Lager
Digital design environment: Galaxy CAD
Lsi (polygon) schematic capture: magic, octtools(vem)
Layout Verification: caltech tools (netcmp), gemini (Washington
Univerity), wellchk (MUG)
PCB auto/manual place and route: PADS pcb, PCB (Just for testing lsi
designs, of course :)
Simulation: irsim(comes with magic), esim, pspice, isplice3, watand,
switcap2
Synthesis: octtools, blis, Lager, item, (see section on synthesis)
Standard schematic capture: PADS logic, PSPICE for windows
19: What Berkeley Tools are available for anonymous ftp?
available from ic.berkeley.edu: (pub)
adore: switched capacitor layout generator. (Requires Octtools 5.1 to
compile.)
bdd:
road: analog layout router
sis: simplifies both sum-of-products and generic multi-level boolean
expressions; it includes many tools including espresso, bdd
ext2spice: enhanced ext2spice for use with magic
available from gatekeeper.dec.com: (pub/misc)
espresso: simplifies sum-of-products boolean expressions
20: What Berkeley Tools are available through ILP?
(From MUG 20 Contributed by Carol Block of U. C. Berkeley)
A new version of the popular circuit simulator, Spice3F2, is now avail-
able from the Industrial Liaison Program (ILP) Office at the University
of California, Berkeley. A new release of Octtools will be forthcoming
in 1993. Enclosed is a list of software distributed by this office.
Adore, BBL.2, Berkeley Building-Block Layout System, Berkeley Computer
Integrated Manufacturing System, Parameter Extraction Program for BSIM,
Parameter Extraction for BSIM2, Bear-FP, Bert, BLIS, Spice 2G with BSIM
Implementation, Cider, Ditroff/Gremlin, Ecstasy, EDIF 2 0 0, Elogic,
ES1:Electrostatis 1-Dimensional Periodic Plasma, Franz Lisp, Gabriel,
Glitter, IBC: Traveling-Wave-Tube Simulation, IEEE-754 Test Vector, Jsim,
Jspice, Lanso, Magic-X11R3-Patch, Magic 1990 Decwrl/Livermore Release,
Mahjong, Mighty, Octtools, Parmex Pix-Parmex, Plasma Device Simulation
Codes, PLA Tools, Proteus, Ptolemy, Relax, Ritual, Sample, Sample-3D,
Additional SAMPLE Documentation, Simpl-IPX and Simpl System 5, SIS, SPAM,
Sparse, Spectre, Spice 2G6, Spice 3F2, Additional SPICE Documentation,
Splat, Splice 3.0, Supercrystal, SWEC, Tempest, TimberWolf 3.2, Tsize,
1986 VLSI Tools, Wombat.
Within a few weeks, a new catalog will be available via anonymous FTP.
Users will also be able to obtain forms, ordering instruc- tions and some
comp.lsi.cad Frequently Asked Questions With Answers (Part 2/2) [LONG]
Author: Michael Altarriba
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1993 18:30
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1993 18:30
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Archive-name: lsi-cad-faq/part2
software via this means. Generally, recipients will have to com-
plete an Agreement Form and pay a documentation and handling fee of about
$250 per program.
ILP can now distribute most of its programs in a variety of media,
including: QIC-120, QIC-150, QIC-320, 8mm (2.2 gig), TK 50 (DEC tape for-
mat), 9-track 1600 bpi and 9-track 6250 bpi. Visa and Mastercard ord-
ers will be accepted on-line by 1993. Most of the software may be freely
redistributed either within an organi- zation or to other organiza-
tions, both within the United States and abroad, subject to the certain
restrictions, including all U.S. Government restrictions, particu-
larly those concerning ex- port.
For additional information, contact:
Industrial Liaison Program
205 Cory Hall
Software Distribution Office
University of California at Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720
TEL: (510) 643-6687
FAX: (510) 643-6694
ilpsoftware@hera.berkeley.edu
21: Berkeley Spice (Current version 3f2)
(From spice_info on ic.berkeley.edu)
Acquiring Spice 3f2
For more information on how to acquire Spice3f2, please send your physi-
cal mailing address to "ilpsoftware@berkeley.edu" and request a software
catalog. This will give you all of the necessary information for order-
ing Spice3f2 and other Berkeley CAD software, including an order form and
use agreements. At last check, the cost for spice3f2 was $250.00 (this
price may change without notice).
Systems supported and Formats Supplied
Spice3f2 has been compiled on the following systems:
Ultrix 4, RISC or VAX
SunOS 4, Sun3 or Sun4
AIX V3, RS/6000
HP-UX 8.0, 9000/700
MS-DOS on the IBM PC, using MicroSoft C 5.1 or later
The following systems have been successfully tested either in the past or
by someone outside of UC Berkeley.
Dynix 3.0, Sequent Symmetry or Balance (does _not_ take advantage of
parallelism)
HP-UX 7.0, 9000/300
Irix 3.2, SGI Personal Iris
NeXT 2.0
Apple MacIntosh, Using Think C
Spice3f2 is distributed in source form only. The C compiler "gcc" has
been used successfully to compile spice3f2, as well as the standard com-
pilers for the systems listed above.
Spice3 displays graphs under X11, PostScript, or a graphics-terminal
independent library, or as a crude, spice2-like line-printer plot. On
the IBM PC, CGA, EGA, and VGA displays are supported through the Micro-
Soft graphics library. Note in particular that there is no Suntools
interface.
Note the the X11 interface to Spice3 expects realease 4 or later, and
requires the "Athena Widgets Toolkit" ("Xaw") which may be available only
in the "unsupported" portion of your vendor software. A version of
"OpenWindows" has problems due to undefined routines during linking --
linking with a null copy of these routines has reportedly worked, but
"OpenWindows" has not been tested in any way for this release.
Note that for practical performance a math co-processor is required for
an IBM PC based on the 286 processor. A math co-processor is also recom-
mended for the more advanced IBM PC systems.
(from posting to comp.lsi.cad) The Windows NT port of spice3e2, Spice32,
is available via ftp from site ftp.cica.indiana.edu, /pub/pc/win3/nt.
Filename is spice100.zip. A similar port of nutmeg is included.
The Unix distribution comes on 1/2" 9-track tape in "tar" format, TK50
tape (DEC tape), or QIC-150 1/4" cartridge tape (Sun cartridge tape).
The MS-DOS distribution comes on several 3.5" floppy diskettes (both high
and low density) in the standard MS-DOS format. The contents of both
distributions are identical, including file names.
New features in 3f2
The following is a list of new features and fixes from the previous major
release of Spice3 (3e.2) (see the user's manual for details):
AC and DC Sensitivity.
MOS3 discontinuity fix ("kappa").
Added a new JFET fitting parameter.
Minor initial conditions fix.
Rewritten or fixed "show" and "trace" commands.
New interactive commands "showmod" and "alter".
Minor bug-fixes to the Pole-Zero analysis.
Miscellaneous bug fixes in the front end.
Additional features since release 3d.2 are:
Lossy transmission line model (not available under MS-DOS).
Proper calculation of sheet resistance in MOS models.
A new command ("where") to aid in debugging troublesome
circuits.
Smith-chart plots improved.
Arbitrary sources in subcircuits handled correctly.
Arbitrary source reciprocal calculations and DC biasing
now done correctly.
Minor bug-fixes to the Pole-Zero analysis.
Miscellaneous bug fixes in the front end.
A Note on Version Numbering
Spice versions are numbered "NXM", where "N" is a number representing the
major release (as in re-write), "X" is a letter representing a feature
change reflected by a change in the documentation, and "M" is a number
indicating a minor revision or bug-patch number.
FTP Access and Upgrades
There is no anonymous ftp access for the Spice3 source. The manual for
spice3f2 (in it's postscript format) is available via anonymous ftp from
"ic.berkeley.edu" in the directory "pub/spice3/um.3f.ps/". If you are
interested in the troff/me source, contact the email address below (the
"make" files and whatnot are somewhat cumbersome for the manual).
Patches or upgrades for Spice3 are _not_ normally supplied, however we
have made exceptions to this rule, particularly in the case of minor ver-
sion changes (such as 3f2 to 3f3).
Email Address for Problems
Please direct technical inquiries to "spice@berkeley.edu" or "spice-
bugs@berkeley.edu" (for now these addresses are the same), and ordering
or redistribution queries to "ilpsoftware@berkeley.edu". If you find
that your email to "spice" or "spice-bugs" doesn't get a response in a
few days, resend your message.
22: Octtools (Current version 5.1)
(From the ANNOUNCE-5.1 that comes with it)
Octtools is a collection of programs and libraries that form an
integrated system for IC design. The system includes tools for PLA and
multiple-level logic synthesis, state assignment, standard-cell, gate-
matrix and macro-cell placement and routing, custom-cell design, circuit,
switch and logic-level simulation, and a variety of utility programs for
manipulating schematic, symbolic, and geometric design data. Most tools
are integrated with the Oct data manager and the VEM user interface.
The software requires UNIX, the window system X11R4 including the Athena
Widget Set. The design manager VOV and a few other tools require the C++
compiler g++.
Octtools-5.1 have been built and tested on the following combinations of
machines and operating systems: DECstation 3100, 5000 running Ultrix 4.1
and 4.2; DEC VAX running Ultrix 4.1 and 4.2; Sun 3 and 4 running OS 4.0
and Sun SparcStation running OS 4.0. The program has been tried on the
following machines, but is not supported: Sequent Symmetry, IBM RS/6000
running AIX 3.1.
To obtain a copy of Octtools 5.1 (8mm, tk50, or 1/4inch cartridge QIC150)
and a printed copy of the documentation) for a $250 distribution charge,
see section on Berkeley ILP.
Questions may be directed to octtools@ic.berkeley.edu.
23: Ptolemy (Current version 0.4):
(From comp.dsp FAQ)
Ptolemy provides a highly flexible foundation for the specification,
simulation, and rapid prototyping of systems. It is an object oriented
framework within which diverse models of computation can co-exist and
interact. For example, using Ptolemy a data-flow system can be easily
connected to a hardware simulator which in turn may be connected to a
discrete-event system, etc. Because of this, Ptolemy can be used to
model entire systems.
In addition, Ptolemy now has code generation capabilities. From a flow
graph description, Ptolemy can generate both C code and DSP assembly code
for rapid prototyping. Note that code generation is not yet complete,
and is included in the current release for demonstration purposes only.
Ptolemy has been used for a broad range of applications including signal
processing, telecomunications, parallel processing, wireless communica-
tions, optical phase lock loops, real time systems, and hardware/software
co-design. Ptolemy has also been used as a lab for signal processing and
communications courses. Currently Ptolemy has hundreds of users in over
75 sites, both in industry and academia.
Ptolemy is available for the Sun 4 (sparc) and DecStation (MIPS) archi-
tectures. A port to the HP workstation is in progress. Installing the
system requires 49 Mbytes for Ptolemy (64 Mbytes after you optionally
rebuild) and 16 Mbytes for the Gnu tools subset. At least 8 Mbytes of
physical memory are required.
Ptolemy has been developed at UC Berkeley over the past 3 years. Further
information, including papers and the complete release notes, is avail-
able from the FTP site.
A license is no longer required to receive Ptolemy. The source code,
binaries, and documentation are available by anonymous ftp from
ptolemy.berkeley.edu, under /pub/ptolemy. Consult the file /pub/README
for further information.
24: Lager (Current version 4.0):
(From MUG 18)
The LAGER system is a set of CAD tools for performing parameterized VLSI
design with a slant towards DSP applications (but not limited to DSP
applications). A standard cell library, datapath library, several module
generators and several pad libraries comprise the cell library. These
tools and libraries have originated from UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Missis-
sippi State, and ITD. The tool development has been funded by DARPA
under the Rapid Prototyping Contract headed by Bob Brodersen (UC Berke-
ley). LAGER 3.0 was described in MUG 15.
Send email to reese@erc.msstate.edu if you are interested in obtaining
the toolset via FTP. If you cannot get the distribution via ftp then send
one 1/4" 600 ft. tape OR an 8 mm tape (Exabyte compatible) to Bob Reese
by phone at (601)-325-3670 or at one of the following addresses:
(US Mail Address)
P.O. Box 6176
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(FEDEX)
2 Research Boulevard
Starkville, MS 39759
Be sure to include a return FEDEX waybill we can use to ship your tape
back to you. Instead of sending a tape and FEDX waybill, you can also
just send us a check for $75 and we will send you back a tape. Make the
check payable to Mississippi State Univ. The tape will be written on a
high density tape drive (150 Mb). Older low density SUN tape drives (60
Mb) cannot read this format so you need to have access to one of SUN's
newer tape drives.
25: BLIS (Current version 2.0):
(From their announcement posted here)
BLIS (Behavior-to-Logic Interactive Synthesis) is an environment for the
synthesis of digital circuits from high-level descriptions. Version 2.0
supports functional-level synthesis starting from the ELLA hardware
description language. Other languages can easily be supported by inter-
facing a parser to the internal data-flow representation of BLIS.
BLIS is distributed through the Industrial Liason's Program (ILP) Office
of the UCB EECS department. The cost of $250 covers media and distribu-
tion charges. Binaries are provided for SUN4 and DEC MIPS architectures
but BLIS should compile on most other machines supported by the GNU C and
C++ compilers (e.g. HP, vax, etc). ELLA language documentation and simu-
lator are not supplied with the BLIS distribution, but can be obtained
from Computer General.
26: COSMOS and BDD
(From their announcement posted here)
Obtaining and installing COSMOS and BDD.
The COSMOS package generates switch-level simulators for MOS circuits.
The BDD package is a subset of COSMOS providing a set of library routines
for symbolic Boolean manipulation.
To obtain a copy of either COSMOS or BDD via FTP:
1. Create an appropriate subdirectory. For COSMOS, you may want to
create a symbolic link /usr/cosmos to this directory, although this is
not essential.
2. Connect to the subdirectory
3. FTP to n3.sp.cs.cmu.edu (login anonymous, password
yourname@your.host.name)
4. Type:
cd /usr/cosmos/ftp
ls
5. Select which version of the code you want. The files are named
bdd.XXX.YYY.tar.Z and cosmos.XXX.YYY.tar.Z, where XXX.YYY is the ver-
sion number. Generally you should select the highest numbered ver-
sion.
6. 6. Type:
get <FILE> (where <FILE> is the file name of the selected ver-
sion).
get README
quit
7. Follow the instructions in README
8. Send the following information to cosmos@cs.cmu.edu
Your name
Your postal address
Your net address
The file retrieved
The date of your retrieval
COSMOS and BDD are made available with the understanding that no part of
it will be redistributed further without permission.
Last updated 18 July 1991 by Derek Beatty.
27: ITEM
(Taken from the item.news file contained in the package:)
The first public release of ITEM, UCSC's logic minimizer using if-then-
else DAGs, was made 2 January 1991. The system is available by anonymous
ftp from ftp.cse.ucsc.edu, in directory pub/item as a compressed tar
archive (item.tar.Z). Also available are tech reports about the algo-
rithms and data structures (88-28, 88-29, and 90-43).
ITEM can also be found at ftp.cse.ucsc.edu in the pub/item directory.
28: PADS logic/PADS PCB:
While this is a commercial product, they have just recently made avail-
able a shareware version. This version is fully functional and indenti-
cal to their schematic capture and PCB autoplace and route software
except that it is limited to about 50 components. It is available for
IBM PC/PC compatibles directly from PADS, or from anynonmous ftp at
several sites including wuarchive.wustl.edu in
/mirrors/msdos/cad/pads*.zip. There is a $50 registration fee if you
would like to get future updates from them.
29: Another PCB Layout Package:
(from Randy Nevin <randyn@microsoft.com>:)
I'm distributing a freely-copyable software package to do autorouting of
(1- and 2-layer) printed circuit boards on a PC or compatible. It is
written in C (with a little .asm), and all source code is included. There
is an autorouter, a board viewer, a rat nest viewer, and some output
filters which generate postscript and hp laserjet output files. There is
no charge, but I maintain the copyright (it is not public domain). If you
want to read about it, I published an article on autorouting algorithms
in the sept '89 dr. dobb's journal. ega is required (for the viewing pro-
grams). If you'd like to get the software, send me a stamped, self-
addressed floppy mailer and a floppy. I can handle 5.25" 360K or 1.2M, or
3.5" 1.4M, but if you send 360K there is some extra code that I won't be
able to fit on the disk, so high density is better.
I developed this software at home on my own time, and it is not related
to what I do for my employer, so I will not use my employer's email
resource to distribute it. however, it is available for anonymous ftp
access on wsmr-simtel20.army.mil in PD1:<MSDOS.CAD>PCB.ARC, last I heard.
I do not keep simtel up to date. But the version there is useable, and
does include all source code.
Randy Nevin
24135 SE 16th PL
Issaquah, WA 98027
30: Magic (Current version 6.3):
This is a polygon based lsi layout editor. It is capable of reading and
writing magic, calma (version 3.0, corresponding to GDS II Release 5.1),
and cif. It is available for anonymous ftp from gatekeeper.dec.com in
/pub/DEC/magic.
31: PSpice:
This is a commercial product, however, they do have a student version
that is available (limited to around 16 transistors).
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.
32: 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))
33: 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.
34: 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.
35: 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 new revision of the Caltech
electronic CAD system for analog VLSI neural networks. This distribution
contains tools for schematic capture, netlist creation, and analog and
digital simulation (log), IC mask layout, extraction, and DRC (wol), sim-
ple chip compilation (wolcomp), MOSIS fabrication request generation
(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 fabricated 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.
Highlights of the new revision includes:
* Ports to new platforms (Supported platforms now include: Sun SPARC,
Sun 3, HP Series 300/400/700/800, DEC MIPS-based Ultrix, Appple AU/X,
linux, and IBM RS/6000 support).
* Support for black and white displays, and resource database support
for user preferences for sizing and placement of windows. New
display modes in analog to support small screens.
* Direct generation of SPICE netlists in analog, and new models
for floating-well FET's, two-terminal devices with arbitrary i-v
curves, and quantum-well tunnel diodes.
* Many bug fixes for analog, wol, view, and until, and new features for view.
If you are interested in some or all of these tools,
1) ftp to hobiecat.pcmp.caltech.edu on the Internet,
2) log in as anonymous and use your username as the password
3) cd 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.
A small but rather important bug was found in the "analog" program of the
new Chipmunk distribution announced several weeks ago -- a key MOS
transistor parameter was off by an order of magnitude! The current copies
of the distribution on hobiecat.caltech.edu and ifi.uio.no have this bug
corrected; however, if you've already picked up and installed the distri-
bution since the new release (early april), here are the directions for
patching your current installation w/o bringing over and rebuilding the
whole package:
1) anonymous ftp to hobiecat.pcmp.caltech.edu, cd to pub/chipmunk
2) get the file models.cnf
3) in your distribution, use this file to replace log/lib/models.cnf
That's it! Sorry for the inconvenience ...
36: 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.
37: 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.
38: 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
39: 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.
40: 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.
41: T-SpiceTM (was CAzM), a Spice-like table-based analog circuit simulator
(From William R. Richards Jr. <richards@mcnc.org>)
CAzM is a Spice-like table-based analog circuit simulator. It offers sig-
nificant 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.
(From Bhusan Gupta <bgupta@micro.caltech.edu>)
The CAzM program that was developed and offered by MCNC, has been
licensed for distribution by Tanner Research, Inc. of Pasadena, CA and
all future product availability and support is available from Tanner
Research. The program as offered by Tanner Research is a commercial pro-
duct and is now named T-Spice. This Spice-like simulator offers table-
based model evaluations for fast simulation performance, as well as,
included analytical models for use with digital and analog circuits.
Improvements to the CAzM models have also been made. Tanner Research
offers an optional Advance Model Library of charged controlled models
that includes an accurate, physically-based MOSFET model that is continu-
ous over all transistor regions of operations (including subthreshold),
and scales to submicron channel lengths. User defined models of any cus-
tom component or circuit written in "C" can be readily linked to T-Spice
as a general n-terminal device. Pricing is $995 for the simulator and
$1,245 with the Advance Model Library and Waveform Viewer. Universities
are offered a 75% discount. A modeling and extraction service is also
provided by Tanner Research to generate functional or transistor level
circuit simulation models for user supplied devices. The extraction ser-
vice provides extracted model parameters for existing circuit simulation
models, such as SPICE models, Tanner's own charge controlled MOS models,
or user's proprietary models. In addition, software is available to aid
users in extracting model parameters in house. For more information con-
tact Bhushan Mudbhary at Tanner Research (bhushan @ tanner.com), phone
818-792-3000 and fax 818-792-0300.
42: 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
43: 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
44: 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
45: 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.
46: Tanner Research Tools (Ledit and LVS)
(From Bhusan Gupta <bgupta@micro.caltech.edu>)
Low cost, yet very powerful commercial ASIC design tools are available
from Tanner Research, Inc. in Pasadena, CA. These products are used by
industry and universities alike. Tanner's products are nominally priced
at $995 per program, with a combined package named L-Edit Pro available
for $3,495 on the PC. Universities are offered a 75% discount. Here is
a list of their current programs:
L-EditTM : A full-custom layout editor with CIF and GDSII
input/output. Features a 32-bit coordinate space,
all-angle geometry, unlimited hierarchy and number
of layers. The L-Edit Pro package includes L-Edit/DRC
for design rule checking, L-Edit/SPR for automatic
standard cell placement and routing, L-Edit/Extract
for extracting transistors, capacitors, resistors and
generic devices for SPICE-level simulation or comparison
to a schematic and LVS ,a netlist comparison tool for
topological and parametrical verification. Optional
layout libraries are also available.
T-Spice: Circuit level simulator (See item 41 for detail
GateSimTM : Gate-level simulator. A full array of technology mapping
libraries are also available.
Products are available for the PC, Macintosh, Sun and Hp UNIX platforms.
For more information contact Bhushan Mudbhary at Tanner Research (bhushan
@ tanner.com), phone 818-792-3000 and fax 818-792-0300.
47: SIMIC, a full-featured logic verification simulator.
(From comp.archives.msdos.announce)
SIMIC is a full-featured logic verification simulator. It has been
demonstrated that SIMIC can uncover a number of critical design errors
that other simulators miss. SIMIC has shown superior accuracy and
throughput when compared to competitive products. Here are some of
SIMIC's important features:
- Mixed-mode simulation allows the free intermixture of true
bilateral switches (ideal and resistive), gate, plus functional level
built-in and user defined primitives.
- A wide variety of output, whose detail, content and format are, to
large extent, user defined.
- A large repetoire of simulation options and controls that can be
applied interactively, or in batch operation, and simplify
trouble-shooting of your design.
- Automated Test equipment emulation, allows debugging test programs
using SIMIC troubleshooting techniques.
- Sophisticated hazard analysis including: Spike, Pulse, Conflict,
Oscillation, Setup, Hold, Pulse-width, Near (what-if)
detection, among others. Hazard propagation is also supported.
The student version of SIMIC is limited to a maximum of 500 elements
(parts). In all other respects it is the same program as the commercial
offering. The PC student version requires a 386 or better and at least 2
Meg of memory. Both a DPMI and a VCPI version are included in the pack-
age. Both versions require EMS *NOT* be disabled. SIMIC is also avail-
able on Sun and other platforms.
48: LASI CAD System, IC and device layout for IBM compatibles
(from Mike Fitsimmons <mikef@hendrix.ece.uiuc.edu>)
On behalf of the author I have uploaded to WSMR-SIMTEL20.Army.Mil:
pd1:<msdos.cad> LASI41A.ZIP LASI v4.1 IC layout CAD prgm: unzip in
LASI41B.ZIP LASI v4.1 IC layout CAD prgm: unzip in LASI41C.ZIP
LASI v4.1 IC layout CAD prgm: unzip in LASIDEMO.ZIP LASI v4.1 DEMO
drawing: unzip in
The LASI CAD System has been developed to do integrated circuit and dev-
ice layout on almost any IBM compatable personal computer.
LASIDEMO is a small IC layout to be used as a demonstration when first
learning to use LASI.
I offered to pay the author for some sort of site license for this pro-
gram, but he refused, saying that he actually wants educational institu-
tions to use it for free. What a guy!
49: EEDRAW, an electrical/electronic diagramming tool for IBM compatibles
(from <pcc@minster.york.ac.uk>)
I have uploaded to WSMR-SIMTEL20.Army.Mil:
pd1:<msdos.graphics> EEDRAW24.ZIP Electrical Engineering drawing (with
layers)
This is the 2.4 release of EEDRAW, an electrical/electronic diagramming
tool for the IBM PC.
pd1:<msdos.graphics> EEDSRC24.ZIP C sources for EEDRAW24.ZIP program.
TC/BC++
This is the source of the EEdraw 2.4 program. Please read the readme file
in the primary archive for information on other source programs needed
such as the Libary files.
50: MagiCAD, GaAs Gate Array Design through MOSIS
(from Tom Smith <tsmith@mayo.edu>)
The Mayo Graphical Integrated Computer Aided Design (MagiCAD) system is a
package which provides a comprehensive design environment for the
development of digital systems, from initial concept to post-layout
verification of integrated circuits (ICs). MagiCAD focuses on the
development of high-speed Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) gate array designs.
Specialized electromagnetic simulation tools are provided to address high
clock rate issues such as crosstalk and reflections, which become more
important as clock rates exceed several hundred MHz or signal edge rates
become less than 500 pico- seconds. MagiCAD provides all the necessary
tools for high clock rate GaAs IC design, and is also integrated with
non-Mayo circuit, logic, and fault simulators.
MagiCAD provides a lower risk approach than full-custom design for
universities wishing to perform digital GaAs design through MOSIS. This
is done by providing a gate array design environment where low-level
transistor design and layout issues have already been solved and
abstracted into a technology library of pre-defined cells. This frees the
student or researcher to solve the still challenging tasks of system and
gate-level design and layout to get high clock rate chips fabricated
through MOSIS that meet all specifications.
MagiCAD supports hierarchical, top-down, middle-out, or bottom-up
development styles. MagiCAD has been used in the design of many GaAs
chips that have been successfully fabricated. The MagiCAD electromagnetic
modeling tools have been used in the analysis of many actual packages,
multi-chip modules (MCMs), and printed circuit boards (PCBs), uncovering
and avoiding problems that are commonly associated with high-frequency,
fast edge-rate designs. The Vitesse Fury (TM) GaAs VSC2K gate array is
provided as a MagiCAD technology library, and has been used for both gra-
duate and undergraduate student chip designs.
Functionality that has been integrated into MagiCAD includes:
o Vitesse VSC2K GaAs gate array technology library
o Database which integrates all tools
o Schematic entry through a general purpose graphics editor
o Circuit simulator
o Logic and timing simulators
o Fault analysis
o Place and route tools
o Layout verification tools
o Retargeting from generic design to specific technology
o Output to standard GDSII format for mask creation
o Electromagnetic analysis
- Cross section entry with graphics editor
- Multilayer multiconductor transmission line (MMTL) modeling
- Network tool for solving cases with many transmission line
components
- Lossy and non-lossy cases
- Frequency and time domain result displays
- Used for analyzing complex design paths, through chip, MCM,
and PCB
The Vitesse VSC2K has the following characteristics:
o HGaAs-2 (TM) process o 2700 available gates
o Enhancement/depletion MESFET process o 80 signal pads
o 2 GHz flip-flop toggle rates o 40 power, ground pads
o 280 psec loaded gate delays o 2.4 watts maximum
o 170 mils x 135 mils o ECL or TTL I/O
o 132 pin LDCC package available o 2 routing layers
The Mayo Foundation has used MagiCAD to design several VSC2K designs that
have been fabricated through both MOSIS and Vitesse. These designs have
measured operating frequencies of 500 MHz to 1 GHz, depending upon the
section of the circuit being tested. The general application thrust of
these designs has been components which are being used to evaluate MCM
technologies for high speed systems, as well as high speed data genera-
tion and acquisition circuits.
The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee has used MagiCAD to design
several VSC2K designs that have been fabricated through MOSIS. These
designs have simulated clock rates from 100 MHz to 600 MHz. The general
application thrust of these designs has been components of digital signal
processors with medical image processing applications. The descriptions
of these VSC2K personalizations that have been designed and fabricated
include:
o 8-bit Booth's algorithm multiplier
o 4-bit arithmetic logic unit
o 8-bit combinatorial multiplier
o 24-bit carry look-ahead adder
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has authorized and
funded Mayo to supply MagiCAD to universities in the U.S. for research
and educational purposes. The direct cost to the universities for the
MagiCAD software itself is zero (although there may be costs for any
non-Mayo software that universities may want, as well as possible costs
to get the proper hardware/software platform). Mayo-supplied MagiCAD
training and support costs to these institutions is funded by DARPA, and
is therefore free to the universities.
While the MagiCAD tools are presently only available for VAX/VMS environ-
ments, work is presently underway to port MagiCAD to POSIX-compliant
platforms (POSIX is the IEEE "UNIX-like" portable operating system defin-
ition). First POSIX platforms presently planned to port to include DECs-
tations and HP workstations, likely availability of MagiCAD on these
platforms is second half of 1993.
The general steps for a university to begin using MagiCAD for digital
GaAs gate array design include:
1) Contact Mayo Foundation to acquire MagiCAD software
2) Contact MOSIS to acquire general MOSIS information
and Vitesse-specific technology information.
Point Of Contact For Acquiring MagiCAD And MagiCAD Support:
Thomas J. Smith
Mayo Foundation
Special Purpose Processor Development Group
200 First St. S. W.
Rochester, Minnesota 55905
Telephone: (507) 284-0840
Telefax: (507) 284-9171
EMail: tsmith@mayo.edu
Point Of Contact For Acquiring General MOSIS Information
And Vitesse-specific Technology Information:
Sam Reynolds
The MOSIS Service
USC/ISI
4676 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6695
Telephone: (310) 822-1511 x172
Telefax: (310) 823-5624
EMail: sdreynolds@mosis.edu
51: XSPICE, extended version of Spice
(from Jeff Murray <jm67@hydra.gatech.edu>)
I am one of the developers of XSPICE, and at the risk of being deluged
with requests for specific information on the tools, I can volunteer to
answer at least some questions. Currently there is no ftp site for infor-
mation; if there were, this posting would likely be unnecessary. However,
we are prohibited from posting even the User's Manual due to technology
export restrictions.
The following is a copy of the original press release on XSPICE. If
anyone would like additional clarification beyond this, or if some
aspects of the release are unclear, we can certainly take this as an
opportunity to remedy the situation. Please note that at the current time
there are many dozens of individuals who have obtained a copy of the
tools; if they have any comments or observations to make, I'm sure they
would be most welcome to other members of the user community.
XSPICE Press Release
January 2, 1993
Georgia Tech Research Corporation
XSPICE, introduced at the 1992 International Symposium on Circuits and
Systems (ISCAS), is an extended and enhanced version of the popular SPICE
analog circuit simulation program originally developed at the University
of California at Berkeley. XSPICE was developed at the Georgia Tech
Research Institute (GTRI) as a tool for simulating circuits and systems
at multiple levels of abstraction. XSPICE permits a user to simulate ana-
log, digital, and even non-electronic designs from the circuit level
through the system level in a single simulator. A special Code Modeling
feature allows users to add new models directly into the simulator exe-
cutable for maximum simulation speed and accuracy. Code models are writ-
ten in the C programming language allowing arbitrarily complex behavior
to be described. Code model development tools are provided to simplify
the process of creating new models, compiling them, and linking them with
the XSPICE core.
XSPICE provides a rich set of predefined code models in addition to the
standard discrete device models available in SPICE. The XSPICE code model
library contains over 40 new functional blocks including summers, multi-
pliers, integrators, magnetics models, limiters, S-domain transfer func-
tions, digital gates, digital storage elements, and a generalized digital
state-machine.
Digital functions are simulated in XSPICE through an embedded event-
driven algorithm added to the SPICE core. This algorithm is coordinated
with the analog simulation algorithm to provide fast and accurate simula-
tion of mixed-signal circuits and systems. The event-driven algorithm
supports a new "User-Defined Node" capability allowing additional event-
driven data types to be defined and used. XSPICE comes with a 12-state
digital data type as well as a user-defined node library that includes
'real' and 'integer' types useful in simulating sampled-data systems such
as Digital Signal Processing algorithms.
XSPICE is currently available for UNIX workstations and is supplied in
source code form allowing users to customize and extend the simulator and
models to particular needs. To date, the simulator has been successfully
compiled and used on HP Apollo and Sun workstations. The XSPICE simulator
and User's Manual are available with a cost-free license arrangement from
the Georgia Tech Research Corporation for a distribution charge of US
$200 (including first class postage within the U.S.A.; an additional US
$25 is required for overseas delivery by air). For further information,
please contact the Office of Technology Licensing, Georgia Tech Research
Corporation, Georgia Institute of Technology, 400 Tenth Street, Atlanta,
GA 30332-0415, USA, or phone (404) 894-6287 (voice) or (404) 894-9728
(FAX). Internet users may send email to XSPICE@GTRI.GATECH.EDU to obtain
copies of the order form and license agreement (please include the word
"license" in the subject header when mailing to this address).
52: MISIM, a model-independent circuit simulation tool
(from Bardo Muller <bardo@ief-paris-sud.fr>)
What is MISIM ?
MISIM is a model-independent circuit simulation tool developed in the
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington. The goal
of our research is to develop tools which will promote the developemnt of
advanced electronic device modeling and simulation methods.
The following simulation capabilities are included in the MISIM
framework :
* DC operating point analysis
* Transient analysis
* AC small-signal analysis
* S-parameter analysis
* Harmonic Balance
* Mixed-Signal Analog/Digital simulation
* Parameter extraction
All of the above techniques are integrated in a unified framework based
on compiler-based methodology which results in a model-independent and
consistent simulation environment.
A sun binary is available via ftp from uwcad.ee.washington.edu.
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