A new approach to event-driven analog/digital simulation

SPECTRUM, an event-driven, mixed-signal, circuit simulation program, is discussed. By integrating high-level behavioral modeling and dynamic partitioning techniques, SPECTRUM is able to simulate complex digital/analog circuits accurately while taking maximal advantage of circuit latency. The current version of SPECTRUM uses a simple fixed-step integration algorithm. Multirate integration techniques are being evaluated. SPECTRUM has been used successfully in a large number of designs ranging from delta-sigma data acquisition systems complete with digital filters to high-resolution algorithmic analog-to-digital converters. In all complex, mixed-signal designs encountered to date, the algorithmic flexibility and the powerful behavioral modeling capability have been used to simulate the entire design. All simulated designs have been found to be fully functional in first-time silicon.<
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