DxAnalog Technical Overview

Mixed-Signal Simulation

Many analog designs contain some digital circuitry so DxAnalog supports native mixed-signal simulation for designs dominated by analog circuitry, but that also possess SSI and MSI digital components. The simulator delivers a built-in, 12-state digital engine with timing models for accurate signal analysis. For larger-scale, mixed-signal design flows, DxAnalog co-simulates with any combination of Mentor Graphics' Fusion/VCS Verilog and Fusion/SpeedWave VHDL simulators, and with DxDesigner EE's Fusion/ViewSim 28-state logic simulator. Combined with the industry's most extensive component and design database management system, plus full integration with PCB layout, Mentor Graphics offers the most complete simulation environment for the verification of your designs.

 Circuit Exploration

• Analysis setup and simulation is easy with DxAnalog's powerful user interface. With DxAnalog you can:
• Engage unique script files to extract complex functions from simulaton runs for waveform viewing, such as Bode plot, phase margin, Nyquist plot and group delay
• Explore circuit performance by interactively running different analyses and sweeping two circuit variables simultaneously
• Compare results and design changes from multiple simulation runs
• View and quickly modify real-time display of voltages, currents, and power dissipation
• Cross-probe between the schematic and waveform viewer for direct signal correlation
• Perform waveform mathematical operations for instantaneous what-if analysis of different design scenarios
• Use analysis and convergence wizards for quickly managing circuit simulations, even on challenging circuit topologies

Maximizing Design Reliability

DxAnalog has advanced features such as circuit optimization, Laplace (s-domain) functions, and distributed transmission lines with frequency dependent loss. To investigate how variations in components affect circuit performance, DxAnalog supports statistical parametric variation using the Monte Carlo technique. It similarly maximizes design reliability with Worst Case and Extreme Value Analyses, critiquing circuitry in its most adverse state. Further, the industry's only built-in fault diagnosis is provided with DxAnalog. Its graphical and tabular format illustrates compliance with pass/fail criteria set by the designer, based on configurable "open and short" conditions applied to components.

Extensive Modeling

Mentor Graphics understands the importance of simulation models. DxAnalog offers the widest variety of model types available. If the desired model is not in the 15,000-part library, you can easily create a model in a matter of minutes using manufacturers' datasheet entries or cloning from existing models. Unique model libraries for RF devices, power devices, complex operational amplifiers, mathematical functions, non-linear magnetic devices, PWMs, crystals, MESFETs and much more are also included with DxAnalog. Built-in MOSFET models, including BSIM levels 1-3 and EKV, allow you to characterize the most detailed sub-micron effects. For macro-modeling of circuits, a variety of behavioral models allow you to characterize complex circuits using easy to understand equations, table models, and decision statements - before committing to a more detailed design. B-elements allow for advanced modeling using C constructs of voltage and current sources to devise components, optionally creating proprietary IP.

DxDesigner's Fusion/ViewSim logic simulator provides more than 18,000 TTL type libraries and supports FPGAs, memory devices, ASICs and Smart Models® from Synopsys.

Complete Design Solution

DxAnalog is a fundamental component of Mentor's comprehensive DxDesigner EE solution, a complete design-definition system that includes schematic entry, version administration, and enterprise-scale component database management tools.

Powerful debugging tools speed development time and improve circuit reliability, thus curtailing production fallout and design re-spins. DxDesigner EE can also pass information to PowerPCB™ or other PCB layout packages. DxAnalog and Fusion Co-simulation also include a single waveform-viewing environment for viewing mixed analog and digital simulation results. Other popular simulators supported in DxDesigner EE include Saber and HSPICE for mixed-signal simulation with any of Mentor's Fusion simulators.