Aeroflex Microelectronic Solutions Adopts Nassda's HSIM for Full-Chip Verification
HSIM Enables Aeroflex to Achieve First Pass Success and Simulate Silicon-Accurate Performance of Its Memory and Mixed-Signal Designs
SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nassda(TM) Corporation today announced that Aeroflex Microelectronic Solutions, Colorado Springs, an Aeroflex Incorporated company , has adopted Nassda's HSIM(TM) full-chip simulator and analysis tool for verification of memories and complex mixed-signal designs in Aeroflex's high-reliability integrated circuit (IC) families for the aerospace and defense markets.
Aeroflex engineers have already applied HSIM in prelayout and postlayout verification of one 0.18-micron CMOS memory design, one 0.35-micron memory, and two 0.25-micron CMOS mixed-signal designs. The memory designs included a 128Kx32 radiation-hardened SRAM memory with 60M transistors and a radiation-hardened 32Kx8 PROM with 600K transistors. The mixed-signal designs included a Low-Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) serializer and an LVDS deserializer, each containing a phase-lock loop (PLL). The LVDS serializer and deserializer parts, each with three serial channels running at 525Mbps, are radiation-hardened for space applications.
In the past, engineers needed to break large designs like memories into smaller blocks to meet capacity restrictions of earlier circuit simulators -- a process that exposed these designs to errors in timing or logic between the blocks. For PLL designs, traditional circuit simulators have required very long analysis times, often running into weeks, until the simulated PLL circuitry would achieve lock with the reference clock.
"With HSIM, we were able to simulate the 60M transistor memory design in 18 hours with full parasitics, and in only 15 minutes with acceptable timing accuracy using HSIM parasitic reduction techniques. For our Serdes PLL, we reduced our simulation time from 40 hours to less than 4 hours with no convergence problems," said Vern Schnathorst, standard product design manager at Aeroflex. "We achieved first pass success and the silicon circuit performance matches the performance predicted in simulation very closely."
Because HSIM uses the same netlist as earlier tools, Aeroflex was able to easily insert HSIM into its existing design flow. As designers complete their individual blocks, they combine them and simulate them in full-chip simulation runs with HSIM. HSIM's hierarchical full-chip circuit simulation capabilities enable rapid execution of complete designs with SPICE-level accuracy.
"Whether they are for mission-critical markets or competitive commercial markets, today's advanced designs require comprehensive, full-chip verification to eliminate potential faults and avoid silicon re-spins," said Sang Wang, CEO of Nassda. "We're pleased to be working closely with Aeroflex in meeting its needs for accurate, high-performance, and full-chip transistor-level verification of its leading-edge designs."
About HSIM
HSIM provides detailed circuit-level analysis of timing and power behavior and signal integrity effects. It solves the critical issue of analyzing circuit behavior while taking into account the electrical and parasitic effects of nanometer-scale silicon. It is ideal for demanding analog, memory, mixed-signal and system-on-chip designs.
About Aeroflex
Aeroflex Microelectronic Solutions, Colorado Springs division, provides integrated circuits and circuit card assemblies for the aerospace, commercial, communication and industrial markets. Aeroflex Incorporated is a global provider of high technology solutions to the aerospace, defense and broadband communication markets. The Company's diverse technologies allow it to design, develop, manufacture and market a broad range of test, measurement and microelectronic products. The Company's common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol ARXX and is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 index. Additional information concerning Aeroflex Incorporated can be found on the Company's Web site: http://www.aeroflex.com/.
About Nassda
Nassda Corporation is a fast-growing provider of full-chip circuit verification software for complex nanometer semiconductors. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the company develops and markets simulation and analysis solutions for advanced ICs, especially for analog, mixed signal, memory, system-on-chip and high performance digital designs. Nassda's products enable first silicon success, and improve product quality and production yield for its consumer, communication, computer, and memory customers. The company has sales and distribution offices throughout the world. For more information about Nassda, please visit the company's website at http://www.nassda.com/.
NOTE: Nassda and HSIM are registered trademarks of Nassda Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their owners.
CONTACT: Graham Bell of Nassda Corporation, +1-408-988-9988, or
gbell@nassda.com; or Gloria Nichols of Lee Public Relations, +1-650-363-0142,
or gloria@leepr.com, for Nassda Corporation
Web site: http://www.aeroflex.com/
Web site: http:/// http://www.nassda.com/
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