Patent ID: 6385565
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: G06F,H05K

Abstract:
A system for determining the decoupling capacitors for a power distribution system, the system comprising:a database of electrical characteristic values for a plurality of decoupling capacitors; a computer system configured to execute a simultaneous equation solver program, wherein execution of the simultaneous equation solver program includes: creating a model of the power distribution system, the power distribution system including a power supply, wherein the model of the power distribution system is based on a plurality of cells interconnected at predetermined nodes and arranged in an MÃ—N grid for a power plane and a corresponding reference plane, and wherein the power supply is characterized in the model by one or more pole frequencies, one or more zero frequencies, and one or more resistances; selecting one or more decoupling capacitors from the database and calculating a specific quantity of selected decoupling capacitors; updating the model to include the electrical characteristics of the one or more decoupling capacitors, wherein said updating includes determining and simulating the placement of the selected decoupling capacitors between the power plane and the ground plane; determining the transfer impedance values at the predetermined nodes, wherein the predetermined nodes correspond to specific locations in the power distribution system; comparing the transfer impedance values at the predetermined nodes to a predetermined target impedance; wherein the target impedance is selected based on one or more of the following: power supply voltage; total current consumption by an electronic circuit coupled to the power supply; and allowable voltage ripple; and repeating said selecting, said updating, said determining, and said comparing until each of the transfer impedance values is at or below the target impedance.