Patent ID: 7606693
Filing Date: 2009-10-20
Classification: G01R,G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented circuit simulation method comprising: (a) defining in a computer memory for a circuit a first set of non-linear equations of time-varying electrical responses of devices of the circuit; (b) defining in the computer memory for the circuit a second set of non-linear equations of time-varying temperature responses of the circuit devices; (c) storing in the computer memory initial, DC electrical responses of the circuit devices and initial temperatures of the circuit devices; (d) storing in the computer memory a predicted solution of the first set of equations of the time-varying electrical responses of the circuit devices based on the electrical responses of the circuit devices determined in step (c); (e) utilizing the most recently predicted solution of the first set of equations as a starting point, solving with a processor of the computer the first set of equations of the time-varying electrical responses of the circuit devices utilizing an iterative solution technique that causes the first set of equations to converge to a new solution of the updated electrical responses of the circuit devices, wherein: (f) solving once with the processor a linearized form of the second set of equations of the time-varying temperature responses of the circuit devices to determine updated temperatures of the circuit devices, the second set of equations solved as a function of the new solution of the updated electrical responses of the circuit devices determined in step (e); and (g) causing a display means to display for each of one or more of the circuit devices (1) at least one of the electrical response and/or (2) the updated electrical response(s) thereof.