Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/033,372, filed Mar. 3, 2008, entitled “System and Method for Switch-Level Linear Simulation Using Verilog,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosed embodiments relate generally to electronic design automation (EDA) verification tools. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to methods, systems, and user interfaces for performing switch-level linear modeling using the Verilog hardware description language. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]      FIG. 1  shows a simplified representation of a design flow  100  for the design, verification and manufacture of integrated circuits (chips). Many of the operations in the design flow  100  are performed using computer-implemented tools, including computer-aided design (CAD) tools, now more commonly referred to as electronic design automation (EDA) tools. Many of the operations are implemented in software running on hardware servers and workstations. 
         [0004]    In a design specification document  110 , parameters for a chip design or semiconductor product are listed, and characteristics such as function, speed, power consumption, noise levels, signal quality, cost, etc. are described. 
         [0005]    In a circuit implementation operation  120  a semiconductor circuit is generated (i.e., one or more circuit designs for the circuit are generated) based on the information in specification document  110 . For ease of explanation and discussion, in the following discussion the terms “circuit” and “semiconductor circuit” shall be understood to mean the design (e.g., netlist and/or physical layout) of the circuit, as opposed to a physical circuit that physically conducts currents and signals. EDA tools are commonly used to generate the detailed design of a semiconductor circuit. In a system specification operation  122 , the design parameters  110  for the semiconductor circuit, including an interface to a system, are provided to one or more EDA tools. The design parameters are later checked against a completed semiconductor circuit. In a circuit design and test operation  124 , a circuit implementing the system specification  122  is generated manually (known as a “custom” or “full custom” design), or automatically by a compiler tool, using ready-made IP functions, etc., or by using a combination of these operations. In a custom design, the circuit is entered by schematic capture, by a hardware description language (such as Verilog, VHDL, or any other hardware description language (HDL)), by graphic entry, or by other means. In a circuit synthesis operation  126 , a netlist of the circuit is generated by synthesizing the circuit design  124  into a gate-level representation of the circuit design. Synthesis is generally performed only on synthesizable logic sections of the circuit  124 . If the circuit  124  includes a section that cannot be synthesized (e.g., an analog block), that section is called a non-synthesizable section. In a verification operation  128 , the netlist output by the circuit synthesis operation  126  is verified for functionality against the circuit design  124 , and optionally against the desired system specification  122 , using a test-bench program or test vectors. The operations  124 ,  126 , and  128  are repeated until the netlist meets the desired parameters. Improvements to the verification operation  128 , which may be used (for example) when an earlier version of the circuit design has already been verified, are discussed in more detail below. 
         [0006]    In a floor planning and layout operation  130 , a physical implementation of the netlist on a physical medium, such as a die on a semiconductor wafer, is specified. In an analysis operation  132 , a transistor-level simulation of the netlist from circuit synthesis operation  126  is performed to verify functionality, timing, and performance across predefined or user-specified ranges of process, voltage, and temperature parameters. In a physical verification operation  134 , the physical implementation  130  is analyzed for parasitic effects such as parasitic capacitance, inductance, resistance, and other effects. The physical implementation is verified to make sure it does not violate design rules for the semiconductor process on which the integrated circuit will be manufactured. Operations  130 ,  132 , and  134  are repeated until the physical implementation (i.e., a specification of the physical implementation) meets desired parameters. In a mask preparation operation  136 , optical pattern data (commonly called “mask data”) is generated from the physical implementation for use on a photolithographic mask. 
         [0007]    In a tape-out operation  140 , the optical pattern data  136  is written to a magnetic tape (this process is called “tape out”) and/or sent to a semiconductor wafer manufacturer by physical or electronic means. In an operation  150 , the semiconductor wafer manufacturer uses the optical pattern data  136  to generate photolithographic masks. These photolithographic masks are then used by a wafer fabricator to manufacture semiconductor wafers. In saw operation  160 , the manufactured semiconductors wafers are sawn into individual dice, in a die separation process. The individual dice are then assembled into individual packages and tested. Optionally, preliminary testing of the individual die may be performed before the wafers are sawn into individual dice, thereby identifying die which may be discarded prior to additional investment of testing and assembly resources. In operation  170 , the packaged integrated circuits are prepared for sale. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Various embodiments are disclosed in the following Description of Embodiments herein in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary design flow for the design, verification and manufacture of integrated circuits. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram illustrating nodes shared between a logic sub-network and a linear sub-network, in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is a block diagram illustrating passing values through a shared node from a logic network to a linear network, in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  is a block diagram illustrating passing values and currents through a shared node from a linear network to a logic network, in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2D  is a block diagram illustrating passing values through a shared node from a logic network to a linear control input in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2E  is a block diagram illustrating passing values through a shared node from a logic network to a linear control input in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a logic sub-network having an embedded linear sub-network with shared nodes for passing values into and out of the linear sub-network, in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a linear circuit driven by and monitored by Verilog code in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a Verilog model of a linear current source in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of a Verilog model of a linear resistor in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of a Verilog model of a linear voltage source in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a diagram of a Verilog model of a linear voltage probe in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a diagram of a Verilog model of a switch in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a diagram of a Verilog model of an ideal operational amplifier in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a diagram of a Verilog model of an operational amplifier having an adjustable gain in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a diagram of a Verilog model of a linear voltage controlled voltage source in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a diagram of a Verilog model of a linear voltage controlled current source in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a diagram of a Verilog model of a linear current controlled voltage source in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a diagram of a Verilog model of a linear current controlled current source in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a diagram of a linear circuit and its linear matrix representation in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a diagram of Verilog code to map linear values to and from wires in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a diagram of composite analog components formed from linear circuits in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart of a method of simulating a circuit including a linear sub-network and a logic sub-network that share a node in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is a flowchart of a method of simulating a circuit including performing conversions between an analog domain and a digital domain in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  is a flowchart of a method of simulating a circuit including a linear sub-network and a logic sub-network that share a node in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0034]      FIG. 22  is a flowchart of a method of simulating a circuit including a linear portion and a digital portion that share a node in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0035]      FIG. 23  is a verification system for simulating a circuit in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0036]      FIG. 24  is a verification system for simulating a circuit in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0037]      FIG. 25  is an exemplary code listing for Verilog circuit elements. 
           [0038]      FIG. 26  is an exemplary code listing for Verilog circuit elements. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    Methods, systems, user interfaces, and other aspects of the invention are described. Reference will be made to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents that are within the spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
         [0040]    Moreover, in the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that embodiments can be practiced without these particular details. In other instances, methods, procedures, components, and networks that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the explanation. 
         [0041]    The remainder of the description begins with an overview of several embodiments followed by the more detailed discussion of those embodiments with references to the figures. 
         [0042]    In the design of semiconductor circuits, it is beneficial to simulate a circuit design to verify its behavior before manufacturing (fabricating) the circuit. Simulation involves calculating the behavior of a circuit, typically using one or more computer-implemented circuit simulation tools. By simulating the circuit, problems can be found and corrected before incurring the expense and delay of manufacturing the circuit. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method of simulating a circuit includes receiving a representation of an electrical network having a plurality of sub-networks. The plurality of sub-networks include a logic sub-network and a linear sub-network that share a node. The method also includes generating a linear matrix for the linear sub-network, and performing an event-based simulation of the linear sub-network, using the linear matrix, to produce a linear node value and a corresponding logic value for the shared node. The method further includes performing an event-based simulation of the logic sub-network to produce a logic value on an output node, using the logic value for the shared node as an input to the simulation of the logic sub-network. 
         [0044]    In one embodiment, a computer implemented method of simulating a circuit includes receiving a representation of an electrical network having a digital portion and a linear portion, and generating a linear matrix for the linear portion. The method also includes simulating operation of the digital portion, including generating an event signal at the digital portion, and providing the event signal to the linear portion. The method further includes at an event step, calculating the linear matrix based on the event signal to produce a result at a node shared by the linear portion and digital portion. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment, a computer-implemented system for performing a simulation includes one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs. The one or more programs include instructions for receiving a representation of an electrical network having a plurality of sub-networks, including a logic sub-network and a linear sub-network that share a node. The one or more programs include instructions for generating a linear matrix for the linear sub-network, and instructions for performing an event-based simulation of the linear sub-network, using the linear matrix, to produce a linear node value and a corresponding logic value for the shared node. The one or more programs further include instructions for performing an event-based simulation of the logic sub-network to produce a logic value on an output node, using the logic value for the shared node as an input to the simulation of the logic sub-network. 
         [0046]    In another embodiment, a computer-implemented system for performing a simulation includes one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs. The one or more programs include instructions for receiving a representation of an electrical network having a digital portion and a linear portion, and include instructions for generating a linear matrix for the linear portion. The one or more programs also include instructions for simulating operation of the digital portion, including generating an event signal at the digital portion, and providing the event signal to the linear portion. The one or more programs also include instructions for calculating at an event step the linear matrix based on the event signal to produce a result at a node shared by the linear portion and digital portion. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment, a computer readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on a server, cause the server to perform operations that include receiving a representation of an electrical network having a plurality of sub-networks, including a logic sub-network, and a linear sub-network that share a node. The operations further include generating a linear matrix value for the linear sub-network, and performing an event-based simulation of the linear sub-network, using the linear matrix, to produce a linear node value, and a corresponding logic value for the shared node. A further operation includes performing an event-based simulation of the logic sub-network to produce a logic value on an output node using the logic value for the shared node as an input to the simulation of the logic sub-network. 
         [0048]    In one embodiment, a computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a server, cause the server to perform operations that include receiving a representation of an electrical network having a digital portion and a linear portion. The operations further include generating a linear matrix for the linear portion, and simulating operation of the digital portion, including generating an event signal at the digital portion, and providing the event signal to the linear portion. A further operation includes at an event step, calculating the linear matrix based on the event signal to produce a result at a node shared by the linear portion and digital portion. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram  200  illustrating nodes shared between a logic sub-network  210  and a linear sub-network  230 . Logic sub-network  210  includes a first shared node  222 - 1  and a second shared node  222 - 2 . Linear sub-network  230  also includes a first node  232 - 1  that corresponds to the shared node  222 - 1  of the logic sub network  210 , and a second node  232 - 2  that corresponds to the shared node  222 - 2  of the logic sub network  210 . Thus, the first and second nodes ( 222 - 1 / 232 - 1  and  222 - 2 / 232 - 2 ) are shared between the logic sub-network and the linear sub-network, and a value written to a shared node by one side (e.g. the logic sub-network  210 ) can be read by the other side (e.g. the linear sub-network  230 ), and vice versa. Linear sub-network  230  also includes a result register  224 , that operates as a probe or read-only function. A value at node  224  is observed, but may not be written to. 
         [0050]      FIG. 2B  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit  250  (also called a circuit design) that includes a mechanism for passing values through a shared node from a logic network to a linear network. In circuit  250 , which corresponds to (or implements) a shared node, a logic node  258  (in a logic sub-network) is coupled to the input of a control register  256 . The logic node  258  may be a single bit node having a single bit value, or it may be a multi-bit node (e.g., the output node of a register or counter) having a multiple-bit value. The output of control register  256  is coupled to a linear node  252  (in a linear sub-network). Thus, the control register  256  operates as a shared node between the logic node  258  of a logic sub-network  210  and the linear node  252  of linear sub-network  230 . From another viewpoint, the control register  256 , the logic node  258  and the linear node  252  together implement a shared node. In some embodiments, a digital to analog conversion (DAC) function  254  is coupled between control register  256  and linear node  252 . The DAC function converts a digital value (e.g., a 0 or 1 logic value; or a multi-bit value from a register, a counter or the like) from the digital (logic) domain to an analog value (e.g., a voltage or current value) in the analog (linear) domain. In an embodiment, an input to the DAC function has an adjustable number of bits. In one example, the number of bits of the DAC function&#39;s input is determined by HDL code, one example of which is Verilog code. 
         [0051]      FIG. 2C  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit  260  (also called a circuit design) that includes a mechanism for passing values through a shared node from a linear network to a logic network. In circuit  260 , which corresponds to or implements a shared node, a linear node  262  is coupled to the input of a result register  266 . The output of result register  266  is coupled to a logic node  269 . Thus, the result register  266  operates as a shared node between the linear node  262  of a linear sub-network  230  and the logic node  269  of logic sub-network  210 . From another viewpoint, the result register  266 , the linear node  262  and the logic node  269  together implement a shared node. In one embodiment, an analog to digital conversion (ADC) function  264  is coupled between linear node  262  and result register  266 . The ADC function  264  converts an analog value (e.g., an observed voltage, observed current value, or other observed analog circuit parameter) from the analog (linear) domain to the digital (logic) domain. In some embodiments, the output of the ADC function  264  has an adjustable number of bits. In an embodiment, the output of the ADC function has a number of bits determined by HDL code, for example Verilog code. In various embodiments, instances of the result register  266  are used to convey single bit representations or multi-bit representations of linear values to the logic sub-network  210 . In an embodiment, a linear branch current can be passed from linear node  262  through result register  266  to the logic sub-network node  269 . For example, the linear branch current may be converted to a digital value by the ADC function  264 , and then compared with a threshold value by a threshold function  268 , as described next. 
         [0052]    Furthermore, in some embodiments, a threshold function  268  is coupled between result register  266  and logic node  269 . When present, the threshold function  268  analyzes the value from the result register  266 , determines if it meets predefined criteria with respect to a threshold value, and then sets the logic value of logic node  269  to a logic one value or a logic zero value in accordance with the determination. Four examples of the predefined criteria are: greater than (&gt;) the threshold value, greater than or equal (≧) to the threshold value, less than (&lt;) the threshold value, and less than or equal (≦) to the threshold value. Other examples of predefined criteria may be used in other embodiments; for example the predefined criteria may utilize criteria with respect to two or more threshold or limit values. The threshold value(s) and the predefined criteria of the threshold function are determined by the user or designer of the circuit. 
         [0053]      FIG. 2D  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit  270  (also called a circuit design) that includes a mechanism for passing values through a shared node from a node  278  of a logic sub-network  210  to a linear control input  272  of a circuit element in a linear sub-network  230 . The node  278  may provide a single binary value, or a multiple-bit value, such as the output of a counter or a register. The circuit  270  may optionally include a digital to analog (DAC) converter  274  that converts the binary or multiple-bit value on node  278  into an analog value of the control input  272 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 2E  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit  280  (also called a circuit design) that includes a mechanism for passing values through a shared node from a node  288  of a logic sub-network  210  to a linear parameter  282  (e.g., a threshold parameter, gain parameter, voltage or current parameter, etc.) of a circuit element in a linear sub-network  230 . The node  288  may provide a single binary value, or a multiple-bit value, such as the output of a counter or a register. The circuit  280  may optionally include and digital to analog (DAC) converter  284  that converts the binary or multiple-bit value on node  288  into an analog value of the linear parameter  282 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram  300  illustrating a logic sub-network  310  having an embedded linear sub-network  330  with shared nodes for passing values into and out of the linear sub-network  330 . The shared nodes include a control register  320  receiving signals  350  from the logic sub-network  310 , and a result register  340  for providing results  360  to the logic sub-network  310 . In an embodiment, the control register  320  may correspond to the shared node of circuit  250  ( FIG. 2B ). In an embodiment, the result register  340  may correspond to the shared node of circuit  260  ( FIG. 2C ). 
         [0056]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a linear circuit  430  driven by and monitored by Verilog code. The linear circuit  430  includes a resistor  432 , a current source  434  coupled between one side of the resistor  432  (at node V 2 ) and circuit ground  438 , and a voltage source  436  is coupled between the other side of the resistor  432  (at node V 1 ) and circuit ground  438 . Verilog code  410  instantiates registers to control values of the resistor  432 (R), voltage source  436  (VDD), and current source  434  (Current). The Verilog code  410  instantiates the current source  434  across node V 2  and circuit ground  438 , with a current source value (which sets the amount of current produced by the current source) controlled by register ‘Current’. Verilog code  410  initially sets the current source  434  to a first value (2 amps) and then sets the current source  434  to a second value (4.5 amps). Thus, Verilog code  410  drives the linear network  430 . 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 4 , Verilog code  420  monitors the linear circuit  430  and reports on the voltage value produced at the positive node of the voltage source  436 . The Verilog code  410  instantiates a register ‘Volts’ to receive a voltage value from the node V 2  between resistor R and current source  434 . The Verilog code  420  instantiates the voltage probe, listening for changes in the voltage on node V 2 , and reporting the voltage on node V 2  in register ‘Volts’. In Verilog code  420 , whenever the voltage value V 2  at the base of resistor  432  changes, it is displayed, for example on a display on a workstation. During an event-based simulation of the linear circuit of  FIG. 4 , if an input to linear circuit  430  changes, then the circuit  430  is scheduled for evaluation at the end of the current event step. In an embodiment, the linear circuit  430  is updated in a single event step during the simulation. In an extension of this example, when the event-based simulation of the linear circuit  430  produces a voltage value on node V 2 , that voltage value may be converted into a digital value and stored in a result register. And when the value in the result register changes in value, that change may prompt a logic sub-network to be scheduled for evaluation. 
         [0058]      FIG. 5  depicts a Verilog model  500  of a linear current source  510 . The linear current source model  500  includes a current source  510  coupled between a first wire  512  (w 1 ) and second wire  514  (w 2 ). The model  500  includes a current value  516  (cval) that specifies the amount of current that flows through the current source  510  from the first wire  512  to the second wire  514 . Verilog code  520  models the instantiation of a linear current source in accordance with this model  500 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 6  depicts a Verilog model  600  of a linear resistor  610 . The linear resistor model  600  includes a linear resistor  610  coupled between a first wire  612  (w 1 ) and second wire  614  (w 2 ). The model  600  includes a resistance value  616  (gval), which represents the resistance, in units of ohms, of the linear resistor  610 . Verilog code  620  models the instantiation of a linear resistor in accordance with this model  600 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 7  depicts a Verilog model  700  of a linear voltage source  710 . The linear voltage source model  700  includes linear voltage source  710  coupled between a first wire  712  (w 1 ) and second wire  714  (w 2 ). The model  700  includes a voltage value  716  (vval) that represents (or specifies) the voltage difference between a voltage on the first wire  710  and a voltage on the second wire  714 . The model  700  may also include a current value  718  (ires), which represents current flowing through the voltage source  710 . This current value  718  can be read (observed) by a program, but cannot set by the program since it is a result. Verilog code  720  models the instantiation of a linear voltage source in accordance with this model  700 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 8  depicts a Verilog model  800  of a linear voltage probe. The linear voltage probe model  800  includes a line voltage probe  816  coupled between a first wire  812  (w 1 ) and a ground connection  814  (Ground). The model  800  includes a voltage value  818  (volts) that represents a voltage on the first wire  812 . Verilog code  820  models the instantiation of a voltage probe in accordance with this model  800 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 9  depicts a Verilog model  900  of an ideal linear switch. The linear switch model includes a switch  910  coupled between a first wire  912  (w 1 ) and second wire  914  (w 2 ). The model  900  includes a state on/off value  916  (sw), and optionally includes a current value  918  (ires) that represents the current flowing through the switch  910 . Verilog code  920  models the instantiation of a switch in accordance with this model  900 . In this model  900 , the state on/off value  916  is a control parameter that can be set by a program or the like, while the current value  918  is a monitoring parameter whose value can be read by a program, but which cannot be set by the program. The current value  918  (of switch  910 ) may be used as the analog portion of a shared node, shared between linear and logic sub-networks, in which case the monitored current value  918  may be converted to a digital value and stored in a result register that is coupled to a node in a logic sub-network. This methodology can also be used with any of the observed or monitored linear circuit values discussed elsewhere in this document. 
         [0063]      FIG. 10  depicts a Verilog model  1000  of an ideal operational amplifier. The ideal operational amplifier model includes an operational amplifier  1010  having a unity gain, and having a first input  1012  (wp), a second input  1014  (wn), and an output  1016  (wout). The model  1000  includes a current value  1018  (iout), which represents the amount and direction of current flowing through the operational amplifier&#39;s output  1016 . This current value  1018  can be read (observed) by a program, but cannot set by the program since it is a result. Verilog code  1020  models the instantiation of a ideal operational amplifier in accordance with this model  1000 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 11  depicts a Verilog model  1100  of a linear operational amplifier having adjustable gain. The linear operational amplifier model  1100  includes an operational amplifier  1110  having a first input  1112  (wp), a second input  1114  (wn), and an output  1116  (wout). The model  1100  includes an adjustable gain value (Aval), which sets the gain of the linear operational amplifier, and a current value  1118  (iout) that represents the amount and direction of current flowing through the operational amplifier&#39;s output  1116  in accordance with a predefined linear relationship (e.g., iout=Aval·(wp−wn)). This current value  1118  can be read (observed) by a program, but cannot set by the program since it is a result. Verilog code  1120  models the instantiation of a linear operational amplifier in accordance with this model  1100 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 12  depicts a Verilog model  1200  of a linear voltage controlled voltage source  1210 . In this model  1200 , the linear voltage controlled voltage source  1210  includes a voltage source  1217  having a voltage value (mu). The voltage source  1217  has a positive terminal (p)  1216 , and a negative terminal (q)  1218 . The model  1200  includes a current  1219  (ipq) that flows through the voltage source  1217 . This current  1219  can be read (observed) by a program, but cannot set by the program since it is a result. The linear voltage controlled voltage source  1210  has a first (or plus (+)) input  1212  (k) and a second (or minus (−)) input  1214  (l). The voltage (vinput) across the inputs  1212  and  1214  determines the voltage gain (mu) produced by the voltage source  1217  in accordance with a predefined linear relationship (e.g., mu=γ·vinput). Verilog code  1220  models the instantiation of a linear voltage controlled voltage source  1210  in accordance with this model  1200 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 13  depicts a Verilog model  1300  of a linear voltage controlled current source  1310 . In this model  1300 , the linear voltage controlled current source  1310  includes a current source  1319  that sources or drives a variable amount of current (gm). The current source  1319  has a positive terminal (p)  1316  and a negative terminal (q)  1318 . The linear voltage controlled current source  1310  has a first input  1312  (k) and a second input  1314  (l). The voltage (vi) across the inputs  1312  and  1314  determines the transconductance (gm) that the current source  1319  drives between the positive and negative terminals  1316 ,  1318  in accordance with a predefined linear relationship (e.g., i pq =gm·V KL ). Verilog code  1320  models the instantiation of a linear voltage controlled current source  1310  in accordance with this model  1300 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 14  depicts a Verilog model  1400  of a linear current controlled voltage source  1410 . In this model  1400 , the linear current controlled voltage source  1410  includes a voltage source  1417  having a transresistance (rm). The voltage source  1419  has a positive terminal (p)  1416  and a negative terminal (q)  1418 . A current  1419  (ipq) flows through the voltage source  1417 . The linear current controlled voltage source  1410  has a first input  1412  (k) and a second input  1414  (l). The current value (ikl) flowing through the inputs  1412  and  1414  determines the voltage (rm) produced by the voltage source  1417  in accordance with a predefined linear relationship (e.g., V pq =rm·i KL ). Verilog code  1420  models the instantiation of a linear current controlled voltage source in accordance with this model  1400 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 15  is a diagram  1500  of a Verilog model of a linear current controlled current source  1510 . The linear current controlled current source  1510  includes a current source  1519  having a current gain (alpha). The current source  1519  has a positive terminal (p)  1516 , and a negative terminal (q)  1518 . The linear current controlled current source  1510  has a first input  1512  (k) and a second input  1514  (l). The current value (ikl) flowing through the inputs  1512  and  1514  determines the amount of current (alpha) driven by the current source  1519  through the positive and negative terminals  1516 ,  1518  in accordance with a predefined linear relationship (e.g., i pq =α·i KL ). Verilog code  1520  models the instantiation of a linear current controlled current source in accordance with this model  1500 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 16  depicts a Verilog model  1600  of a linear circuit and its linear matrix representation. The linear circuit includes a resistor  1614 , a current source  1616  coupled between a second node (V 2 ) of the resistor  1614  and circuit ground  1618 , and a voltage  1612  coupled between a first node  1610  (V 1 ) of the resistor  1614  and circuit ground  1618 . The circuit of  FIG. 16  corresponds to the linear circuit  430  of  FIG. 4 . A linear matrix equation  1620  represents the state of the linear circuit  1600 . Linear matrix equation  1620  produces a matrix product  1626  by multiplying linear matrix elements  1622  and  1624 . In an embodiment, the linear matrix equation  1620  is updated in a single event step during simulation of the circuit  1600 . In an embodiment, the linear circuit can have resistive, capacitive and inductive elements. In an embodiment the linear matrix is simulated to produce values for reporting and communicating with a logic sub-network. 
         [0070]      FIG. 17  depicts examples of Verilog code  1700  to map linear values to and from wires. The Verilog code examples shown in  FIG. 17  include Verilog code for a wire  1710 , a net  1720 , a device instance  1730 , a control register  1740 , and a register result pair  1750 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 18  depicts examples of composite analog components formed from linear circuits. An analog multiplexer  1810  is shown, along with a comparator  1820 , an input sampler  1830 , and sample and hold circuit  1840 . Verilog code for analog multiplexer  1810  is shown in code  2510  of  FIG. 25 . Verilog code for analog comparator  1820  is shown in code  2520  of  FIG. 25 . Verilog code for input sampler  1830  is shown in code  2610  of  FIG. 26 . Verilog code for sample and hold circuit  1840  is shown in code  2620  of  FIG. 26 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 19  is a flowchart of a method  1900  of simulating a circuit including a linear sub-network and a logic sub-network that share a node. The method includes receiving  1910  a representation of an electrical network having a plurality of sub-networks, including a logic sub-network and a linear sub-network that share a node. The method further includes generating  1920  a linear matrix for the linear sub-network, and performing  1930  an event-based simulation of the linear sub-network, using the linear matrix, to produce a linear node value and a corresponding logic value for the shared node. In addition, the method includes performing  1995  an event-based simulation of the logic sub-network to produce a logic value on an output node, using the logic value for the shared node as an input to the simulation of the logic sub-network. 
         [0073]    In an embodiment, method  1900  includes using identical discrete time steps for the event-based simulation of the linear sub-network and the event-based simulation of the logic sub-network ( 2110 ,  FIG. 21 ). Optionally, the shared node includes a first node of the logic sub-network and a second node of the linear sub-network and a result register through which a linear value of the second node is associated with a logic value of the first node ( 1935 ). A value of the result register is set in accordance with the linear value of the second node, and wherein the logic value of the first node is set in accordance with the value of the result register ( 1940 ). In some embodiments, the logic sub-network and linear sub-network share a second node, the second shared node comprising a third node of the logic sub-network, a fourth node of the linear sub-network, and a control register through which a logic value of the third node is associated with a linear value of the fourth node ( 1945 ). A value of the control register is set in accordance with the logic value of the third node, and the linear value of the fourth node is set in accordance with the value of the control register ( 1950 ). Furthermore, in some embodiments, an event driver coupled to the control register is executed and an event listener coupled to the result register is executed ( 1955 ). Furthermore, the control register may be monitored and if an event is observed, the linear sub-network is scheduled for evaluation ( 1960 ). In some embodiments, after the linear sub-network is scheduled for evaluation, it is evaluated by calculating the linear matrix for the linear sub-network, and updating the result register according to the linear matrix ( 1970 ). The updating is optionally performed during a single event step ( 1980 ). Furthermore, linear values may be provided to the result register as part of updating it according to the linear matrix ( 1990 ). 
         [0074]      FIG. 20  is a flowchart of a method of simulating a circuit including performing conversions between an analog domain and a digital domain. In some embodiments operation  1945  includes performing a digital to analog conversion operation to associate a logic value of the third node with a linear value of the fourth node ( 2020 ). Similarly, in some embodiments operation  1940  includes setting the value of the result register including performing an analog-to-digital conversion operation ( 2040 ). 
         [0075]      FIG. 21  is a flowchart of a method  2100  of simulating a circuit including a linear sub-network and a logic sub-network that share a node. In this method, identical discrete time steps are used for the event-based simulation of the linear sub-network and the event-based simulation of the logic sub-network ( 2110 ). The method optionally includes simulating in the linear sub-network at least two analog circuit elements each selected from the group consisting of a variable current source, a variable resistor, a variable voltage source, a switch, a voltmeter, an ideal operational amplifier, an operational amplifier with adjustable gain, a voltage controlled voltage source, a voltage controlled current source, a current controlled voltage source, a current controlled current source, an analog multiplexer, a comparator, an input sampler, and a sample-and-hold circuit ( 2120 ). Further, the method  2100  optionally includes parsing a representation of the linear sub-network that is compliant with IEEE 1364 Verilog ( 2130 ). IEEE 1364 Verilog is the most widely supported Verilog format, and has a wider installed tool base than any other Verilog format. A different and less widely supported Verilog format is Verilog Analog Mixed Signal (AMS), which is defined in “IEEE 1364 Verilog Standard Extension.” 
         [0076]      FIG. 22  is a flowchart of a computer implemented method  2200  of simulating a circuit including a linear portion and a logic portion that share a node. The method  2200  includes receiving a representation of an electrical network having a digital portion and a linear portion ( 2210 ), generating a linear matrix for the linear portion ( 2220 ), and simulating operation of the digital portion, including generating an event signal at the digital portion, and providing the event signal to the linear portion ( 2230 ). At an event step, the linear matrix is calculated based on the event signal to produce a result at a node shared by the linear portion and digital portion ( 2240 ). The method optionally includes parsing a representation of the linear portion that is compliant with IEEE 1364 Verilog ( 2280 ), and optionally includes using identical discrete time steps when generating, simulating, and calculating ( 2290 ). Operation  2230  may include providing a logic value to the digital portion based on the result at the node shared by the linear portion and the digital portion ( 2250 ), which may include performing a digital to analog conversion ( 2260 ). Similarly, operation  2230  optionally includes performing an analog to digital conversion operation ( 2270 ). 
         [0077]      FIG. 23  is a block diagram of a verification system  2300  (e.g., a server, a workstation, or other computer system) for simulating a circuit. Verification system  2300  includes one or more processing units (CPU&#39;s)  2302 , and one or more network communication interfaces  2304  having a data receive function  2304 - 1  and data transmit function  2304 - 2 . Verification system  2300  also includes memory  2310  and one or more communication buses  2308  for interconnecting these components. In some embodiments the communication buses  2308  include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. Memory  2310  includes high speed random access memory and also includes non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic or optical disk storage devices or solid state storage devices such as Flash memory or magnetic random access memory (MRAM). Memory  2310  optionally includes one or more storage devices remotely located from the CPU(s)  2302 . 
         [0078]    In some embodiments, the system  2300  includes a display  2303  that is local to the system  2300 , while in other embodiments the system includes, utilizes or sends information to a display  2303  that is located remotely from the system  2300 . For example the display  2303  may be part of a workstation or other computer located across a network. Alternately, the display  2303  may be a network connected device to which system  2300  sends information. 
         [0079]    Memory  2310 , or alternately the non-volatile memory device(s) within memory  2310 , comprises a computer readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory  2310  stores the following programs, modules and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof:
       an operating system  2312  that includes procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks;   a network communications module (or instructions)  2314  that is used for connecting verification system  2300  to other computers via one or more communications network interfaces (wired or wireless) and one or more communications networks, such as the Internet, other wide area networks, metropolitan area networks, and local area networks. The network communications module  2314  includes receiving and transmittal instructions  2316  for implementing the above connections.   an application  2320  having one or more procedures, programs or sets of instructions for implementing certain aspects of the verification system.       
 
         [0083]    In an embodiment, the application  2320  includes network representation instructions  2322  for accessing or receiving a representation of an electrical network or circuit design having a plurality of sub-networks. In an embodiment, the representation of the electrical network is in IEEE 1364 Verilog. In an embodiment, the network representation instructions  2322  optionally include a parser  2324  for parsing the IEEE 1364 Verilog representation of the electrical network. The plurality of sub-networks includes a logic sub-network  2326  and a linear sub-network  2328  that share a node. 
         [0084]    The application  2320  also includes linear matrix generation instructions  2330  for generating a linear matrix for the linear sub network. The linear matrix generation instructions  2330  optionally include matrix calculation instructions  2332  for calculating a value of the linear matrix representing the linear sub-network. 
         [0085]    The application  2320  also includes event-based linear sub-network simulation instructions  2340  for simulating the linear sub-network. Simulation instructions  2340  optionally include instructions  2342  to execute the event driver/listener. Simulation instructions  2340  optionally include one or more of the following: instructions  2344  to update the linear sub-network simulation in a single event step, instructions  2346  to schedule the linear sub-network for evaluation, instructions  2348  to simulate the linear sub-network in discrete time steps, and instructions  2350  to perform a digital to analog conversion (DAC) to convert a digital (logic) value to an analog (linear) value. Simulation instructions  2340  include instructions  2352  to produce a linear node value, and instructions  2354  to produce a shared node logic value corresponding to the linear node value. 
         [0086]    The application  2320  also includes event-based logic simulation instructions  2360  for simulating the logic sub-network. Simulation instructions  2360  optionally include instructions  2362  to provide or receive digital signals to an event driver or event listener, and optionally include instructions  2364  to simulate the logic sub-network using discrete time steps. Simulation instructions  2360  include instructions  2366  to simulate a logic sub-network using a logic value of the shared node, and instructions  2368  to produce a logic value on an output. 
         [0087]    Each of the above identified elements may be stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices, and corresponds to a set of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  2310  may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory  2310  may store additional modules and data structures not described above. 
         [0088]    Although  FIG. 23  shows a verification system  2300 ,  FIG. 23  is intended more as functional description of the various features which may be present in a workstation, a set of workstations, or a set of servers, than as a structural schematic of the embodiments described herein. In practice, and as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, items shown separately could be combined and some items could be separated. For example, some items shown separately in  FIG. 23  could be implemented on single servers or workstations and single items could be implemented by one or more servers or workstations. The actual number of servers or workstations used to implement system  2300  and how features are allocated among them will vary from one implementation to another, and may depend in part on the amount of data traffic that the system must handle during peak usage periods as well as during average usage periods. 
         [0089]      FIG. 24  is a block diagram of a verification system  2400  for simulating a circuit. Verification system  2400  includes one or more processing units (CPU&#39;s)  2402 , and one or more network communication interfaces  2404  having a data receive function  2404 - 1  and data transmit function  2404 - 2 . Verification system  2400  also includes memory  2410  and one or more communication buses  2408  for interconnecting these components. In an embodiment, the communication buses  2408  include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. Memory  2410  includes high speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic or optical disk storage devices or solid state storage devices such as Flash memory or magnetic random access memory (MRAM). Memory  2410  optionally includes one or more storage devices remotely located from the CPU(s)  2402 . 
         [0090]    In some embodiments, the system  2400  includes a display  2403  that is local to the system  2400 , while in other embodiments the system includes, utilizes or sends information to a display  2403  that is located remotely from the system  2400 . For example the display  2403  may be part of a workstation or other computer located across a network. Alternately, the display  2403  may be a network connected device to which system  2400  sends information. 
         [0091]    Memory  2410 , or alternately the non-volatile memory device(s) within memory  2410 , comprises a computer readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory  2410  stores the following programs, modules and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof:
       an operating system  2412  that includes procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks;   a network communications module (or instructions)  2414  that is used for connecting verification system  2400  to other computers via one or more communications network interfaces (wired or wireless) and one or more communications networks, such as the Internet, other wide area networks, metropolitan area networks, and local area networks. The network communications  2414  includes receipt and transmittal instructions  2416  for implementing the above connections.   an application  2420  having one or more procedures, programs or sets of instructions for implementing certain aspects of the verification system.       
 
         [0095]    In an embodiment, the application  2420  includes network representation receiving instructions  2422  for accessing or receiving a representation of an electrical network or circuit design having a plurality of sub-networks. In an embodiment, the representation of the electrical network is in IEEE 1364 Verilog. In an embodiment, the network representation instructions  2422  optionally include a parser  2424  for parsing the IEEE 1364 Verilog representation of the electrical network. The plurality of sub-networks includes a digital portion  2426  and a linear portion  2428  that share a node. 
         [0096]    The application  2420  also includes linear matrix generation instructions  2430  for generating a linear matrix for the linear sub network. The linear matrix generation instructions  2430  optionally include matrix calculation instructions  2432  for calculating a value of the linear matrix representing the linear sub-network. 
         [0097]    The application  2420  also includes digital portion simulation instructions  2440  for simulating the digital portion of the network representation. The simulation instructions  2440  optionally include one or more of the following: digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) instructions  2442  to convert a digital (logic) value to an analog (linear) value, and instructions  2444  to simulate the digital portion in discrete time steps. The simulation instructions  2440  include instructions  2446  to generate an event signal at a digital portion, and instructions  2448  to provide an event signal to the linear portion. 
         [0098]    The application  2420  also includes event-based linear sub-network simulation instructions  2450 . Instructions  2450  optionally include one or more of the following: analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) instructions  2452  to convert an analog (linear) value to a digital (logic) value, instructions  2454  to update a linear sub-network simulation in a single event step, include instructions  2456  to schedule the linear sub-network for evaluation, instructions  2458  to simulate the linear sub-network in discrete time steps, and instructions  2460  to provide an event signal to the digital portion based on the matrix result. Event-based linear sub-network simulation instructions  2450  also include instructions  2462  to calculate at an event step, a linear matrix based on the event signal, and instructions  2464  to produce a node shared by linear portion and a digital portion. 
         [0099]    Each of the above identified elements may be stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices, and corresponds to a set of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  2410  may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory  2410  may store additional modules and data structures not described above. 
         [0100]    Although  FIG. 24  shows a system  2400 ,  FIG. 24  is intended more as functional description of the various features which may be present in a workstation, a set of workstations, or a set of servers, than as a structural schematic of the embodiments described herein. In practice, and as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, items shown separately could be combined and some items could be separated. For example, some items shown separately in  FIG. 24  could be implemented on single servers or workstations and single items could be implemented by one or more servers or workstations. The actual number of servers or workstations used to implement system  2400  and how features are allocated among them will vary from one implementation to another, and may depend in part on the amount of data traffic that the system must handle during peak usage periods as well as during average usage periods. 
         [0101]      FIG. 25  shows a code listing  2500  having Verilog code  2510  for analog multiplexer  1810 , and Verilog code  2520  for analog comparator  1820 . 
         [0102]      FIG. 26  shows a code listing  2600  having Verilog code  2610  for input sampler  1830 , and Verilog code  2620  for sample and hold circuit  1840 . 
         [0103]    The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Technology Category: 3