HSPICE Essentials

OVERVIEW

This two day workshop prepares the student to use HSPICE for analog simulation and analysis in a silicon to HDL flow.

Students will be given the brief history of HSPICE and its development and the basic rules of simulation and how HSPICE fits into the Synopsys design flow.

The student will learn how to perform AC, DC and transient analyses. Topics include simulation algorithms, file structure, HSPICE components and syntax, and viewing simulation output. Node naming conventions, unit and scale factors, and passive components will also be discussed.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this workshop the student should be able to:

  • Describe the HSPICE file structure
  • List the HSPICE output files
  • Use passive components and independent sources to construct a netlist
  • Explain how to output the simulation results
  • Invoke and use CosmosScope
  • Describe convergence and non-convergence
  • Explain how the DC operating point is calculated
  • Describe DC sweep and transient analysis
  • List the causes of non-convergence and the possible solutions
  • Describe numeric integration
  • Use measure statements to verify circuit specifications
  • Invoke and use HSPICE GUI

AUDIENCE PROFILE

Analog designers and engineers who perform circuit simulation and analysis at the transistor level.

PREREQUISITES

Experience with UNIX basic commands and utilities like “vi” or some other text editor.

COURSE OUTLINE

Day 1

  • Introduction
  • HSPICE file structure
  • Passive and active devices
  • Analysis types and sources
  • Controls and options
  • How simulation works
Day 2
  • Convergence
  • Parameters and functions
  • Measure statements

SYNOPSYS TOOLS USED

  • HSPICE
  • CosmosScope