Simulation tool input file generator for interface circuitry
AssigneeVLSI Technology, Inc.
InventorsDerwin Mattos, Henry Jen, Saeid Moshkelani
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is a simulation tool input file generator implemented in a computer system that permits a designer to efficiently and effectively create and modify electrical circuit simulation tool input files. The simulation tool input file generator permits a user to conveniently enter high level circuit description information in user friendly formats such as an easy to use GUI. Based upon the information provided by a user, the present invention assembles data including circuit description files stored in a memory and produces a detailed simulation tool input files.
Claims13
In a computer system, a simulation tool input file generator, comprising:
- a user interface for selecting circuit description files that describe electrical characteristics of interface circuitry in an integrated circuit chip and for entering programmable values associated with said electrical characteristics in said circuit description files, said interface circuitry comprising an input/output buffer circuit and a pad;
- a simulation tool input file associated with said interface circuitry, said simulation tool input file comprising a description of said electrical characteristics and said programmable values of said input/output buffer circuit, and said pad, said electrical characteristics and said programmable values compatible with a simulation tool input protocol;
- and
- a simulation model generator for automatically generating said simulation tool input file corresponding to said interface circuitry on said integrated circuit chip, said simulation model generator generating said simulation tool input file by:
- first converting said electrical characteristics and programmable values into a file format that is compatible with said simulation tool input file protocol;
- and second automatically inserting resistances, inductances, capacitances and electrical characteristics required to complete a formulation of said simulation tool input file description of said interface circuitry, wherein said model generator automatically indicates in said simulation tool input file a bus connection between a plurality of said input/output buffer circuits.
In a computer system, an interface circuitry simulation tool input file generator for an integrated circuit chip, comprising:
- an input/output (IO) buffer circuit description file comprising a field assigned to a programmable value associated with interface circuitry of an integrated circuit chip;
- a user interface for selecting said IO buffer circuit description file and entering a value corresponding to an electrical characteristic of said integrated circuit chip interface circuitry in said field, said user interface coupled to said IO buffer circuit description file;
- and
- a simulation model generator for automatically creating a simulation tool input file corresponding to said IO buffer circuit description file, said simulation tool input file comprising electrical characteristics of an IO buffer, a pad and a pin and information on electrical characteristics of both external connections that couple one IO buffer circuit to another IO buffer circuit and a lead between a pad and a pin coupled to said IO buffer circuit, wherein said simulation tool input file generator automatically indicates whether said bus is coupled to said IO buffer circuit and incorporates said buses coupled to said IO buffer circuit in said simulation tool input files.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.