Intusoft Links With Viewlogic

OLE Technology Used to Integrate Analog/Mixed-Signal Simulation with Schematic Entry

Intusoft has announced a new series of analog and mixed signal products. The new software package uses OLE technology to transparently integrate analog and mixed signal capability into the Viewlogic Workview Office schematic tools. The new product is called ICAP for Viewlogic.

ICAP(TM) for Viewlogic®

Description: A new unique series of products that integrates analog and mixed-signal simulation into Viewlogic Workview Office

Compatibility: x86 PC, Windows 95/98, or NT; Viewlogic Workview Office

Product Information in PDF format

• ICAP for Viewlogic Brochure
  

Each ICAP package includes:

the IsSpice4 native analog and mixed mode (analog/digital) circuit simulator,

SPICE model libraries with over 8000 analog and digital parts,

the IntuScope graphical waveform analyzer,

the SpiceMod SPICE modeling program,

a set of symbol libraries,

and a new "magical" component, called the Intusoft Integration Module, that integrates a host of features.

This new technology allows engineers to run SPICE simulations directly from Viewlogic schematics and cross-probe the results in real time.

Presently, the most common schematic-SPICE interface is text based. More often than not, the SPICE netlist must be edited in order to run a simulation, thus breaking the link between the simulation and the schematic. In addition, most schematics do not have full support for the myriad of features/analyses that state-or-the-art SPICE simulators now offer (Monte Carlo analyses, cross-probing, AHDL/behavioral models, etc.). This is mainly because analog simulation is much less a driving factor than PCB layout or digital simulation for most EDA vendors. The lack of sufficient support has forced many SPICE vendors to create their own schematic front-end tools in order to support advanced simulation features. In turn, this forces engineers to have to learn more than one schematic program.

"What engineers want is to do their work, not learn more tools. That means they need tight integration of analog and mixed signal simulation tools with the same schematic entry program that they use to do their layout tasks" states Charles Hymowitz, vice president of Intusoft. "Intusoft has had its own schematic front-end for its IsSpice simulator for over nine years. During that time we have learned what it takes to drive SPICE from the schematic. While SpiceNet is very easy to use, customers are reluctant to learn more than one schematic." The Intusoft Integration Module alleviates the multiple schematic problem by seamlessly integrating key SpiceNet features to other schematic packages. "Our aim is to provide the best in class simulation tools, at an affordable price, integrated with whatever schematic the customer is using".

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The New ICAP System

Caption: The New ICAP system (green blocks) consists of the IsSpice4 native analog and mixed mode simulator, IntuScope (a graphical data analysis tool, an OLE text editor (IsEd), SPICE model libraries, and Intusoft Integration Module. The Integration Module is composed of ICAPS (Interactive Circuit Analysis Program Selector) and an OLE module that hooks ICAPS into third party schematics (e.g., Viewlogic's Workview Office). Several DLLs (yellow blocks) that enhance the schematic's ability to access SPICE attributes and other advanced simulation features are hooked transparently using OLE technology.

The Integration Module uses OLE technology to hook a general set of functions into third party EDA tools. For example, features like SPICE Part Browsing and Model Editing, custom SPICE attribute dialogs for each element, special dialogs for SPICE analysis statements, waveform cross-probing from both the schematic and layout, and the ability to launch and control the simulator from the schematic (Table 1) are provided.

What the Integration Modules mean for Viewlogic users is that they won't have to update their schematic capability to keep up with the latest SPICE enhancements. The OLE interface paradigm allows Intusoft to add capabilities independent of the schematic software. The result is thatWorkview Office will become vastly easier to use for analog/mixed signal simulation and much more tightly coupled to SPICE.

Intusoft expects to produce additional Integration Modules for other EDA tools. Intusoft's SPICE program, IsSpice4, is also available as an OLE server for other application. An OLE interface specification that provides access to all of the interactive functionality of IsSpice4 is available to any interested third party.

Several of the key New ICAP features that are made available from the schematic are discussed below.

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Availability

Contact your local Intusoft or Viewlogic dealer for more details on price listings for these products.

Each ICAP package is available in two versions. The RF Designer's version has a special SPICE library for RF parts while the Power Supply Designer's version has a special SPICE library for power electronic parts. This is the only difference. Owner's of Intusoft's ICAP/4Windows software (version 7.6 or greater) can add the integration module. In foreign destinations, the ICAP packages can be purchased from local Intusoft dealers.

Table 1 - ICAP brings New Analog and Mixed Signal Features to
Capture, Advanced Schematic, and Workview Office

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