Mixed-Signal IC Design ECEN 5837 -- Spring 2006 Prof. Regan A. Zane Class: Tues & Thurs, 9:30am - 10:45am, ECEE 1B28 Office Hours: Mon, 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Wed, 10:30am - 12:00pm | Thurs, 12:30pm - 2:00pm, ECEE 1B63

One of the objectives of the Mixed-Signal IC design course is to give students practical design experience using commercial design tools for the complete IC design process. We will be using the CADENCE design tools for custom IC design and layout, digital design & verification, digital logic synthesis, automated place & route and full chip layout and simulation. Basic tutorials and references for getting started with these tools are given below.

NOTE: We have upgraded Cadence tools and process libraries, so some windows may have slight differences from those shown in the tutorials. However, the basic procedures for working in the tools are consistent.

• Update log (3/2/06): list of updates and rev dates to the software pages
• Reference library: ECEN 5837 reference library is available on magellan at: /usr/local/cadence/cadence/libraries/ams_5007_ref. To access this library, go to your library manager:
  • Edit => Library path ...
  • Library: ams_5007_ref
  • Path: /usr/local/cadence/cadence/libraries/ams_5007_ref
  • Save and exit the library path editor
  • Files from the tutorials below and solutions to homework assignments will be added to the course library

Basic Tutorials

• Getting Started in the Labs
• Using the AMS C35 process HIT-Kit
• Inverter example using the AMS C35 process
  • Schematic entry & simulation
  • Parametric and corner analysis
  • Monte Carlo analysis
  • Layout and verification
  • Verilog-A and Hierarchy Editor
  • Mixed-Signal Schematic & Simulations
• Automated synthesis, place-and-route, verification example: binary-to-thermometer block
  • Synthesis (Encounter RTL Compiler)
  • Importing synthesized Verilog into Cadence design framework
  • First Encounter Place & Route (getting started)
  • Importing P&R layout views into Cadence design framework
  • Fixing shorts and deliminators
• Input / output cells and padframe design tutorial
• Link to AMS Documents
• Common hot-keys (short-cuts) in Cadence

Key Cadence Manuals
Additional manuals available through "help" menu on Cadence windows.
NOTE: These are for your reference. Not required reading.
Analog & Mixed-Signal (Unix only)

• Virtuoso Schematic Composer Tutorial
• Virtuoso Schematic Composer User Guide
• Affirma Analog Circuit Design Environment User Guide
• Affirma Spectre Circuit Simulation User Guide
• Virtuoso Advanced Analysis Tools User Guide (Corner & Monte Carlo)
• Cadence Spice Reference Manual
• Affirma Mixed-Signal Design Environment User Guide
• Affirma Verilog-A Language Reference
• Cadence Hierarchy Editor User Guide
• Virtuoso Layout Editor User Guide
• Affirma Spectre RF Simulator User Guide
• Affirma Spectre RF Simulator Theory

• SimVision Analysis Environment Users Guide
• SimVision Waveform Users Guide
• NC-Verilog Tutorial for SimVision Waveform Users Guide
• Verilog-XL User Users Guide
• Useful coding style reference: Coding Styles That Kill!

• Userguide for importing Verilog into DFII
• RC Encounter RTL Compiler (Synthesis) Users Guide
• RC Command Reference

• to be added