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Newsgroups: comp.lsi,comp.lsi.cad,news.answers,comp.answers
Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!uhog.mit.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!library.ucla.edu!news.ucdavis.edu!altarrib!mingus
From: altarrib@mingus.ece.ucdavis.edu (Michael Altarriba)
Subject: comp.lsi.cad Frequently Asked Questions With Answers (Part 4/4) [LONG]
Message-ID: <lsi-cad-faq/part4_765764461@bird.ece.ucdavis.edu>
Followup-To: comp.lsi.cad
Summary: This is a biweekly posting of frequently asked questions with answers
the for comp.lsi / comp.lsi.cad newsgroups. It should be consulted
before posting questions to comp.lsi or comp.lsi.cad.
Keywords: FAQ
Sender: usenet@ucdavis.edu (News Guru)
Supersedes: <lsi-cad-faq/part4_764292766@bird.ece.ucdavis.edu>
Reply-To: clcfaq@ece.ucdavis.edu
Organization: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UC Davis
References: <lsi-cad-faq/part3_765764461@bird.ece.ucdavis.edu>
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 1994 00:19:43 GMT
Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu
Lines: 795
Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu comp.lsi:1582 comp.lsi.cad:2139 news.answers:17802 comp.answers:4817
Archive-name: lsi-cad-faq/part4
and Vitesse-specific technology information.
Point Of Contact For Acquiring MagiCAD And MagiCAD Support:
Thomas J. Smith
Mayo Foundation
Special Purpose Processor Development Group
200 First St. S. W.
Rochester, Minnesota 55905
Telephone: (507) 284-0840
Telefax: (507) 284-9171
EMail: tsmith@mayo.edu
Point Of Contact For Acquiring General MOSIS Information
And Vitesse-specific Technology Information:
Sam Reynolds
The MOSIS Service
USC/ISI
4676 Admiralty Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6695
Telephone: (310) 822-1511 x172
Telefax: (310) 823-5624
EMail: sdreynolds@mosis.edu
50: XSPICE, extended version of Spice
(from Jeff Murray <jm67@hydra.gatech.edu>)
I am one of the developers of XSPICE, and at the risk of being deluged
with requests for specific information on the tools, I can volunteer to
answer at least some questions. Currently there is no ftp site for infor-
mation; if there were, this posting would likely be unnecessary. However,
we are prohibited from posting even the User's Manual due to technology
export restrictions.
The following is a copy of the original press release on XSPICE. If
anyone would like additional clarification beyond this, or if some
aspects of the release are unclear, we can certainly take this as an
opportunity to remedy the situation. Please note that at the current time
there are many dozens of individuals who have obtained a copy of the
tools; if they have any comments or observations to make, I'm sure they
would be most welcome to other members of the user community.
XSPICE Press Release
January 2, 1993
Georgia Tech Research Corporation
XSPICE, introduced at the 1992 International Symposium on Circuits and
Systems (ISCAS), is an extended and enhanced version of the popular SPICE
analog circuit simulation program originally developed at the University
of California at Berkeley. XSPICE was developed at the Georgia Tech
Research Institute (GTRI) as a tool for simulating circuits and systems
at multiple levels of abstraction. XSPICE permits a user to simulate ana-
log, digital, and even non-electronic designs from the circuit level
through the system level in a single simulator. A special Code Modeling
feature allows users to add new models directly into the simulator exe-
cutable for maximum simulation speed and accuracy. Code models are writ-
ten in the C programming language allowing arbitrarily complex behavior
to be described. Code model development tools are provided to simplify
the process of creating new models, compiling them, and linking them with
the XSPICE core.
XSPICE provides a rich set of predefined code models in addition to the
standard discrete device models available in SPICE. The XSPICE code model
library contains over 40 new functional blocks including summers, multi-
pliers, integrators, magnetics models, limiters, S-domain transfer func-
tions, digital gates, digital storage elements, and a generalized digital
state-machine.
Digital functions are simulated in XSPICE through an embedded event-
driven algorithm added to the SPICE core. This algorithm is coordinated
with the analog simulation algorithm to provide fast and accurate simula-
tion of mixed-signal circuits and systems. The event-driven algorithm
supports a new "User-Defined Node" capability allowing additional event-
driven data types to be defined and used. XSPICE comes with a 12-state
digital data type as well as a user-defined node library that includes
'real' and 'integer' types useful in simulating sampled-data systems such
as Digital Signal Processing algorithms.
XSPICE is currently available for UNIX workstations and is supplied in
source code form allowing users to customize and extend the simulator and
models to particular needs. To date, the simulator has been successfully
compiled and used on HP Apollo and Sun workstations. The XSPICE simulator
and User's Manual are available with a cost-free license arrangement from
the Georgia Tech Research Corporation for a distribution charge of US
$200 (including first class postage within the U.S.A.; an additional US
$25 is required for overseas delivery by air). For further information,
please contact the Office of Technology Licensing, Georgia Tech Research
Corporation, Georgia Institute of Technology, 400 Tenth Street, Atlanta,
GA 30332-0415, USA, or phone (404) 894-6287 (voice) or (404) 894-9728
(FAX). Internet users may send email to XSPICE@GTRI.GATECH.EDU to obtain
copies of the order form and license agreement (please include the word
"license" in the subject header when mailing to this address).
51: MISIM, a model-independent circuit simulation tool
(from Bardo Muller <bardo@ief-paris-sud.fr>)
University of Washington has recently released the updated MISIM simula-
tor. The new release (Sun version) is now available through ftp with
anonymous login. The node address is 128.95.31.10. The release is under
/pub/misim.SUN.2.3.a. If you have any question, please don't hesitate to
contact us (misim_support@ee.washington.edu). Or, you can contact Prof.
Andrew Yang at 206-543-2932.
Attention:
---------
We are currently re-writing the whole MISIM system in C with broader
design consideration. The noise and temperature simulation capability
will be incorporated into our next release. It would have more flexible
front end with better simulation performance. The new version is
expected sometime around the end of this summer. Since the actual
release no longer reflected the level of our technology, we removed it
from our ftp directory.
MISIM Development Team
Department of Electrical Engineering
University of Washington
MISIM 2.3A Release: General Information
------------------------------------------
A) New capabilities:
----------------
MISIM 2.3A is distinguishable from the previous release in that is now
integrates a transistor-level mixed analog-digital simulator based on
analytical digital macromodeling. The mixed-signal simulator is equipped
with a front-end translator which accepts standard SPICE netlist syntax
and converts it into MISIM mixed-mode syntax. Analytic macromodels for
digital subcircuits are generated and loaded into MISIM core simulator
automatically. Synchronized simulation is then performed for the digital
subcircuits (processed by analytic solution) and the analog subcircuits
(processed by proven analog simulation algorithms) with much accelerated
speed and superior analog accuracy ( within 3-5 % of SPICE).
Thenal simulator supports all standard Berkeley MOS model
(Level 1, 2, 3, BSIM 1, BSIM 2). User-defined MOS models of arbitrary
complexity are also supported.
Currently, the procedure of processing analytic digital macromodeling
cannot be applied to bipolar devices (G-P model). Hence, all bipolar
transistors will be simulated as "analog" components.
MISIM's X-window graphic environment, WISE, has been upgraded to support
the mixed-signal simulation capabilities.
B) Model Improvements:
------------------
MISIM 2.3A now supports improved SPICE models (MOS, Diode, BJT). Many of
the model discontinuities have been resolved leading to more reliable
simulation. The MOS Level 2 and Level 3 models have also been upgraded to
an improved charge-conserved models. The standard SPICE diode model has
been enhanced to a non-quasi-static model capable of simulating accu-
rately the diode recovery effect.
These improved SPICE models are released as linked models. Users are not
recommeded to unload these improved models.
C) A New Parser:
------------
MISIM 2.3A incorporates a new netlist parser which supports two different
modes:
1) Standard SPICE netlist syntax - default mode. 2) Enhanced SPICE net-
list syntax - MISIM mode.
This new capability is designed to make MISIM completely spice-
compatible. In addition, the new parser now handles symbolic names and
expressions.
D) Updated Documentations:
----------------------
An updated MISIM User's guide is available in postcript form. On-line
documentations is also provided.
E) Future Release (MISIM 3.0):
--------------------------
1) The next release will include a new C-version analog simulator which
has been benchmarked to be a factor of 2 to 3 times faster than the
current fortran version.
2) The mixed-signal simulator will be enhanced to improve digital cover-
age rate (percentage of a mixed A/D circuit which can be processed by the
analytic digital macromodel) for better simulation performance.
52: Nelsis Cad Framework
(from their 'README' file)
Release 4.3 is the latest version of the Nelsis IC Design System. It
contains a CAD framework that puts a substantial added-value under the
fingertips of the designer by organizing the design information and
keeping track of the design evolution. It permits integration of
tools of different origin and achieves run-time efficiency. The
framework is based on intelligent management of meta data on top of
the actual design descriptions; it administers high level information
about the design activities and the structure and status of the design,
rather than operating at the level of the detailed design descriptions.
The framework services, such as flow management, version manage-
ment, concurrency control and state management, have been implemented
on top of the meta data management module. The framework controls
access to the design objects and administers meta data by performing
OTO-D queries. Tools operate on top of the framework via the Data
Management Interface, obtaining access to the design data according to a
nested transaction schema.
The Nelsis CAD Framework is available, together with a set of design
tools for demonstration purposes, through anonymous ftp from
dutente.et.tudelft.nl:pub/nelsis .
53: APLAC, a system-level simulator and IEEE-488 measurement tool
(from Sakari Aaltonen <sakari@picea.hut.fi>)
-----------------------------------------
APLAC 6.1
-----------------------------------------
General information
APLAC, a program for circuit simulation and analysis, is a joint develop-
ment of the Circuit Theory Lab of Helsinki University of Technology and
Nokia Corporation's Research Center. The main analysis modes are DC, AC,
noise, transient, oscillator, and (multitone harmonic) steady state.
APLAC can also be used for measurements with IEEE-488 apparatus. APLAC's
transient analysis uses convolution for correct treatment of components
with frequency-dependent characteristics. Monte Carlo analysis is avail-
able in all basic analysis modes, as is sensitivity analysis in DC and AC
modes. N-port Z, Y, and S parameters, as well as two-port H parameters,
can be used in AC analysis. APLAC also includes a versatile collection of
system level blocks for the simulation and design of analog and digital
communication systems.
Component models
Too many to be listed here. In addition to familiar Spice models, a great
number of microwave components (microstrip/stripline) are included. Sys-
tem models include formula-based and discrete-time models useful in RF
design. The model parameters of the components may have any functional
dependency on frequency, time, temperature, or any other parameter. Users
can create new components by defining their - possibly nonlinear - static
and dynamic characteristics in APLAC's interpreter-type language. Spice-
syntax models can be imported.
Input
APLAC reads its input - the nodes, branches, and model parameters of the
components - from a text file. Model libraries can be created and
included. Expressions are written in a program-like manner; user func-
tions may be defined. Conditional and looping control structures are sup-
ported.
Output
The output results from one or several sweeps of any user-defined func-
tion of the circuit parameters, time, frequency, or temperature. The
results may be printed or plotted in rectangular or polar coordinates, or
on the Smith chart. Graphics output can be directed to an HPGL- or CSDF-
type file, or to a graphics file for later viewing.
Optimization
APLAC includes several optimization methods: gradient, conjugate gra-
dient, minmax, random, simulated annealing, tuning (manual optimization)
and gravity center (design centering). Any parameter in a design problem
can be used as a variable and any user-defined function may act as an
objective.
Machine environment
Unix: X11; PC: MS-Windows (math coprocessor required).
Contact information
-------------------
Martti Valtonen Heikki Rekonen
Helsinki University of Technology Nokia Research Center
Circuit Theory Laboratory Hardware Design Technology
Otakaari 5A, SF-02150 Espoo, FINLAND P.O.Box 156, SF-02101 Espoo,
FINLAND
Fax: 358-0-460224 Tel: 358-0-43761
e-mail:martti@aplac.hut.fi Fax: 358-0-455 2557
Free (university version) binaries for HP9000/700, Sun4, and PC machines
are available via FTP from nic.funet.fi:pub/cae/aplac . Help files, PS
manuals, and collections of APLAC examples are in the same directory.
54: SLS, a switch-level simulator
(from comp.lsi.cad)
DELFT UNIVERSITY OFFERS UNIQUE SWITCH-LEVEL SIMULATOR
SLS is a switch-level simulator that can be used to simulate the logic
and timing behavior of large digital circuits that are described at the
(mixed) MOS transistor, gate and functional level. It has fast and accu-
rate algorithms to predict the timing behavior of MOS circuits containing
> 100,000 transistors. MOS transistor-level circuit descriptions are
easily mixed with gate-level and functional-level circuit descriptions,
where the behavior of the latter are described in the C programming
language. There is an X-window based user-interface to graphically edit
the input signals and to inspect the simulation output signals. The same
interface is used to alternatively simulate the circuit with the well-
known circuit simulator SPICE. SLS has already been used by many people
at many different sites, and numerous chips have been designed with it.
SLS is now made available world-wide to serve as a useful design and
verification tool to the international design community. Apart from
bof the
popular design system for Sea-Of-Gates circuits OCEAN, or it can be con-
nected to the advanced Nelsis CAD framework.
The SLS simulator has three different simulation levels:
1. Purely logic simulation based on abstract transistor strengths:
This level more or less behaves similar to the original switch-level
model as proposed by R.E. Bryant. It computes logic states by
only considering node states and transistor types.
2. Logic simulation based on exact transistor dimensions and node
capacitances: This level uses resistance division and capacitance
division algorithms to compute logic states. It finds correct logic
states in much more situations than conventional switch-level
simulators, e.g. when a resistance division occurs between a saturated
transistor and a non-saturated transistor.
3. Logic and timing simulation based on transistor and node parameters:
RC time constant evaluations are used to approximate real voltages by
PIECEWISE-LINEAR VOLTAGE WAVEFORMS. This not only provides delay times
for the circuit, but is also delivers an accurate representation for
transient effects like spikes and races.
Apart from electrical network elements like MOS transistors, resistors
and capacitors, an SLS network may contain (i) gate primitives like
inverters, nands, nors, etc. and (ii) user-defined function blocks like
roms, shiftregisters, multipliers. The behavior of function blocks is
described by the user in the C programming language: it is specified by
the user how the values of the output terminals and the state variables
are computed from the values of the input terminals and the state vari-
ables.
For more information about SLS, see,
"Switch-level timing simulation," P.M. Dewilde, A.J. van Genderen,
A.C. de Graaf, Proc. ICCAD 85 Conf., Santa Clara, Nov. 1985,
pp. 182-184
"SLS: An Efficient Switch-Level Timing Simulator Using Min-Max Voltage
waveforms," A.J. van Genderen, Proc. VLSI 89 Conf., Munich, Aug. 1989,
pp. 79-88.
"SLS: Switch-Level Simulator User's Manual," A.C. de Graaf, A.J. van
Genderen, Delft University of Technology (available for ftp at the
address below).
Availability:
SLS is written in C and runs under UNIX and X-windows. It runs, among
other things, on Sun SPARC stations, HP 9000 series 700/800 machines, and
PCs running Linux. The program is available for free under the terms of
the GNU General Public License. It can be retrieved via anonymous ftp
from dutentb.et.tudelft.nl:pub/sls .
It is also possible to obtain SLS as a part of the OCEAN system for the
design of Sea-Of-Gates circuits. This system can be obtained from on
donau.et.tudelft.nl:pub/ocean . The OCEAN system among other things con-
tains a layout-to-circuit extractor that can extract large layouts and
that stores the result directly in the database that is read by SLS.
Furthermore, SLS is available as a tool in the Nelsis CAD framework from
the directory pub/nelsis on dutente.et.tudelft.nl. The latest version of
SLS can always be found on dutentb.et.tudelft.nl .
For questions, remarks and bug reports, contact
Arjan van Genderen
Delft University of Technology
Department of Electrical Engineering
Mekelweg 4 phone: 31-15-786258
2628 CD Delft fax: 31-15-623271
The Netherlands email: arjan@dutentb.et.tudelft.nl
55: OCEAN, a sea-of-gates design system
(from Patrick Groeneveld <ocean@donau.et.tudelft.nl>)
About OCEAN: the sea-of-gates design system
-------------------------------------------
OCEAN is a comprehensive chip design package which was developed at Delft
University of Technology, the Netherlands. It includes a full set of
powerful tools for the synthesis and verification of semi-custom sea-of-
gates and gate-array chips. OCEAN covers the back-end of the design tra-
jectory: from circuit level, down to layout and a working chip. In a nut-
shell, OCEAN has the following features:
+ Available for free, including all source code.
+ Short learning curve making it suitable for student design courses.
+ Hierarchical (full-custom-like) layout style on sea-of-gates.
+ Powerful tools for placement, routing, simulation and extraction.
+ Any combination of automatic and interactive manual layout.
+ OCEAN can handle even the largest designs.
+ Running on popular HP, Sun and 386/486 PC machines, easy
installation.
+ Includes three sea-of-gates images with libraries and a
200,000 transistor sea-of-gates chip.
+ Can be easily adapted to arbitrary images with any number of layers.
+ Interface programs for other tools and systems (SIS, cadence, etc.)
+ Robust and 'combat-proven', used by hundreds of people.
How to retrieve OCEAN and additional documentation?
---------------------------------------------------
The entire OCEAN system is available for free via anonymous ftp, gopher
or on tape. A powerful installation script is included, so you can get
started very quickly without hacking up the code. You can retrieve OCEAN
and additional documentation via:
anonymous ftp: donau.et.tudelft.nl:pub/ocean
gopher: olt.et.tudelft.nl (port 70) or use the path
World --> Europe --> Netherlands -->
Delft University of Technology Electronic Engineering
--> Research activities -->
The OCEAN sea-of-gates Design System
We advise to retrieve first the documents with the user manual. (The file
'ocean_docs.tar.gz'). If you have any questions, remarks or problems,
just contact us:
Patrick Groeneveld or Paul Stravers
Electronic Engineering Group, Electrical Engineering Faculty
Delft University of Technology
Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD Delft The Netherlands
Phone: +31-15786240 Fax: +31-15786190
Email: ocean@donau.et.tudelft.nl
56: ALLIANCE, a CAD package and simulator for teaching digital VLSI design
(from Gilles-Eric DESCAMPS <descamps@masi.ibp.fr>)
******************************************************
* ANNOUNCEMENT OF ALLIANCE RELEASE 2.0 17 Feb 94 *
******************************************************
The release 2.0 of the public domain ALLIANCE VLSI/CAD system is
now available at:
ftp.ibp.fr:ibp/softs/masi/alliance [132.227.60.2]
cao-vlsi.ibp.fr:pub/alliance [132.227.60.20]
CONTENT
ALLIANCE is a complete set of CAD tools and portable libraries for
research and education in digital VLSI design. The ALLIANCE CAD system
has been developed at the MASI laboratory (Universite Pierre et Marie
Curie, Paris France). It includes a VHDL compiler and simulator, logic
synthesis tools, automatic place and route, DRC, extractor, functional
abstraction and formal proof tools etc... All the ALLIANCE cell
libraries use a symbolic layout approach in order to provide pro-
cess independence: Cmos process from 1.6 micron to 0.8 micron have been
successfully targetted.
Several new tools and portable cell libraries have been introdu- ced
into release 2.0:
* Six parameterized portable CMOS generators:
- RAGE static RAM generator
- GROG high speed ROM generator
- RSA fast adder generator
- BSG barrel-shifter generator
- AMG pipelined multiplier generator
- RFG multi-ports register file generator
* A data-path compiler for high performance and high density cir-
cuits (including a dedicated portable standard cell library)
* A Finite State Machine Synthesiser SYF, the logic synthesis
implementation of high complexity controllers from VHDL input.
* A procedural layout debugger GENVIEW allows new portable gen-
erators or custom blocks to be developed easily. A new symb-
olic layout editor GRAAL has a MOTIF interface.
INSTALLATION
ALLIANCE is totally free, under the terms of the GNU General Pub- lic
License. It includes C source files and on-line English do- cumentation
(UNIX man)
1) A hierarchical makefile allows each ALLIANCE tool to be com-
piled and installed separately. The disk space required to
compile and install the full ALLIANCE package is about 150
megs.
2) The release 2.0 has been successfully compiled with K&R cc and
GNU gcc compilers. The full alliance package can now run on
SPARC, LINUX and DEC architectures.
TUTORIALS
The release ALLIANCE 2.0 contains three separate tutorials:
1) ADDACCU
The design of a very simple chip (adder/accumulator) to get
started with the ALLIANCE tools (about 500 transistors).
2) AMD2901
The design of the 4 bits AMD2901 processor, from the VHDL spe-
cification to the GDSII layout, using the ALLIANCE portable
standard cell library (about 3000 transistors).
3) DLX
The design of the 32 bits DLX microprocessor (HENNESSY & PAT-
TERSON) from the VHDL specification to the GDSII layout, using
the ALLIANCE data-path compiler and logic synthesis tools
(about 30000 transistors).
57: ceBox EDIF Viewer
<from comp.archives>
A free demo version of the ceBox EDIF Viewer is now available on the
ftp-server:
ftp.Germany.EU.net:shop/concept-engineering/EDIF [192.76.144.75]
you find the following files:
README.german ( 2k ASCII text)
README.english ( 2k ASCII text)
demo.edif.Z ( 10k EDIF file)
edif_viewer_demo.Z (808k SPARC executable)
tutorial-demo-viewer.ps.Z ( 31k PostScript document)
The *ceBox EDIF Viewer* displays schematic pages and symbols of any
EDIF 200 (level 0) file. It is an easy-to-use tool to analyse EDIF
schematic files.
The *ceBox EDIF Kit* is a programming library to bundle C++ user func-
tions to the Viewer and to build standalone EDIF processors. The Kit's
in-core data base allows to access/modify all EDIF data.
For more information, please contact:
Concept Engineering
Burkheimer Str. 10
D-79111 Freiburg
Germany
Tel: ..49-761-473099
Fax: ..49-761-441063
email: cebox@concept.de
58: Analog CMOS VLSI Design Educational Resource Kit
(from MUG)
UMass Dartmouth is pleased to announce the release of Version 1 of the
Analog CMOS VLSI Design Educational Resource Kit. Version 1 of the
Resource Kit may be obtained via anonymous ftp at the site
micron.ece.umassd.edu
The release includes the following files and information:
The CIF file for a 2 micron Mosis Tinychip using p-well technology; and
manuals containing five tutorials based on the chip set.
These circuits were used in an undergraduate course on analog VLSI design
during the spring semester at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
They are also being currently used in a graduate level course in analog
VLSI design. The students in the undergraduate course had a single
introductory digital VLSI design course as background, and were familiar
with MAGIC, SPICE and CAzM, a SPICE-like circuit simulator.
If you have any comments, corrections or suggestions regarding the
release, or ideas for other circuits that you have found useful in your
classes and that could be incorporated in later releases, please feel
free to contact me. Good luck!
Robert H. Caverly, Ph.D.
ECE Department
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
N. Dartmouth, MA 02747
caverly@micron.ece.umassd.edu
(508) 999-8474
59: TDX Fault Simulation and Test Generation Software
(from Dan Holt <dan@attest.com>)
TDX Fault Simulation and Test Generation Software
Free demo/student copies of Attest Software's fault simulation, Iddq,
DFT, and automatic test pattern generation tools are available by
anonymous ftp.
This software is fully functional on any circuit with less than 1000
gate-level primitives. It is also fully functional on the GL85 micropro-
cessor circuit (about 3000 primitives) which is included with the suite
of tools. General-use licenses can be provided free to accredited univer-
sities for non-commercial, educational purposes.
The software is built around a high-performance concurrent fault simula-
tor that is accurate on a wide-range of state and timing sensitive cir-
cuits. It supports synchronous and asynchronous designs containing logic
gates, MOS transistors, tri-state buffers, flip-flops, single/multi-port
RAMs, complex bus resolution functions, and Verilog User Defined Primi-
tives (UDPs). The software also supports the detailed pin timing and
strobing features found on "tester-per-pin" automatic test equipment. The
software supports Verilog and VHDL netlists.
The GL85 microprocessor, which is a clone of the once-popular 8085
microprocessor, is a fully functional model for which three views are
provided: behavioral, RTL, and gate level. Using this clone, a tutorial
shows the user how to achieve improved controllability and/or observabil-
ity for his or her circuit, resulting in improved fault coverage, some-
times with very little additional time or effort expended in the design
cycle. The tutorial was written by Dr. Alex Miczo.
The software is available by ftp from netcom.netcom.com:pub/attest. The
README contains installation instructions, and identifies the location of
the GL85 models and the postscript tutorial.
For more information, please contact:
Attest Software Inc.
4677 Old Ironsides Drive, Suite 100
Santa Clara CA 95054 USA
(408) 982-0244 voice
(408) 982-0248 fax
info@attest.com
60: Nascent Technologies CDROM - magic and spice releases for Linux
The Linux from Nascent CDROM, Version 1.0, is only $39.95 plus shipping
and handling, and comes with an 30-day unconditional money-back guaran-
tee. If you aren't completely satisfied, return the package with your
receipt within 30 days and the purchase price, excluding shipping and
handling, will be refunded to you.
In addition, Nascent offers the Linux from Nascent Plus package for only
$89.95, which includeds six months of email support and a 30% discount
off a future release of the CDROM with your CDROM purchase.
Nascent Technology
811 Haverhill Drive
Sunnyvale CA 94087 USA
Tel: (408) 737-9500
Fax: (408) 241-9390
Email: nascent@netcom.com
Linux is a freely distributable Unix(R) compatible operating system for
the IBM(R) 386/486 PC and compatibles written by Linus Torvalds from the
University of Helsinki, Finland. It was developed by a unique world-wide
collaboration of programmers over the internet, and is covered by the GNU
General Public License. Linux is a modern, high performance network
operating system, much like ones used for years on engineering and pro-
fessional workstations.
The Linux from Nascent CDROM is an entirely new distribution of the Linux
operating system, and includes over 400 mbytes of source code, binaries,
and documentation for Linux and applications. The Linux from Nascent
distribution features:
* 52 page User Guide
* automated root, swap, and package installation from CDROM
* simple user account and network administration scripts
* Linux 0.99.14 plus net-2 networking
* extensive online documentation and manuals
* network printer support
* X Window System(TM)
* OpenLook(TM) 3d window manager
* SCSI disk and tape support
* TeX(TM) and ghostscript word processor and viewer
* Ingres database management
* GNU C compiler and utilities
* GNU emacs, vi clone text editors
* sound and graphics support
* Over 100 high resolution images translated from Kodak PhotoCD(TM)
* magic and spice electronic design tools
* GNU Chess, Shogi, pooltable, xpilot, flight simulator, ...
61: Time Crafter 1.0, a timing diagram documentation tool
(from Rick Burgett <burgett@csips1.nrlssc.navy.mil>)
I have uploaded to the SimTel Software Repository (available by anonymous
ftp from the primary mirror site
OAK.Oakland.Edu:pub/msdos/electric/timecrft.zip and its mirrors):
timecrft.zip WIN3: Electronic ckt timing diagram generator
Time Crafter Version 1.0 is a timing diagram documentation tool. A tim-
ing diagram is used by electrical engineers and technicians to document
the way a circuit or system operates or should operate. This type of
documentation is crucial to good design and debugging but up to now one
could only use paper and pencil (with a good eraser) or an expensive CAD
package costing $1000 or more to produce these diagrams on a PC. Time
Crafter has features that make it easy to document and update a circuit
design of any complexity.
Time Crafter is Microsoft Windows based to provide a simple yet powerful
user interface which is device independent.
Special requirements: Windows 3.x
62: ACS, a general purpose mixed analog and digital circuit simulator
(from comp.lsi.cad)
A new version of ACS (Al's Circuit Simulator) has been posted to
alt.sources. It is also available by ftp from cs.rit.edu:pub/acs or
ee.rochester.edu:pub/acs . If you don't have net access you can get it
by dial-up from (USA) 716-272-1645.
ACS is a general purpose mixed analog and digital circuit simulator. It
performs nonlinear dc and transient analyses, fourier analysis, and ac
analysis linearized at an operating point. At this point the analog is
stronger than the digital. (In fact, the digital part is rather weak.)
It is fully interactive and command driven. It can also be run in batch
mode or as a server. The output is produced as it simulates. Spice com-
patible models for the MOSFET (level 1 and 2) and diode are included in
this release.
This version (0.13) includes several improvements including real Fourier
analysis and better time step control based on truncation error. There
are other minor improvements.
Since it is fully interactive, it is possible to make changes and re-
simulate quickly. The interactive design makes it well suited to the
typical iterative design process used it optimizing a circuit design. It
is also well suited to undergraduate teaching where Spice in batch mode
can be quite intimidating. This version, while still officially in beta
test, should be stable enough for basic undergraduate teaching and
courses in MOS design, but not for bipolar design.
In batch mode it is mostly Spice compatible, so it is often possible to
use the same file for both ACS and Spice.
The analog simulation is based on traditional nodal analysis with itera-
tion by Newton's method and LU decomposition. An event queue and incre-
mental matrix update speed up the solution for large circuits.
It also has digital devices for true mixed mode simulation. The digital
devices may be implemented as either analog subcircuits or as true digi-
tal models. The simulator will automatically determine which to use.
Networks of digital devices are simulated as digital, with no conversions
to analog between gates. This results in digital circuits being simu-
lated faster than on a typical analog simulator, even with behavioral
models. The digital mode is experimental and needs work. There will be
substantial improvements in future releases.
The source and documentation can be obtained by anonymous ftp from
ee.rochester.edu:pub/acs or cs.rit.edu:pub/acs . It can also be obtained
by dial-up (USA) 716-272-1645 in /pub/acs. It may be distributed under
the terms of the GNU general public license. The dial-up also has some
test circuits, pre-compiled executables for Next, Sun4, MSDOS and possi-
bly others, and documentation in dvi and postscript.
63: LOG/iC, a logic synthesis package for PLDs
(from Ralph Remme <RR@ns.isdata.de>)
LOG/iC EVAL
- - ISDATA GmbH Karlsruhe, Germany / ISDATA Inc. Oakland CA
- - FSM and logic synthesis for programmable logic devices
- - Several output formats: JEDEC, POF, HEX, EDIF, XNF, Open-PLA,
PALASM, ...
- - PLD data base as an electronic reference
- - PC Windows
- - free version of LOG/iC PLUS for educational and research use only
- - anonymous ftp: gate.fzi.de:pub/ISDATA (141.21.4.3)
- - email: isdata@isdata.de
ISDATA GmbH ISDATA Inc.
Daimlerstrasse 51 P.O. Box 19278
D-76185 KARLSRUHE Oakland, CA 94619
GERMANY U.S.A.
Phone:(+49) 721 75 10 87 Phone: (++1) 510 5318553
FAX: (+49) 721 75 26 34 Fax: (++1) 510 5318417
Mr. Peter Bauer Mr. Paul Hoy