Danny Amor's Online Library/Danny Amor's Online Library - Volume 1.iso/html/faqs/faq/lsi-cad-faq/part3

Text File | 1995-07-25 | 40.9 KB | 864 lines

Subject: comp.lsi.cad Frequently Asked Questions With Answers (Part 3/4) [LONG]
Newsgroups: comp.lsi,comp.lsi.cad,news.answers,comp.answers
From: [e-mail] (Michael Altarriba)
Date: 17 Nov 1994 21:07:51 GMT

Archive-name: lsi-cad-faq/part3
Posting-Freqency: every 14 days
Url: http://www.ece.ucdavis.edu/sscrl/clcfaq/faq/faq-toc.html

  able a shareware version.  This version is fully functional and indenti-
  cal to their schematic capture and PCB autoplace and route software
  except that it is limited to about 50 components.  It is available for
  IBM PC/PC compatibles directly from PADS, or from anynonmous ftp at
  several sites including wuarchive.wustl.edu:mirrors/msdos/cad/ (look for
  pads*.zip).  There is a $50 registration fee if you would like to get
  future updates from them.

29: Another PCB Layout Package:

  (from Randy Nevin <[e-mail]>:)

  I'm distributing a freely-copyable software package to do autorouting of
  (1- and 2-layer) printed circuit boards on a PC or compatible. It is
  written in C (with a little .asm), and all source code is included. There
  is an autorouter, a board viewer, a rat nest viewer, and some output
  filters which generate postscript and hp laserjet output files. There is
  no charge, but I maintain the copyright (it is not public domain). If you
  want to read about it, I published an article on autorouting algorithms
  in the sept '89 dr. dobb's journal. ega is required (for the viewing pro-
  grams). If you'd like to get the software, send me a stamped, self-
  addressed floppy mailer and a floppy. I can handle 5.25" 360K or 1.2M, or
  3.5" 1.4M, but if you send 360K there is some extra code that I won't be
  able to fit on the disk, so high density is better.

  I developed this software at home on my own time, and it is not related
  to what I do for my employer, so I will not use my employer's email
  resource to distribute it. however, it is available for anonymous ftp
  access on wsmr-simtel20.army.mil:PD1/<MSDOS.CAD>PCB.ARC , last I heard. I
  do not keep simtel up to date. But the version there is useable, and does
  include all source code.

          Randy Nevin
          24135 SE 16th PL
          Issaquah, WA 98027

30: Magic (Current version 6.4):

  This is a polygon based lsi layout editor.  It is capable of reading and
  writing magic, calma (version 3.0, corresponding to GDS II Release 5.1),
  and cif.  It is available for anonymous ftp from
  gatekeeper.dec.com:/pub/DEC/magic .

  Linux versions of magic are available from the standard linux mirror
  archives, such as dorm.rutgers.edu:pub/linux/sources/usr.bin.X11/
  [128.6.18.15]:

             dorm.rutgers.edu:pub/linux/sources/usr.bin.X11/magicp3-src.tar.gz
             dorm.rutgers.edu:pub/linux/sources/usr.bin.X11/magic63p3-run.tar.gz

  A short summary of the problems people have experienced in using Magic
  6.3 under Linux is available:

                  magnet.fsu.edu:/users/murali/magic6.3-summary

  (from Bob Mayo <[e-mail]>)

  Magic 6.4 is a minor update of magic. It includes the patches from the
  6.3 notes series, as well as ports to Digital's Alpha AXP OSF/1 worksta-
  tions (courtesy of Stefanos Sidiropoulos) and to Linux on a PC (courtesy
  of Harold Levy).

  This release includes an updated copy (version 9.2) of Stanford's Irsim
  program, as well as scmos tech files (version 8.0.0) from MOSIS.

  The easiest way to get magic is via the World Wide Web:

                  http://www.research.digital.com/wrl/magic/magic.html

  If you don't have web access, use anonymous FTP from gatekeeper.dec.com
  in the directory pub/DEC/magic/6.4. This directory also include the file
  irsim-9.2.tar.Z.

31: PSpice:

  This is a commercial product, however, they do have a student version
  that is available (limited to around 16 transistors).

          PC dos version 5.0a:
                          oak.oakland.edu:pub/msdos/electric/pspice5a.zip
                          oak.oakland.edu:pub/msdos/electric/pspice5b.zip

          PC windows3 version 5.1:
                          ftp.cica.indiana.edu:pub/pc/win3/util/pspice1.zip
                          ftp.cica.indiana.edu:pub/pc/win3/util/pspice2.zip

          Mac version 5.1:
                          sumex-aim.stanford.edu:info-mac/app/pspice-51.hqx

  The PC version is also available at a number of U.S. and non-U.S. sites.

  PSPICE 6.0

  (from Jonathan Layes <[e-mail]>)

  An evaluation version of PSpice 6.0 for DOS and Windows 3.1 is now avail-
  able.

          PC dos version 6.0:
                          ftp://bode.ee.ualberta.ca/pub/electrical/win3/spice6d1.zip
                          ftp://bode.ee.ualberta.ca/pub/electrical/win3/spice6d2.zip

          PC windows3.1 version 6.0:
                          ftp://bode.ee.ualberta.ca/pub/electrical/win3/spice6w1.zip
                          ftp://bode.ee.ualberta.ca/pub/electrical/win3/spice6w2.zip
                          ftp://bode.ee.ualberta.ca/pub/electrical/win3/spice6w3.zip

          PC explode disk:
                          ftp://bode.ee.ualberta.ca/pub/electrical/win3/spice6ed.zip

  The incoming directory is not directly readable, but files can still be
  read via FTP. These will be moved ot a more appropriate directory, prob-
  ably pub/cookbook/softw/msdos.

32: Esim:

  A new version of the switch-level simulator ESIM that can handle CMOS
  transmission gates is available through MUG, ftp ftp.mosis.edu
  (128.9.0.32))

33: iSPLICE3, a mixed-mode simulator for MOS/Bipolar circuits

  (from Xiaocun Xu <[e-mail]>)

  "iSPLICE3: A Mixed-Mode Simulator for MOS/Bipolar Circuits"

  The iSPLICE3 program is the third version of the SPLICE mixed-mode simu-
  lation program currently under development at the University of Illinois,
  based on research work originally initiated at the University of Califor-
  nia at Berkeley.  A mixed-mode simulator allows the circuit designer to
  intelligently tradeoff simulation accuracy for speed within the scope of
  a single simulator.  The circuit designer is permitted to represent dif-
  ferent parts of the same circuit at different levels of abstraction and
  the mixed-mode simulator combines the different representations, models
  and signal types in one simulation and produces the desired results while
  greatly reducing the overall run-time.  Currently, the iSPLICE3 program
  has electrical, logic and and switch-level timing simulation modes.  The
  electrical analysis is performed using Iterated Timing Analysis (ITA)
  which is an accurate, event-driven, relaxation-based circuit simulation
  technique.  The transistor models include MOS level 1, MOS level 3, the
  TI MOS model due to Yang and Chatterjee and a Bipolar transistor model
  from SPICE2.  Accurate switch-level simulation is performed using ELOGIC.
  In this mode, a set of discrete voltage states are defined and the time
  required to make a transition between two adjacent states is computed
  using electrical information.  The precision of the model can be adjusted
  to suit the desired level of accuracy.  For logic simulation, simple
  gates such as inverters, nors, nands, etc.  are available with fanout-
  dependent delay models.

          The program can be obtained from the University of Illinois by
          writing to:

                          Prof. R. Saleh, RE: Splice Program
                          Coordinated Science Laboratory
                          University of Illinois,
                          Urbana, IL. 61801.

  There is a $100 cost for the tape, documentation, userguide and handling
  charges for university or academic requests.  FTP access is free of
  charge on uivlsi.csl.uiuc.edu.  There is a $400 charge to companies for
  the entire tape/documentation set but no charge for FTP access.  Please
  make checks payable to the University of Illinois.  Please request either
  a Sun-tape or a 1600bpi magnetic tape.

34: Watand:

  (From Phil Munro <[e-mail]>)

    This posting will give the interested person some information about the
  WATAND (WATerloo ANalysis and Design) circuit simulator.  Watand was
  introduced at the 16th Midwest Symposium on Circuit Theory (1973).  In
  spite of its lack of advertising, Watand still offers some advantages
  when compared with other well known circuit simulators.  For example it
  is a *truly* interactive simulator; that is, one enters the "WATAND"
  environment in which analyses and design can be run and rerun, values
  changed, settings queried and changed, etc.

    Watand uses piecewise-linear as its primary simulation; other methods
  are optional.  It has ten built-in analyses which include the standard
  dc, ac, and transient analyses, and two post-processors (display and
  discrete Fourier).  Output may be in the form of printed tables; graphics
  display includes Tektronix 40xx output.  At YSU interactive helps are
  also available.

    Watand provides for the creation and use of user defined elements in
  addition to its own good stock of 34 built-in elements plus 21 built-in
  user defined elements.  User defined analyses and post-processors can
  also be written, and it includes a powerful macro facility.

    As of June, 1992, sale of the Watand simulator was still being handled
  by Mark O'Leavey, Waterloo Engineering Software, 22 King St. S., Suite
  302, Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA, N2L 1C6, Fax: [phone]; Phone:
  [phone].  At that time I was informed that it was available only
  for DECStation and Sparcstation, although we are running it quite suc-
  cessfully at YSU under the CMS operation system on an Amdahl mainframe.

    Two new and helpful manuals are available for the simulator.  They
  should be available at the Youngstown State University Bookstore, Youngs-
  town, OHio 44555:  Their approximate cost should be $7 each:

          "WATAND Users Manual," by Dr. Phil Munro, Youngstown State
          University, April 1992, 233 pages, 10 chapters, 4 appendices,
          index.

          "WATAND Introduction and Examples," by Dr. Phil Munro, Youngstown
          State Unversity, June 1992, 204 pages, 12 chapters, index.

    Watand does *not* include digital simulation at this time, nor does it
  have any transmission-line elements.  A self-heating BJT model has been
  developed and is proving useful.  Monte Carlo statistical simulation is
  possible with dc and ac analyses using macro based analyses which have
  been developed at YSU.

35: Caltech VLSI CAD Tools:

  (From John Lazzaro <[e-mail]>)

                     Caltech VLSI CAD Tool Distribution

  We are offering to the Internet community a new revision of the Caltech
  electronic CAD system for analog VLSI neural networks.  This distribution
  contains tools for schematic capture, netlist creation, and analog and
  digital simulation (log), IC mask layout, extraction, and DRC (wol), sim-
  ple chip compilation (wolcomp), MOSIS fabrication request generation
  (mosis), netlist comparison (netcmp), data plotting (view) and postscript
  graphics editing (until). These tools were used exclusively for the
  design and test of all the integrated circuits described in Carver Mead's
  book "Analog VLSI and Neural Systems".  Until was used as the primary
  tool for figure creation for the book.  The distribution also contains an
  example of an analog VLSI chip that was designed and fabricated with
  these tools, and an example of an Actel field-programmable gate array
  design that was simulated and converted to Actel format with these tools.

  These tools are distributed under a license very similar to the GNU
  license; the minor changes protect Caltech from liability.

  Highlights of the new revision includes:

          * Ports to new platforms (Supported platforms now include: Sun SPARC,
            Sun 3, HP Series 300/400/700/800, DEC MIPS-based Ultrix, Apple AU/X,
            linux, and IBM RS/6000 support).

          * Support for black and white displays, and resource database support
            for user preferences for sizing and placement of windows. New
            display modes in analog to support small screens.

          * Direct generation of SPICE netlists in analog, and new models
            for floating-well FET's, two-terminal devices with arbitrary i-v
            curves, and quantum-well tunnel diodes.

          * Many bug fixes for analog, wol, view, and until, and new features
            for view.

          If you are interested in some or all of these tools,

          1) ftp to hobiecat.pcmp.caltech.edu:pub/chipmunk on the Internet,
          2) log in as anonymous and use your username as the password
          3) cd pub/chipmunk
          4) copy the file README, that contains more information.

  European researchers can access these files through anonymous ftp using
  the machine ifi.uio.no in Norway; the files are in the directory chip-
  munk.  We are unable to help users who do not have Internet ftp access.

  A small but rather important bug was found in the "analog" program of the
  new Chipmunk distribution announced several weeks ago -- a key MOS
  transistor parameter was off by an order of magnitude! The current copies
  of the distribution on hobiecat.caltech.edu and ifi.uio.no have this bug
  corrected; however, if you've already picked up and installed the distri-
  bution since the new release (early april), here are the directions for
  patching your current installation w/o bringing over and rebuilding the
  whole package:

          1) anonymous ftp to hobiecat.pcmp.caltech.edu:pub/chipmunk
          2) get the file models.cnf
          3) in your distribution, use this file to replace log/lib/models.cnf

    That's it! Sorry for the inconvenience ...

36: Switcap2 (Current version 1.1):

  This is a switched capactor simulator.  It is available from:

                  SWITCAP Distribution centre,
                  411 Low Memorial Library,
                  New York,
                  N.Y. 10027.

37: Test Software based on Abramovici Text:

  (Contributed by Mel Breuer of the Univ. of Southern California)

  Many faculty are using the text by Abramovici, Breuer, and Fried- man
  entitled  "Digital Systems Testing and Testable Design" in a class on
  testing.  They have expressed an interest to  supplement their  course
  with software tools.  At USC we have developed such a suite of tools.
  They include a  good  value  simulator,  fault simulator,  fault  col-
  lapsing  module, and D-algorithm-based ATPG module for combinational
  logic.  The software has  been  specifi- cally  designed  to  be easily
  understood, modified and enhanced.  The algorithms follow those described
  in the text.  The  software can  be  run  in many modes, such as one
  module at a time, single step, interactively or as a batch process.  Stu-
  dents can use  the software  "as  is"  to  study  the operation of the
  various algo- rithms, e.g. simulation of a latch using different delay
  models.  Also,  simple  programming  projects can be given, such as
  extend the simulator from a 3-valued system to  a  5-valued  system;  or
  change  the D-algorithm so that it only does single path sensiti- zation.
  There  are  literally  over  50  interesting   software enhancements
  that  can  be made by changing only a small part of the code.  The system
  is written in C and runs on a SUN.

  If you are currently using the Abramovici text and would  like  a copy
  of  this  software,  please  send a message to Prof. Melvin Breuer at
  [e-mail].

38: Test Generation and Fault Simulation Software

  (Contributed by Dr. Dong Ha of Virginia Tech)

  Two automatic test pattern generators (ATPGs) and a fault simula- tor
  for  combinational circuits were developed at Virginia Tech, and the
  source codes of  the  tools  are  now  ready  for  public release.
  ATLANTA is an ATPG for stuck-at faults.  It is based on the FAN algorithm
  and a parallel-pattern,  single-fault  propaga- tion  technique.   It
  consists of optional sessions using random pattern testing, deterministic
  test pattern generation  and  test compaction.  SOPRANO is an ATPG for
  stuck-open faults.  The algo- rithm of SOPRANO is similar to  ATLANTA
  except  two  consecutive patterns  are  applied  to  detect a stuck-open
  fault.  FSIM is a parallel-pattern, single-fault  simulator.   All  the
  tools  are written  in  C.  The source codes are fully commented, and
  README files contain user's manuals.  Technical papers about  the  tools
  were  presented at DAC-90 and ITC-91. All three tools are free to univer-
  sities.  Companies are requested to make a contribution  of $5000  but
  will have free technical assistance.  For detailed in- formation, con-
  tact:

             Dr. Dong Ha
             Electrical Engineering
             Virginia Tech
             Blacksburg, VA 24061
             TEL: [phone]
             FAX: [phone]
             [e-mail]

39: Olympus Synthesis System

  (From Rajesh K. Gupta <[e-mail]>)

  Recently there have been several enquiries about the Olympus Synthesis
  System. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions. For details
  please send mail to "[e-mail]".

  1. What is Olympus Synthesis System?

  Olympus is a result of a continuing project on synthesis of digital cir-
  cuits here at Stanford University. Currently, Olympus synthesis system
  consists of a set of programs that perform synthesis tasks for synchro-
  nous, non-pipelined circuits starting from a description in a hardware
  description language, HardwareC.

  The output of synthesis is a technology independent netlist of gates.
  This netlist can be input to logic synthesis and technology mapping tools
  within Olympus or to UC Berkeley's mis/sis. Current technology mapping in
  Olympus is targeted for LSI logic standard cells and a set of PGA archi-
  tectures: Actel and Xilinx.

  2. How is Olympus distributed?

  The source code and documentation for Olympus is distributed via ftp.

  3. What are the system requirements for Olympus?

  Olympus has been tested on following hardware platforms: mips, sparc,
  hp9000s300, hp9000s800, hp9000s700, vax.  All the programs in Olympus
  come with a default menu-driven ASCII interface. There is also a graphi-
  cal user interface, called "olympus", provided with the distribution.
  This interface is written using Motif procedures.

  You would need about 40 MBytes of disk space to extract and compile the
  system.

  4. How can I obtain a copy of Olympus?

  Olympus is distributed free of charge by Stanford University.  However,
  it is not available via anonymous ftp. In order to obtain a copy please
  send a mail to "[e-mail]" where an automatic-reply
  mailer would send instructions for obtaining Olympus software.

40: OASIS logic synthesis

  (From William R. Richards Jr. <[e-mail]>)

  OASIS is a complete logic synthesis system based on the Logic3 HDL
  develped at MCNC (unfortunately neither VHDL or Verilog compatible).
  [e-mail] is the person responsible for it. OASIS is available to US
  universities for $500 and non-US universities for $600. Industrial
  license is $3000.

41: T-SpiceTM (was CAzM), a Spice-like table-based analog circuit simulator

  (From William R. Richards Jr. <[e-mail]>)

  CAzM is a Spice-like table-based analog circuit simulator. It offers sig-
  nificant performance advantages over other Berkeley Spice derivatives. It
  is used fairly extensively in our design community.  US university
  license is $175, non-US $250. Commercial license is $800. It comes with
  an X11- based signal viewing tool Sigview which is public domain and may
  be anonymous ftp'd from mcnc.org. I am the primary contact for CAzM at
  MCNC.

  (From Bhusan Gupta <[e-mail]>)

  The CAzM program that was developed and offered by MCNC, has been
  licensed for distribution by Tanner Research, Inc. of Pasadena, CA and
  all future product availability and support is available from Tanner
  Research.  The program as offered by Tanner Research is a commercial pro-
  duct and is now named T-Spice.  This Spice-like simulator offers table-
  based model evaluations for fast simulation performance, as well as,
  included analytical models for use with digital and analog circuits.
  Improvements to the CAzM models have also been made.  Tanner Research
  offers an optional Advance Model Library of charged controlled models
  that includes an accurate, physically-based MOSFET model that is continu-
  ous over all transistor regions of operations (including subthreshold),
  and scales to submicron channel lengths.  User defined models of any cus-
  tom component or circuit written in "C" can be readily linked to T-Spice
  as a general n-terminal device.  Pricing is $995 for the simulator and
  $1,245 with the Advance Model Library and Waveform Viewer.  Universities
  are offered a 75% discount.  A modeling and extraction service is  also
  provided by Tanner Research to generate functional or transistor level
  circuit simulation models for user supplied devices.  The extraction ser-
  vice provides extracted model parameters for existing circuit simulation
  models, such as SPICE models, Tanner's own charge controlled MOS models,
  or user's proprietary models.  In addition, software is available to aid
  users in extracting model parameters in house.  For more information con-
  tact Bhushan Mudbhary at Tanner Research (bhushan @ tanner.com), phone
  818-792-3000 and fax [phone].

42: Galaxy CAD, integrated environment for digital design for Macintosh

  Thanks to Simon Leung <[e-mail]>

  The Galaxy CAD System is an integrated environment for digital design and
  for rapid prototyping of CAD tools and other software.  The system
  currently includes schematic capture and simulation of both low-level and
  high-level digital designs and is being expanded to include physical
  design tools.  Galaxy runs on a number of 680X0 platforms, including the
  Apple Macintosh, HP9000/3XX, Apollo Domain, and Atari ST.  Others will be
  added according to demand.

  The Galaxy CAD System is an ideal environment for teaching digital
  design.  It has been used successfully for both introductory logic design
  and computer design courses at Wisconsin.  Some of the features of Galaxy
  that make it suitable for education are:

  1.  Integrated multiple-window environment: All Galaxy tools run
      concurrently in a multiple window environment.  Copying data
      from one window to another is simple.  Any number of simulation
      sessions can be active simultaneously.

  2.  Hierarchy: the schematic editor and simulator are both fully
      hierarchical.  Building hierarchical designs is simple, including
      creating symbols for modules.  The simulator is a true hierarchical
      simulator: it does not require a time-consuming macro-expansion
      step.

  3.  Integrated editing and simulation: Designs are edited and
      simulated in the same environment.  Simulation input and output
      can be shown directly on schematics, allowing direct manipulation
      of net values.  Unlike other products, Galaxy does not require
      modification of the schematic to insert "switch" and "light"
      components.  In addition, Galaxy allows display of bus values in
      hexadecimal directly on schematics to simplify debugging of
      high-level designs.  Simulation I/O can also use waveforms,
      text files, and tables.

  4.  Faults: Stuck-at faults can be introduced on the schematic
      editor and simulated immediately without rebuilding the
      simulation model.  This provides an excellent way to display
      the effects of faults.

  5.  Buses: Galaxy supports specification and simulation of bus
      structures, including complex extractions, fanouts, and bit
      reversal.  Buses are specified by annotating nets with text.
      For simulation, buses are kept intact so that multiple-bit
      high-level components can be used.  Galaxy includes a library
      of register-transfer components suitable for high-level
      computer design and simulation.

  6.  Alternate specification of designs: In addition to schematics,
      Galaxy users can specify design modules using a textual HDL
      (GHDL) and using hardware flowcharts and state diagrams.  A
      hierarchical design can mix these representations as desired.

  7.  High-quality PostScript output: Galaxy schematics are of excellent
      quality.  Gates are drawn according to standard practices, e.g.,
      OR gates are drawn with the correct circular arcs and not ellipses.

  8.  Uniform user interface: Galaxy tools have the same user interface
      on all platforms, reducing student learning curves.  In fact,
      the same tool OBJECT CODE runs on all platforms due to the unique
      structure of Galaxy.

  9.  Adding new simulation primitives is straightforward.

  10. No cost: Galaxy is available for free via anonymous FTP (Apple
      Macintosh version).  Other versions will be made available based
      on demand.

  Galaxy is also an excellent environment for rapid prototyping of new CAD
  tools.  By building on top of available resources, we have been able to
  prototype new tools in days or weeks that would ordinarily have taken
  months or years.  For more information, send e-mail.

  To obtain Galaxy CAD, connect to "eceserv0.ece.wisc.edu:pub/galaxy" using
  FTP.  Log in as "anonymous" with password "guest".  Galaxy is in direc-
  tory "pub/galaxy".  The file "README" in that directory gives further
  instructions.  Please register as a user by sending e-mail to
  "[e-mail]".

  John F. Beetem
  ECE Department
  University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Madison, WI  53706
  USA
  [phone]
  [e-mail]

43: WireC graphical/procedural system for schematic information

  (From Larry McMurchie <[e-mail]>)

  WireC is a graphical specification language that combines schematics with
  procedural constructs for describing complex microelectronic systems.
  WireC allows the designer to choose the appropriate representation,
  either graphical or procedural, at a fine-grain level depending on the
  characteristics of the circuit being designed.  Drawing traditional
  schematic symbols and their interconnections provides fast intuitive
  interaction with a circuit design while procedural constructs give the
  power and flexibility to describe circuit structures algorithmically and
  allow single descriptions to represent whole families of devices.

  The procedural capability of WireC allows other CAD tools to be incor-
  porated into the design system.  For example, we have defined an inter-
  face to the SIS logic synthesis system wherein the designer can represent
  part of the system behaviorally.  WireC invokes logic synthesis on these
  components to produce a structural description that can be incorporated
  into the rest of the design.

  Libraries of devices defining a particular netlist output format may be
  defined by the user. The libraries currently distributed with WireC
  include a default CMOS gate library whose output is the SIM format.  This
  format can be simulated with COSMOS or IRSIM and compared against a cir-
  cuit extracted from layout.  This library also includes devices that
  allow a behavioral description to be synthesized and mapped using MIS or
  SIS and incorporated into a larger circuit.

  Another library is the xnf library for designing systems with Xilinx
  FPGAs.  Written by Jackson Kong, Martine Schlag and Pak Chan of UCSC,
  this library contains devices specific to the 2000 and 3000 series Xilinx
  LCA's.  In addition to drawing the devices explicitly, one can represent
  parts of a circuit with equations and have these synthesized automati-
  cally.

  Currently in progress is a library of CMOS gates for Cascade Design
  Automation's ChipCrafter product.  WireC provides a mixed
  schematic/procedural design frontend for ChipCrafter, which uses module
  generation, timing analysis and place and route software to create a phy-
  sical layout from the WireC design specification.

  WireC was written by Larry McMurchie, Carl Ebeling, Zhanbing Wu and Ed
  Tellman.  We are interested in any libraries you may develop and will
  provide a limited degree of support.

  WireC requires an X-Windows compatible environment and a C++ compiler
  such as Gnu G++ and AT&T CC.  WireC is available via ftp on the Internet.
  For details send mail to

  [e-mail] [e-mail]

44: LateX circuit symbols for schematic generation

  (From Adrian Johnstone <[e-mail]>)

  A set of circuit schematic symbols are available for use in LaTeX picture
  mode. The set includes all basic logic gates in four orientations, FETs,
  power supply pins, transmission gates, capacitors, resistors and wiring
  T-junctions. All pins are on a 1mm grid and the symbols are designed to
  be easily used with Georg Horn's TeXcad program: we even supply you with
  a palette picture file that displays all 52 symbols in a compact grid
  that you can cut and paste from within TeXcad. Each symbol lives in its
  own .mac file and is defined as a 'savebox' so as to reduce memory con-
  sumption. You must add the [bezier] option to your 'documentstyle' com-
  mand. A small manual is provided in both Postscript and .dvi forms.

  The files lcircuit.zip and lcircuit.tar are available for anonymous ftp
  from cscx.cs.rhbnc.ac.uk:pub/lcircuit (134.219.200.45). I will also be
  uploading them to various ftp servers in the coming week.

45: Tanner Research Tools (Ledit and LVS)

  (From Bhusan Gupta <[e-mail]>)

  Low cost, yet very powerful commercial ASIC design tools are available
  from Tanner Research, Inc. in Pasadena, CA.  These products are used by
  industry and universities alike.  Tanner's products are nominally priced
  at $995 per program, with a combined package named L-Edit Pro available
  for $3,495 on the PC.  Universities are offered a 75% discount.  Here is
  a list of their current programs:

          L-EditTM :      A full-custom layout editor with CIF and GDSII
                          input/output.  Features a 32-bit coordinate space,
                          all-angle geometry, unlimited hierarchy and number
                          of layers.  The L-Edit Pro package includes L-Edit/DRC
                          for design rule checking, L-Edit/SPR for automatic
                          standard cell placement and routing, L-Edit/Extract
                          for extracting transistors, capacitors, resistors and
                          generic devices for SPICE-level simulation or comparison
                          to a schematic and LVS ,a netlist comparison tool for
                          topological and parametrical verification.  Optional
                          layout libraries are also available.

          T-Spice:        Circuit level simulator (See item 41 for detail

          GateSimTM :     Gate-level simulator.  A full array of technology mapping
                          libraries are also available.

  Products are available for the PC, Macintosh, Sun and Hp UNIX platforms.
  For more information contact Bhushan Mudbhary at Tanner Research (bhushan
  @ tanner.com), phone [phone] and fax [phone].

46: SIMIC, a full-featured logic verification simulator.

  (From comp.archives.msdos.announce)

  SIMIC is a full-featured logic verification simulator.  It has been
  demonstrated that SIMIC can uncover a number of critical design errors
  that other simulators miss.  SIMIC has shown superior accuracy and
  throughput when compared to competitive products.  Here are some of
  SIMIC's important features:

  -  Mixed-mode simulation allows the free intermixture of true
     bilateral switches (ideal and resistive), gate, plus functional level
     built-in and user defined primitives.

  -  A wide variety of output, whose detail, content and format are, to
     large extent, user defined.

  -  A large repetoire of simulation options and controls that can be
     applied interactively, or in batch operation, and simplify
     trouble-shooting of your design.

  -  Automated Test equipment emulation, allows debugging test programs
     using SIMIC troubleshooting techniques.

  -  Sophisticated hazard analysis including:  Spike, Pulse, Conflict,
     Oscillation, Setup, Hold, Pulse-width, Near (what-if)
     detection, among others.  Hazard propagation is also supported.

  The student version of SIMIC is limited to a maximum of 500 elements
  (parts).  In all other respects it is the same program as the commercial
  offering.  The PC student version requires a 386 or better and at least 2
  Meg of memory.  Both a DPMI and a VCPI version are included in the pack-
  age.  Both versions require EMS *NOT* be disabled.  SIMIC is also avail-
  able on Sun and other platforms.

  The latest version is 1.02.00. The changes from revision 1.00.04 are:

          Bug Fixes:

               - Rams properly handled by circuit compiler.
               - BTG (Ideal switches) compiled correctly with dynamic delays.
               - By-name pin connections accepted by circuit compiler.
               - JK Flip-flop timing checks can now be disabled.
          Enhancements:
               - Reduction in storage requirements for small RAMS.
               - Fault Sensitization analysis added.
               - Fault Simulation and grading added.

  This revision can be taken from oak.oakland.edu:pub/msdos/electric, or
  wuarchive.wustl.edu:systems/msdos/electric . The files in question are
  sim120bn.zip (Simic logic and fault simulator plus examples) and
  sim120dc.zip (Simic Engineering and User's Guides).

  The latest version is:
  ftp://pluto.njcc.com/pub/genashor/simoc/msdos/simic.zip

47: LASI CAD System, IC and device layout for IBM compatibles

  (from Mike Fitsimmons <[e-mail]>)

  I have uploaded to SimTel, the Coast to Coast Software Repository (tm),
  (available by anonymous ftp from the primary mirror site OAK.Oakland.Edu
  and its mirrors):

          SimTel/msdos/cad/
          lasi442a.zip    LASI v4.4.2 IC layout CAD pgm; unzip in
          lasi442b.zip    LASI v4.4.2 IC layout CAD pgm; unzip in
          lasi442c.zip    LASI v4.4.2 IC layout CAD pgm; unzip in

  This is Version 4.4.2 of the LASI CAD System that has been released
  expressly for Internet by Dr. Dave Boyce the author.  LASI was developed
  to do integrated circuit and device layout on almost any IBM compatible
  personal computer.  It may be used for other CAD applications such as
  schematics or printed circuit boards.  Drawings may be translated into
  GDSII, CIF or HP-GL.  It is a CAD system that is easy to learn and run,
  and is primarily intended for educational use in schools and colleges by
  students, researchers, or anyone who doesn't have time of funding for
  more elaborate CAD systems.

  Changes: This version contains many improvements to LASI itself, the HP-
  GL plotter, the CIF converter and other programs.

  The condensed files are in three zipped files LASI442A.ZIP, LASI442B.ZIP
  and LASI442C.ZIP. You must have all three zipped files to have a complete
  set of LASI files.

  Uploaded on behalf of the author.

48: EEDRAW, an electrical/electronic diagramming tool for IBM compatibles

  (from <[e-mail]>)

  I have uploaded to WSMR-SIMTEL20.Army.Mil:

          pd1:<msdos.graphics>
          EEDRAW24.ZIP    Electrical Engineering drawing (with layers)

  This is the 2.4 release of EEDRAW, an electrical/electronic diagramming
  tool for the IBM PC.

          pd1:<msdos.graphics>
          EEDSRC24.ZIP    C sources for EEDRAW24.ZIP program. TC/BC++

  This is the source of the EEdraw 2.4 program. Please read the readme file
  in the primary archive for information on other source programs needed
  such as the Libary files.

49: MagiCAD, GaAs Gate Array Design through MOSIS

  (from Tom Smit <[e-mail]>)

  MagiCAD is a system for GaAs semi-custom design through MOSIS and elec-
  tromagnetic modeling of digital interconnect.

          MagiCAD is now available on the following platforms:
              * DEC Alpha workstation running OSF/1 2.0
              * HP 9000/700-series workstation running HP-UX 9.05
              * Sun SparcStation running Solaris 2.3 (SunOS 5.3)

  The Mayo Graphical Integrated Computer Aided Design (MagiCAD) system
  package provides a comprehensive design environment for the development
  of digital systems, from initial concept to post-layout verification of
  integrated circuits (ICs).  MagiCAD focuses on the development of high-
  speed Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) gate array designs.  Specialized elec-
  tromagnetic simulation tools are provided to address high clock rate
  issues such as crosstalk and reflections, which become more important as
  clock rates exceed several hundred MHz or signal edge rates become less
  than 500 pico-seconds. MagiCAD provides all the necessary tools for high
  clock rate GaAs IC design, and is also integrated with non-Mayo circuit,
  logic, and fault simulators.

  MagiCAD provides a lower risk approach than full-custom design for
  universities wishing to perform digital GaAs design through MOSIS.  This
  is done by providing a gate array design environment where low-level
  transistor design and layout issues have already been solved and
  abstracted into a technology library of pre-defined cells. This frees the
  student or researcher to solve the still challenging tasks of system and
  gate-level design and layout to get high clock rate chips fabricated
  through MOSIS that meet all specifications.

  MagiCAD has been used in the design of many GaAs chips that have been
  successfully fabricated. The MagiCAD electromagnetic modeling tools have
  been used in the analysis of many actual packages, multi-chip modules
  (MCMs), and printed circuit boards (PCBs), uncovering and avoiding prob-
  lems that are commonly associated with high-frequency, fast edge-rate
  designs. The Vitesse Fury (TM) GaAs VSC2K gate array is provided as a
  MagiCAD technology library, and has been used for both graduate and
  undergraduate student chip designs. The Vitesse FX20K (HGaAs-III) has
  been entered as a MagiCAD technology library, as a replacement for the
  VSC2K (HGaAs-II).  A Mayo FX20K chip design is in fabrication now, and
  after it is tested, the FX20K technology will be released for student
  designs through MOSIS by 2Q 1995.

  Functionality that has been integrated into MagiCAD includes:
    o  Vitesse Fury VSC2K GaAs gate array technology library (HGaAs-II)
    o  Database which integrates all tools
    o  Schematic entry through a general purpose graphics editor
    o  Circuit simulator
    o  Logic and timing simulators
    o  Fault grading
    o  Place and route tools
    o  Layout verification tools
    o  Output to standard GDSII format for mask creation
    o  Electromagnetic analysis
       -  Cross section entry with graphics editor
       -  Multilayer multiconductor transmission line (MMTL) modeling
       -  Network tool for solving cases with many transmission line components
       -  Lossy and non-lossy cases
       -  Frequency and time domain result displays
       -  Used for analyzing complex design paths, through chip, MCM, and PCB

  The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) has funded Mayo to supply
  MagiCAD to universities in the USA for research and educational purposes.
  The direct cost to the universities for the MagiCAD software itself is
  zero (although there may be costs for any non-Mayo software that univer-
  sities may want).  Mayo-supplied MagiCAD training and support costs to
  these institutions is funded by ARPA, and is therefore free to the
  universities in the USA.  MagiCAD is not being distributed or supported
  outside the USA.

          The general steps for a university to begin using MagiCAD
          for digital GaAs gate array design include:
            1) Contact Mayo Foundation to acquire MagiCAD software
               and GaAs technology libraries.
            2) Contact MOSIS to acquire general MOSIS information
               and Vitesse-specific GaAs technology information.

  Point Of Contact For Acquiring MagiCAD And MagiCAD Support:

  Tom Smith
  Mayo Foundation
  Special Purpose Processor Development Group
  200 First St. S. W., Guggenheim 1016A
  Rochester, Minnesota 55905
  Telephone:  [phone]
  Telefax:    [phone]
  EMail:      [e-mail]

  Point Of Contact For Acquiring General MOSIS Information And Vitesse-
  specific GaAs Technology Information:

  Sam Reynolds
  The MOSIS Service
  USC/ISI
  4676 Admiralty Way
  Marina del Rey, CA  90292-6695
  Telephone:  [phone] x172
  Telefax:    [phone]
  EMail:      [e-mail]

50: XSPICE, extended version of Spice

  (from Jeff Murray <[e-mail]>)

     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