Library gains noise modelling data

Synopsys has added noise modelling capabilities to its widely used Liberty open library standard.

Synopsys has added noise modelling capabilities to its widely used Liberty open library standard.

The new capabilities will allow library suppliers and developers using this format to make their cell libraries ready for a comprehensive signal integrity flow for 130nm designs and below.

Liberty is the most widely used library format in the EDA industry and is integral to the design flows of both semiconductor vendors and electronics designers.

"It is imperative that gate-level modelling techniques capture the essence of exact silicon behaviour for designers who use deep submicron technologies", said Jean Pierre Geronimi, director of Computer Aided Design at STMicroelectronics' Research and Development.

"We have worked closely with Synopsys to develop a noise modelling solution within the Liberty standard that closely mirrors noise effects we are seeing in 90nm silicon".

Leading-edge designers who use silicon processes of 130nm and below need to be able to isolate and prevent noise problems at the gate level, where they are easiest to fix.

Delaying the analysis and repair of signal integrity problems can lead to numerous iterations that severely impact time to market.

Synopsys has collaborated with leading semiconductors companies, EDA vendors and library providers to extend Liberty's modelling foundation to enable timing and signal integrity closure.

"As we move to smaller geometries, noise modelling becomes critical.

Having signal integrity analysis capabilities in our libraries will help our customers better address deep-submicron design challenges", said Dhrumil Gandhi, senior vice president of Product Technology at Artisan Components.

"We have collaborated with Synopsys to define the new noise modelling capabilities in Liberty and will be integrating them into our libraries".

"Our customers have been asking us to continue to refine our EDA tools and industry standards to help them with their tough signal integrity challenges in deep submicron designs", said Kevin Kranen, director of strategic programs at Synopsys.

"With the new noise modelling capabilities, as well as with existing voltage and temperature variation modelling mechanisms, Liberty enables library suppliers and semiconductor companies to deliver broadly usable, signal integrity-ready views needed for process technologies at 130nm and below".

The noise additions to Liberty are available immediately and can be accessed at no cost through the Synopsys Technology Access Program (TAP-in) website.

A noise-enhanced version of the open source Liberty parser will be available at no cost via the TAP-in website in November 2002.

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