[SI-LIST] Re: Hspice model versus spice model
- From: "Lynne D. Green" <lgreen22@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Bernadine Splettstoeszer <bernadineps@xxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:54:22 -0800
Hello, Bernadine,
Saber was a predecessor to VHDL-AMS. VHDL-AMS is
a standardized language, supported by many EDA
companies. Also, SPICE has many "flavors"
(Berkeley SPICE, PSpice, etc), each with its own
feature set.
.
Some of the major differences are:
* Models are NOT portable across SPICE flavors.
One parameter may have two different names, or the
same parameter name might be used for different
parameters. Consider a capacitor model: one
flavor might support non-linear dependence on
voltage, while another might instead support
non-linear dependence on temperature.
* Model library availability. Chip makers support
HSpice and at least two others. I am not aware of
any that support Berkeley SPICE. Model
(availability/features) often drives choice of
simulator.
* Support for language extensions, such as
equations. VHDL-AMS, HSpice, PSpice, Saber do
this, but each has a different syntax. Berkeley
SPICE does not support this.
* Speed: VHDL-AMS implementations of the SAME
transistor model can 10x faster. If speed
matters, run a benchmark test.
* Support for IBIS models (including the IBIS
Touchstone 2.0 spec).
* User support in general. Berkeley no longer
supports SPICE. While there is a public-domain
version, there is no support staff.
* Ability to call an external (coded) model.
HSpice supports pre-defined component types,
including IBIS, and new functionality can be
created using VHDL-AMS. Saber supports coded
models, and users can create new component types.
Berkeley SPICE does not support any of these.
* Learning curve - as a general rule, greater
capability comes with a greater learning curve.
* Price - Berkeley SPICE is a free download, so
the only cost is installing the latest version.
The others cost real money.
My personal preference is HSpice with VHDL-AMS
support.
Hope this helps.
Lynne
"IBIS training when you need it, where you need it."
Dr. Lynne Green
Green Streak Programs
http://www.greenstreakprograms.com
425-788-0412
lgreen22@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On 11/7/2011 9:27 AM, Bernadine Splettstoeszer wrote:
> what is a good summery of the performance differences in models and analysts
> capabilities between Synpsys Hspice and Saber and Spice?
> Sent from my Windows Phone
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from si-list:
si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field
or to administer your membership from a web page, go to:
//www.freelists.org/webpage/si-list
For help:
si-list-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'help' in the Subject field
List technical documents are available at:
http://www.si-list.net
List archives are viewable at:
//www.freelists.org/archives/si-list
Old (prior to June 6, 2001) list archives are viewable at:
http://www.qsl.net/wb6tpu
Other related posts:
