Software provides power and signal-integrity analysis for high-performance IC packages and PCBs

Ansoft Corp.'s SIwave v2 is a full-wave electromagnetic field simulator that analyzes signal and power-integrity effects in high-performance printed circuit boards (PCBs) and integrated circuit (IC) packages.

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SIwave's proprietary full-wave, finite-element technique allows designers to characterize simultaneous switching noise (SSN), intersymbol interference, power and ground bounce, resonances, reflections and coupling between traces and power/ground planes.

Engineers are now able to model entire PCBs and package structures using an analysis engine to generate frequency and time-domain results.

It is fully integrated to layout tools such as Cadence Allegro and APD and Synopsys Encore. This integration adds significant value to existing EDA tools by enabling the accurate simulation and design of complex PCBs and IC packages consisting of multiple, arbitrarily shaped power and ground layers and any number of vias and signal traces. Specific features and enhancements to SIwave include:

*Power plane impedance * Signal net analysis (including coupled transmission lines) * Resonant mode analysis * SPICE export * Robust meshing * Automated geometry cleanup * Unlimited undo and redo * Interpolating fast frequency sweep * Decoupling capacitor model library with over 1200 components * Frequency-dependent model for dielectric materials * Interfaces to: Cadence Allegro(R), Cadence Advanced Package Designer (APD), Zuken CR-5000, Synopsys Encore IC package, Designer, Mentor Board Station(R), Mentor Expedition.

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© 2012 Penton Media Inc.


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