Tools Address Mixed-Signal Physical Design

Nov. 24, 2003

Most of today's analog and mixed-signal designs are placed and routed by hand, a task that can take weeks or months for leading-edge processes. The latest version of Pulsic's Lyric Physical Design Framework for analog/mixed-signal physical design...

David Maliniak

In Version 4.0, the tools extend routing technology to handle specific analog requirements, such as symmetrical routing, routing to pin current-density widths, metal strapping, and angled slotting. The tool's fully shape-based router can now automatically route nets and subnets in a symmetrical pattern, which is a prerequisite for high-end analog/mixed-signal designs.

The router guarantees that all nets match, including mirroring and flipping if required. It also can lay out a net at varying widths. This ensures sufficient track widths at every point in the net's topology to carry all pin-current requirements. Enhanced design-rule checking locates any insufficient width areas that may have been executed in imported prerouted circuitry.

Lyric Physical Design Framework 4.0 is available now for Solarix, HP-UX, and Linux platforms. Pricing starts at $100,000 per year for a three-year license.

Pulsic Ltd.www.pulsic.com [email protected] +44 (0) 117 906 94 94

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About the Author

David Maliniak | MWRF Executive Editor

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.