Simulation Methods

UltraScale Architecture PCB Design User Guide (UG583)

Document ID
UG583
Release Date
2023-11-14
Revision
1.27 English

Simulation methods, ranging from very simple to very complex, exist to predict the PDS characteristics. An accurate simulation result is difficult to achieve without using a fairly sophisticated simulator and taking a significant amount of time.

Basic lumped RLC simulation is one of the simplest simulation methods. Though it does not account for the distributed behavior of a PDS, it is a useful tool for selecting and verifying that combinations of decoupling capacitor values will not lead to large anti-resonances. Lumped RLC simulation is a good method for establishing equivalence of decoupling networks, such as evaluating an alternative to the capacitors of Table: Recommended PCB Capacitor Specifications and Placement Guidelines for XC Devices.

Lumped RLC simulation is performed either in a version of SPICE or other circuit simulator, or by using a mathematical tool like MathCAD or Microsoft Excel. Istvan Novak publishes a free Excel spreadsheet for lumped RLC simulation (among other useful tools for PDS simulation) on his website under Tool Download:

http://www.electrical-integrity.com

Table: EDA Tools for PDS Design and Simulation also lists a few EDA tool vendors for PDS design and simulation. These tools span a wide range of sophistication levels.

Table 11-2:      EDA Tools for PDS Design and Simulation

Tool

Vendor

Website URL

ADS

Keysight Technologies

http://www.keysight.com

SIwave, HFSS

Ansys

http://www.ansys.com

Sigrity

Cadence

http://www.cadence.com

Hyperlynx PI

Mentor

http://www.mentor.com