ELSEC351: Paper X- Electronic Design Automation Tools

Unit I- Introduction to EDA tools

Syllabus: Definition of Simulation, Need of Simulation, brief introduction of
various simulators, description to simulator tools, hands on practice on available
library components, wiring and schematic designing.
Electronic systems are an integral part of human life. They have simplified our
lives to a great extent. Starting from small systems made of a few discrete
components to the present day integrated circuits with millions of logic gates,
electronic systems have undergone a sea change. As a result, design of electronic
systems too has become extremely difficult and time consuming. By using
computer aided design tools, we have been able to come up with quick and
efficient designs. These are called Electronic Design Automation or EDA tools.
The term Electronic Design Automation (EDA) refers to that are used to design
and verify integrated circuits (ICs), Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), and electronic
systems, in general.
How does the EDA works?
EDA is primarily a software business. Very sophisticated and complex software
programs function primarily in one of three ways to assist with the design and
manufacturing of chips.
Simulation Tools take a description of proposed circuit and predict its behavior
before it is implemented.
Design Tools take a description of a proposed circuit function and assemble the
collection of circuit elements that implement that function. This is both a logical
process (assemble and connect the circuit elements) and a physical process (create
the interconnected geometric shapes that will implement the circuit during
manufacturing). These tools are delivered as a combination of fully automated
and interactively guided capabilities.
Verification Tools examine either the logical or physical representation of the
chip to determine if the resultant design is connected correctly and will deliver
the required performance.
Definition of simulation
Simulation is a discipline of modeling some real life problems or theoretical
concept and observing corresponding output in artificial or synthetic environment
e.g. computer Simulation has great importance in the field of application of
Electronics engineering where electronic engineers or students can check their
models or theory before applying for development practically. A simulation is the
imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system overtime. Simulations
require the use of models; the model represents the key characteristics or
behaviors of the selected system or process, whereas the simulation represents
the evolution of the model over time. Electronic circuit simulation uses
mathematical models to replicate the behavior of an actual electronic device or
circuit. Simulation software allows for modeling of circuit operation and is an
invaluable analysis tool. Electronics simulation software engages its users by
integrating them into the learning experience.
Transistor simulation – low-level transistor-simulation of a schematic/layout's
behavior, accurate at device-level. Logic simulation – digital-simulation of an
RTL or gate-net list’s digital (Boolean 0/1) behavior, accurate at Boolean-level.
Behavioral simulation – high-level simulation of a design's architectural
operation, accurate at cycle-level or interface-level.
Hardware emulation – Use of special purpose hardware to emulate the logic of
a proposed design. Can sometimes be plugged into a system in place of a yet-to-
be-built chip; this is called in-circuit emulation.
Technology CAD -simulate and analyze the underlying process technology.
Electrical properties of devices are derived directly from device physics.
Electromagnetic field solvers, or just field solvers, - solve Maxwell's equations
directly for cases of interest in IC and PCB design. They are known for being
slower but more accurate than the layout extraction above.
Simulation is used in many contexts, such as simulation of technology for
performance tuning or optimizing, safety engineering, testing, training,
education, and video games. Simulation is also used with scientific modelling of
natural systems or human systems to gain insight into their functioning, as in
economics. Simulation can be used to show the eventual real effects of alternative
conditions and courses of action. Simulation is also used when the real system
cannot be engaged, because it may not be accessible, or it may be dangerous or
unacceptable to engage, or it is being designed but not yet built, or it may simply
not exist.
Need of Simulation
Simulating a circuit’s behavior before actually building it can greatly improve
design efficiency by making faulty designs known as such, and providing insight
into the behavior of electronics circuit designs. Almost all IC design relies heavily
on simulation. The most well-known analog simulator is SPICE. Probably the
best known digital simulators are those based on Verilog and VHDL.
For complex enough circuits putting together a simulation is way faster and
cheaper than building a prototype. You save yourself time by validating your
ideas, tweaking component values to achieve intended result. You only start
building on a breadboard after you are reasonably certain that your thing will
work. Even then you might be surprised, since as they say the difference between
theory and practice is that in theory they are the same, in practice - not so much.
All simulations make assumptions for simplicity.
 Simulation in logistics is needed to respond to requirement changes in
industry, to improve operations and to quantify the potential impact of
such improvements. Logistics operations management requires more
sophisticated technologies, such as simulation that can handle the
inherent uncertainty of real-world logistics systems.
 It is useful when experimentation with the real system is expensive
dangerous or likely to cause significant disruption (e.g. transport
systems, nuclear reactor and airline systems).
 It might also be an option when mathematical modeling of a system is
impossible
 Although mathematical analysis methods are available some are so
complex that simulation may provide a simpler solution
 Oil exploration, meteorology and computer networks are all examples
when simulation might be favored over mathematical modeling.
Simulation is a very important means in the field of power electronics. Simulation
leads to-
 Saving of development time,
 Saving of costs (‘burnt power circuits tend to be expensive’),
 Better understanding of the function,
 Testing and finding of critical states and regions of operation,
 Fast optimization of system and control.
Today it is difficult to imagine the task of power electronics development without
the help of simulation.
Brief introduction of various simulators and Description to simulator tool
A simulator is a device, computer program, or system that performs simulation.
A simulation is a method for implementing a model over time.
Simulations have any one of the three types of nature:
 1. Live:
 Simulation involving real people operating real systems
 Involve individuals or groups
 May use actual equipment
 Should provide a similar area of operations
 Should be close to replicating the actual activity

2. Virtual: Simulation involving real people operating simulated systems.

Virtual simulations inject Human-In-The-Loop in a central role by
exercising: Motor control skills (e.g., flying an airplane) Decision skills
(e.g., committing fire control resources to action) Communication skills
(e.g., members of a C4I team)

3. Constructive: Simulation involving simulated people operating simulated

systems. Real people can stimulate (make inputs) but are not involved in
determining outcomes. Constructive simulations offer the ability to:
 Analyze concepts
 Predict possible outcomes
 Stress large organizations
 Make measurements
 Generate statistics
 Perform analysis

Types of Simulation:

1) Discrete Event Simulation

Modelling a system as it progresses through time, for example;

 factory operations (stamping, turning, milling)

 traffic analysis (roads, networks, queues)

2) Dynamic Simulation

Modelling a system as it progresses through space, for example;

 machine kinematics
 human ergonomics
 aerodynamic testing
 virtual prototyping

3) Process Simulation
Modeling physical interactions between two or more systems, for example;

 in-service product modeling

 in-manufacture product modeling
 weather forecasting

1. MULTISIM
NI Multisim is a powerful schematic capture and simulation environment that
engineers, students, and professors can use to simulate electronic circuits and
prototype Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).

Introduction:
For this introductory example, you will simulate a standard non-inverting
operational amplifier circuit (shown in Figure 1). The gain of this non-
inverting amplifier is calculated by the expression Gain = 1 + R1/R2.
Therefore, if R1 = R2, then the gain is equal to2, which you will verify when
you run interactive simulation in Multisim.
Part A: Selecting Components Begin by drawing your schematic in the
Multisim environment.
1. Open Multisim by selecting All Programs» National Instruments»
Circuit Design Suite 13.0» Multisim 13.0

2. Select Place» Component. The Select a Component window appears

(also known as the Component Browser), as shown in Figure 2.
The Component Browser organizes the data base components into three
logical levels. The Master Database contains all shipping components in a
read-only format. The Corporate Database is where you can save custom
components to be shared with colleagues. Finally, the User Database is where
custom components are saved that can be used only by the specific designer.

Additional features:
 The components (or parts) are organized into Groups and Families to
intuitively and logically group common parts together and make searching
easier and more effective.
 The Component Browser shows the component name, symbol, functional
description, model, and footprint all in a single pop-up.

3. Select the Sources Group and highlight the POWER_SOURCES

family.
4. Select the GROUND component (as shown in Figure 2).
5. Click OK . The Select a Component window temporarily closes and
the ground symbol is ‘ghosted’ to the mouse pointer.
6. Move the mouse to the appropriate place on the workspace and left-click
once to place the component. After placing the component, the Select a
Component window will open again automatically.
7. Go to the Sources Group again and highlight the POWER_SOURCES
Family (if not already highlighted from the previous selection).
8. Select the DC_POWER component.
9. Place the DC_POWER component on the schematic.
10. Repeat steps 7, 8 and 9 to place a second DC_POWER component.

Additional features:
  Without a power and ground your simulation cannot run.
 If you need multiple components you can repeat the placement steps as
shown, or place one component and use copy (Ctrl+ C) and paste (Ctrl+V)
to place additional components as needed.
 By default, the Select a Component window keeps returning as a pop-up
until you have completed placing your components. Close the window to
return to the schematic entry window.
Now place the remaining circuit components using the techniques discussed in
the previous steps.
11. Select the Analog Group and the OPAMP family.
12. Type AD712 in the Component field.
13. Select the AD712SQ/883B component, as shown in the next figure.

Note that this component is a multi-section component, as shown by the A and B

tabs.
14. Place section A of theAD712SQ/883B component on the workspace
area.
15. Return to the Select a Component window.
16. Select the Basic Group, Resistor Family.
17. Select a 1 kΩ resistor. In the Footprint manufacturer/type field,
select IPC-2221A/2222/RES1300-700X250.
 18. Place the resistor.
Note: you can rotate a component before placement by using the <Ctrl+ R>
shortcut on your keyboard when the component is ghosted to the mouse
pointer.
19. Repeat steps 16, 17 and 18 to place another 1 kΩ resistor.
20. Select the Sources Group, SIGNAL_VOLTAGE_SOURCES
Family, and place the AC_VOLTAGE component. At this point, your
schematic should look something like the following figure:

Part B: Wiring the Schematic

Multisim is a modeless wiring environment. This means that Multisim
determines the functionality of the mouse pointer by the position of the mouse.
You do not have to return to the menu to select between the placement, wiring,
and editing tools.
1. Begin wiring by moving the mouse pointer close to a pin of a
component. The mouse appears as a crosshair rather than the default
mouse pointer.
2. Place an initial wire junction by clicking on the pin/terminal of the part
(in this case, the output pin of the op amp).
3. Complete the wire by moving the mouse to another terminal or just
double-click to anchor the termination point of the wire to a floating
location somewhere in the schematic window.
4. Create a copy of the ground symbol using Copy <Ctrl+ C> and Paste
<Ctrl+ V>.
5. Complete the wiring as shown in Figure.5. Do not worry about the
labeled numbers on the wires (also called nets).

The last key step is to connect the power supply terminals to the positive and
negative power rails of the op amp via a virtual connection using On-page
connectors.
 6. Select Place» Connectors» On-page connector and connect it to the
positive terminal of the V1 power supply. The On-page Connector
window will open.
7. Enter +V in the Connector name field and click OK.
8. Select another On-page connector and connect it to terminal 8 of the op
amp. The On-page Connector window will open again.
9. Select the +V connector in the Available connectors list and click OK.
The positive terminal of the V1 DC power supply is now connected to
pin 8 of the op amp via a virtual connection.
10. Repeat steps 6 to 9 to connect the negative terminal of V2 to pin 4 of
the op amp. Name the On-page connector – V. The schematic should
now look like the following figure.

Part C: Simulating the Circuit

You are now ready to run an interactive Multisim simulation; however, you need
away to visualize the data. Multisim provides instruments to visualize the
simulated measurements. Instruments can be found on the right menu bar and are
indicated by the following icons.

1. Select the Oscilloscope from the menu and place this onto the schematic.
2. Wire the Channel A and Channel B terminals of the Oscilloscope to both the
input and output of the amplifier circuit.
3. Place a ground component
and connect it to the
negative terminals of the
Oscilloscope.
4. Right-click the wire
connected to Channel B
and select Segment
color.
5. Select a shade of blue and
click the OK button. The
schematic should look
like Figure 8.
6. Select Simulate» Run to
start the simulation.
7. Double-click on the
Oscilloscope to open its Front Panel and observe the simulation results (see
Figure 9). As expected, the input signal is being amplified by a factor of 2.
8. Stop the simulation by pressing the red stop button in the simulation toolbar.
 2. PROTEUS
Proteus PCB Design and Simulation Software
Introduction
Proteus is a simulation and design software tool
developed by Labcenter Electronics for Electrical
and Electronic circuit design.
About Proteus:
It is a software suite containing schematic,
simulation as well as PCB designing.
 ISIS is the software used to draw schematics
and simulate the circuits in real time. The
simulation allows human access during run
time, thus providing realtime simulation.
 ARES is used for PCB designing. It has the
feature of viewing output in 3Dview of the
designed PCB along with components.
 The designer can also develop 2D drawings
for the product.

Starting New Design

Step 1: Open ISIS software and select new design
in File menu
Step 2: A dialogue box appears to save the
current design. However, we are creating a new
design file so you can click Yes or No depending
on the content of the present file. Then a Pop-Up
appears asking to select the template. It is similar
to selecting the paper size while printing. For now
select default or according to the layout size of
the circuit. Proteus Default Template Select
Step 3: An untitled design sheet will be opened,
save it according to your wish, it is better to create
a new folder for every layout as it generates other
files supporting your design. However, it is not
mandatory.
Step 4: To select components, Click on the
component mode button.
Step 5: Click on Pick from Libraries. It shows
the categories of components available and a
search option to enter the part name.
Step 6: Select the components from categories
or type the part name in Keywords text box.
Step 7: The selected components will appear in
the devices list. Select the component and place it
in the design sheet by left-click.
Place all the required components and route the
wires i. e, make connections. Either selection
mode above the component mode or component
mode allows to connect through wires. Left click
from one terminal to other to make connection.
Double right-click on the connected wire or the
component to remove connection or the
component respectively.
Component Properties Selection- Double click
on the component to edit the properties of the
components and click on Ok.
Step 8: After connecting the circuit, click on the
play button to run the simulation.
In this example simulation, the button is depressed
during simulation by clicking on it to make LED
glow. Simulation can be stepped, paused or
stopped at any time.