Accuracy management for mixed-mode digital VLSI simulation

Abstract

Accuracy Management (AM) offers delay-oriented control of simulation accuracy in automated mixed-mode simulation of digital VLSI circuits. AM heuristics, with little additional computation, can achieve a required level of accuracy in output timing predictions while insuring computational efficiency by using simulations with appropriate levels of accuracy throughout a circuit. These results are demonstrated through both mathematical predictions on some benchmark circuit topologies, and actual mixed-mode timing simulations on large combinational circuit benchmarks. Simulation speedups of 5-10 over corresponding standard, wave-form relaxation-based circuit simulations are demonstrated.