Technical Brief

Cadence Quantus DSPF Interactive Output – A Revolutionary Circuit Debugging Tool Delivering Faster TAT

Introduction

Cadence Quantus DSPF Interactive Output introduces groundbreaking functionalities that transform the debugging process for circuit design and verification. In contrast to the traditional Detailed Standard Parasitic Format (DSPF), presented as an ASCII file, the Quantus I-DSPF Output provides engineers with enhanced interactive capabilities, significantly reducing the time and effort required for debugging. This innovative feature empowers engineers with an efficient and streamlined approach, ultimately leading to the fastest design closure with tight integration in the Virtuoso Studio schematic and layout.

Challenges with Traditional DSPF Debugging

Currently, the DSPF file, being in the ASCII format, poses challenges for designers to essentially find a needle in a haystack. The sheer volume of data and the manual effort required for debugging make the design process cumbersome, time-intensive, and often prone to oversights, often leading to delays in design closure turnaround time. Design engineers also face the challenge of efficiently navigating through intricate details, leading to prolonged debugging cycles. In addition, the ASCII file format lacks interactivity, making it time-consuming for designers to pinpoint and address issues within their designs. The need for a more efficient debugging solution prompted the development of Quantus I-DSPF Output.

Out-of-Context Probing
Figure 1: Out-of-Context Probing

Features and Attributes of Quantus I-DSPF Output:

  • Enhanced Interactive Debugging: Engineers can now interactively navigate parasitic data and easily identify critical elements and potential issues within their circuit designs. This new approach transforms the debugging process into a more intuitive and efficient workflow inside the Virtuoso Studio cockpit.
  • Real-Time Feedback: Quantus I-DSPF Output provides real-time feedback on the impact of design changes, enabling engineers to assess and iterate seamlessly. This immediate feedback loop accelerates the design debugging cycle, reducing the time required to achieve optimal design closure.
  • Visual Insights: The functionality incorporates visual aids, offering designers a clearer representation of parasitic elements and their impact on the overall circuit. These visual insights enhance the understanding of design intricacies, facilitating more informed, precise debugging decisions.
  • Effortless Navigation: Engineers can navigate through design data seamlessly, focusing on specific areas of interest without the need to sift through extensive ASCII files. This targeted navigation expedites issue identification and resolution.
In-of-Context Probing and Waveform
Figure 2: In-Context Probing and Waveform

Key Benefits

  • Faster Turnaround Time: The interactive capabilities of Quantus I-DSPF Output significantly reduce the time it takes to debug circuit designs. Engineers can identify and address issues in real time, leading to a faster turnaround time in the overall design process.
  • Efficient Design Closure: The tool achieves the fastest design closure by streamlining the debugging phase. Engineers can iterate quickly, make informed decisions, and optimize their designs more efficiently, ensuring that projects move effortlessly from design to verification.
  • Improved Productivity: The visual representation, effortless navigation, and real-time feedback offered by Quantus I-DSPF Output enhances overall productivity. Engineers can focus on design refinement rather than spending valuable time searching through complex ASCII files.
Schematic Parasitics Overlay
Figure 3: Schematic Parasitics Overlay

Summary

Quantus I-DSPF Output marks a paradigm shift in circuit design debugging, offering engineers a powerful and efficient tool to expedite the design closure process. With its interactive capabilities and visual representation, this technology empowers engineers to navigate, identify, and address issues with unprecedented efficiency, ultimately leading to accelerated product development cycles.

Learn more about the intelligent output file formats inside the Quantus Extraction Solution.

Further Information

Learn more about Quantus Extraction Solution.