Spectre Simulator Fundamentals S4: Measurement Description Language

Length : 1/2 day

Course Description

For classroom delivery, this course is taught as a half-day session (4 hours).

This course is part of the Spectre Simulator Fundamentals series. In this course, you use the Spectre^® Circuit Simulator Measurement Description Language (MDL), a productivity-enhancing tool for simulation and data analysis. Using alias measurement, a Measurement Description Language (MDL) procedure, you can run an analysis and extract information about the performance of the circuit.

You examine how MDL acts as a controller interacting with a variety of inputs, outputs, and tools. You also learn to create MDL measurements and re-use them, and finally run Spectre MDL in standalone and batch modes and observe the measured values in the *.measure output file.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Use the Spectre Ciruit Simulator Measurement Description Language (MDL) to create a measurement alias
• Interact with a variety of inputs, outputs, and tools using MDL
• Identify the contents of a Spectre MDL file
• Define and use a measurement alias for common measurements in Spectre
• Construct Spectre MDL expressions using its data types, operators and built-in functions
• Evaluate MDL expressions using looping and control statements
• Set up and run Spectre MDL in standalone and batch modes
• Use the wildcard (\*) in the MDL control file for mapping all signals
• Postprocess MDL measurements

Software Used in This Course

Spectre Classic Simulator, Spectre Multi-Mode Simulation, Cadence^® Design Framework II, Virtuoso^® Visualization and Analysis XL

Software Release(s)

SPECTRE18.1(ISR2), IC6.1.8(Base)

Modules in this Course

• Measurement Description Language
• Appendix: Spectre Command-Line Options

Audience

Analog Designers , Chip Designers, RF Designers, IC Designers, Design Engineers, Analog and Mixed-Signal IC Designers

Prerequisites

You must have:

• A basic knowledge of analog circuit design
• The ability to read and understand analog circuit netlists
• An understanding of DC, Transient and AC analyses and their measurements

Or you must have completed the following course:

• Spectre Simulator Fundamentals S1: Spectre Basics

It is also recommended to take the Spectre Simulator Fundamentals S2: Large-Signal Analyses course covering DC and transient analysis or have an understanding of DC, Transient and AC analyses as this course involves measurements after performing these analyses.