Saber 2016.

03 Highlights

Chris Aden
Synopsys, Inc.
 Saber 2016.03 Release Highlights

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 2

 Saber Focus Areas for 2016

Mixed Signal Simulator Automation &

Speed & Convergence Customization

Quality and Usability Advanced Analyses

Modeling and Functional Safety

Characterization

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 3 Proprietary and Confidential

 Mixed Signal Simulator Speed & Convergence
Faster simulation for designs with VHDL-AMS or VHDL-AMS and MAST models

• SaberHDL Hierarchical Matrix simulator

support for designs with VHDL-AMS (and
MAST) models improves speed and
convergence.

• Builds upon other recent speed and

convergence helpers
– KLU for VHDL-AMS designs (2015.03)

• Important: Standard VHDL-AMS does not

include MAST simulation control features like
Element Template, so some designs will
always work better with MAST models.

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 4 Proprietary and Confidential

 Mixed Signal Simulator Speed & Convergence
Initialize multi-stable systems using hold nodes for SaberHDL

1. Use hold-nodes to help

convergence of designs without DC
operating points

Set rotor speed (in rad/s)

2. Use hold-nodes to reduce at time = 8 sec

simulation time by jumpstarting into

steady state

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 5 Proprietary and Confidential

 Automation & Customization
Reminder: SaberRD Experiment Analyzer

3) Set-up measures,
2) Open Experiment
1) Open\Build SaberRD axes for plotting, or 4) Simulate single or 5) Analyze results and
Editor & Create new
Schematic pass/fail criteria for iterative experiments export to Excel
Experiment
tabular output

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 6

 Automation & Customization
Experiment Analyzer Export/Import for Verification Test Reuse

1 Generate Experiment to 2 Export/Import Experiment

test design performance to a design variant

New design variant is

inconsistent with the
experiment.

Experiment Analyzer
3
flags inconsistencies.

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 7 Proprietary and Confidential

 Automation & Customization
Add AIM Scripts to Experiments for Maximum Automation Flexibility

Native EA Graph AIM command for graph export.

Append replace plots (Coming later in 2016)

User-defined results display for failed measurements (Coming later in 2016)
© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 8 Proprietary and Confidential
 Automation & Customization
Porting Old Sketch Scripts to SaberRD

• Improved AIM programming interface offers

better automation and customization of
SaberRD design environment
• You can download a new migration guide
from SolveNet.
• Guide provides explanations of differences,
walkthroughs, and examples for each main
topic.

https://solvnet.synopsys.com/retrieve/2377555.html

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 9

 Quality and Usability
Reminder: 2015.03 Licensing Change

Saber Add-ons

2013.12: Each simulation job

pulls a Saber Add-on License
(as needed)

2013.12 SaberRD Licensing

Saber Sketch Saber Sketch Saber Sketch Each SaberRD instance requires
Sketch, Template, and Simulator
license
Saber Simulator Saber Simulator Saber Simulator

Template Library Template Library Template Library

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 10

 Quality and Usability
Reminder: 2015.03 Licensing Change
Saber Simulator

Saber Add-ons

Template Library
2015.03: Each simulation job
pulls Saber Simulator,
Template, and Add-on
Licenses

2015.03 SaberRD Licensing

Saber Sketch Single user opens multiple SaberRD instances with 1 Saber Sketch
License

N concurrent SaberRD users supported by N Sketch Licenses

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 11

 Quality and Usability
Enhanced SaberRD Design Environment for more Efficient Schematic Capture and Site Libraries

• Copy & paste design schematics and symbols among multiple instances of
SaberRD
• Searchable parts from user and site libraries

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 12 Proprietary and Confidential

 Advanced Analysis
SaberRD support for familiar stability and network analysis

Linear system analysis (including pole-zero) in SaberRD for stability and other small
signal verification

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 13 Proprietary and Confidential

 Modeling and Characterization
Revamped IGBT modeling tool improves accuracy and makes data sheet matching easier

• Better modeling of gate charge characteristics and turn- • Expanded library of characterized
on delays components
• Better match transient characteristics • Improved usability capturing
• Better tail current model improves waveforms under soft curves from datasheets
switching and reverse blocking conditions • Built in tutorials
© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 14
 Modeling and Characterization
Saber Debug Commands to Test Model Performance

Latent model problems

can affect simulation
convergence and
accuracy.

Saber debug commands

help you find model
problems by testing for
simulation anomalies.

SaberHDL NOW
supports SDB!

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 15

 SaberRD Functional Safety Add-on
Reminder: Saber Functional Safety

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 16

 Functional Safety
Improved productivity selecting, simulating, analyzing faults

• Automates fault selection and Copy & paste of

configuration without direct schematic faults for rapid fault
interaction set creation.
• Import/Export of fault sets

Nearest neighbor short on

converter output.

Vary component values

inside fault loop.

Vary design parameters within fault loops

to optimize a design for fault response.

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 17

 SaberES Designer

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 18

 SaberES Designer
Next Generation Design Tool for Electrical Systems and Harnesses

Highlights:
– Intuitive user interface provides simple,
seamless integration between functional,
wiring, and harness development phases

– Flow-driven instead of feature-driven flow

guides you through vehicle electrical system
design process

– Wiring design verification using voltage drop

simulation and Saber Experiment Analyzer
reduces system cost and physical prototyping
time, and eliminates expensive field failures,

© 2016 Synopsys, Inc. 19

Thank You