twilson@friar.gandalf.ca (tom wilson) (03/11/91)
-Looking for information regarding computer simulation application software for modeling and analyzing microstrip lines, by using transmission line techniques. -Has anyone used any application programs for this purpose, specifically Spice or Pspice? If so, could you please send information on models used, parameters specified, flexibility of package, predictability reliability of results, etc. Copies of models used and results would be useful. -We are attempting to simulate a high-speed, Futurbus-type backplane, and for this reason need a model that would accurately characterize the backplane in terms of loaded/unloaded impedance and crosstalk. We would like to be able to specify the physical parameters of the lines (ie. width, spacing, dielectric, height), and line loading (in terms of distributed or lumped capacitances, inductance, driver/receiver characteristics.) Any information available on models, packages or experience in this area would be appreciated. -- Tom Wilson, twilson@gandalf.ca, Gandalf Data Ltd, Ottawa Canada, (613) 723-6500
mark@mips.com (Mark G. Johnson) (03/12/91)
In article <1991Mar11.152746.19730@hobbit.gandalf.ca> twilson@friar.gandalf.ca (tom wilson) writes: > >Looking for information regarding computer simulation application >software for modeling and analyzing microstrip lines, by using >transmission >line techniques. > Richard A. Quinnell, "CAE Tools Help Cure Transmission-Line Woes", EDN Magazine, March 1, 1991, pp. 47-52. Discusses the problems and lists 13 commercial products for that aim to help. -- -- Mark Johnson MIPS Computer Systems, 930 E. Arques M/S 2-02, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408) 524-8308 mark@mips.com {or ...!decwrl!mips!mark}
darrylo@hpnmdla.hp.com (Darryl Okahata) (03/13/91)
In comp.lsi.cad, twilson@friar.gandalf.ca (tom wilson) writes: > -Looking for information regarding computer simulation application > software for modeling and analyzing microstrip lines, by using transmission > line techniques. UC Berkeley's "Spectre" circuit-analysis program is a frequency-domain nonlinear steady-state simulator, and can supposedly handle simple transmission lines. You give it a fundamental and some harmonics, and it calculates the frequency spectrum at each node/branch (it can even handle nonlinear devices, such as transistors). If you want to see the time domain response, you simply do an inverse FFT on the output spectrum. I'm not sure if Spectre can handle more than one fundamental frequency w/associated harmonics, but I think it can. I'm also not sure if it has a coupled transmission-line model. Also, there are commercially available frequency-domain simulators, ones which are "better" than Spectre, though no where near as cheap. If you want a list, send Email. > -We are attempting to simulate a high-speed, Futurbus-type backplane, > and for this reason need a model that would accurately characterize > the backplane in terms of loaded/unloaded impedance and crosstalk. We > would like to be able to specify the physical parameters of the lines > (ie. width, spacing, dielectric, height), and line loading (in terms > of distributed or lumped capacitances, inductance, driver/receiver > characteristics.) I'm also not sure if any of the commercially-available simulators can handle simulating a backplane (at least, the ones that I've heard about). The problem is that they don't have a N-coupled line model. You be able to fake something using a bunch of coupled line models (2-line), but I have no idea what kind of results you'd get. -- Darryl Okahata UUCP: {hplabs!, hpcea!, hpfcla!} hpnmd!darrylo Internet: darrylo%hpnmd@relay.hp.com DISCLAIMER: this message is the author's personal opinion and does not constitute the support, opinion or policy of Hewlett-Packard or of the little green men that have been following him all day.