How do signal integrity services fit into the design flow?

SI analysis is not new, but is becoming increasingly important as signal rise-times reduce. At ALS, signal integrity analysis is available at every stage of the design flow. Which tools are used and where in the flow they are put to best use is dictated by the nature of the design. 

This graphic illustrates that the cost of fixing an error escalates as the design process continues. Errors found at final testing can mean a major re-design and long delays in bringing a product to market. Errors found early in the cycle are relatively easy to correct and have a minimal effect on the timescale. At ALS, signal integrity analysis is available at every stage of the design flow. The net result: a more robust product delivered in less time at less cost.

Pre-Route Simulation
We offer access to the SI tools at the pre-route stage (even pre-schematic!) for product feasibility studies. This type of analysis includes exploratory simulations to evaluate topologies, identify design constraints and determine stack-ups. We can evaluate IO capabilities and determine trace lengths, impedances, termination values etc.

Concurrent Simulation.
Once placement and routing are underway simulations can be run to verify the routing strategy at an early stage. Here we are checking that the actual interconnect does not adversely affect the pre-route simulation results.

Post-Route Simulation
Once complete an enormous amount of data can be generated and reported back to the customer. These reports form a sign-off status for the finished design files, detailing parameters such as crosstalk, propagation delays, first switch times, final settle times, overshoot, noise margin, characteristic impedance, buffer delays, slew rates to name but a few.

"Virtual Debug"
If you have SI problems with existing hardware the simulation tools can be used to identify the root-cause of the problem. Once identified, the tools can be used to experiment with possible fixes and modifications to avoid extremely time consuming rework-lab modifications.

All simulation work can be carried out as an "on-site" service.