OEA International Enhances DP-PLAN, Dynamic Power Planning Tool with Visual Feedback

True Power Net Modeling with Inductance Effects

Morgan Hill, California - June 2, 2005. OEA International, Inc. (OEA) announces a major revision to DP-PLAN[TM], the next-generation dynamic power planning solution for pre-design of the core power grid on complex SoC designs.  In this latest version, OEA has included a robust color-coded output of the voltage simulation outputs for user defined time slices and for global supply violation reporting.  In this way the user can quickly identify problem areas in the layout and implement fixes by adding decoupling capacitors or changing the power grid.  The color-coded display is provided by the OEA Post-Layout Workshop tool which allows for a global view or zoomed in detail view showing exact simulated values at any point on the power grid. 

DP-PLAN Features

DP-PLAN is the only tool available to correctly and accurately model full on-chip inductance and inductance coupling effects directly in the simulation of the power network.  At the floorplanning stage, DP-PLAN helps avoid IR drop problems brought about by high speed switching conditions by finding the problem areas and allowing you to fix them by changing the grid or specific placement of by-pass capacitors. It also calculates effective supply impedance from any point in the network which in turn can be used for detailed critical net simulations.  DP-PLAN's ease-of-use in setting up the power grid design, fast accurate extraction using NET-AN, and network simulation performance enables designers to easily identify the power integrity issues early in design process.

Dynamic Core power planning is a major challenge from the perspectives of both design and verification. OEA's methodology is based on the true electrical model of the power grid which includes both inductance and mutual inductance, both of which can have a significant impact on the networks performance. Other tools have limited accuracy due to the inability to accurately process the inductive effects of the power network properly.

Easy Power Grid Floorplanning

The object-oriented floorplanning file allows easy placement of power grid features such as top level rails, hierarchical blocks, current sources, voltage sources, and by-pass capacitors.  Simulation controls, design rules for checking, and output parameters are controlled in the same control file as the physical description of the grid.  DP-PLAN also supports multiple power net domains combined in the same simulation, automatic rail hook-ups by connecting to nearest same net metal in all directions, automatic via insertion per user rules, and full flip-chip bump support for voltage source definitions. 

Accurate Parasitic Extraction

DP-PLAN uses the unparalleled OEA NET-AN extraction engine with the advanced 'Cheetah' 3D field solver technology for the most accurate parasitic extraction available.  NET-AN, the fastest 3D solver available, quickly extracts huge power networks including inductance and mutual inductance.

Fast Spice Simulation with Superior Inductance Support

DP-PLAN includes the new 'PANTHER' Spice simulator for fast and accurate solutions of large coupled networks.   Panther is the only Spice engine capable of solving large inductively coupled networks which include thousands of mutual inductors.  Panther is run for both transient and AC simulation modes.  This allows the user to not only simulate dynamic voltage variations but also to map effective impedance to all areas on the chip.  Effective impedance simulation allows the user to find clock and critical path problems due to voltage supply impedance issues and to help locate by-pass capacitors required to assure correct operation.

About OEA International

OEA International, Inc., is the industry leader in 3D extraction of interconnects. OEA’s tools are currently used in the most demanding extraction and design environments. Some of the world's most advanced design facilities use OEA tools for detailed analysis and design of high-speed clocks, buses, I/O rings, and power grids. For additional information call (408)738-5972, or visit OEA online at www.oea.com.

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