22 Chapter
3
Design flow related criteria
Are there interfaces for standardized modeling languages?
Are there interfaces to other tools in the existing design flow (model
import/export, simulator coupling)?
Are there interfaces for tool customization and scripting?
Is version control supported?
Which computing platforms are supported (Windows, Unix, Linux,
others)?
User interface related criteria
Is a graphical user interface available?
Schematic or netlist entry or both?
Quality of documentation? (User guides, examples, reference manuals,
tutorials, ...)
Cost related criteria
Costs of licenses? (buying, leasing, public domain)
Costs of support and version update?
Time that is needed for user training?
Costs of user training?
Time/costs for software installation and maintenance?
Support Related Criteria
Software support available?
Web based support databases?
Design service (special support on user applications)?
The criteria mentioned above shows that the selection of a simulation
tool is very difficult. The integration of a new simulation tool often depends
on the existing design flow. Some major vendors of EDA tools provide
design frameworks where different tools have been integrated with a
common user interface.
In the future, interfaces for standardized modeling languages, like
VHDL-AMS, will simplify the exchange of models between simulators.
Summary :
22 Chapter 3 Design flow related criteria Are there interfaces for standardized modeling languages? User interface related criteria Is a graphical user interface available? Some major vendors of EDA tools provide design frameworks where different tools have been integrated with a common user interface.
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