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Deferrable Memory Write Usage and Verification Challenges

The application of real-time data processing or responsiveness is crucial, such as in high-performance computing, data centers, or applications requiring low-latency data transfers. It enables efficient use of PCIe bandwidth and resources by intelligently managing memory write operations based on system dynamics and workload priorities. By effectively leveraging Deferrable Memory Write [DMWr], Devices can achieve optimized performance and responsiveness, aligning with the evolving demands of modern computing applications.

What Is Deferrable Memory Write?

Deferrable Memory Write (DMWr) ECN introduced this new memory transaction type, which was later officially incorporated in PCIe 5.0 to CXL2.0. This enhanced type of memory transaction is Deferrable Memory Write [DMWr], which flows as another type of existing Read/Write memory transaction; the major difference of this Deferrable Memory Write, where the Requester attempts to write to a given location in Memory Space using the non-posted DMWr TLP Type, it Postponing their completion of memory write transactions to improve overall system efficiency and performance, those memory write operation can be delay or deferred until other priority task complete.

The Deferrable Memory Write (DMWr) requires the Completer to return an acknowledgment to the Requester and provides a mechanism for the recipient to defer (temporarily refuse to service) the Request.

DMWr provides a mechanism for Endpoints and hosts to choose to carry out or defer incoming DMWr Requests. This mechanism can be used by Endpoints and Hosts to simplify the design of flow control, reduce latency, and improve throughput. The Deferrable Memory writes TLP format in Figure A.

 

(Fig A) Deferrable Memory writes TLP format.

Example Scenario

Here's how the DMWr works with a simplified example: Imagine a system with an endpoint device (Device A) and a host CPU (Device B). Device B wants to write data to Device A's memory, but due to varying reasons such as system bus congestion or prioritization of other transactions, Device A can defer the completion of the memory write request. Just follow these steps:

  1. Initiation of Memory Write: Device B initiates a memory write transaction to Device A. This involves sending the memory write request along with the data payload over the PCIe physical layer link.
  2. Acknowledgment and Deferral: Upon receiving the memory write request, Device A acknowledges the transaction but may decide to defer its completion. Device A sends an acknowledgment (ACK) back to Device B, indicating it has received the data and intends to complete the write operation but not immediately.
  3. Deferred Completion: Device A defers the completion of the memory write operation to a later, more opportune time. This deferral allows Device A to prioritize other transactions or optimize the use of system resources, such as memory bandwidth or processor availability.
  4. Completion and Response: At a later point, Device A completes the deferred memory write operation and sends a completion indication back to Device B. This completion typically includes any status updates or additional information related to the transaction.

Usage or Importance of DMWr

Deferrable Memory Write usage provides the improvement in the following aspects:

  • Reduced Latency: By deferring less critical memory write operations, more critical transactions can be processed with lower latency, improving overall system responsiveness.
  • Improved Efficiency: Optimizes the utilization of system resources such as memory bandwidth and CPU cycles, enhancing the efficiency of data transfers within the PCIe architecture.
  • Enhanced Performance: Allows devices to manage and prioritize transactions dynamically, potentially increasing overall system throughput and reducing contention.

Challenges in the Implementation of DMWr Transactions

The implementation of deferrable memory writes (DMWr) introduces several advancements and challenges in terms of usage and verification:

  1. Timing and Synchronization: DMWr allows transactions to be deferred, complicating timing requirements or completing them within acceptable timing windows to avoid protocol violations. Ensuring proper synchronization between devices becomes critical to prevent data loss or corruption.
  2. Protocol Compliance: Verification must ensure compliance with ECN PCIe 6.0 and CXL specifications regarding when and how DMWr transactions can be initiated and completed.
  3. Performance Optimization: While DMWr can improve overall system performance by reducing latency, verifying its impact on system performance and ensuring it meets expected benchmarks is crucial.
  4. Error Handling: Handling errors related to deferred transactions adds complexity. Verifying error detection and recovery mechanisms under various scenarios (e.g., timeout during deferral) is essential.

Verification Challenges of DMWr Transactions

The challenges to verifying the DMWr transaction consist of all checks with respect to Function, Timing, Protocol compliance, improvement, Error scenario, and security usage on purpose, as well as Data integrity at the PCIe and CXL.

  1. Functional Verification: Verifying the correct implementation of DMWr at both ends of the PCIe link (transmitter and receiver) to ensure proper functionality and adherence to specifications.
  2. Timing Verification: Validating timing constraints associated with deferring writes and ensuring transactions are completed within specified windows without violating protocol rules.
  3. Protocol Compliance Verification: Checking that DMWr transactions adhere to PCIe and CXL protocol rules, including ordering rules and any restrictions on deferral based on the transaction type.
  4. Performance Verification: Assessing the impact of DMWr on overall system performance, including latency reduction and bandwidth utilization, through simulation and testing.
  5. Error Scenario Verification: Creating and testing scenarios to verify error handling mechanisms related to DMWr, such as timeouts, retries, and recovery procedures.
  6. Security Considerations: Assessing potential security vulnerabilities related to DMWr, such as data integrity risks during deferred transactions or exposure to timing-based attacks.

Major verification challenges and approaches are timing and synchronization verification in the context of implementing deferrable memory writes (DMWr), which is crucial due to the inherent complexities introduced by deferred transactions. Here are the key issues and approaches to address them:

Timing and Synchronization Issues

  1. Transaction Completion Timing:
    • Issue: Ensuring deferred transactions are completed within the specified time window without violating protocol timing constraints.
    • Approach: Design an internal timer and checker to model worst-case scenarios where transactions are deferred and verify that they are complete within allowable latency limits. This involves simulating various traffic loads and conditions to assess timing under different scenarios.
  2. Ordering and Dependencies:
    • Issue: Verifying that transactions deferred using DMWr maintain the correct ordering and dependencies relative to non-deferred transactions.
    • Approach: Implement test scenarios that include mixed traffic of DMWr and non-DMWr transactions. Verify through simulation or emulation that dependencies and ordering requirements are correctly maintained across the PCIe link.
  3. Interrupt Handling and Response Times:
    • Issue: Verify the handling of interrupts and ensure timely responses from devices involved in DMWr transactions.
    • Approach: Implement test cases that simulate interrupt generation during DMWr transactions. Measure and verify the response times to interrupts to ensure they meet system latency requirements.

In conclusion, while deferrable memory writes in PCIe and CXL offer significant performance benefits, their implementation and verification present several challenges related to timing, protocol compliance, performance optimization, and error handling. Addressing these challenges requires rigorous testing and testbench of traffic, advanced verification methodologies, and a thorough understanding of PCIe specifications and also the motivation behind introducing this Deferrable Write is effectively used in the CXL further. Outcomes of Deferrable Memory Write verify that the performance benefits of DMWr (reduced latency, improved throughput) are achieved without compromising timing integrity or violating protocol specifications.

In summary, PCIe and CXL are complex protocols with many verification challenges. You must understand many new Spec changes and consider the robust verification plan for the new features and backward compatible tests impacted by new features. Cadence's PCIe 6.0 Verification IP is fully compliant with the latest PCIe Express 6.0 specifications and provides an effective and efficient way to verify the components interfacing with the PCIe 6.0 interface. Cadence VIP for PCIe 6.0 provides exhaustive verification of PCIe-based IP and SoCs, and we are working with Early Adopter customers to speed up every verification stage.

More Information




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Sigrity and Systems Analysis 2024.1 Release Now Available

The Sigrity and Systems Analysis (SIGRITY/SYSANLS) 2024.1 release is now available for download at Cadence Downloads . For the list of CCRs fixed in this release, see the README.txt file in the installation hierarchy. SIGRITY/SYSANLS 2024.1 Here is a list of some of the key updates in the SIGRITY/SYSANLS 2024.1 release: For more details about these and all the other new and enhanced features introduced in this release , refer to the following document: Sigrity Release Overview and Common Tools What's New . Supported Platforms and Operating Systems Platform and Architecture X86_64 (lnx86) Windows (64 bit) Development OS RHEL 8.4 Windows Server 2022 Supported OS RHEL 8.4 and above RHEL 9 SLES 15 (SP3 and above) Windows 10 Windows 11 Windows Server 2019 Windows Server 2022 Systems Analysis 2024.1 Clarity 3D Solver Clarity 3D Layout Structure Optimization Workflow : A new workflow, Clarity 3D Layout Structure Optimization Workflow, has been added to Clarity 3D Layout. This workflow integrates Allegro PCB Designer with Clarity 3D Layout for high-speed structure optimization. Component Geometry Model Editor : The new Clarity 3D Layout editor lets you set up ports, solder bumps/balls/extrusions, and two-terminal and multi-terminal circuits using a single GUI. Coaxial Open Port Option Added to Port Setup Wizard : The Coaxial Open Port option lets you create ports for each target net pin and reference net pin in Clarity 3D Layout. The nearby reference net pins are then used as a reference for each target net pin, reducing the number of ports needed. In addition, the ports of unused reference net pins are shorted to the ground. Parametric Import Option Added : Two new options, Parametric Import and Default Import , have been added to the Tools – Launch Clarity3DWorkbench menu. The Parametric Import option lets you import the design along with its parameters into Clarity 3D Workbench. The Default Import option lets you ignore the parameters when importing the design into Clarity 3D Workbench. Component Library Added to Generate 3D Components : Clarity 3D Workbench now includes a new component library that lets you use predefined 3D component templates or add existing 3D components to create 3D designs and simulation models. AI-Powered Content Search Capability : Clarity 3D Workbench and Clarity 3D Transient Solver now support an AI-powered capability for searching the content and displaying relevant information. Expression Parser to Handle Undefined Parameters : Clarity 3D Workbench and Clarity 3D Transient Solver support writing expressions or equations containing undefined parameters in the Property window to describe a simulation variable. The improved expression parser automatically detects any undefined parameter in an expression and prompts users to specify their values. This capability lets you define a model or a simulation variable as a function instead of specifying static values. For detailed information, refer to Clarity 3D Layout User Guide and Clarity 3D Workbench User Guide on the Cadence Support portal. Clarity 3D Transient Solver Mesh Processing Improved to Simulate Large Use Cases : Clarity 3D Transient Solver leverages a new meshing algorithm that enhances overall mesh processing, specifically for large designs and use cases. The new algorithm dramatically improves the mesh quality, minimum mesh size, number of mesh key points, total mesh number, and memory usage. Advanced Material Processing Engine : The material processing capability has been enhanced to handle thin outer metal, which previously resulted in open and short issues in some designs. In addition, the material processing engine offers improved mode extraction for particular use cases, including waveguide and coaxial designs. Characteristic Impedance Calculation Improved : The solver engine now uses a new analytical calculation method to calculate the characteristic impedance of coaxial designs with improved accuracy. For detailed information, refer to Clarity 3D Transient Solver User Guide on the Cadence Support portal. Celsius Studio Celsius Interchange Model Introduced : Celsius Studio now supports Celsius Interchange Model generation, which is a 3D model derived from detailed physical designs for multi-physics and multi-scale analysis. This Celsius Interchange Model file ( .cim ) serves as a design information carrier across Celsius Studio tools, enabling a variety of simulation and analysis tasks . Celsius 3DIC Thermal Workflow Improvements : The Thermal Simulation workflows in Celsius 3DIC have been significantly enhanced. Key improvements include: Advanced Power Setup with Transient Power Function and Multi Mode options Enhanced GUI for the Mesh Control and Simulation Control tabs Improved meshing capabilities Celsius Interchange Model ( .cim ) generation Material library support for block and connections Import of Heat Transfer Coefficients (HTCs) from a CFD file Bump creation through the Bump Array Wizard Layer Stackup CSV file generation Celsius 3DIC Warpage and Stress Workflow Enhancements : The Warpage and Stress workflow in Celsius 3DIC has undergone significant improvements, such as: Improved multi-stage warpage simulation flow for 3DIC packaging process Enhanced GUI for the Mesh Control , Simulation Control , and Stress Boundary Conditions tabs Support for large deformations and temperature profiles Bump creation through the Bump Array Wizard New constraint types Enhanced meshing capabilities Geometric Nonlinearity Support in Warpage and Stress Analysis : Large deformation analysis is now supported in warpage and stress studies. This study uses the Total Lagrangian approach to model geometric nonlinearities in simulation, which allows accurate prediction of final deformations. Thermal Network Extraction and Simulation : In the solid extraction flow in Celsius 3D Workbench, you can now import area-based power map files to create terminals. For designs with multiple blocks, this capability allows automatic terminal creation, eliminating the need to manually create and set up 2D sheets individually. Additionally, thermal throttling feature is now supported in Celsius Thermal Network. This makes it ideal for preliminary analyses or when a quick estimation is required. It runs significantly faster than 3D models, allowing for quicker iterations and more efficient decision-making. For detailed information, refer to the Celsius 3DIC User Guide , Celsius Layout User Guide and Celsius 3D Workbench User Guide on the Cadence Support portal. Sigrity 2024.1 Layout Workbench Improved Graphical User Interface : A new option, Use Improved User Interface , has been added in the Themes page of the Options dialog box in the Layout Workbench GUI. In the new GUI, the toolbar icons and menu options have been enhanced and rearranged. For detailed information, refer to Layout Workbench User Guide on the Cadence Support portal. Broadband SPICE Python Script Integration with Command Line for Simulation Tasks : Broadband SPICE lets you run Python scripts directly from the command line for performing simulation and analysis. The new -py and *.py options make it easier to integrate Python scripts with the command-line operations. This update streamlines the process of automating and customizing simulations from the command line, which makes your simulation tasks faster and easier. For detailed information, refer to Broadband SPICE User Guide on the Cadence Support portal. Celsius PowerDC Block Power Assignment (BPA) File Format Support : PowerDC now supports the BPA file format. Similar to the Pin Location (PLOC) file, the BPA file is a current assignment file that defines the total current of a power grid cell, which is then equally distributed across the power pins within the cell. This provides better control over the power distribution. Ability to Run Multiple IR Drop Cases Sequentially : You can now select multiple result sinks from the Current-Limited IR Drop flow and run IR Drop analysis for them sequentially. PowerDC automatically runs the simulations in sequence after you select multiple result sinks. This saves time by automating the process. Enhanced Support for Mixed Conversion Devices : PowerDC now supports mixing different conversion devices, such as switching regulators and linear regulators within a single DC-DC/LDO instance. This enhancement offers added flexibility by letting you configure each instance in your design according to your specific needs. For detailed information, refer to PowerDC User Guide on the Cadence Support portal. PowerSI Monte Carlo Method Added : A new option, Monte Carlo Method, has been added in the Optimality dialog box. This option lets you create multiple random samples to depict variations in the input parameters and assess the output. Channel Check Optimization Added : The S-Parameter Assessment workflow in PowerSI now supports Channel Check Optimization . It uses the AI-driven Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) technology that lets you optimize your design quickly and efficiently with no accuracy loss. For detailed information, refer to PowerSI User Guide on the Cadence Support portal. SPEEDEM Multi-threaded Matrix Solver Support Added : The Enable Multi-threaded Matrix Solver check box has been added that lets you accelerate the simulation speed for high-performance computing. This check box provides two options, Automatic and Always, to include the -lhpc4 or -lhpc5 parameter, respectively, in the SPEEDEM Simulator (SPDSIM) before running the simulation. For detailed information, refer to the SPEEDEM User Guide on the Cadence Support portal. XtractIM Options to Skip or Calculate Special DC-R Simulation Results : The Skip DC_R of Each Path and Only DC_R of Each Path options have been added to the Setup menu. Skip DC_R of Each Path : This option lets you skip the calculation of the DC-R result during the simulation. Other results, such as SPICE T-model , RL_C of Each Path , Coupling of Each Path , etc., are still calculated. Only DC_R of Each Path : This option lets you calculate the DC-R result only during the simulation. Other results, such as SPICE T-model , RL_C of Each Path , Coupling of Each Path , etc., are not calculated. Color Assignment for Pin Matching : The MCP Auto Connection window includes the Display Color Editor , which lets you assign a color for pin matching. It helps you easily identify the matching pins in the left and right sections of the MCP Auto Connection window . Ability to Save Simulations Individually : The Save each simulation individually check box has been added to the Tools - Options - Edit Options - Simulation (Basic) - General form. Select this check box and run the simulation to generate a simulation results folder containing files and logs with a timestamp for each simulation. Reuse of SPD File Settings : The XtractIM setup check box lets you import an existing package setup to reuse the configurations and settings from one .spd file to another. For detailed information, refer to XtractIM User Guide on the Cadence Support portal. Documentation Enhancements Cloud-Based Help System Upgraded The cloud-based help system, Doc Assistant, has been upgraded to version 24.10, which contains several new features and enhancements over the previous 2.03 version. Sigrity Release Team Please send your questions and feedback to sigrity_rmt@cadence.com .




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Using troubles about LT4417

Hello~

As the following circuit shows, VCC+5V_USB is the 4th power source, connecting the output of power management of diode.There are 3 5V input in the input port of LTC4417.

It’s normal when VCC+5V_USB prodive power with other circuit. However, if I cup VCC+5V_FIRST,VCC+5V_SECOND,VCC+5V_THIRD, 5V voltage will occurred in the VCC+5V_FIRST,VCC+5V_SECOND,VCC+5V_THIRD.

The LTC4417 PDF

 

Is this phenomance normal ?

Please kindly give me some advice ! Thanks.




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India’s Problem is Poverty, Not Inequality

This is the 16th installment of The Rationalist, my column for the Times of India.

Steven Pinker, in his book Enlightenment Now, relates an old Russian joke about two peasants named Boris and Igor. They are both poor. Boris has a goat. Igor does not. One day, Igor is granted a wish by a visiting fairy. What will he wish for?

“I wish,” he says, “that Boris’s goat should die.”

The joke ends there, revealing as much about human nature as about economics. Consider the three things that happen if the fairy grants the wish. One, Boris becomes poorer. Two, Igor stays poor. Three, inequality reduces. Is any of them a good outcome?

I feel exasperated when I hear intellectuals and columnists talking about economic inequality. It is my contention that India’s problem is poverty – and that poverty and inequality are two very different things that often do not coincide.

To illustrate this, I sometimes ask this question: In which of the following countries would you rather be poor: USA or Bangladesh? The obvious answer is USA, where the poor are much better off than the poor of Bangladesh. And yet, while Bangladesh has greater poverty, the USA has higher inequality.

Indeed, take a look at the countries of the world measured by the Gini Index, which is that standard metric used to measure inequality, and you will find that USA, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom all have greater inequality than Bangladesh, Liberia, Pakistan and Sierra Leone, which are much poorer. And yet, while the poor of Bangladesh would love to migrate to unequal USA, I don’t hear of too many people wishing to go in the opposite direction.

Indeed, people vote with their feet when it comes to choosing between poverty and inequality. All of human history is a story of migration from rural areas to cities – which have greater inequality.

If poverty and inequality are so different, why do people conflate the two? A key reason is that we tend to think of the world in zero-sum ways. For someone to win, someone else must lose. If the rich get richer, the poor must be getting poorer, and the presence of poverty must be proof of inequality.

But that’s not how the world works. The pie is not fixed. Economic growth is a positive-sum game and leads to an expansion of the pie, and everybody benefits. In absolute terms, the rich get richer, and so do the poor, often enough to come out of poverty. And so, in any growing economy, as poverty reduces, inequality tends to increase. (This is counter-intuitive, I know, so used are we to zero-sum thinking.) This is exactly what has happened in India since we liberalised parts of our economy in 1991.

Most people who complain about inequality in India are using the wrong word, and are really worried about poverty. Put a millionaire in a room with a billionaire, and no one will complain about the inequality in that room. But put a starving beggar in there, and the situation is morally objectionable. It is the poverty that makes it a problem, not the inequality.

You might think that this is just semantics, but words matter. Poverty and inequality are different phenomena with opposite solutions. You can solve for inequality by making everyone equally poor. Or you could solve for it by redistributing from the rich to the poor, as if the pie was fixed. The problem with this, as any economist will tell you, is that there is a trade-off between redistribution and growth. All redistribution comes at the cost of growing the pie – and only growth can solve the problem of poverty in a country like ours.

It has been estimated that in India, for every one percent rise in GDP, two million people come out of poverty. That is a stunning statistic. When millions of Indians don’t have enough money to eat properly or sleep with a roof over their heads, it is our moral imperative to help them rise out of poverty. The policies that will make this possible – allowing free markets, incentivising investment and job creation, removing state oppression – are likely to lead to greater inequality. So what? It is more urgent to make sure that every Indian has enough to fulfil his basic needs – what the philosopher Harry Frankfurt, in his fine book On Inequality, called the Doctrine of Sufficiency.

The elite in their airconditioned drawing rooms, and those who live in rich countries, can follow the fashions of the West and talk compassionately about inequality. India does not have that luxury.

The India Uncut Blog © 2010 Amit Varma. All rights reserved.
Follow me on Twitter.




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Population Is Not a Problem, but Our Greatest Strength

This is the 21st installment of The Rationalist, my column for the Times of India.

When all political parties agree on something, you know you might have a problem. Giriraj Singh, a minister in Narendra Modi’s new cabinet, tweeted this week that our population control law should become a “movement.” This is something that would find bipartisan support – we are taught from school onwards that India’s population is a big problem, and we need to control it.

This is wrong. Contrary to popular belief, our population is not a problem. It is our greatest strength.

The notion that we should worry about a growing population is an intuitive one. The world has limited resources. People keep increasing. Something’s gotta give.

Robert Malthus made just this point in his 1798 book, An Essay on the Principle of Population. He was worried that our population would grow exponentially while resources would grow arithmetically. As more people entered the workforce, wages would fall and goods would become scarce. Calamity was inevitable.

Malthus’s rationale was so influential that this mode of thinking was soon called ‘Malthusian.’ (It is a pejorative today.) A 20th-century follower of his, Harrison Brown, came up with one of my favourite images on this subject, arguing that a growing population would lead to the earth being “covered completely and to a considerable depth with a writhing mass of human beings, much as a dead cow is covered with a pulsating mass of maggots.”

Another Malthusian, Paul Ehrlich, published a book called The Population Bomb in 1968, which began with the stirring lines, “The battle to feed all of humanity is over. In the 1970s hundreds of millions of people will starve to death in spite of any crash programs embarked upon now.” Ehrlich was, as you’d guess, a big supporter of India’s coercive family planning programs. ““I don’t see,” he wrote, “how India could possibly feed two hundred million more people by 1980.”

None of these fears have come true. A 2007 study by Nicholas Eberstadt called ‘Too Many People?’ found no correlation between population density and poverty. The greater the density of people, the more you’d expect them to fight for resources – and yet, Monaco, which has 40 times the population density of Bangladesh, is doing well for itself. So is Bahrain, which has three times the population density of India.

Not only does population not cause poverty, it makes us more prosperous. The economist Julian Simon pointed out in a 1981 book that through history, whenever there has been a spurt in population, it has coincided with a spurt in productivity. Such as, for example, between Malthus’s time and now. There were around a billion people on earth in 1798, and there are around 7.7 billion today. As you read these words, consider that you are better off than the richest person on the planet then.

Why is this? The answer lies in the title of Simon’s book: The Ultimate Resource. When we speak of resources, we forget that human beings are the finest resource of all. There is no limit to our ingenuity. And we interact with each other in positive-sum ways – every voluntary interactions leaves both people better off, and the amount of value in the world goes up. This is why we want to be part of economic networks that are as large, and as dense, as possible. This is why most people migrate to cities rather than away from them – and why cities are so much richer than towns or villages.

If Malthusians were right, essential commodities like wheat, maize and rice would become relatively scarcer over time, and thus more expensive – but they have actually become much cheaper in real terms. This is thanks to the productivity and creativity of humans, who, in Eberstadt’s words, are “in practice always renewable and in theory entirely inexhaustible.”

The error made by Malthus, Brown and Ehrlich is the same error that our politicians make today, and not just in the context of population: zero-sum thinking. If our population grows and resources stays the same, of course there will be scarcity. But this is never the case. All we need to do to learn this lesson is look at our cities!

This mistaken thinking has had savage humanitarian consequences in India. Think of the unborn millions over the decades because of our brutal family planning policies. How many Tendulkars, Rahmans and Satyajit Rays have we lost? Think of the immoral coercion still carried out on poor people across the country. And finally, think of the condescension of our politicians, asserting that people are India’s problem – but always other people, never themselves.

This arrogance is India’s greatest problem, not our people.

The India Uncut Blog © 2010 Amit Varma. All rights reserved.
Follow me on Twitter.





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Virtuoso Studio: How Do You Name Simulation Histories in Virtuoso ADE Assembler?

This blog describes an efficient way to name the histories saved by the simulation runs in Virtuoso ADE Assembler.(read more)






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Spectre 24.1 Release Now Available

The SPECTRE 24.1 release is now available for download at Cadence Downloads. For information on supported platforms and other release compatibility information, see the README.txt file in the installation hierarchy.(read more)





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How to transfer custom title block from Orcad Capture to PCB Editor

Hi,

So I was trying to update the title block of a schematic that I have. The title block that was on there was out of date . I clicked on place --> title block and was able to find the title block that I need. I also have a .OLB file that contains that title block. Then I created a Netlist with the old BRD file as the input file (To keep it as is but modify changes) but when I do that I still do not see / cannot place the title block that I need. Under Place --> format symbols in Allegro , I do see a title block that is coming from the database (But it's the old one). I don't know what to do at this point and would appreciate any tips. I did make sure that the path to where the library is , is defined in the user preferences. 
I also tried copying the title block under the library folder in capture before creating my Netlist and that did not work either.

Thank you all.




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Text variables

Hello, I was wondering how can I create variable fields in the layout.

To start, I have a template for some type of designs, and I would like that one of the texts on the silkscreen changes accordingly to an external variable, like the folder name, or a text file in the same folder.

I was thinking something similar to a page frame that changes the date automatically. How can I generate that type of fields?




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Noise summary data per sub-block in Maestro output expressions

Hi,

I have a question about printing noise summary via maestro output expressions.

How can I print noise data using output expressions, for multiple levels of the hierarchy?

I have found this article which describe the procedure using ocnGenNoiseSummary() functionhttps://support.cadence.com/apex/ArticleAttachmentPortal?id=a1Od0000007MViHEAW&pageName=ArticleContent

I see also Andrew Beckett referring to the above mentioned article as a solution to a similar question: community.cadence.com/.../noise-summary-per-instance

However, this seems to work only if I'm to extract noise data from a single level of hierarchy.

If I have the output expression "ocnGenNoiseSummary(2 ?result 'hbnoise)", it will generate a "noisesummary" directory under results directory for a hierarchy level of 2.

If I am to extract data from various hierarchy levels, I should be able to generate multiple noise summary directories, such as noisesummary1, noisesummary2 where they correspond to "ocnGenNoiseSummary(1 ?result 'hbnoise)" & "ocnGenNoiseSummary(2 ?result 'hbnoise)", respectively. However this does not seem to be possible.

Can you please advice? Thanks.

My Cadence version: IC23.1-64b.ISR7.27

BR,

Denizhan Karaca




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A problem with setup when Monte Carlo simulation starts

Hi, 

When I try to run Monte Carlo it gives me a 3 items message for possible failure:

1. It says the machine selected in the current job setup policy isnot reachable

2. The Cadence hierarchy is not detected, not installed properly. or

3. Job start script (with a path and a name like swiftNetlistService#) is not found on the remote machines.

Any recommendation on how to fix this?




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error when generating snp files from a variable

Hello everyone, 
I have a testbench for generating s2p files from a SP simulation that was working until few months ago. Today I have reopened (w/o making changes that I am aware of) and I get the error as shown below:

first I show the testbench settings:

notice how the s2p generation is disabled: the field "file" is left blank

in the corner I defined some parameters, "filename" is the word that is suppose to generate the name for the s2p. 

where the two variables are defined as follows

And now the output log:

spectre.out file gives the following error:


When clicking on the error message at "9", the input.scs file opens up and the line 9 gets highlighted in green



now, so far I understood that the problem seem to be related tom the "pathcds" variable, but I really don't understand what the error message here means, since I don't see any error in the input.scs file

by the way - if for instance I define the variable "filename" as shown below, then I get no errors:


thanks
Tommaso




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Colorcoding for low cpk in Yield-View in Assembler

Hi,

I'm searching for a way to get a quick overview of too low cpk-values after a montecarlo sim. The non-MC results have the spec and thus the easy/understandable red/green/(yellow) colorcoding, but for MC sims I don't get a highlight for high variations inside the limits.

Is this possible (besides copying each expression into avg()+3*std()) and ..-..)?

It would be really handy to scan through finished sims...

(My final application is then to export the table for my reports and documentation...)

Regards,

leo




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"How to disable toggle coverage of unused logic"

I'm currently work in coverage analysis. In my design certain register bits remain unused, which could potentially lower toggle coverage. Specifically, I'd like to know how to disable coverage for specific unused register bits within a 32-bit register. For instance, I want to deactivate coverage for bit 17 and bit 20 in a 32-bit register to optimize toggle coverage. Could you please provide guidance on how to accomplish this?




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Is it possible to automatically exclude registers or wires that are not used from toggle coverage?

Hello,

I have a question about toggle coverage.

In my case, there are many unused registers or wires that are affecting the toggle coverage score negatively.

Is it possible to automatically exclude registers or wires that are not used from toggle coverage?

My RTL code is as follows, Is it possible to automatically disable tb.top1.b and tb.top1.c without using an exclude file?

module top1;

  reg a;

  reg b;

  reg [31:0] c;

  initial

  begin

  #1 a=1'b0;

  #1 a=1'b1;

  #1 a=1'b0;

  end

endmodule

module tb;

  top1 top1();

endmodule




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e-code: Macro example code for Team Specman blog post

Hi everybody,

 

The attached package is a tiny code example with a demo for an upcoming Team Specman blog post about writing macros.

 

Hilmar




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ctags for e code, Vim compatible

In a nutshell, tags allows you to navigate through program code distributed over multiple files effectively. e.g if you see a function call or a struct in e-code and want to "jump" to the definition (which may be in a different file) then you just hit CTRL+] in Vim! Pressing CTRL+t will take you back where you came from. Check out http://vim.wikia.com/wiki/Browsing_programs_with_tags#Using_tags if you want to learn more about how to use tags with Vim.

This utility can generate tags file for your e files. It can either walk through e import order, a directory recursively or all directories on SPECMAN_PATH recursively! The tags file will have tags for struct, unit, types, events, defines, fields, variables, etc.

For help and some examples, just run ctags4e -help.

 

 




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Sigrity and Systems Analysis 2022.1 HF2 Release Now Available

The Sigrity and Systems Analysis (SIGRITY/SYSANLS) 2022.1 HF2 release is now available for download at Cadence Downloads. For the list of CCRs fixed in the 2022.1 HF2 release, see the README.txt file in the installation hierarchy.(read more)




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EMX - 3D view + 3D view unavailable

Hi! I'm using EMX with 2 design kits. In one works fine. With another, I do not see the mesh or current view. The menu item is not shown. This happens only with one DK. With the other one I'm able to run Paraview without any issue. 

 

Besides, I would like to know if there is any way to see the 3D view without mesh and current. Just a nice 3D view. 

I've also tried to install the latest version (EMX2023_2) but nothing changes. 




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unbound variable freq

I want to plot the inductance through formula L1=(imag(Z(1,1))/(2*pi*freq)), but the system tells me that the freq is unbound variable? What can I do?




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Figures missing in the RF Design Blogs article of "Measuring Fmax for MOS Transistors"

Hi I noticed that some figures from the old posts in the cadence blogs have been missing.

I think this problem happened before and Andrew Beckett asked the original author to fix the issue:

 Figures missing in the RF Design Blogs article of "Measuring Fmax for MOS Transistors" 

Some of these posts are quite valuable, and would be nice to have access to the figures, which are a very important part of some posts,

Thanks

Leandro




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Virtuosity: Reliability Analysis Report-Reliable Results Made Interactive

Read through this blog to know more about the new Reliability Report view in Virtuoso ADE Assembler and Virtuoso ADE Explorer.(read more)




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Virtuoso ICADVM20.1 ISR26 and IC6.1.8 ISR26 Now Available

The ICADVM20.1 ISR26 and IC6.1.8 ISR26 production releases are now available for download.(read more)




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Virtuoso ICADVM20.1 ISR27 and IC6.1.8 ISR27 Now Available

The ICADVM20.1 ISR27 and IC6.1.8 ISR27 production releases are now available for download.(read more)




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Training Insights: Cadence Certus Closure Solution Badge Now Available!

This blog informs about the new badge certification available for Cadence Certus Closure Solution, that grants credit to your proficiency.(read more)




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A Magical World - The Incredible Clock Tree Wizard to Augment Productivity and QoR!

In the era of Artificial Intelligence, front-end designers need a magical key to empower them with technology that enables fully optimized RTL for implementation handoff and provides RTL designers with capabilities to accurately assist in the implementation convergence process.

The magic lies with Cadence Joules RTL Design Studio, an expert system that leverages generative AI for RTL design exploration, triages possible causes of violations, and additional insights that empower designers to understand how to address issues in their RTL, leading to smarter and more efficient chip design.

This unlocks the immense debugging and design analysis capabilities from a single, unified cockpit, enabling fully optimized RTL design prior to implementation handoff for the front-end designers and addresses all aspects of physical design by adding visibility into power, performance, area, and congestion (PPAC)

One critical component is the clock tree, which distributes the clock signal to all sequential elements, such as flip-flops and latches. Designers need the right techniques in the beginning stage to optimize the clock tree structure, ensuring that their designs meet the required timing specifications, reduce power consumption, maintain signal integrity, and increase reliability.

 This incredible feature is part of the Joules RTL Design Studio.

How do you efficiently explore the clock tree structure to optimize the results using Joules RTL Design Studio?

Joules Studio allows viewing a simplified version of the clock structure. This feature is primarily designed to help display clock frequency scaling through clock dividers. You can customize colors, symbols, and design elements using an input file. Additionally, you can cross-probe the custom clock tree structure to other widgets and the main schematic view in Joules Studio.

Moreover, with the clock tree preference features of the ideal clock tree wizard in Joules Studio GUI, you can highlight clock path, generate clocks and master clock, set case analysis, fold and unfold instances, undo and redo, set sense and disable timing, color preference, etc.

You can binge on these features through the channel videos posted on the support portal, which covers the Joules RTL Design Studio GUI Clock Tree Structure and Features of Ideal Clock Tree Wizard.

You can refer to the videos on Cadence Online Support (Cadence login required).

Video Links:
Viewing
 Custom Clock Tree Structure in Joules RTL Design Studio (Video)
 

Exploring Clock Tree Preference Widget of Ideal Clock Tree Wizard in Joules RTL Design Studio (Video) 

Want to learn more?

Explore the one-stop solution Joules RTL Design Studio Product Page on Cadence Online Support (Cadence login required).

Related Resources 

Related Training Bytes:

Understanding Prototype Design Flow in Joules RTL Design Studio (Video)

Running Prototype Implementation Flow in Joules RTL Design Studio (Video)

Understanding Analyze Timing By Hierarchy In Joules RTL Design Studio (Video)

Related Courses:

Want to Enroll in this Course?

We organize this training for you as a "Blended" or "Live" training. Please reach out to Cadence Training for further information.

Please don't forget to obtain your Digital Badge after completing the training.

Related Blogs:

Let's Discover the Secret to Enhance Design's PPAC in a Single Cockpit! - Digital Design - Cadence Blogs - Cadence Community

Joules RTL Design Studio: Accelerating Fully Optimized RTL - Digital Design - Cadence Blogs - Cadence Community

Let's Replay the Process of Power Estimation with the Power of 'x'! - Digital Design - Cadence Blogs - Cadence Community

Is Design Power Estimation Lowering Your Power? Delegate and Relax! - Digital Design - Cadence Blogs - Cadence Community




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Egypt planning minister strives for sustainable economic growth

Egypt is well on the way to establishing a diversified economy, claims Hala El Saeed, minister of planning and economic development 




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The UK tops Europe renewable energy ranking

The UK is the Europe's leading destination for foreign investment in green energy, followed by Spain, finds fDi’s Top European Locations for Renewable Energy Investment.




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Trentino pioneers sustainable approach to cinema investment

Sustainability is gaining traction in the creative industries, with the Italian region of Trentino designing a film production rating protocol that is being considered by the EU.




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Global FDI flows stable in 2019, reports Unctad

Global FDI flows recorded a marginal 1% fall in 2019, but the value of announced greenfield investment projects plummets by 22%.




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Gambling liberalisation pushes up FDI in leisure sector

FDI in the leisure and entertainment sector has risen sharply in recent years, with Asia-Pacific the leading region 




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Dublin tops European HQ location rankings

The UK is the top country, but Dublin is leading city, for foreign companies setting up headquarters in Europe, according to fDi’s ranking.




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Renewables FDI boom hit by Covid-19

Foreign investment in the global renewable energy market hit unprecedented highs in 2019. However, the coronavirus crisis may reverse this trend. 




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Santander’s Ana Botin on the challenges of sustainable finance

Santander head on the tightrope banks must walk in providing finance to support green transition, without shunning coal-reliant poorer nations.




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Manufacturing FDI in Mexico stumbles again in 2018

Mexico suffered a second year of dwindling manufacturing, with the US's trade policy taking its toll. However, Mexico remains an attractive location for US companies and their suppliers.




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Free zone FDI stable in 2019

Foreign investment to free economic zones around the world remained stable in 2019, according to preliminary data from fDi Markets.




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Create Angular NPM Package and Publish

Are you interested to create and publish NPM packages/libraries to enrich Angular functionality? Take a quick look at this post. You can share solutions with other developers. A simple package can solve many problems and resolve the issue quickly. If you are working with multiple applications? Package approach will help you to solve the components problems easily. In this post I have created the Bootstrap confirm functionality package with control options and published it on NPM repository for global use.





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Publish an Ionic Android App to Google Play Store.

Ionic is a great component framework that can build both iOS and Android apps from the same source code using Capacitor. In this video I have explained how to generate a signed Android release APK version using Ionic application and publishing on Google play store. For this process you need a Google play console subscription that costs $25 for life time. Please try to download the 9lessons demo Android app for testing.





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Environment Variables in Apache and Xampp

Few days back one of my friend's project database credentials got exposed. After some investigation, we realized that it is because of the .git config commit. I would recommend configuring your sensitive credentials with operating system environment variables. This way you can protect information from the code base. This post will explain how to set up an environment variable for an Apache web server.





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Insight – Key drivers of recent global vegetable oil and cereal price volatility

This article examines the key drivers of price volatility for vegetable oils and cereals, and the implications for Australian exporters.




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LG has a stretchable display that can expand by 50 percent

LG has unveiled a stretchable display that can expand up to 50 percent.




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The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 has dropped to its lowest-ever price at Amazon ahead of Black Friday

The 44mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 in graphite normally retails for $329.99. As of Nov. 11, it's on sale for $169.99.




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'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' trailer proves Tom Cruise still good at running

The trailer for the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning sees Tom Cruise returning for the eighth instalment of the action franchise.




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Dare we say these early Black Friday deals on Amazon tablets are... fire?

Ahead of Black Friday, Amazon is dropping prices on Fire tablets, offering discounts up to 50%. Shop the sale now.




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Stock your digital library ahead of Black Friday with these Kindle book deals

Black Friday is still weeks away but early deals are rolling in. Kindle Book Deals are especially hot with e-books as low as $1.99.




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Nab the Apple Watch Series 10 for the best price yet at this Walmart Black Friday deal

The Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale for $50-off at this early Black Friday deal at Walmart.