Al Davis

This talk will present an overview of analog(ue) and mixed-signal simulation, with a focus on Gnucap .. the GNU Circuit Analysis Package.

I will introduce the basis of simulation, the basic "SPICE" methods (DC, AC, and transient analysis), mixed-signal (event driven) simulations, and "Fast-Spice". Also, some derived methods, including Fourier analysis, Harmonic Balance, and Periodic Steady State will be introduced. Along with this, I will review where the Free simulators (Gnucap, Qucs, NGspice, Xyce) stand.

I will also present the plugin based architecture of Gnucap, and how it encourages contributions and fast deployment without sacrificing quality of the base work.

I will present a system for data interchange based on the structural subset of Verilog, extending the usage to express the additional data for layout and schematics. This is an intermediate format to provide a common point for interchange between tools.

More detail is available at http://gnucap.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=gnucap:user:netlistimportand_export

The intent is to use this intermediate format to provide convenient data interchange, including bi-directional interchange between incompatible competing tools, for example between Kicad and gEDA. It also eventually should enable things we don't have yet in free EDA, such as post-layout simulation, and schematic vs layout verification.