Cadence, Mathworks tieup on IoT simulation

Article By : Cadence Design Systems, MathWorks

The partnership may help integrate Simulink, a multi-domain environment for dynamic systems and PSpice, a SPICE-based simulator for mixed-signal circuits.

Cadence Design Systems is collaborating with MathWorks to streamline system-level design and circuit-level implementation for mixed-signal Internet of Things (IoT) and automotive applications.

Under the partnership, designers can now use the Cadence PSpice analog and mixed-signal simulator, perform MATLAB and Simulink behavioural-level modelling, analysis and visualisation, and utilise all post-process MATLAB analysis and measurement functions in a single, integrated system design and debug environment.

Simulink is a multi-domain simulation environment for dynamic systems that is used for algorithm development, system modelling and simulation, and verification in a broad range of applications in automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, communications and autonomous systems designs. PSpice is a SPICE-based simulator used for simulation of mixed-signal electrical and electronic circuits.

Prior to this integrated solution, desingers had to simulate their design blocks independently without the ability to input feedback from one system into the other. In contrast, simulating the entire system-level design within the integrated debug environment results in a faster, less error-prone process. Such simulation and analysis capabilities are key for IoT customers who want to quickly assemble a board and get to market and for automotive customers who are concerned about reliability, productivity, cost, manufacturing yield, etc.

Cadence has also enabled a bi-directional flow where designers can export behavioural models from Simulink to the PSpice simulator using model export through code generation, or bring PSpice models into Simulink using co-simulation. In addition, customers now have access to 34,000 PSpice models to combine with the Simulink library of blocks and models, allowing them to create and simulate designs much faster.

“Until now, we had to simulate the algorithmic and circuit/electrical-level blocks separately, without reusing testbenches, signal sources or common measurements,” said Udi Kirmayer, VP R&D at Magnitude Lighting Converters. “Providing a bi-directional link between Simulink and PSpice is a great step forward in system-level simulation. In addition, extending PSpice analysis to harness the power of MATLAB visualisation capabilities, including waveform processing, and being able to evaluate MATLAB functions in PSpice can save us weeks and help us reduce respins.”

While Cadence and MathWorks R&D teams have partnered on the integration, the PSpice simulator will continue to be sold by Cadence or its local channel partners, and Simulink will continue to be sold by MathWorks.