Precise Stress Simulation
CircuitHawk Precise performs automated Stress Analysis for complete design in the verification (pre-layout) phase, using a circuit simulator. Accurate stress calculations are performed after the BOM freeze, providing actual operational parameters for all components in the circuit, such as power dissipation, voltage and current for a mixed signal, Analog, Digital, and RF including DC/DC power supplies.
CircuitHawk Precise uses State Vectors for analog circuits, and Bus-Simulation for digital circuits. The results serve as guidance for smart component placement based on component power dissipation.
The electrical stress calculation on all the design components using Kirchhoff loops and Fourier Analysis. The calculation includes tens of parameters according to the component type. The calculation will be performed only on the finished product design and will check the components stress against their maximum and derated ratings at the operating temperature and also adds thermal considerations to the layout phase.
Example:
Electrical parametric rules checks
The following type of error is very difficult to detect during integration and final tests, and even by a massive Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
Mostly the analyst will blame the software, since nothing is burned but the product is not functioning correctly.
Transistor Q1 provides digital input to pin 40 of U1. It should be above 2.3V for “1” logic, and below 1.0V for “0” logic.
But Q1 provide 1.052V, which U1 will, one time understand as “1” and one time as “0”, which will make the functioning not stable.