Cadence CADENCE PSPICE A-D - TECH BRIEF Manual - page 8
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ADVANCED ANALYSIS PRODUCT / TECHNICAL FEATURES
Advanced Analysis includes:
• Sensitivity: Identifies critical circuit components
• Optimizer: Optimizes key circuit components
• Monte Carlo: Analyzes statistical circuit behavior and yield
• Smoke: Detects component stress
• Parametric Plotter: Examine solution space through nested sweeps
SENSITIVITY
Sensitivity identifies which component parameters are critical to the design goals of circuit perfor-
mance. It examines how much each component affects circuit behavior by itself and in comparison
to the other components. It also varies all tolerances to create worst-case (minimum and maximum)
values. This information can be used to evaluate yield versus cost trade-offs, thereby maximizing
cost-effectiveness.
Use Sensitivity for:
• Identifying the sensitive components within the circuit; then export the components to
Optimizer to fine-tune the circuit behavior.
• Identifying which components affect yield the most; then tighten tolerances of sensitive compo-
nents and loosen tolerances of non-sensitive components.
OPTIMIZER
Optimizer analyzes analog circuits and systems, fine-tuning designs faster than trial and error proto-
types or bench testing. Optimizer helps find the best component values to meet design perfor-
mance goals and constraints. Multiple goals and constraints can be analyzed to account for
competing specifications.
Use Optimizer for:
• Improving design performance
• Updating designs to meet new specifications
• Optimizing behavioral models for top-down design and model generation
Optimizer includes four engines:
• Modified LSQ engine—Uses both constrained and unconstrained minimization algorithms to
optimize goals subject to nonlinear constraints
• Random engine—Randomly picks values within a specified range and displays misfit error and
parameter history
• Discrete engine—Used at the end of the optimization cycle to round off component values to
match commercially available components
MONTE CARLO
Monte Carlo predicts the behavior of a circuit statistically when part values are varied within their
tolerance range. Monte Carlo also calculates yield, which can be used for mass manufacturing
predictions.
Use Monte Carlo for:
• Calculating yield based on your specifications
• Calculating statistical data