Dear Arun,

System modelling and simulation are based on mathematical and logical principles and concepts. It starts with a physical model of the system and then mathematically describing this system by a system of equations normally differential and algebraic equations. To determine the system performance parameters one needs to solve these equations. So, may be one of the best simulators is to use mathematical solving tool which may be from my point of view is the matlab/simulink. This environment in addition contains many specialized model libraries such as Filter design, digital digital signal processing

tool box, logic design tool box, communication tool box ....etc.

This wide utilization is because of easy use script language and the existing aid by the library of models of components, subsystems and subsystem.

There are also associated with it powerful compilers to covert the matlab code to a C-code or a VHDL code.The C-code can be implemented directly on the digital signal processors. The VHDL can be implemented on FPGAs or ASICs chips.

There are tool suits for FPGA design and for ASIC design that acceptsthe VHDL issued by the matlab as an input.

In addition to the matlab there is the ADS that can be a complement for the matlab for the analog system simulation.

Best wishes

Any tool with inbuilt optimization techniques will be suitable for integrated circuit system. However, the selection of the tool will depend on the design type and requirements,for example, when working with Verilog, the data transfer from the project navigator to plan ahead will be in proper manner.

Dear Arun,

System modelling and simulation are based on mathematical and logical principles and concepts. It starts with a physical model of the system and then mathematically describing this system by a system of equations normally differential and algebraic equations. To determine the system performance parameters one needs to solve these equations. So, may be one of the best simulators is to use mathematical solving tool which may be from my point of view is the matlab/simulink. This environment in addition contains many specialized model libraries such as Filter design, digital digital signal processing

tool box, logic design tool box, communication tool box ....etc.

This wide utilization is because of easy use script language and the existing aid by the library of models of components, subsystems and subsystem.

There are also associated with it powerful compilers to covert the matlab code to a C-code or a VHDL code.The C-code can be implemented directly on the digital signal processors. The VHDL can be implemented on FPGAs or ASICs chips.

There are tool suits for FPGA design and for ASIC design that acceptsthe VHDL issued by the matlab as an input.

In addition to the matlab there is the ADS that can be a complement for the matlab for the analog system simulation.

Best wishes

Thanks all

The main requirement would be the availability of the models or building blocks. If not, one has to develop/model those blocks. For a person comfortable with scripting, probably it will go easier. But for a novice not. If him/her several questions arise, which method/tool to go for, matlab/simulink, verilog, verilogA/AMS, VHDL or else.

Abdelhalim abdelnaby Zekry : Thanks for your answer. Are most of the models present in matlab/simuink to quick start an architecture study ? It is a great advantage, that it could be interfaced to ADS and VHDL. This ensures porting. One can always move forward with this approach.

Aparna Sathya Murthy : Thanks for your answer. ASIC modelling is not required at this stage. Once system architecture is decided, designer can dwelve into the blocks abd design those in analog or digital enviroment and hence trying to match the specifications obtained from the system study.

cppsim was infact easy to start with. I needed one day to start system simulations. But, not all blocks are available and there is not much support from the internet forums compared to verilog and matlab.

Where can i find VerilogA libraries?. Are you mentioning those within cadence environment or somewhere else.

Wasim Ghder Soliman : Thanks for your answer. But optimization is not needed at the initial system stage. As the main intention is to selection of an architecture. A coarse comparison or figure of merit could be enough. Or maybe this will depend on the type of system study.

Ok, so you mean the verilogA models which come along with the installation. I agree that there are basic models, but the library itself is not vast I suppose. i wonder whether there is any open source or website where new models could be added/updated, so that it serves a broad community.

I think that any mathematical simulator can be used to model integrated circuit, if you are very familiar with integrated circuit, even analogue or digital circuit. However, it is very complicated. e.g. In the digital circuit, apart from the algorithm, we are required to consider the timing and clock, which depend on the chip technology. Thereby, I think that matlab/simulink is very difficult to perfectly model the integrated circuit system. In my opinion, we can use matlab/simulink to simply model the system for the sake of verifying the algorithm and its parameters firstly. After that, FPGA and verilog are used to verify the integrated circuit implementation. This is a cheaper manner, relative to some expensive and specialized simulators.

Kind regards

Jiajun

Thanks Jiajun.

Thanks Vipin.

For the discussion, I feel that Simulink is optimum for modelling. For digital system there is one step further as discussed above that the simulink model could generate HDL codes which could further added to the design itself. For Analog, block level specifications could be derived to continue the circuit in the design space. How vast is Simulink library though ?

Also is there any open source modelling tools?. Cppsim is one such. What about Octave ? Does anyone have any experience ?