Xilinx' encrypted HPICE models in PSPICE

[Melanie Nasic]

Hi community,

I got a problem you might be able to assist me in solving. I downloaded
several HSPICE models for the Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGAs from the Xilinx
homepage. They are stored in a format I don't know: *.inc. The included
readme-file says that all models are encrypted and must be used in Synopsys
HSPICE. All I got is a free PSPICE version running that supports file
formats like *.opj, *.dsn, *.sch, *.olb, *.lib, *.vhd, *.txt. I already
generated several schematics with PSPICE which I want to test in combination
with the Xilinx models. Unfortunately it looks like that is not possible at
all. Has anyone of you made similar experiences or has a hint how to solve
that incompatibility problem? Any help is highly appreciated.

Regards, Melanie Nasic

 

[Jim Thompson]

Hi community,

I got a problem you might be able to assist me in solving. I downloaded
several HSPICE models for the Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGAs from the Xilinx
homepage. They are stored in a format I don't know: *.inc. The included
readme-file says that all models are encrypted and must be used in Synopsys
HSPICE. All I got is a free PSPICE version running that supports file
formats like *.opj, *.dsn, *.sch, *.olb, *.lib, *.vhd, *.txt. I already
generated several schematics with PSPICE which I want to test in combination
with the Xilinx models. Unfortunately it looks like that is not possible at
all. Has anyone of you made similar experiences or has a hint how to solve
that incompatibility problem? Any help is highly appreciated.

Regards, Melanie Nasic

Welcome to the wonderful world of HSpice dominating the simulator
world... because management equates high price with high performance
;-)

While PSpice CAN read some encrypted models, I _believe_ it can't read
HSpice versions.

Charlie Edmondson ??

Melanie, I suspect that you're a student, so you have no leverage. If
you're at a company simply have your purchasing department declare
Xilinx as "Do not purchase".

I did that once to Motorola... gets their attention real quick ;-)

...Jim Thompson

 

[Austin Lesea]

Melanie,

In order to protect the sub-circuit models for our foundries
(proprietary to the fabricators of our devices), we are not allowed to
distribute the spice files in unencrypted form. We also do not want to
tell the world how we designed all of our circuits (protect our own
intellectual property).

This practice is typical of the entire semiconductor industry.

Instead, I suggest you use the IBIS models which are also available for use.

Austin

 

[Charlie Edmondson]

Hi community,

I got a problem you might be able to assist me in solving. I downloaded
several HSPICE models for the Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGAs from the Xilinx
homepage. They are stored in a format I don't know: *.inc. The included
readme-file says that all models are encrypted and must be used in Synopsys
HSPICE. All I got is a free PSPICE version running that supports file
formats like *.opj, *.dsn, *.sch, *.olb, *.lib, *.vhd, *.txt. I already
generated several schematics with PSPICE which I want to test in combination
with the Xilinx models. Unfortunately it looks like that is not possible at
all. Has anyone of you made similar experiences or has a hint how to solve
that incompatibility problem? Any help is highly appreciated.

Regards, Melanie Nasic

Hi Melanie,
Sorry, but you are out of luck. Due to some interesting 'legal'
constraints, PSpice can't read the HSpice encrypted models, and very few
manufacturers have yet gone to using the PSpice encrypted models, either.

Also, you will probably be unable to use the IBIS models either, as the
translators makes too large of files for the student version.

What you end up doing is making some reasonable guesses from the
datasheets as to the drive and loads, and creating your own models,
either as an LRC with a current/voltage driver, or as a behavioral.
Best, of course, would be a digital I/O model, but that requires some
speciallized knowledge and skills that only a very few have taken the
time to master. I know, because I am NOT one of them!

Charlie


Charlie