What improvements are needed for next-generation circuit simulation software?

·Improve user experience: There’s a need for intuitive user interfaces that enable cohesive, saveable, shareable, and reusable simulation and optimization workflows.
·Decouple simulation setup: Remove the need for adding simulation setup to schematics to declutter them and improve reusability and transparency. Earlier tools inserted simulator controllers, probes, and other information directly onto schematics, making them messy and requiring removal for layout-versus-schematic verification.
·Enable seamless interoperability: Integration across different electronic design automation (EDA) platforms is crucial for 3DHI modules that contain components from various design flows. Teams like RFIC, analog, and PCB currently work in isolation with disparate tools, data formats, and workflows, leading to fragmentation, collaboration challenges, and a higher risk of errors. Simulators must support standards like OpenAccessfor EDA data.
·Handle increasing complexity: The increase in complexity, speeds, and density requires more capable simulators and optimizers. Modern RF systems involve highly integrated systems-on-chip, MMICs, and advanced packaging solutions like 3DHI. RF simulation, particularly multi-physics simulation tools, must analyze the intricate interdependencies between thermal, electrical, and mechanical aspects in these complex structures.
·Support 3D visualizations: Smith tubes, which are 3D representations of Smith charts, enable engineers to visualize component impedances across frequencies in 3D, facilitating the design of resonances that are not apparent in 2D.
·Support faster metrics: Techniques like distortion EVM enable the rapid calculation of EVM without full demodulation, significantly reducing simulation time.
·Analyze stability: Techniques that can account for complex high-frequency and load conditions and quantify stability margins are essential.
·Simulate complex waveforms: Accurate simulation of complex waveforms, like 5G/6G signals, and their effects on metrics are needed, including the ability to integrate virtual test benches.
·Provide more control: Existing simulator engines don’t provide much programmatic control or customization. Low-code solutions for better control are needed, especially for new designers.