1. Circuit simulation: operating environment and main features

1.1 Simulation in the circuit design flow

Optimization of complex circuit design times is achieved in particular through the use of cell libraries and intellectual property (IP) blocks developed by specialized teams or companies. This evolution makes top-down methodology almost unavoidable in the design of these complex circuits. Simulation is the next step in the design flow after specification (figure 1 ). The advantage of the AMS/RF simulator is that it can initially simulate the entire circuit, with blocks defined at a high level of abstraction.