Sente Unveils Power Coverage Analysis Software; VectorWatcher Analyzes Simulation Testbench...

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ACTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2000

Sente, an electronic design automation (EDA) supplier headquartered here, today introduced the industry's first coverage analysis software to check the completeness and quality of a simulation testbench for

Vector Watcher(TM) was designed to be part of an overall register transfer level (RTL) design methodology where power performance is a critical criteria, expanding Sente's software portfolio that includes Watt Watcher(TM), WattSmith(TM) and Peak Watcher(TM). All are used to manage power issues early in the design process, when significant reductions can still be made.

Power estimation and optimization software relies on simulation and simulation vectors to predict the switching activity of the design a critical determinant of power. Power analysis will likely be flawed if this activity does not reflect the operating conditions the IC will see in the real world. Vector Watcher lets designers directly analyze the switching activity produced by their simulations, and highlights likely problems.

"Simulation vectors and library accuracy are the two dominant external error sources in RTL power analysis," says Jerry Frenkil, vice president and chief technical officer at Sente. "With a poor simulation testbench, it's possible to get power estimation errors of 50 percent or more. Sente directly addresses this design dilemma with the introduction of Vector Watcher."

Introducing Vector Watcher

Vector Watcher helps designers to analyze how their simulation runs and simulation vectors will influence their power results. Most design teams create simulation vectors to test IC functionality. These vectors may not be appropriate for analyzing power consumption. For example, a testbench that was crafted to exercise one individual IC function might produce simulation activity differently from how the IC will be operated in the field. If this testbench is used "as is" for power analysis, results may not match silicon.

Vector Watcher helps designers detect and correct "unrealistic" testbench conditions. It generates a visual display of switching activity over time on a module-by-module and net-by-bet basis. It reports likely anomalies, such as zero-activity and other unlikely toggle-rate modules; nodes which remain in the X state for prolonged periods; and modules with low or no output activity. Designers use this information to increase confidence that simulation runs reflect the IC's intended operation and provide a basis for power analysis, or to detect and correct problems.

On a recent project at a network IC manufacturer, Vector Watcher was used to help assemble a power-qualified testbench from portions of several existing function-oriented testbenches, several of which included long, low-activity "initialization" intervals which would have skewed power analysis. The RTL power analysis produced using the new testbench matched the initial silicon to within 20 percent.

Sente's Watt Watcher, WattSmith and Peak Watcher also use simulation-generated switching activity during the course of their operation.

Vector Watcher Versus Code Coverage

Vector Watcher was designed to complement conventional code coverage software which focuses on functional behavior, seeking to determine that each function has been adequately exercised, and which, if any, functions have gone untested.

Vector Watcher, which focuses on power behavior, does not replace code coverage. Instead, it provides the designer with analysis of overall IC operation over time.

Pricing and Availability

Vector Watcher will be available in April and is priced at $10,000. It runs on Sun Microsystems workstations running Solaris and on Hewlett Packard workstations running HP-UX.

Sente's products, including Vector Watcher, are marketed and sold through a combination of direct and indirect sales channels, with extensive customer support including, on-site training, hotline support, consulting services, custom modeling development and Internet-based software distribution.

For more specific product information, contact Michael Munsey, technical marketing manager. He can be can be reached at (978) 635-9080, or via electronic mail at mmunsey@senteinc.com.

About Sente

Sente is the leading supplier of RTL and architectural power analysis software for deep submicron IC design. Sente's EDA products and consulting services help IC design teams manage power issues early in development, where significant reductions can still be made. Customers include Ericsson, Fujitsu, Motorola, NEC, Siemens, Sony, Texas Instruments, Toshiba and VLSI Technology. Sente is a member of the Cadence (NYSE: CDN) Connections and Synopsys (NASDAQ: SNPS) in-Sync programs. For information, please contact Sente at (978) 635-9080 or visit its Web Site at http://www.senteinc.com.

Vector Watcher, Peak Watcher, Watt Watcher and Watt Smith are registered trademarks of Sente Inc. Sente acknowledges trademarks or registered trademarks of other organizations for their respective products and services.