ECAD Tools Grouped by Function

The following table groups available ECAD tools by function. When multiple tools are available for a given functions, they're listed in order of popularity here at U of M (e.g. Design Architect is more heavily used for schematic capture than Composer). The vendor for each tool is listed in the vendor column with links to the pages that describe configuring/running the vendor's tools.
 
Function Tool Vendor
General Schematic Capture Composer,Design Architect-IC,Cosmos SE Cadence,Mentor,Synopsys
Analog Simulation Hspice,Spectre,Eldo,Saber Synopsys,Cadence,Mentor,Synopsys
Analog Design System Analog Design Environment, DA-IC/Eldo Cadence,Mentor
Verilog Simulation Modelsim,Verilog-XL/NCVerilog,VCS
 Mentor,Cadence,Synopsys
VHDL Simulation Modelsim,NC-VHDL Mentor,Cadence
Logic Synthesis Design Compiler,Ambit,FPGA Comp. II,Synplify Synopsys,Cadence,Synopsys,Synplicity
Power analysis/characterization
 PrimePower/Nanosim
 Synopsys
Test Pattern Conversion TDS IMS
DFT and ATPG Tools Fastscan,Flextest,Tetramax Mentor,Mentor,Synopsys
Static Timing Analysis PrimeTime,SST Velocity,PathMill Synopsys,,Mentor,Synopsys
Dynamic Timing Analysis Nanosim, Mach TA
 Synopsys,Mentor
IC Layout ICStation,Virtuoso,ADS,Rubicad Mentor,Cadence,Agilent,Rubicad
IC Layout Verification Calibre,Diva/Assura,Hercules Mentor,Cadence,Synopsys
IC Layout Extraction Calibre,Diva,Star-RCXT Mentor,Cadence,Synopsys,
IC Layout Fracturing Dracula Cadence
IC Auto Place/Route Encounter/Silicon Ensemble,Astro Cadence,Synopsys
Process Simulation TSUPREM4 Synopsys
Device Simulation Medici/Davinci Synopsys
MEMS Design and FEA Coventorware,ANSYS Coventor, ANSYS 
FPGA Design Foundation and Alliance Xilinx
Microwave Circuit Design ADS Agilent
High Freq. Structures HFSS,EMPiCASSO Ansoft,EMAG Tech
DSP/Communications Design ADS Agilent
Communication Network Analysis Opnet Opnet
PCB Design Expedition/BoardStation,Orcad/Allegro/Specctra Mentor,Cadence
Signal Integrity Analysis
 Celtic
 Cadence
Circuit Optimization
 AMPS
 Synopsys
Testbench Automation
 VERA,Specman
 Synopsys,Verisity
Formal Verification
 Formality
 Synopsys
Field Solvers
 Maxwell/HFSS,Raphael,IE3D
 Ansoft,Synopsys,Zeland


Last Updated: 9/30/2004.