In order to post your reviews, to rank a review or to send comments to the mailing-list, you need to log in.
If you have not yet created your account, please register.
In case of error or omission, please send us your feedback.
Gardena, CA - October 13, 2004 - Intusoft announced today its 8.x.11 software release for the ICAP/4 analog, mixed-signal and mixed-systems SPICE simulation tool suite. ICAP/4's 11th-generation software has advanced design automation SPICE technology to a new level, while providing a host of upgrade features to Intusoft's product offering.
Larry Meares, president and founder of Intusoft, announced that 8.x.11 marks the most intensive effort Intusoft has assembled to support its forefront position in circuit simulation. "8.x.11 is a culmination of innovative technology never seen before, developed by Intusoft, and uniquely influenced by leaders in the engineering community." Meares added, "Importantly, we have created two new exciting convergence algorithms, ICSTEP and GEQFREQ, primarily targeted for design involving feedback using cascaded high-gain amplifiers. These add to our VSECTOL convergence option created this year, used to customize simulation speed and accuracy tradeoff." Meares demonstrated the new ICSTEP algorithm using a coupled 2-stage feedback loop. The "SPICE-buster" design converged in 6 iterations as opposed to failed convergence after 445 trials without the new convergence option. He also commented that ICSTEP can be used to correctly initialize digital behavioral circuits for DC operating point and AC analyses. It has also been an integral aspect for the creation of complex custom IC models for 8.x.11.
8.x.11 adds to its previous 8.x.10 success by providing several operability enhancements for design entry, simulation and design verification. Freehand artwork capability was added to the design entry application (SpiceNet), along with enhanced help and documentation. The ability to select schematic or waveform-viewing environments as automatically active after simulation, conserves time over repetitive debug cycles. New advanced signal processing functions were added to the IntuScope waveform viewer's collection of 125. Enhanced capability was added for managing design projects, while ICAP/4's component Library Manager was placed into all non-ICAP/4Rx packages.
Intusoft's relationship marketing program has been a driving force for 8.x.11 by establishing a direct communication line from Intusoft's customer base to its marketing group. It has also beefed up their live customer support program by providing a refined tracking and communication system for customers. Intusoft's marketing director, Tim Ghazaleh, commented, "8.x.11 benchmarks our relationship marketing campaign, also by providing a free custom modeling service to the engineering community, which has added more than 650 parts to ICAP/4." According to Bob Ritter, Chief Engineer with MicroTech Specialist, "The AD834 400-megahertz Quad Multiplier model from Intusoft demonstrated miraculous performance, and surprised us all with its ability to accurately transpose difficult high-frequency behavior… and for free!" Ghazaleh added, "This is a key element to positioning our products in today's competitive market, by maximizing our relationship with customers, prospects and the engineering community." 8.x.11's GFT models exemplify Intusoft's outreach to leaders, like Dr. David Middlebrook. Middlebrook created the renowned General Feedback Theorem, from which Intusoft's GFT models are able to measure open-loop circuit properties while preserving the loop closed with correct DC biasing.
Furthering Intusoft's arm into the technological community, 8.x.11's new IsSpice4 simulation kernel has been adopted by key partnering companies such as National Semiconductor, and most recently, SiSoft. "Intusoft's new support for the industry-recognized lossy W-transmission line, and conversion of IBIS v3.2 models to SPICE models, has made 8.x.11's IsSpice4 the chosen SPICE engine for our new Quantum-SI signal integrity analysis product line," said Barry Katz, President and CTO of SiSoft. IsSpice4's new convergence algorithms were vital for the development and testing of ON Semiconductor's SPICE models for select ICs, which are now included in most ICAP/4 8.x.11 packages.
ICAP/4 8.x.11 is a fully integrated design simulation tool suite consisting of schematic entry and design management tools; design simulation, verification and debugging applications; as well as production fault and test diagnosis. The scalable product line provides unique features such as significantly enhanced SPICE 3F5 and XSPICE based technology; full scripting language to easily modify an extensive set of design verification and waveform processing functions, if desired; schematic-less component variation as value, expression or function of other components' change; 30 power supply design templates, dedicated power electronic library; dedicated RF library; optional magnetic design and synthesis package; fully integrated waveform viewer and calculator that includes random cross-probing to schematic; pole/zero and 2-port analyses; circuit optimization program; Smith and Nyquist charts; automated assignment and charting of electrical measurements including out-of-limit alarms for nodes and components; extensive parts management system; automated fault synthesis, complete in-application help and movies; and a design and debug environment that is fully configurable.
Established in 1985, Intusoft designs, develops and markets award-winning software to electronics industries worldwide. Its products target a breadth of applications across all industrial, technological, military and consumer industries, by providing leading tools for analog and mixed-signal circuit design and automated test synthesis. Information on Intusoft and its products is provided at: www.intusoft.com.
