Unique Features | Why Intusoft? | Models: Who Really Has The Most? | ICAP/4 Product Comparisons?


Features*
Intusoft ICAP/4 Professional
Orcad/Unison Engineer (Pspice)
Electronic Wkbch PowerPro
Protel nVisage
Catena SIMetrix
Micron A-D
GUI & ease of use
Powerful/
manageable
Powerful/
manageable
Powerful/
manageable
Powerful/
manageable
Powerful/
manageable
Interactive schematic layering
Can wire among layers, make any layer visible from top sch. & create diff. sch. configurations
No layering, but can save design variations as configurations
No layering, but can save design variations as configurations
No layering, but can save design variations as configurations
No layering, but can save design variations as configurations
Schematic Import, Export (other than SPICE)
Edif export,
Edif, Export: Allegro PCB, NC VHDL Desktp. & Synplicity Synplify
Orcad/ Pspice, LabView, Export: many PCB providers,
Orcad/Pspice, Export: Edif, VHDL, FPGA, PLD
MicroSim schematic
Parametric changes on schematic
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Cross-probing: schematic-to-waveforms
Yes, on-the-fly after simulation + wave views on schematic
Not on-the-fly after sim Must specify nodes in adv.: no waves on sch.
Not on-the-fly after sim Must specify nodes in adv.: no waves on sch.
No
Yes, on-the-fly after simulation: no waves on schematic

OP. pts. displayed throughout schematic

Yes - single click
Yes
No
No
Voltage
Convergence wizard
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
SPICE3F5/
XSPICE
Yes
SPICE 2G-based
Yes
Yes
Elements of SPICE 2 & 3
Analog & A/D sim.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Script language capability
Full: sim., measmnts. & wave calculator: (200 commands + 100s of existing functions)
Limited: pre-defined measurements are scripted
No
Only operating envnmt. (i.e., not simulator, in measurements or wave calculator)
Full: Basic-like, 200 commands, 300 functions for sim. + waveform calculator
All SPICE analyses
Yes
No distortion
No sensitivity
No sensitivity or distortion.
No distortion
Access to SPICE engine parameters
All
Many
Some
Some
Many
Custom SPICE algorithms
Forward predicting; matrix load bypass; imp. GMIN, source stepping, sparse matrix & pre-dictor-corrector; alter-nate UIC; VSECTOL; AUTO-TOL; pseudo transient
'Performance package" kernel enhancements for speed/convergence
Limited kernel enhancements
No
"Fast start" for long start-up periods, pseudo transient algorithm and variable step GMIN for convergence enchants.
Stimulus editor
Yes, not graphic entry
Yes + graphic entry
Yes, not graphic entry
Yes, not graphic entry
Yes, not graphic entry
Features*
Intusoft ICAP/4 Professional
Orcad/Unison Engineer (Pspice)
Electronic Wkbch PowerPro
Protel nVisage
Catena SIMetrix
Micron A-D
Save design, simula-tion setup, & wave view environments, with direct re-sim.
Yes: Save/recall design & sim. setup, then recall assoc. wave env
Yes
Can save/recall design & sim. setup, but recalled wave plots inactive
Yes: Save/recall design & sim. setup, then recall assoc. wave env.
Yes: Save/recall design & sim. setup, then recall assoc. wave env.
Waveform viewer & calculator
Full + special (ex: EMI- IEC, Nyquist, Smith, filters, hanning, wavelets)
Full waveform viewer and calculator
Waveform viewer and calculator
Waveform viewer and calculator
Full
Marching waveforms during simulation
Yes, different analysis types simultaneously
Yes, only 1 analysis at a time
Yes, only 1 analysis at a time
No
No
Instant "previously- run waveforms" update
Configurable: Over-writes or preserves previous waves, or new plot for update
Overwrites previous waves. Can first save former wave graph for recall later on to compare w. updates
Overwrites previous waves. Can first save former wave graph for recall later on.
Overwrites previous waves. Can first save former wave graph for recall later on
Configurable: Over-writes or preserves previous waves
Probe schematic for I/V/P
Yes, on-the-fly after simulation, or prior
Set prior to simulation. Includes adv. options (ie, phase, real, imag.)
Voltage, set prior to simulation
No
No, would have to use scripting language
Monte Carlo & worst case analyses
Yes
Yes
Yes
Monte Carlo & worst-case Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo & worst-case Monte Carlo
On-the-fly component sweep w. real-time waves
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Nested component sweep
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Features*
Intusoft ICAP/4 Professional
Orcad/Unison Engineer (Pspice)
Electronic Wkbch PowerPro
Protel nVisage
Catena SIMetrix
Micron A-D
Special "hotkeys" (keyboard functions)
Yes, plus user defined
Yes
Yes, plus user defined
Yes
Yes, plus user defined
Special simulation analyses
Transient sensitivity, extreme value, root-summed squares, automated pass/fail measmnts, manual-fault
Manual fault
Interactive lab instruments with simulations
Pre-route signal integrity, FPGA and VHDL co-simulation
Noise generators during tran. analysis, transient run snapshots as initial conditions for AC anal.
Scheduled simulation queue
Queue different analysis types (1 run each) for sequential running
Can pause the queue (unltd. runs) & run another sim., then return to former run
No
No
No
Frequency-varying R,L,C models
Yes, via script entry to model
Yes, via behavioral block scheme
No
No
Yes via script entry
Model count
17,600+ (analog, digital, mixed)
14,000+ (analog, digital, mixed)
16,000 [analog (600=res & cap), digital, mixed, VHDL, VERILOG combined]
Does not divulge its simulation library size
5,000 (analog, digital, mixed, some system functions)
BSIM 3 & 4
Full
BSIM3 only
BSIM 3 only
BSIM 3 only
BSIM 3, 4 (2001), Hspice 49, 53
MESFET
Full
No
No
No
1 - standard SPICE
Mixed-engr. sys. & behav. modeling
Full
Full
Some
Some
Linear s-domain Xsfer. block & n.l. arbt. source
RF library
Extensive
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Power supply templates w. ICs
Yes
No
No
No
No
Power electronics library
Extensive count & types
Yes
Yes
Yes
No, (SIMPLIS option $) for switch power sim.
Magnetics design
Cores, some magnetics, special devices & (full design & syn. option $)
Cores, some general magnetics
Some general magnetics
Some general magnetics
Cores, non-linear magnetic devices Form-entry
Modeling constructs for user
B-element, C-code
E,F,G,H element
C-code
No
B-element
Model building tools
Yes, active/passive
Yes, active/passive
Yes, passive
Yes, passive
A/D conv., arbitrary logic block,
Library manager
Yes
In CIS option $3,5K
Yes
Yes
Limited
Features*
Intusoft ICAP/4 Professional
Orcad/Unison Engineer (Pspice)
Electronic Wkbch PowerPro
Protel nVisage
Catena SIMetrix
Micron A-D
Pole/zero analysis
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
2-port analysis and Smith charts
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Assign elec. measments & limits (ie, stddev, pk rise time) for nodes & components, + view data and pass/fail
Full capability, with auto results in chart format, viewable with different analysis types and circuit configurations
Some capability in AAI option, $7k
Some capability
No
No
Component stress alarms
Yes
In AAI option, $7K
No
No
No
Optimization
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Modification of component params.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Fault Injection
Full & automatic (Test synthesis available $)
Single insertion
No
No
No
Filter synthesis
Resold product option $
No
Yes
No
No
Quarterly newsletters
More than 71
No
No
No
No
Price w. schematic
Less than Orcad/Unison
$5,995
$3,995
$2,900
$4,550
Lesser $$ version
Several
No
MultiSim Professional
No
SiMetrix AD
*Red Text - Features that advantageously position ICAP/4

Cross-probe Schematic to Waveforms: During an active debug cycle the engineer cannot always ascertain what design nodes to plan ahead and set waveform markers for viewing. Therefore, the ability to arbitrarily probe around the schematic following a simulation run and instantaneously view waveforms in the wave viewer, or even on the schematic, can be a tremendous convenience and time saver.

Display DC Operating Points on Schematic: Often with IC and board designers, it is advantageous to quickly display a design's DC operating point information directly on the schematic. Voltage and current are easily viewed with a mouse click, thus saving time during debugging of any analysis type.

Custom SPICE Algorithms: Enhancement to a SPICE kernel (i.e., SPICE 3F5, XSPICE) is an unequivocally important aspect of providing a truly robust analog and mixed-signal simulator. SPICE kernels that have not been significantly modified often fall short on tough design such as switch mode, oscillator, time-varying control loop and large-scale topology. It requires several years to successfully augment SPICE technology, for which Intusoft continues to invest its resource.

On-the-fly component sweeps: This rare and valuable feature has been with the ICAP/4 offering for many years because of the time it saves during design debug. Component values can be set, continuously swept by holding a button, set as equations or set as a function of other component changes, all with no schematic intervention. It's "on the fly" because it can be performed while pausing a simulation or prior to rerunning another.

Waveform Viewer/Calculator: Though there are several capable waveform viewers on the market today, the provision of specialized waveform viewing and calculator capability can save an abundance of time for the designer. On-the-fly cross probing to the schematic, simultaneous display of differing analysis types, truly specialized functions with the waveform calculator and provision of a powerful scripting language for custom waveform operations are part of Intusoft's commitment to a faster debug cycle. More than 170 thoroughly documented commands comprise the entire ICAP/4 scripting language, though hundreds of predefined scripts are available for use or easy modification. Powerful pre-defined scripts for waveform calculator functions, such as EMI standard, Hanning taper, several frequency filters, Black body wave, wavelet filters and polynomial transformation, are setting new levels of industry standard. Dozens of other scripts are available for special simulation runs, while 150 serve as waveform calculator operations.

Special Simulation Analyses: When design criteria calls for extremely high performance from a simulator, ICAP/4 pulls from its repertoire of features that reach beyond competitive offerings. Sensitivity-based worst-case analysis and extreme-value analysis vary designs to maximally adverse conditions. For select types of non-linear circuitry, root summed squares analysis takes component parameters to their worse case state, which actually lies between traditional (less accurate) worst-case parametric extremes. Other analyses, such as AC and transient sweeps; fault synthesis; GFT analysis of open loop properties in an unbroken closed loop; and enhanced sensitivity analysis push the capability of SPICE beyond any present-day standard. The last analysis enables SPICE sensitivity to include DC, AC and Transient runs, plus monitoring of several new measurements affected by inter-component sensitivity - i.e., peak voltage, rms voltage, mean value, rise time, setup/hold, etc. ICAP/4's new VSECTOL simulation parameter significantly increases simulation speed by optimizing time step and percentage error during runs.

Frequency-varying R,L & C Models: When designs rise to high frequency operation, frequency can influence the modeling accuracy of passive components. Having passive devices that accommodate frequency variation helps ensure truer design accuracy.

BSIM & MESFET Models: Intusoft was first SPICE3 simulator to market with the BSIM MOSFET model. Today it continues its leading position with the latest BSIM4 model and several MESFET devices.

Power Electronic Design: ICAP/4 is committed to power-electronic designers by providing the industry's largest collection of power simulation models. It then adds more than 30 pre-existing power supply design templates (circuit topologies) for SMPS and related simulation. Intusoft strengthens this offering through its marketing and technological collaboration with ON Semiconductor, providing a number of SMPS topologies and ICs for SMPS design. Special hysteretic average models, modified passive components and magnetic devices have been created for accurate simulation of power electronic circuitry. GFT models measure open loop characteristics in closed loop SMPS design portions where the loop should not be broken. An optional Magnetics Designer application furnishes the analog-EDA industry's only non-linear magnetic design and synthesis offering for inductors, chokes and transformers. Magnetics Designer works in conjunction with Intusoft's IsSpice4 simulation kernel.

Automated Measurements & Stress Alarm: Intusoft furnishes a wealth of circuit measurements (i.e., rise time, max voltage, rms, pk-pk.), and assignment of their limits at design nodes and components, including automatic monitoring for pass/fail. This saves the engineer an abundance of time by automatically running one type of simulation, or different types in sequence. Also, different design setups can be run (i.e., circuit configurations for regression testing, commercial verses military grade design versions, design being debugged using special models, etc.). ICAP/4 easily enables assignment of a multitude of user-selected measurements throughout any design configuration. Following simulation, numerical readout for nodal and component measurements with visual pass/fail bars is displayed. Limits are easily set as desired value, from lab measurement, or by outcome of multi-run analyses such as Monte Carlo, Worst Case and Extreme Value. "Stress Alarms" flag components that have exceeded their safe (or user specified) operating range.

Fault Injection: Whether it's fully automated, or manually inserted, this valuable time saver enables designers to impose shorts, opens and stuck-at values on devices. Design nodes are automatically flagged as out-of-limit, while corresponding fault conditions are recorded on components. Fault detection coverage and synthesized pseudo code for automated test equipment are provided with Intusoft's "Test Designer" SPICE simulation and test synthesis offering.

Quarterly Newsletters: Intusoft is the only EDA supplier that furnishes quarterly newsletters to its customers and the design community at large. These are packed with technical information dealing with design, models, product features and application tips for engineers. In addition, Intusoft has produced more than 100 technical articles for popular trade journals such as IEEE Spectrum, Power Electronics Technology, Electronic Design, Magnetics Business & Technology and several others.

Price: Intusoft maintains its best in class dominance by providing the most powerful mixed-signal simulation offering for the mainstream end-user. An ICAP/4 customer receives, at a price point of less capable or less extensive offerings, today's leading SPICE-based simulation technology, direct phone access to an unparalleled customer service program and a relationship-marketing approach for customer input to Intusoft.

Copyright 2003 Intusoft, All Rights Reserved.