Mentor Graphics PADS VX.2.10

Multi-Symbol Property Edits
The Model Properties dialog now supports property edits for multiple symbols at one time. Simply select the desired symbols and open the editor dialog to view and edit properties on all symbols at once.
Setup Schematic Wizard Updates
Setting up schematics for simulation is more intuitive with changes to the Setup Schematic wizard. The Part Number mapping option now supports mapping by part number and symbol name. A new Delete button removes current mapping assignments, and a new Assign Default Model button assigns default models (as defined in the SVdefaultPropByType.simdb file). Wizard settings are automatically applied to the design and can optionally be saved to the project.simdb file. Symbol pin order definitions are no longer optional – they must be definedfor each symbol. You can select multiple components at once to apply bulk mapping changes. And a new toolbar button starts the wizard. Note that Ref Designator is no longer a mapping option.
VHDL-AMS Language Feature Support
New or updated support for the following VHDL-AMS language features: Records, Array-ofRecords, Break-lists.
SimDB Mapping File Updates
SimDB mapping files help you link simulation models to schematic symbols. Starting with the VX.2.10 release, you can apply mapping information to the entire design, selected schematic sheets, or selected components. The new model.simdb file is stored in the WDIR folder and supports custom model mapping for entire symbol libraries (e.g. Central Library). And with the new model.simdb file, the mapping file search order becomes: project.simdb, model.simdb, sysvis.simdb.
SI Unit Netlisting Support
Use the new “Use SI units for model parameter values” checkbox in the Netlist Header Setup dialog to choose SI units for property values. If the checkbox is selected, the netlister treats “M” as 1.0E6 and “m” as 1.0E-3. If the checkbox is not selected, “M” and “m” are netlisted as 1.0E-3. The checkbox setting is saved as the USE_SI variable in the svnetlister.ini file.
Simulator Updates
PADS AMS now supports global terminals when noinclib is used, and save/restart for digital and array-of-array waveforms.
SPICE Model Support
The ASM-HEMT SPICE model is now part of the PADS AMS model library.

Below is a list of ease-of-use improvements and new functionality.

Improved User Experience – Settings
Simplification and consolidation of user settings provides a better user experience using Designer. In the Settings/Display Control, redundancies were removed and remaining settings reorganized.


Improved User Experience – Properties
Improved property management for properties with mixed visibility. When multiple symbols are selected and their property values have different states of visibility, the visibility check box shows a filled square as an indicator.


Improved User Experience – Search
Eliminate duplicated component parametric data rows by combining identical rows.
- Select the “Combine duplicated rows” check box in the Databook configuration. Duplicate database rows are merged. Non-duplicate database rows whose different properties are not set to annotate into the design and are hidden from the search view are also combined into one row.

HyperLynx DRC adds some important new functionality and defect fixes. The sections below provide details on some of the new capabilities.

Distributed verification
- By distributing Jobs on multiple CPUs or multiple PCs, run time is reduced, especially for large-scale verifications
- Work is distributed to each session on a rule-by-rule basis. The results are automatically aggregated into the hosting session.
- LSF can be used in an environment where LSF is set
- Setup is possible from Wizard
New Rules
- Routing On/Off layer
- Trace shielding with stitching vias
- Via ani-pad integrity
Other major improvements
- DDR wizard is enhanced to be more robust
- Many rules are enhanced to support more rule parameters for precise checking
- Multiple custom rules can be complied in one step

This release contains improvements in SERDES analysis, DDRx analysis, and DC Drop analysis, as well as some notable usability improvements. Some improvement may only be usable with additional HyperLynx SI/PI licensing options.

SERDES
- Taking advantage of the SERDES Compliance Wizard infrastructure improvements that were made in VX.2.8, HyperLynx VX.2.10 includes the addition of explicit support for over 70 new SERDES protocols. Furthermore, a new feature has been added for customers to add new protocols themselves.
- Reporting has been improved for clarity and consistency.
- When using the Compliance Wizard directly on S-parameters, those S-parameters can now be swept for solution space exploration.
- Standalone compliance/metric analysis in the Touchstone Viewer has been removed. The independent IBIS-AMI Wizard has also been removed. These capabilities have been consolidated into the SERDES Wizards.
- Automatic IBIS-AMI parameter optimization has been added to the SERDES IBIS-AMI Batch Wizard.
DDRx
- Can now sweep ACC and CLK buffer models in LineSim.
- Addition of ACC Overshoot measurements (per JEDEC spec).
- Support for diamond and hexagonal eye masks for DDR5 timing model development
PI Analysis
- New resistance matrix output in DC Drop analysis generates a matrix of resistances between sources and loads for resistance based PDN analysis
- Plating thickness and current constraints for vias can now be specified on a perpadstack basis.
General Usability
- New spreadsheet-based multi-board connection wizard allows for easier and more efficient setup of multi-board projects, especially those with complicated connector mappings. Connection mappings can be imported and exported for easy re-use between designs.
- Individual nets may now be selected for analysis in LineSim. This provides a dramatic performance improvement for very large schematics, including for analysis types like DDRx and SERDES.

Supported Platforms

Overall Notes
- Specified patches below are minimum levels. Later versions of the patches are valid, supported configurations.
- Except as noted, all products are supported on all platforms.
- Processor and Memory requirements vary based on the mix of applications being used, the design complexity, and infrastructure requirements. Individual needs may vary from those published below.
Processor Note for Intel/AMD Processors
All Windows OS variants run on Intel or AMD x86 or x64 processors. In the past, the processor GHz speed determined the performance, but recent changes in the internal architecture of both Intel and AMD processors have made these comparisons difficult. Therefore, the following recommendations are being made for all Windows systems:
- Supported processors and systems are those manufactured since 2008 which conform to the subsequent requirements.
- Intel Celeron processors are not recommended.
- Minimum requirement is a dual-core (or dual processor) system. A quad core is recommended for improved overall system performance. A hyper-threaded processor should be considered a single processor, not a dual processor.
- For best results, maximize processor speed and L1/L2/L3 processor cache memory.
- Typically, cost is the best indicator of performance, and extra investment in processor capability returns better system performance.
File Storage
You can install the libraries and share them for group use across a local area network (LAN). We do not recommend use of shared libraries across a wide area network (WAN) due to issues with latency. Storage of any files on Network Appliance Servers (NAS) are not supported with PADS.

Microsoft Windows 10 (Version 1909 and newer)
Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit), Enterprise Edition and Pro Edition are supported.
While there is no known issue with running Microsoft Windows 10 Home Edition or Educational Edition, the product has not been tested with these editions, and therefore is not supported.
Kernel Configuration: N/A
Processor: Dual-core Intel or AMD processor minimum. See Processor Note for Intel/AMD Processors above.
Memory: 8GB recommended
Swap Space: 2x the amount of RAM

Windows Server 2016
The following configurations are only supported for the sharing of libraries. All other PADS VX.2.10 products are not supported on any Windows Server platforms:
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 with all current updates via Windows Update.
Processor: Dual-core Intel or AMD processor minimum. See Processor Note for Intel/AMD Processors above.
Memory: 8 GB recommended (per simultaneously logged in user)
Swap Space:2X the amount of RAM

Windows Server 2019
The following configurations are only supported for the sharing of libraries. All other PADS VX.2.10 products are not supported on any Windows Server platforms:
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with all current updates via Windows Update.
Processor: Dual-core Intel or AMD processor minimum. See Processor Note for Intel/AMD Processors above.
Memory: 8 GB or more recommended (per simultaneously logged in user)
Swap Space: 2X the amount of RAM