Finding missing level shifters between power domains with Insight Analyzer

Missing level shifters between power domains pose a critical reliability risk in mixed-signal IC designs. Despite the importance of identifying these issues, they often slip through the cracks of traditional design verification approaches.

The consequences can be severe, including signal integrity failures, device damage, power inefficiency, performance degradation and integration challenges. These oversights can saddle designers with costly rework and suboptimal product performance. Despite this importance, identifying these design issues has been an often overlooked area in traditional electronic design automation (EDA) flows. Specialized EDA tools are needed to accurately identify and analyze the risk of missing level shifter between power domains.

Siemens' Insight Analyzer provides a robust solution, quickly and accurately identifying missing level shifters. Unlike simulation or traditional electrical rule checking (ERC) tools, Insight Analyzer's advanced algorithms and state-based analysis can pinpoint these subtle yet impactful design flaws.

By empowering designers to address power domain integration issues early in the design process, Insight Analyzer enables a shift-left approach that improves overall design quality and reliability. As semiconductor complexity continues to rise, this capability is increasingly vital for navigating the challenges of modern IC design.

What you’ll learn:

• The importance of identifying missing level shifters between power domains in mixed-signal IC designs, and the consequences that can arise from this issue, such as signal integrity problems, device damage, increased power consumption, and compatibility issues.
• The various factors that can contribute to designers missing a level shifter, including assumptions about voltage levels, lack of documentation, time constraints, design complexity, inexperienced designers, and inadequate simulation/testing.
• How Siemens' Insight Analyzer tool can quickly and accurately identify the risk of missing level shifters between power domains, going beyond what is possible with traditional ERC tools and simulation.

Who should read this:

• IC designers working on mixed-signal designs with multiple power domains
• IC design managers and CAD engineers