Intusoft Releases (8.x.11 v. 3684) SPICE Simulation Tool Suite and DSP Designer

Carson, CA (June 23, 2010) - Intusoft announced today the release of its ICAP/4 8.x.11 Build 3684 SPICE-simulation tool suite for analog, mixed-signal, mixed-systems and digital signal processing (DSP) design. Enhancements have been added to the 11th-generation software from its former Build 3435, running on Windows 7 and 64-bit operating systems. The "x" in 8.x.11 deciphers Intusoft's scalable solutions, ranging up through its premiere ICAP/4 Professional and Test Designer products.

Enhanced DSP Simulation Option with ICAP/4

ICAP/4 has significantly upped its DSP simulation capability in conjunction with an enhanced IsSpice4 simulation core. "DSP Designer" is a software option that enables digital control algorithms to be visually simulated using special device models to create Z-Transforms and Bode plots, including firmware interface to the DSP. Now DSP Designer is truly bi-directional as real-time communication automatically generates DC, transient and AC stimuli to the DSP, and imports waveforms for direct comparison alongside simulated waveforms. Real-time communication scripts are quickly accessed from ICAP/4's IntuScope waveform calculator menu, and in turn drive the DSP development board through a serial interface contained in Intusoft's new Solar1TiM dual buck/boost SMPS evaluation board. The board features direct plug-in capability for popular DSP development kits from Microchip and Texas Instruments.

Also groundbreaking with ICAP/4 is its ability to automatically generate code from its IsSpice4 simulation matrix, supplied to an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) loaded on the PC, then to the DSP development board's memory. This capability with DSP Designer alleviates the otherwise cumbersome and error-prone task of manually programming the DSP, notably without any insight to buried parameters within digital control algorithms as with traditional programming.

Build 3684 also employs a new PWM model running with an enhanced ZDELAY model. Code generation for designers of DSP linearizes the system of equations in order to repeatedly use the same matrix solution. But this can result in multiple stable operating points in using non-linear algebraic equations. However, ICAP/4's new modeling and simulation technology enables the Z-Transform model delay to approach zero, making the model exact. Prescribed delays within the control loop enable the dynamic or transient solution to be stable, thus preventing multiple stable operating points. ICAP/4's new STATESET simulation model mitigates such convergence issues and guarantees a correct DC operating point for AC analysis. Other new capabilities include a digital VOM virtual instrument display available in the SpiceNet design entry application, which serves to display electronic measurements from the DSP environment. Complete Getting Started guides are also provided with DSP Designer. DSP Designer and associated hardware retails for $1,320 US. More can be found at: http://www.intusoft.com/DSPSimulation.htm.

Other Enhancements with ICAP/4

8.x.11 Build 3684 includes several refinements to its predecessor. In addition to the STATESET model, new fast average models have been created for SMPS design. Operability features have been added to the SpiceNet design entry system, IsSpice4's output file and the IntuScope waveform viewing/processing tool. Worst-case and extreme value analyses have also been enhanced to print out altered parametric values. A complete features list is found at: http://www.intusoft.com/featurechanges.htm.

Corporate Background

Established in 1985, Intusoft designs, develops and markets award-winning design automation SPICE simulation software to electronic industries worldwide. Its headquarters are in Carson, California, including a worldwide network of resellers. Intusoft's products focus on the design and simulation of analog and mixed signal board-level circuitry and ICs, across a breadth of applications for industrial, technological, military and consumer end use. Specialized capabilities include automated test synthesis; magnetic design and synthesis; as well as simulation and firmware capability for DSP. Visit www.intusoft.com.

For Further Information Contact:

Tim Ghazaleh
Director of Marketing, Intusoft
Phone: 310-952- 0657 Fax: 310-952-5468
Email: tim@intusoft.com