Quantum Channel Designer fully supports PAM4 AMI models as defined in IBIS 6.1

MAYNARD, MA – January 19, 2016 -- Signal Integrity Software Inc. (SiSoft) has certified Avago’s latest 56G PAM4 SerDes AMI models for use with its Quantum Channel Designer (QCD) software. This certification is the result of close collaboration between SiSoft and Avago that ensured the models produced accurate simulation results in QCD. The models use the new PAM4 extensions defined in the 6.1 version of the IBIS Specification, ratified in September 2015. SiSoft and Avago first ensured that proposed IBIS-AMI syntax would support Avago’s needs and then co-authored the resulting changes to IBIS. PAM4 support in the IBIS 6.1 specification means that silicon vendors can now offer accurate PAM4 IBIS-AMI models that run in a number of commercial EDA tools.

“We added PAM4 support in our in-house simulator first, then worked with SiSoft to ensure the models produced the same results in QCD,” said Bob Miller, Senior Design Engineer at Avago. “We achieved excellent correlation between the two environments, and were able to ensure that the changes we were proposing to IBIS would meet foreseeable PAM4 modeling needs.”

“One of our key objectives with PAM4 support in IBIS was to preserve the ease of use, simulation speed and accuracy that our users have come to expect with NRZ models,” noted Barry Katz, SiSoft’s President and CTO. “Working closely with Avago allowed us to ensure that our customers’ existing workflows would be maintained, since the additional measurements and reporting are handled automatically by the simulator. Working with Avago, we were able to do this while maintaining excellent correlation to reference results.”

The Avago PAM4 models are available directly from Avago.

About SiSoft

SiSoft collaborates with customers and their suppliers to develop innovative solutions to the world’s toughest high-speed design problems. SiSoft accelerates design cycles through a combination of award-winning EDA simulation software, methodology training and consulting services.    Quantum  Channel  Designer  (QCD) is  the  Industry’s Premier Channel  Simulator  for  the  design  and  analysis  of  Multi-Gigabit  serial  links  and  a DesignVision Award Winner.  Quantum-SI (QSI) is the leading solution for integrated signal integrity, timing and crosstalk analysis of high-speed parallel interfaces.    SiSoft’s  products automate  comprehensive  pre-  and  post-route  analysis  of  high speed  interfaces,  detailing  a design’s operating voltage and timing margins.  More information on SiSoft can be found at www.sisoft.com.