Advanced Design System 2020 Update 1.0 Release Notes

For general information about Advanced Design System (ADS), visit ADS webpage at http://www.keysight.com/find/eesof-ads. 

Starting ADS 2020 release, the Linux system requirements have been updated: Support for Redhat 5.x has been discontinued. Updated the system libraries and rpm files. Following is the list of minimum patch versions required: Redhat 6.10 Redhat 7.2 Suse 12 SP2 Suse 11.4 Few ADS features will not work properly, in case you have installed lower patch versions than the above-recommended versions.   For more information, refer to Supported Platforms.

• Feature Updates
• Known Issues

Feature Updates

• Design and Technology Management
• Design Editing
• Circuit Simulation
• HSD Design
• EM Simulation

• Power Electronics

• Design Translation

• Design Rule Checker (DRC)

• Verification Test Bench (VTB)

• Licensing

• Documentation

Design and Technology Management

• General

  • Improved workspace performance when including many libraries on a network path.  

  • Added support for third-party version control systems to support tagging.

  • Support "Patch" components.

• Data Display
  • Data Display Expression Manager and Expression Hierarchy improvements.  Added new feature to change dataset reference in equations.
    
  • Added Equation Import from text file. For more information, see Importing Equations.

  • Improved Copy Cell and Reference operations to support references in Data Display files.

Known Issues

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Design Editing

• Added Tear drops functionality, a special connection pattern that optimize the trace-to-pad, trace-to-via connection and improve the manufacturability of the layout. 
• For more information, see Teardrops.
• Added Tear drop AEL Functions to add, modify, and remove tear drop to selection. For more information, see Teardrop Functions.
• Added AEL functions for the following:
  • To get end or corner for line segment of an interconnect. For more information, see Interconnect Creation Functions.
  • To rotate all the selected objects in the given context added the db_rotate_selected_objects() function.
  • To use in macro recording when user places an unconstrained via
  • To draw a Trace (with AEL commands) using a Line Type.
  • To extract Keepout information. For more information, see Keepout Functions.
  • To get ground plane outline points.
  • To access via name, template name, start stop layer of a PCB Via instance.
  • AEL iteration inside interconnect, get layer, via information, and net.
• Constraint Manager Enhancements:
  • Support for line type based clearance rule.
  • Support of priority and validity to the clearance and via rules.
  For more information, see Clearance Constraints.

Known Issues

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Circuit Simulation

• Models

  • Support of TMI models
  • XL now affects computations of stress effects in BSIMSOI models

• Circuit Envelope

  • Introduction of Compact Test Signals to accelerate Envelope simulations when using a modulated source.
    

  • Convolution in Envelope provides a more accurate way of modeling file-based S-parameters.

• ElectroThermal

  • FloorPlanner results are now accurate when power specified is in [mW/uW/pW].

Known Issues

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HSD Design

• DDR/Memory

  • DDR5 memory design support
  • IBIS-AMI model support for equalization
  • Bit-By-Bit simulation mode for DDR Bus Simulator
  • Write Leveling (delay file) support
  • Data Bus Inversion (DBI) support
  • Automated signal property assignment for third party PCB data
  • Improved group editing for every Memory Designer component
    
    
• EM-SI/EM-PI
  
  • PIPro AC and SIPro Analysis continued improvements to reduce parasitics at the external ports, and component ports provide increased accuracy for PDN impedance.
  • Via back-drill information can be imported from Allegro PCB version 17.2 and higher using ADFI export.
  • PIPro AC and SIPro Analysis support non-updatable (embedded) components for all component model types.
  • SIPro accuracy improvement for differential lines with vias having a common clearance hole.

For more information, see SIPro and PIPro.

Known Issues

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EM Simulation

• RFPro

  • Speed improvements when opening RFPro or switching component roles.

  • FEM

    • The FEM solver is now available in RFIC platforms to complement Momentum for FBAR filters or Wafer-Level Packaging.

    • Pilot introduction of a new FEM solver: Generation 2
      • Dramatically decreases the pre-processing time.
      • New Mesh Domain Optimization mode for FEM to automatically decrease the simulation space when selecting nets or components while keeping an accurate ground return path.
      • Supports encrypted LTD substrates.
  • Momentum
    • The new, default, 'Automatic' thick conductor and via conductor model option speeds up the simulation of designs with large ground/power plane(s) and many ground/power vias.
  • Far-Field Results
    • View Directivity and Gain patterns in 3D.
    • Create 2D plots from 3D far-field patterns.
    • Export Far Field data to file.
  • Python Scripting
    
    • The 2020 releases are the last releases with Python 2.7 as Python 2.7 is reaching its end-of-life. The 2021 releases will use Python 3.7. A pilot release with Python 3.7 is available for download. Contact Technical Support for further guidance.

Known Issues

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Power Electronics

Power Electronics Professional (PEPro)

• New test bench to plot Radiated EMI versus frequency and angle for pre-compliance testing of PCB layout candidates

• Improved the Conducted EMI results data display for better spectral accuracy and noise level.

• Fixed the PEPro bugs. For example, display text in the Undo button.

For more information, see PEPro.

Known Issues

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Design Translation

• Fixed the issue where the netlist file import failed on Windows operating systems when there was a space in the input file's path.

• Fixed the issue where the file name along with the file path was being used instead of just the file name in the NetlistInclude component's IncludeFile field, generated during netlist file import.

• Fixed the LTspice import bugs. For example, the simulator reserved words are fixed. 

For more information, see Design Translation.

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Design Rule Check (DRC)

Assura DRC

• Added support for GDS datatype while loading Assura DRC output files.

For more information. see Design Rule Check (DRC).

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Verification Test Bench (VTB)

Known Issues

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Licensing

• ADS 2020 requires: a) the version 2019.02 of the EEsof EDA licensing software, b) a minimum code-word version 2019.02 or above, and c) the licensing server software, lmgrd and agileesofd, to be upgraded to at least the same versions as what are included in EEsof EDA Licensing software 2019.02. ADS All-Versions will not start if any of these requirements is not met. Refer to the License Codeword Version Compatibility Table.
• In the EEsof EDA License Tools version 2019.02, licensing vendor daemon (agileesofd) is integrated with FlexNet FNP 11.13.1.4 version (Windows) and FlexNet FNP 11.13.1.3 version (Linux) of FlexNet license manager daemon (lmgrd). For the Windows platform, ADS installer will automatically set up these two new license server daemons by default for the local node-locked license users; for the Linux platform, you need to follow the Linux Licensing Setup instruction to complete the licensing configuration process. For more details, refer to Licensing (For Administrators).

Known Issues

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Documentation

Known Issues

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Known Issues

Design and Technology Management

• Using ADS 2020 with pycell studio 2018 (PyCell Studio Packages: Release O-2018.09) might prompt you an OA version mismatch warning message on the linux terminal. However, there is no impact on the iPDK flow in ADS.
  Linux terminal message:
  Requested minor API version '518', which is supported by OpenAccess build '22.50.030' is newer than the minor API version '514' of the shared library of OpenAccess build '22.50.043'.

• The Express Pcell plugin that comes with Virtuoso IC version 6.1.8 does not work with ADS 2020 due to an OpenAccess version mismatch.
  Workaround: When running ADS 2020, set the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable path to point to the directory from IC version 6.1.7.

• AEL constants are protected and should not be modified in any DDS expressions.  An AEL error will be issued in case an attempt to modify an AEL constant occurs.

• Python Datalink
  • When using Connection Expert 2019 connected to Lan Instruments, there may be error messages during dl_visa_query() and dl_visa_write().
  • Exceed on Demand: Note that in some cases, EoD settings may need to be configured to properly display Spyder.  Please contact your EoD support representative for additional guidance.

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Design Editing

• Designs created using Smart Mount for Multi-Technology feature cannot be used to run an electrothermal simulation.

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Design Guide

• Simulating the "1_Sim_CA" design in the DDR4 CTB design guide prompts the netlist error.
  Workaround: Open the schematic design "PatternGen_CA_Continuous" and arrange the pin numbers in order.

• Simulating of schematics in the HDMI_Link_Simulation design guide prompt the netlist error.
  Workaround: Open the schematic design “HDMI_Diff_RX” and arrange the pin numbers order in order.

Circuit Simulation

• General

  • Simulation Manager may not work on Windows and throw exceptions for some designs.

  • ADS 2019 will not be compatible with Verilog-A files, which have been encrypted before ADS 2019. There is no change for non-encrypted Verilog-A files.

  • TMI models are supported for pure Hspice syntax only. The support of hybrid syntax (mixing Hspice and Spectre) is planned for a future release. 
  • BSIMSOI models using TMI modeling is not supported yet. Classical BSIMSOI models are supported as before.
  • TMI Aging simulations are not supported

• Electrothermal

  • You may not be able to start a Transient/Envelope Electro-Thermal (ETH) simulation only when the same testbench is open in the viewer of Transient/Envelope thermal results. You need to close the viewer before launching a Transient/Envelope ETH simulation.

  • The electrothermal simulation will not run on designs created using Smart Mount for Multi-Technology feature.

  • Paths set while configuring the ETH controller may need to be updated when the workspace is moved across operating systems.

  • On a fresh Linux machine, electrothermal simulation fails with the following error message:

    Heatwave returned an unknown error code 127.

    Workaround: The error could be due to missing packages, for example, libpng12. Verify your system meets the requirements using the linux_sys_check.sh script. For more information,  see Checking Installed RPM Files and the Operating System Version.

  • If you get licensing errors while running thermal simulation, you may need the following workaround.
    Workaround: Rename the file  $HOME/.eesofrc. For example,  $HOME/.eesofrc-orig.

  • Electrothermal does not support remote simulation, batch simulation, Monte Carlo, tuning, Optimization, and Measurement Equations. Also, you cannot sweep directly on the DC controller.

  • All libraries referenced in a layout should use the same layout resolution, namely the OA database units (DBU) per user unit (UU).

  • You cannot run both a transient and envelope simulation on the same design from one testbench.

  • The calculation of power dissipation from passive components other than resistors may not be correct in harmonic balance simulations.

  • Electrothermal does not support the transient or envelope simulation that is controlled by a ParamSweep.  

  • If you get "Maximum timestep reduced to half of shortest transmission line delay " warning, it can lead to transient simulation to not converge   
    Workaround: Unselect "Limit timestep for Transmission Line" option on Time Setup tab of Tran component to get it work.

  • On Linux, if you specify the THERMAL_DIRECTORY variable in eesof_lib.cfg file using backward slash (..\thermal), the thermal simulation does not run properly.
    Workaround: Specify the THERMAL_DIRECTORY variable using forward slash (../thermal) instead of backward slash.

  • The ETH viewer does not support 4K displays. A few instances of text and icons may appear distorted. 

  • You receive an error message in substrate editor that you cannot use the same layer number more than once. You can safely ignore this error during thermal technology export.

  • On a fresh Windows 10 system, Electrothermal simulation terminates with an error. 
    Workaround: Install the following Microsoft Visual C++ runtime components: 

    http://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=30679 
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=5555

• DDR Design 

  • You receive an error message to check port numbering when performing simulation with SnP component for differential configuration.
    Workaround: Select the first option in Pin Configuration for the SnP component.

  Back to Feature Updates 

HSD Design

• SerDes

  • You receive an error message when runtime libraries for some of the ADS example ibs files (for old AMI models) are unable to get installed automatically during the ADS install. 
    The error appears eventhough the ibs file is supported on specific platform. 
    Workaround: Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 runtime library is required to run the dll files. Download the following library if it is not installed:

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=14632

• EM-SI/EM-PI
  • SIPro/PIPro, Via Designer 
    
    • On Windows 10 with Intel HD graphics, Via Designer may show an error message ‘Failed to use the connection between ADS and Via Designer.’  This has been isolated to the latest release of Intel HD Graphics drivers (23.xx.xx.xxxx).
      Workaround: Downgrading graphics driver to the previous recommended driver resolves this issue (e.g., 22.20.16.4836,A05).
    • DirectX 9 as graphics driver is no longer supported. DirectX 11 is thus be used by default. Run "diagdx" to verify which DirectX version is supported on your system.
  • SIPro/PIPro
    • ADS 2020 is not compatible with the latest available Samsung component models released in June 2018. The support for the component models is planned to be added in an upcoming update release.
    • Simulation failure when using components with S-parameter models or for which the model is defined using a lib/cel/view in case the Updating model does not require new simulation is not set. As a workaround, turn on the option. For PI-AC simulations, the options are turned on by default, for SIPro, this needs to be turned on explicitly.

    • If you run SIPro/PIPro on a fresh machine with Suse 11 installed, you may encounter the critical error, "EMPro exited unexpectedly during execution."
      Workaround: Run the following commands:

      cd $HPEESOF_DIR/fem/2020.00/linux_x86_64/bin

      ./startempro --personality=sipi --driver=x11

      Ignore any license related error messages that may show up on executing these commands. These driver settings are saved for future sessions.
  • PIPro-DC
    • The power graph is not correct when VRM's or Sinks are defined starting from pin definitions. All the other result data is correct. This issue does not occur when VRMs and sinks are defined from component instances.

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EM Simulation

• RFPro
  • The FEM Generation 2 in this release gives a preview on new technology that is still under development. In case it does not handle your design, switch back to Generation 1.
  • Project load fails with the error 'OccDesign::getNet: key not found' when a layout shape has a multi-bit net name (e.g. 'd<7:0>' or 'a,c,net1').
  • With McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) enabled, the Momentum surface current visualization hangs.
    Workaround: Disable the "Enable Adaptive Threat Protection" flag in McAfee ENS.
  • DirectX 9 as a graphics driver is no longer supported. DirectX 11 is thus used by default. Run "dxdiag" to verify which DirectX version is supported on your system.

  • If you run RFPro on a fresh machine with Suse 11 installed, you may encounter the critical error, "EMPro exited unexpectedly during execution."
    Workaround: Run the following commands:

    cd $HPEESOF_DIR/fem/2020.00/linux_x86_64/bin

    ./startempro --personality=rfpro --driver=x11

    Ignore any license related error messages that may show up on executing these commands. These driver settings are saved for future sessions.
• EM Setup
  • On a Virtual Windows 10 system with Microsoft Hyper-V Video display driver, the 3D EM Preview with EM Setup Preprocessing may bring up a dialog with a Hoops error, and, after suppressing the dialog, it opens up blank.
• Distributed simulations

  • The example implementation of the sitecluster command for LSF clusters may lead to failing simulations if the path or number of threads is too large.
    Workaround: See the workaround details in the sitecluster documentation.

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Power Electronics

• PowerMOS_SiC power devices operate under a very wide range of voltage and current slew rates and it is a challenge to create a model that converges under all conditions – especially conditions that depend upon what components are connected externally to the power device in the circuit schematic. Please contact technical support if you encounter such an issue when attempting to use this model.

• If you run PEPro on a new machine with Suse 11 operating system, you may encounter the critical error, "EMPro exited unexpectedly during execution."
  Workaround: Run the following commands:

  cd $HPEESOF_DIR/fem/2020.00/linux_x86_64/bin

  ./startempro --personality=pepro --driver=x11

  You can ignore any license related error messages. These settings are saved for future sessions.

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Installation

• While installing a new version of ADS, if you see “Previous version detected” error even after you have already run the uninstaller for that version of ADS, you may need to manually uninstall ADS before installation of the new ADS. To manually uninstall ADS, perform the following steps.
  
  1. Exit the current ADS installation session if it is running
  2. Remove or rename the file .com.zerog.registry.xml  under the folder  C:\Program Files\Zero G Registry . Both the folder and the file are by default hidden, so you may need to change the folder viewing setting to show hidden files and folders, do so via the Advanced settings of the View tab in the Windows Folder Options dialog box.
  3. Remove the ADS installation directory through the Windows Explorer.
• After performing the above steps, you can re-start the ADS installer.

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Licensing

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Third Party Applications

• Spyder application menu bar becomes inactive when the window is maximized using View > Full Screen or by pressing F11 (shortcut key to maximize the screen).
  Workaround: Press F11 again to make it the default screen. The menu bar is now active and works fine.

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Verification Test Bench

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Examples - Known Issues

• Examples under <ADS Install Directory>\examples \Instrument_links folder are not getting opened on Linux where as they are opening fine on Windows.
  Workaround: Rename the ‘Instrument_links’ folder to ‘Instrument_Links’, if you have write permission to the <ADS Install Location>\examples folder. In case you do not have the write permission then proceed with manual unarchive process (File > Unarchive from the ADS Main window) pointing to the Example workspace. 

• Example search might not work and prompt you the "Database is locked" error when ADS installation is on NAS.
  Workaround: Restart the nfslock service on client. In case the problem still persists, reboot the client to unlock the database.

• Unable to compile Pin Diode Model using Visual Studio 2012 on Windows 7 64-bit platform.
  Workaround: Delete the contents of the directory examples\RF_Microwave\UserCompiledModel_wrk\ UserCompiledModel\lib.win32_64 before using UCMs.
• An error occurs while running a custom VTB.
  Workaround: Download and run a custom VTB from the following location: <ADS Install Location>\SystemVue\2016.08\win32_64\VTB. 
  

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Documentation

• On Windows, Printing directly from installed help generates non-readable output.
  Workaround: Use PDF version of the document for printing purpose.

• From ADS 2016.01 onwards, in ADS help when you open a page using the "Open a link in new tab" option the help does not open a page in a different tab by default. You need to set the preferences to open any link in a new tab.
  To set the preferences:

  1. From the ADS 20xx (or the installed version) Help, Click File > Edit > Preferences.
     The Preferences Dialog box is displayed.

  2. Select the Options tab.

  3. Under Appearance, select the Show tabs for each individual page option.

  This is one time setting for a particular release of a product.
• Unable to open online help, any external link, or Embedded Survey link in Linux on Mozilla Firefox browser.
  Workaround: Use Mozilla Firefox version 39 or above or keep the Firefox window open and then try to open online help.
• While using the installed ADS help, you may encounter issues like help not showing any content, it throws an error, it displays unexpected hierarchy in the Content tab, or it does not display any search results.
  Workaround: Close the help, delete the contents of the following directory and open the help again. 
  
  • On Windows:  C:\Users\<Windows_Login_ID>\AppData\Local\Keysight\Help
  • On Linux: $HOME/.local/share/Keysight/Help
• ADS installed help search does not support [] or {} or any other text using these combinations.

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