Keysight Technologies Introduces DDR Bus Simulator to Solve the Bit-Error-Rate Contour Simulation Challenge

  
  

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Sept. 30, 2014

Keysight Technologies, Inc. today introduced the DDR Bus Simulator; the industry’s first tool to generate accurate Bit-Error-Rate (BER) contours for the JEDEC DDR memory bus specification.

The software product, which is available as a new option for Advanced Design System (ADS) 2014.11 from Keysight EEsof EDA, quickly and accurately calculates DQ and DQS eye probability density distributions and BER contours for memory interfaces. The simulator achieves this through use of statistical simulation, meaning no lengthy or time-consuming bit pattern is needed. Instead, it constructs the eye diagram from the transmitter, channel and receiver impulse responses, and from the stochastic properties of a conceptually infinite non-repeating bit pattern. Previously available tools constructed eye diagrams using precarious dual-Dirac extrapolation of a limited bit pattern from either a SPICE-like or convolutional channel simulation.

"Individual simulations are both fast and accurate, allowing designers to run in batch mode and quickly explore the design space," says Colin Warwick, product manager for signal integrity tools at Keysight EEsof EDA. "In addition, we offer DDR Bus Simulator Distributed Computing 8-pack licenses so users can farm out their parameter sweeps to a compute cluster for an even shorter time-to-answer."

The ADS DDR Bus Simulator offers rigorous DQ and DQS eye calculations to arbitrarily low BER levels, including the 1E-16 contour specified by JEDEC. The simulator accounts for crosstalk and asymmetry between rising and falling transition times, and provides comprehensive timing and voltage margins between the contour and DDR4 receive mask specification.

The ADS DDR Bus Simulator allows for three IC model types: built-in, IBIS or circuit models; all of which can be “mixed and matched” in a schematic. The built-in driver and receiver contain de-emphasis and continuous-time linear equalization capabilities, respectively.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The ADS DDR Bus Simulator and DDR Bus Simulator Distributed Computing 8-pack will be available this winter as part of the ADS 2014.11 release. Pricing is dependent on the exact configuration desired.

More information on the ADS DDR Bus Simulator is available at www.keysight.com/find/eesof-ads-ddr4. An image of the software is available at www.keysight.com/find/ADSDDR_images.

About Keysight EEsof EDA Software

Keysight EEsof EDA is the leading supplier of electronic design automation software for microwave, RF, high-frequency, high-speed digital, RF system, electronic system level, circuit, 3-D electromagnetic, physical design and device-modeling applications. More information is available at www.keysight.com/find/eesof.
About Keysight Technologies

On Sept. 19, 2013, Agilent Technologies announced plans to separate into two publicly traded companies through a tax-free spinoff of its electronic measurement business. The new company, Keysight Technologies, began operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Agilent on Aug. 1, 2014 with a full separation anticipated in early November 2014. Keysight is expected to trade on the NYSE under the symbol KEYS.

Keysight is a global electronic measurement technology and market leader helping to transform its customers' measurement experience through innovation in wireless, modular, and software solutions. Keysight provides electronic measurement instruments and systems and related software, software design tools and services used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronic equipment. Information about Keysight is available at www.keysight.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, information regarding Keysight's separation of the electronic measurement business; future revenues, earnings and profitability; the future demand for the company's products and services; and customer expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Keysight's results to differ materially from management's current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, unforeseen changes in the strength of our customers' businesses; unforeseen changes in the demand for current and new products, technologies, and services; customer purchasing decisions and timing, and the risk that we are not able to realize the savings expected from integration and restructuring activities.

In addition, other risks that Keysight faces include those detailed in Keysight's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 10, and amendments thereto. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of Keysight's management and on currently available information. Keysight undertakes no responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

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Contact:

Janet Smith, Americas
+1 970 679 5397
janet_smith@keysight.com
Twitter: @KeysightJSmith
                        
Sarah Calnan, Europe
+44 (118) 927 5101
sarah_calnan@keysight.com

Connie Wong, Asia
+852 3197-7818
connie-ky_wong@keysight.com