Ansys PathFinder vs. Ansys Path FX

Ansys PathFinder-SC is a powerful and high-capacity tool specifically created for the effective planning, validation, and approval of IP and full-chip SoC designs, ensuring their durability and dependability against electrostatic discharge (ESD). By identifying the key elements that lead to design issues potentially resulting in chip failures due to occurrences like charged-device models (CDM) and human body models (HBM), Ansys PathFinder-SC provides essential insights for improvements. Its cloud-native architecture leverages the capabilities of thousands of computing cores, allowing for rapid full-chip turnaround times. Additionally, this solution has achieved certification from prominent foundries for performing current density evaluations and ESD approvals. With an all-encompassing integrated data modeling, extraction, and transient simulation engine, PathFinder-SC presents a streamlined end-to-end process for ESD verification. The tool utilizes a single-pass model that efficiently interprets standard design formats, sets ESD criteria, extracts resistive-capacitive (RC) values for the power network, and conducts ESD simulations to explore root causes, ultimately offering actionable recommendations for corrections and optimizations—all within a unified application. This comprehensive level of integration not only boosts operational efficiency but also significantly enhances the reliability of chip designs, making it an indispensable resource for engineers in the field. Moreover, the continuous updates and support ensure that users remain equipped with the latest advancements in ESD verification technology.

Ansys Path FX provides exhaustive timing assessments for an entire System on Chip (SoC) while maintaining high standards without any trade-offs. Its unique cell modeling achieves SPICE-level precision for timing across different voltage and variation scenarios by utilizing a single library. With a fully threaded and distributed architecture, Path FX can efficiently scale to harness the power of thousands of CPUs. The technology behind its path-based timing analysis adeptly takes into account all significant factors affecting delay and constraints across various process, voltage, and temperature conditions. Furthermore, it automatically identifies and simulates every clock path in your design, simplifying the overall analysis workflow. In the current chip design environment, two major challenges include minimizing power consumption with lower supply voltages and managing the growing complexity tied to advanced silicon processes at 7nm and beyond. By effectively tackling these issues, Path FX establishes itself as an indispensable tool for engineers aiming to achieve optimal chip performance and reliability in their designs. This makes it an essential asset in the evolving landscape of semiconductor engineering.