HyperLynx
FAQ

Sintecs is the official distributor of Siemens EDA authorized to selling the complete spectre of HyperLynx solutions. Our company also provides 1st line support for the customers experiencing troubles with getting started. Moreover, our engineering is also ready to answer the most complex questions related directly to signal integrity simulations run within the Siemens EDA HyperLynx tooling flow.

General HyperLynx-related questions

It is possible to connect any pins of any device by using the setting in HyperLynx:
Models -> Assign Power integrity Models

But before that, make sure that the same voltage is assigned in Power supplies to the nets of the pins that have to be connected:

HyperLynx Window Assign Power Integrity Models

Please follow the requirements of the HyperLynx License and Software Installation Guide during the installation and licensing.

We have prepared a short video for you. It is explaining how to run SI analysis in short.

The most suitable software that supports multi-GHz simulations, has DDR wizards and SERDES analysis included, is the HyperLynx GHz bundle. Please contact us to get a personalized quotation from Sintecs.

HyperLynx SI ALT bundle allows running core simulations over DDR circuits. However, DDRx Wizard is not a part of the HyperLynx SI ALT bundle, so performing DDR timing analysis, for example, is not possible with this package. Alternatively, Sintecs can suggest the bundle called “HyperLynx SI DDR”. DDR simulation is enabled in this software package. Please contact us to get a quote.

Siemens EDA (ex-Mentor Graphocs) has some elaborate bundles capable of calculating that. Specifically, the HyperLynx PI DC Drop PE bundle is suitable. Sintecs is an authorized reseller of the whole HyperLynx product line.

S-parameter simulations are commonly used for the evaluation of high-speed circuits or RF signals. These models describe transmission lines without taking into account the driver and receiver. This means that the signal can be judged on the losses in the line, as well as on impedance inhomogeneities. The S-parameters do not replace IBIS models but represent another aspect of SI verification. The advantage of S-parameters is the ability to estimate the transmission line without any third-party models. IBIS models describe the driver and receiver, as well as parasitic properties inside.

IBISDS tool supports Model selector feature. In an IBIS file it should look like:

1. Original buffers must be listed under the Model Selector section

2. The name of the model selector must be used for the model name in the pin section instead of buffer names

Errors are when using illigal symbols on buffer names, such as “.” and “,”. We recommend to replace all the special characters by underscore symbol “_”.

IBIS models are available not for every single IC. But some of the models can be judged as similar, trusted models, as long as they correspond to signals and frequencies in properties (see IBIS DS for these matters). Though using such replacements can slightly decrease the accuracy of the simulations.

HyperLynx SI GHz has a Touchstone file viewer included in the program package, as well as a full HyperLynx SI PI license.

DDR5 analysis capability (in other words a full DDR Wizard feature) is included in bundles HyperLynx DDRx, HyperLynx SI GHz, and the full license HyperLynx SI PI.

Designing antennas is related to RF technologies. It can be performed using the solution of Siemens called HyperLynx 3D EM which can generate radiation patterns but it is not specialized in antenna design.

Please follow the following steps:

1. Setup all power supplies in the ‘power supplies’ setup panel

a. Setup -> Power Supplies

2. Select all nets that are considered power supplies on the board (also the non-named nets in between components)

3. Select the ‘power network’ button

4. Select the net and the series components by choosing them according to the checkboxes.

a. If ready press the ‘Add to power supply’ button

5. Go to the PI models window and select the VRM for SKT3 & SKT4 (PWR)

6. At all loads press the ‘ AC model reference net’ button to add a reference net : set the SKT5 & SKT6 as reference.

We suggest to include the ferrite bead in the simulation as a passive resistor or inductor and fill the value. Adjust RefDes mapping for HyperLynx to properly recognize part either as resistor or inductor as shown here:

For DDR3 we recommend an inexpensive solution: https://sintecs.eu/eda/hyperlynx-pi-dc-drop-pe/.

Using a VMWare machine as a server for licensing is not an issue normally.

The HyperLynx Connector extension developed by Sintecs allows pre-configuring HyperLynx SI software installed in the PC, but it is only up to you which bundle of HyperLynx you have access to.

HyperLynx SI ALT is recommended for signal frequencies of up to 2 GHz. For higher frequencies, you would need HyperLynx SI GHz. Would you like to have a free trial of HyperLynx SI ALT first?

Alternatively, we can run SI simulations for you. Sintecs is an engineering company, first of all, so we can run such simulations upon your request.

By default, HyperLynx considers all the plane layers defined so in the stack-up editor as reference planes.

HyperLynx stack-up

If you turn on the “Enable area fill coupling” feature in BoardSim it will add to the simulation any copper fill around the trace. So, the impedance for each segment will be calculated separately.

Enable area fill coupling

While making an Export net to LineSim there is an option where you can choose to include coupled segments or not. If you switch it off, you will get impedance based on the stack-up only, without any parasitic coupling on the board.

Export to LineSim

This issue cannot be fixed in HyperLynx, corrections must be done in Zuken. The traces are indeed disconnected with vias because of teardrops. Teardrops in Hyperlynx are pieces of cooper but no traces. For simulation, I would suggest trying to remove teardrops in Zuken and importing the board again in HyperLynx.

Alternatively, instead of OBD++ files, you could try to import IPC2581 files. Perform exported from Zuken to .hyp file format. Afterward, you can try to import it to HyperLynx.

 

Questions related to HyperLynx SI ALT bundle

HyperLynx SI ALT bundle is a unique offer available at a single configuration. It is a floating (network) licence that can be used on a local PC as well, with no limitations.

Please check if you have installed the correct package of software. In the case of the free trial HyperLynx SI ALT bundle, the right installation file can be downloaded from the personal cabinet access to which has been provided by Sintecs.

Please check if you starting a correct exe file. Sometimes Users run the wrong HyperLynx packages of Siemens EDA casually. The name of the package can always be found at the title of an error notification window.

EMC is not a part of the HyperLynx SI ALT bundle. Siemens EDA (ex-Mentor) suggests a separate family of products for EMC simulations called HyperLynx Advanced Solvers. This is a more expensive type of solution than HyperLynx SI and it can be quoted by Sintecs upon request, please contact us.

HyperLynx SI ALT is suitable for frequencies up to 2GHz. Actually, it is limited specifically by IBIS models.

To simulate 25Gbps interfaces you will inevitably need HyperLynx SI GHz bundle. Another opportunity is working with the engineering team of Sintecs.

HyperLynx SI ALT is the same as the SI package inside standard PADS professional.

For exporting RLC the General Batch Wizard can be used this way:

RLC extraction HyperLynx

HyperLynx SI ALT is not sufficient for S-parameter generation:

 HyperLynx SI ALT  HyperLynx SI DDRx  HyperLynx SI GHz  HyperLynx SI/PI
 Import or use S-parameter models in simulations  –  +  +  +
 S-parameter generation, touchstone viewer  –  –  +  +

Yes, it is possible to simulate DDR signals with HyperLynx SI ALT bundle as ordinary signals on the board to measure flight time and signal skew in groups. Also, it is possible to check a termination scheme and topology. It is some kind of manual verification in comparison with DDR Wizard, which also allows doing a lot of checks for JEDEC compliance in automatic mode.

The problem is caused by incorrect pinnamming in ODB++ files from Altium. Name of the pins should be the same on both connectors, like here:

Altium Designer adds component reference designator to all pins and Hyperlynx cannot match them. If they have S-parameter model for connectors it is possible to try advanced model instead of short. There they can assign any pin to model and build custom mapping.

Regarding selection of GND net probably they need to set GND as power supply net on both boards.

HyperLynx SI ALT supports ODB++ data, which makes the tool useful not only for Altium users but for Xpedition, Zuken, PADS, and Cadence/OrCAD as well.

With HyperLynx SI ALT this is not possible, this license is not upgradeable (though some other HyperLynx licenses have this possibility). But you can always buy additional licenses on top of this one. In terms of PI we recommend to check HyperLynx PI DC Drop PE.

1.999 Euro is a flat (one-time, or initial) fee for the annual license. This price is only applicable to the HyperLynx SI ALT license specifically. It has to be paid once and upfront, and next year it can change.

You are correct. Direct importing in HyperLynx from Zuken is not possible with this bundle. Instead HyperLynx SI ALT you would need a license with a higher grade: HyperLynx SI DDRx or HyperLynx GHz. These bundles support “interface to 3rd-party PCB flow / PCB translators”.

But you have a good alternative still. You can still go for exporting ODB++ from Zuken and then importing this data in HyperLynx SI ALT. Is it an option for you?

 

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