Virtuoso ICADVM20.1 ISR18 and IC6.1.8 ISR18 Now Available

The ICADVM20.1 ISR18 and IC6.1.8 ISR18 production releases are now available for download at Cadence Downloads. For information on supported platforms and other release compatibility information, see the README.txt file in the installation hierarchy.

• ICADVM20.1 ISR18
• IC6.1.8 ISR18

We are no longer providing incremental software releases (ISRs) for the ICADVM18.1 release stream. ICADVM18.1 ISR13 was the final ICADVM18.1 ISR released. The recommended replacement release stream for ICADVM18.1 is ICADVM20.1.

 Infrastructure Updates

• In line with base releases and ISRs of other Cadence products, the ICADVM20.1 and IC6.1.8 ISR releases now require FlexNet license server version v11.16.4.0 or higher. From ISR17 forward, you are no longer able to run the software using older FlexNet versions. To upgrade your license server, you must download and install the latest Cadence Lic+Config_Utils release for Linux platforms (LCU04.30.000 and later). For more information, see the announcement on Cadence Downloads.

• In the ICADVM20.1 base and IC6.1.8 ISR14 releases, X virtual framebuffer (Xvfb) replaced cdsXvnc as the default display server for Virtuoso running in non-graphics mode. From ISR17 forward, cdsXvnc is no longer shipped with the Virtuoso Custom IC design platform. You must now download Xvfb.rpm and install Xvfb in /usr/bin. After installation, this change will be transparent to the users. Before running simulations from the Virtuoso ADE product suite, ensure that Xvfb is installed on all computers where netlisting jobs, such as ICRP or the netlisting process in LSCS, are running.

Here is a listing of the most important updates made in the current releases:

ICADVM20.1 ISR18 Only

• Generate Partial Views During Die Export (Virtuoso RF Solution)
  Generate an IC abstract view and a temporary symbol for Virtuoso RF using data that has missing IC symbols, missing terminals on the IC layout, or missing terminals on the IC symbol.

• Components Tab in Electromagnetic Solver Assistant (Virtuoso RF Solution)
  Use the Components tab to choose different port types—coaxial, vertical, or vertical with bumps and balls—to run Clarity 3D analysis for package components.

• Run Cross-Fabric Checks (Virtuoso RF Solution)
  Check the connectivity between die, package, or board against the system schematics. Also generate traces between fabrics while using the Edit in Concert functionality. 

• Automatic Removal of LVS Resistors in Electromagnetic Simulations (Virtuoso RF Solution)
  Use the automatic n-port stitching functionality for S-parameters to automatically remove LVS resistors, as appropriate.

• Export S-parameter Models into a New Cellview (Virtuoso RF Solution)
  Export any S-parameter model from the Layout EXL Electromagnetic Solver Assistant into a new cellview.

• Run Schematic vs. Layout Check using Pin Checker (Virtuoso Layout Suite EXL) 
  Use the new layout vs. schematic check feature in the Pin Checker tool, which generates markers in the Annotation Browser, making it easy to view and correct any mismatches. 

• Enhanced Virtual Hierarchy Generation and Editing Support (Virtuoso Layout Suite EXL)Use the enhanced virtual hierarchy generation functionality to snap the area boundaries to WSP/SP grids. Also leverage the new boundary constraint and row region support when interactively editing virtual hierarchies.

ICADVM20 .1 and IC6.1.8 ISR18

• User-Defined Statistical Parameters for Monte Carlo Analysis (Virtuoso ADE Assembler and Virtuoso ADE Explorer)
  Specify design variables that can vary with a statistical distribution for Monte Carlo analysis. Specify the distribution type—Guassian or Uniform, standard deviation, or the range of distribution. The value of the variable as displayed in the Data View is taken as the mean value.

• hbac and hbsp Analysis in Reliability Simulations (Virtuoso ADE Assembler and Virtuoso ADE Explorer)
  Run reliability simulations for tests with hbac or hbsp analyses.

• Updated Results View for Run Plan (Virtuoso ADE Assembler)Use the enhanced Results View for detailed status on each run plan including error log, script files, and run conditions.

• Working with Read-Only maestro Views (Virtuoso ADE Assembler)
  Use the ‘Make editable’ or ‘Make read-only’ entries in the File menu to move from one mode to the other without closing the application.

• Adding Variable Tags (Virtuoso ADE Assembler)
  Assign tags to design and global variables to enable efficient search and filtering.

For more details on these and all the other new and enhanced features introduced in this release, see:

• What’s New in Virtuoso IC6.1.8 ISR18  and ICADVM20.1 ISR18 (Application Notes)
• Virtuoso IC6.1.8, ICADVM18.1 & ICADVM20.1 ISR: What's New Library
• ICADVM20.1 What's New
• IC6.1.8 What's New
• End-of-Release (EOR) Notification for ICADVM18.1
  

Please send questions and feedback to  virtuoso_rm@cadence.com.

To receive Virtuoso release announcements like this one, and other Virtuoso-related information, directly in your mailbox, type your email ID in the Subscriptions box and click SUBSCRIBE NOW.

Virtuoso Release Team