Simulations never proceed over "generate netlist..." in monte carlo

Which subversion of the IC tools are you using? Use Help->About in the CIW to find this. Guessing that it's an IC616 subversion (or maybe IC615), what is in the job log? You can find this by doing right mouse button over the little terminal icon in the "run assistant" which is where the job progress is reported in ADE XL.

Do non Monte Carlo runs run ok in ADE XL?

Also, which spectre version are you using? Type "spectre -W" from the unix prompt to find out.

Kind Regards,

Andrew 

 Hey Andrew,

 Version:  IC6.1.5-64b.500.9

 Spectre sub-version: 11.1.0.487.isr13

Last few lines of the job log look something like:
\o Resetting statistical vars
\o
\o *Info*    Setting parameter values ...
\o
\o Setting var Vds = "0"
\o Loading monte.cxt
\o Setting var sigma = "0"
\o Setting temp(T) = 27
\o
\o *Info*    Netlist Directory =
\o          /dir/
\o
\o
\o *Info*    Data Directory    =
\o           /dir/
\o
\o
\o *Info*    Creating Netlist for Point ID (4 1)
\o
\o generate netlist...

There are no warnings or errors above these lines and nothing comes after generate netlist. Non Monte Carlo runs run ok. Also, I was able to get a Monte Carlo run to work and then subsequently tried another run with the exact same settings and it is giving the same issue with the generate netlist and job status freezing at "preparing".  I don't know if that information helps the situation or makes it more confusing.

 Thanks!

Hi,

Two potential problems I can think of and have seen at other customers: 1) does the netlist creation process pop up a form with a warning/error message?  Since the netlisting in ADE XL happens in the non-graphical ICRP process, it is possible that there is a form being generated in this process that is expecting some user response.  2) is there a large number of devices listed in the Specify Instances for Mismatch form?  There is an existing CCR (1072567) which reports a problem with a limited string length with prevents the netlist from being created if there are many devices specified for mismatch.

 Hope this helps,

TOM

 Hey Tom,

 Thanks for the input. Number 2) may be the issue. I am specifying around 1k instances so the list is rather large. I am currently doing simulations on a reduced size design and using statistical methods to extrapolate to the full design which should be sufficient. I will look into what you mentioned in 1.).

 Thanks!

 Tom's #2 appears to be the problem. I reorganized my design to a single instance (same number of transistors) and the Monte Carlo simulation is working. 

Many Thanks.

Glad to be of help.  For completeness, the CCR that I mentioned should be addressed in IC6.1.6 ISR7 which is currently scheduled to be available on downloads.cadence.com on 6/27/14.

Regards,

TOM