Behavioral models of basic mixed-mode circuits: practical issues and application

Behavioral models of basic mixed-mode circuits are presented in this paper. The models are built in order to properly deal with practical issues in complex systems simulation and evaluation. The proposed approach faces effectively the accuracy, speed and convergence trade-offs. A complex mixed-mode device was modeled using the VHDL-AMS language: a CAN bus transceiver. The resulting CAN transceiver model can be set up to 3 different levels of accuracy. A network of transceivers was extensively simulated in various operating conditions. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the presented methods.