A SystemC extension for behavioral level quantification of noise coupling in mixed-signal systems

We present a method, based on SystemC, for quantification of noise coupling in mixed-signal systems, called BeNoC. Our method facilitates seamless quantification of both the power distribution network and substrate noise coupling at the behavioral level. The main contribution of this approach is the integration of noise coupling simulation with behavioral functional simulation. Starting from a behavioral model of the system, captured in SystemC, we add wrappers to each block in the behavioral model. These wrappers add an estimated power consumption model for each block, which is triggered by events in the behavioral simulation. The noise coupling simulation is then done by connecting the different blocks according to a virtual layout and technology parameters. The resulting noisy substrate or noisy power distribution network can then be fed back into the behavioral model. Thus, effects on the system behavior can be analyzed. We focus on noise coupling over the power distribution network and demonstrate the usability of the noise coupling simulation technique. The simulation results are compared with circuit simulations in SPICE.