Modeling partial differential equations in VHDL-AMS [mixed signal systems applications]

This paper discusses a problem of modeling distributed physics effects described by partial differential equations (PDEs) in VHDL-AMS, a powerful modeling language for mixed-signal systems. First, we summarize the requirements for PDE support. Second, we demonstrate with the example of a distributed transmission line how to model PDEs in an existing VHDL-AMS by applying spatial discretization to system equations. Third, we propose a language extension needed to support PDEs. Our work should be perceived as a first step towards an accurate description and modeling of coupled multiphysics systems in VHDL-AMS.