DSSim: A Freeware Tool for Behavioral Simulation of Discrete-Time ΣΔ Modulators

This work presents a freeware, user-friendly tool for the behavioral simulation of discrete-time-, single-bit-, sigma-delta modulators. This program was written in Java, which enables its operation in multiple operative-system platforms. The simulation engine is based on a stack machine, which iterates the system's linear difference equations. A dedicated parser extracts these equations from a graphical block diagram representation of the modulator in the analysis. The system diagram is performed at the graphical user interface featured by the tool. During the simulation process, the stack machine stores data into output files rather than in arrays residing in the random access memory (RAM), which saves hardware resources resulting in a portable, lightweight tool. The program includes many postprocessing routines to further characterize the modulator in question. Although the tool now only simulates ideal systems, it is fully functional and stills under development to include nonideal elements in the simulation.