Analysis of high-speed VLSI interconnects using the asymptotic waveform evaluation technique

The asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE) technique provides a generalized approach to lumped RLC circuit response approximations. Two results are described: (1) generalization of the AWE method to handle interconnect models which contain distributed elements; and (2) application of the generalized AWE technique to the case where the distributed elements can be modeled as lossy coupled transmission lines. The generalized AWE technique is useful for delay and crosstalk estimation and can be used to evaluate transient responses of high-speed interconnect circuits with negligible error compared with conventional circuit simulators, while being two to three orders of magnitude faster.>