Optimal transient simulation of transmission lines

Abstract

This paper presents an attempt to formulate a high-level description of the optimal transmission line simulation method. To formulate the optimal approach, most significant aspects of the problem are identified, and alternative approaches in each of the aspects are analyzed and compared to find the combination that results in the maximum efficiency, accuracy and applicability for the transient analysis of digital circuits. The practical implementation of the optimal method for uniform multiconductor lossy frequency-dependent lines characterized by samples of their responses is outlined. It is shown on an extensive set of runtime data that, based on the optimal approach, the accurate line modeling in a circuit simulator is as efficient as the simple replacement of interconnects with lumped resistors.