Modeling and simulation are used to make design decisions by exploring circuit and layout topologies and their behavior. Simulation provides a "virtual breadboard" where we can connect what we want and how we want, to see how it works. We change the design interactively and resimulate to see the effect of design tradeoffs. HyperLynx simulation reports key design performance metrics that can be compared to required values to determine if the design passes or fails, and by how much.
Design simulation is performed before PCB layout to define the physical design rules used to place and route the board. When our tools are used for PCB layout, design constraints defined in HyperLynx are carried forward into the PCB layout automatically. Once pre-layout design simulations are complete, expected values for design operating margins are established.