Installing the ConfirmaXL IC Design System (win10/11 only)

The ConfirmaXL IC Design System is composed of the ConfirmaXL framework in combination with a variety of 3rd party tools. The initial set of 3rd party tools, listed below, are installed separately from ConfirmaXL. The installation of the entire design flow is thus a multi-step process with the specific steps outlined below. Please also keep in mind that ConfirmaXL is being released as 0.8V software and so does not yet have full flexibility in the configuration. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that folders\files and programs be placed at the exact locations specified to avoid unanticipated issues.

Please also know that detailed written installation procedures are only just now being prepared. These instructions, once ready, will provide the user with instructions on how to customize the software setups according to their specific preferences. In the meantime, please follow the 6 installation steps specified for best results. Please feel free to send questions to kgfaison@msn.com should you have any installation difficulties, and we will do our best to help you.

Step 1) ConfirmaXL version 0.8 program files.

ConfirmaXL is distributed as a ConfirmaXL windows program folder that has been compressed into a zip file. There is no installation program at this time. Simply download and uncompress the zip folder and place the program folder at the location c:\confirmaxl on the user hard drive.

Link to download ConfirmaXL zip file (this is a test only, do not download)

This is what the ConfirmaXL folder should look like after download and unzipping. Again, place this as c:\confirmXL

Step 2) ConfirmaXL/Kicad spice symbol libraries for use with ConfirmaXL

An initial set of KiCad symbol libraries are needed to simulate using ConfirmaXL. These initial KiCad EESCHEMA libraries & schematics are provided as a single ZIP file. Unzipping this file will result in a folder named KiCad6_libs. ConfirmaXL methodology calls for the global symbol/schematic libraries to be save in a “tech” folder at the location C:\ydrive\tech.

The KiCad6_libs folder should be placed in the folder c:\ydrive if working in a non-shared design environment. Otherwise, place these files on drive y:\ where y represents a windows drive that has been mapped to a physical drive on a network (assumed to be accessible by the design team)

Link to download CXL Kicad6 libs zip file (unzip and place in the “c:\ydrive\tech” folder. Create this folder if needed)

Step 3) Semiconductor process model files for spice simulation using the ConfirmaXL design flow

Typically, you will create a folder that contains device models for each process you wish to simulate with. For instance, TSMC 0.18um might be named “c:ydrive\tech\tmsc\180nm”. Models from skywater might be named “c:ydrive\tech\skywater\130nm”. Note: Foundry process models are usually only available under NDA therefore we can only supply open source models. The first set of models to be made available will likely be IHP SG13G2 (130nm SiGe CMOS) and skywater 130nm CMOS.

Link to download CLX process zip file (unzip and place in the “c:\ydrive\tech\process” folder. Create this folder if needed)

Step 4) Recommended Kicad install file

ConfirmaXL has been developed and tested using Kicad up to version 6.03. It is recommended that this version be installed until ConfirmaXL is tested and verified using newer versions of Kicad such as versions 7,8 or 9.

Link to download Kicad 6.03 install file (note: file size >1GB)

Link to detailed installation instructions zip file (not yet ready)

Step 5) Spice Simulators - These simulators should be installed into the locations specified below to work with the default ConfirmaXL spice setups

Get the NGspice simulator here (install to C:\ngspice-44.2_64 or similar according to version. Note: you may have to update the path in the spice simular setup form)

Get the Xyce simulator here (install to C:\Program Files\Xyce_7.9 or similar according to version. Note: you may have to update the path in the spice simular setup form)

Get the TopSpice demo software here (install to C:\Program Files (x86)\Topspice Demo. Note: you may have to update the path in the spice simular setup form)

Step 6) IC Layout Software - These simulators should be installed into the locations specified below to work with the default ConfirmaXL spice setups

Get Klayout here

Get Lasi here

Get Glade here

EM simulation software