System-level exhaustive link simulation needed for PCB Co-design

摘要

Traditionally, the large number of high-speed serial links in large, massively-parallel, highly-interconnected computer systems have been analyzed in terms of signal integrity by selecting a small subset of representative links. Co-design decisions on PCB geometries and connectors are often made from this subset of the links. Is that approach adequate? We show the benefit of simulation of all the links in a system. In addition, we demonstrate how exhaustive simulations are possible through a process of automation.