Qucs: A GPL software package for circuit simulation, compact device modelling and circuit macromodelling from DC to RF and beyond

Abstract

SUMMARYThe 'Quite universal circuit simulator ' (Qucs) is an open source circuit simulator supporting Verilog-A compact model standardization. This paper describes a number of compact semiconductor device and circuit macromodelling techniques that have been implemented in recent Qucs releases, stressing those techniques that are not found in SPICE 2g6 or 3f5. It also introduces a novel hierarchical approach to Verilog-A compact model and circuit macromodel construction based on non-linear equation-defined devices, linear-controlled sources and noise generators embedded in subcircuits. To illustrate the new approach, the properties and models of a number of components with electrical and non-electrical characteristics are described. These models demonstrate how recent trends in open source simulation technology use embedded equations as integral elements in component and physical process models.

Approaching ultrastrong coupling in transmon circuit QED using a high-impedance resonator

“…From the bulk conductivity of graphite, we find that the resistance of our 50 nm thick flake is 7 / [38]. Simulating the effect of a 7 resistance at the appropriate position in the qubits capacitance network using QUCS [39] reveals that this has a negligible contribution of 200 kHz to the total transmon linewidth. Other possibilities include dielectric losses in the interface between silicon and MoRe.…”

Improvements in Qucs-S equation-defined modelling of semiconductor devices and IC's

“…Defined Device (EDD) modelling of existing and emerging technology devices and IC's has become an established technique since the Qucs EDD was first released roughly ten years ago [1] [2]. The popularity of the Qucs EDD component can be largely traced back to three of its primary characteristics; firstly it can model the static and dynamic properties of physical devices expressed as a set of explicit compact model equations, secondly the structure and properties of the Qucs EDD have a direct relationship to Verilog-A hardware device language (HDL) statements [3], making conversion of EDD models to Verilog-A straight forward [4], and finally EDD model technology is both interactive and integrates easily with conventional circuit simulation components.…”

“…The purpose of this paper is to introduce a number of recent improvements in Qucs-S EDD modelling of semiconductor devices and IC's. The improvements in Qucs-S EDD modelling capabilities are also demonstrated by an outline of (1) an XSPICE synthesized version of an EPFL EKV v2.6 of the long channel MOSFET [8], (2) an RF inductance XSPICE CodeModel, and (3) other example models and simulation data.…”

Qucs-0.0.19S: A new open-source circuit simulator and its application for hardware design

“…One example is electronic design automation (EDA) where General Public Licence (GPL) circuit simulation and printed circuit board layout packages are undergoing rapid development. The "Quite universal circuit simulator" (Qucs) [1], [2] is one of a new breed of GPL circuit simulator. Qucs was started by M. Margraf and S. Jahn in 2001.…”