Best IC Design Software with a Free Trial of 2025

Ansys Exalto serves as an advanced post-LVS RLCk extraction software that empowers integrated circuit (IC) designers to effectively address unknown crosstalk between various components within the design hierarchy by extracting lumped-element parasitics and creating precise models for electrical, magnetic, and substrate coupling. This tool seamlessly integrates with a wide range of LVS software and can enhance the performance of any RC extraction tool you prefer. With Ansys Exalto's post-LVS RLCk extraction capabilities, IC designers are equipped to make accurate predictions regarding electromagnetic and substrate coupling effects, allowing for signoff on circuits that may have previously been deemed "too complex to analyze." The models that are extracted can be back-annotated to the schematic or netlist, ensuring compatibility with all circuit simulators. As the prevalence of RF and high-speed circuits continues to rise in contemporary silicon systems, electromagnetic coupling has become a primary factor that necessitates precise modeling to ensure the successful fabrication of silicon. Overall, Ansys Exalto represents a crucial advancement in circuit design, helping engineers navigate the complexities associated with modern electronic systems.

Altium's PDN Analyzer tool integrates with Altium Designer. This allows you to easily troubleshoot issues such as insufficient or excessive copper or uncontrolled voltage drops. You can also detect marginal voltage at critical power points, copper islands or peninsulas, and other issues that could be present in your PCB power system. PDN is the power system for active circuits on printed circuit boards. This includes all interconnections between the voltage regulator module, the metallization pads and die on integrated devices that are used for supply and return power. The entire length of the power delivery network must meet the IC supply voltage limits. Validating your power budget accurately means taking into account the minimum and maximum device limits, worst case voltage drops, combined return-path currents, and other factors. PDN Analyzer will show you exactly where these problems are.

Advance your approach to RF simulation by focusing on the comprehensive design, analysis, and verification of radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs). Gain assurance through the use of steady-state and nonlinear solvers for both design and verification processes. The availability of wireless standard libraries expedites the validation of intricate RFICs. Prior to finalizing an RFIC, it is essential to confirm IC specifications through RF simulation. These simulations take into account various factors such as layout parasitics, intricate modulated signals, and digital control circuitry. With PathWave RFIC Design, you can perform simulations in both frequency and time domains, facilitating seamless transitions between your designs and Cadence Virtuoso. Achieve accurate modeling of components on silicon chips, and enhance your designs using optimization techniques like sweeps and load-pull analysis. Integration of RF designs into the Cadence Virtuoso environment is streamlined, while the implementation of Monte Carlo and yield analysis can significantly boost performance. Additionally, debugging is made easier with safe operating area alerts, allowing for immediate utilization of cutting-edge foundry technology to stay at the forefront of innovation. This holistic approach to RFIC design not only improves efficiency but also elevates the overall quality and reliability of the final products.

Ansys Maxwell serves as a powerful electromagnetic field solver tailored for electric machines, transformers, wireless charging systems, permanent magnet latches, actuators, and various electromechanical devices. It adeptly addresses the challenges of static, frequency-domain, and time-varying electric and magnetic fields. Additionally, Maxwell comes equipped with specialized design interfaces specifically for electric machines and power converters. With the capabilities of Maxwell, users can accurately analyze the nonlinear and transient behaviors of electromechanical components, as well as their impact on drive circuits and control system designs. By utilizing Maxwell’s state-of-the-art electromagnetic field solvers in conjunction with integrated circuit and systems simulation technologies, engineers can gain insights into the performance of electromechanical systems well before any physical prototypes are created. Moreover, Maxwell is recognized for delivering reliable simulations of low-frequency electromagnetic fields pertinent to industrial components, making it a valuable tool in the design and analysis process. This comprehensive approach not only enhances design efficiency but also aids in minimizing potential issues during the development stage.

Ansys Icepak serves as a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver specifically designed for managing thermal issues in electronic devices. It offers insights into airflow, temperature distributions, and heat transfer phenomena within integrated circuit packages, printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic assemblies, and power electronics. By leveraging the top-tier Ansys Fluent CFD solver, Ansys Icepak delivers robust cooling solutions tailored for electronic components, allowing for thorough thermal and fluid flow evaluations. The software operates through the Ansys Electronics Desktop (AEDT) graphical user interface (GUI), facilitating comprehensive analyses of heat transfer involving conduction, convection, and radiation. Moreover, it boasts sophisticated features for modeling both laminar and turbulent flow conditions, as well as conducting species analysis that incorporates radiation and convection effects. Ansys’ extensive PCB design platform empowers users to perform simulations on PCBs, ICs, and packages, enabling a precise assessment of complete electronic systems, thereby enhancing design efficiency and performance optimization. Thus, Ansys Icepak stands out as an essential tool for engineers aiming to improve thermal management in their electronic designs.

Utilizing the Ansys Electronics solution suite significantly reduces testing expenses, guarantees adherence to regulations, enhances product reliability, and substantially shortens development timelines. This approach enables you to create advanced and superior products that stand out in the market. By harnessing Ansys' simulation capabilities, you can address the most vital elements of your designs effectively. Our solutions empower you to tackle critical issues in product design through comprehensive simulation. Whether you're involved in antenna, RF, microwave, PCB, package, IC design, or even electromechanical devices, we offer industry-leading simulators that serve as the gold standard. These tools assist you in overcoming various challenges related to electromagnetic forces, temperature variations, signal integrity, power integrity, parasitic effects, cabling, and vibrations in your designs. Furthermore, we enhance this process with thorough product simulation, which facilitates achieving first-pass success in designing complex systems such as airplanes, automobiles, smartphones, laptops, wireless chargers, and more. By integrating our solutions, you position yourself to excel in innovation and engineering excellence.