What is meaning of the word "deck"

Hi~

I am reading the Finesim user guide, and I have a basic question..

In the guide, there is a command like below:

finesim [options] <SPICE deck file name>

What is mean of the deck in the context ?

And I also wonder about the mean of "back-annotation"

It's a reminence to those days when the simulation circuit netlist and commands have been input to the conputer as a staple of punched cards or "deck". Just a synonym of SPICE input file.

back annotation:

for example: consider the information between a schematic and a printed wiring board layout
changes in the schematic are forward annotation when moved to the board
changes in the board are back (backward) annotation when moved to the schematic

forward annotations should always work
back annotation may not be allowed in some software

there are likley other comparable uses
what raised the question for you?

FineSim back-annotation feature is specifically related to post-layout simulation of IC designs.

On backannotation - I find this definition quite appropriate:

"The process of updating the logical design of a circuit with physically measured values, to allow for more accurate simulation."


Theoretically, a post-layout (extracted) netlist should contain all the necessary information about parasitics, layotu-dependent parameters, etc., to enable accurate simulation.
But "bringing back" parasitics, in some form (e.g. in reduced form) back to the schematic is still desirable, and this is called backannotation.

wwfeldman said:

back annotation:

for example: consider the information between a schematic and a printed wiring board layout
changes in the schematic are forward annotation when moved to the board
changes in the board are back (backward) annotation when moved to the schematic

forward annotations should always work
back annotation may not be allowed in some software

there are likley other comparable uses
what raised the question for you?

Click to expand...

timof have answered my question below.

I was wondering about why post layout simulation is called back annotation simulation...

Thank you for your reply

FvM said:

FineSim back-annotation feature is specifically related to post-layout simulation of IC designs.

Click to expand...

Thank you

Then, is back annotation a kind of post layout simulation method ?

or can I consider them as same one (back-annotation simulation = post-layout simulation) ?

FvM said:

It's a reminence to those days when the simulation circuit netlist and commands have been input to the conputer as a staple of punched cards or "deck". Just a synonym of SPICE input file.

Click to expand...

Thank you,
That is what I wanted !