CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

6 October 2005

Implementation Investments

Magneti Marelli Reduces Design and Simulation Time Using Mentor Graphics SystemVision for Safety Function Simulation

Mentor Graphics Corporation announced that international automotive leader Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A. has integrated Mentor Graphics® tools, including the newly launched SystemVisionT mixed-signal modeling and simulation environment, into its application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) development flow to achieve a 30 percent reduction in design and simulation time.

"Magneti Marelli's Powertrain Division reduced development time for its engine control custom design flow by 30 percent using SystemVision and ModelSim, and achieved a full running component in the first release," said Edoardo Martelli, methodology manager of R&D Hardware Development at Magneti Marelli.

Magneti Marelli is using the multi-model, multi-domain software, SystemVision, for mechatronic system simulation, including safety function simulation, in order to design and simulate the core of a new digital ASIC. SystemVision provides a virtual lab, which supports industry-standard languages VHDL-AMS, SPICE and C, for creating and analyzing analog, digital, and mixed-signal systems.

Magneti Marelli is also using Mentor Graphics products HDL DesignerT for design entry and ModelSim® for digital simulation. These tools facilitate ASIC development across distributed design teams and enable practical design reuse through rapid understanding and easy deployment of intellectual property (IP). Magneti Marelli imports the VHDL files created by HDL Designer into SystemVision. The Mentor Graphics solution will be deployed in the Magneti Marelli Powertrain research and development site in Venaria Reale near Torino (northern Italy). This site designs and develops integrated circuits (ICs) for specific automotive applications; it also designs electronic control units (ECUs) and semi-automatic transmission controls.

The most important advantages with SystemVision are:

•  Drag and drop feature for importing VHDL code from HDL Designer

•  Extensive use of internal library of VHDL-AMS and Spice models

•  Co-simulation feature between SystemVision and ModelSim

•  Simulation of the complete system before the prototype.

•  Improved reliability and robustness

Magneti Marelli is an international leader in the design and production of high-tech components and systems for the automotive industry. Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A. designs and develops components and systems to control internal combustion engines (petrol and diesel) and for transmission control. The company supplies the world's major car manufacturers such as Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, Fiat Group, Ford, Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, BMW-Rover, DaimlerChrysler, GM-Opel, Volvo, Saab, Nissan, Toyota and Daewoo.

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