CharLib: An open-source standard cell library characterizer

• 🔩 Supports combinational and sequential cells
• 📈 Plots timing and I/O voltages
• 🧑‍💻 Easy-to-use, with YAML-based configuration
• 🐍 Implemented in Python 3 with a modified PySpice backend
• 🌶️ Compatible with ngspice and Xyce

Introduction

CharLib is an open-source standard cell library characterizer. The current version supports timing characterization of combinational and sequential cells.

Installation

CharLib can be installed from PyPI using pip:

# Install our customized version of PySpice
pip install git+https://github.com/infinitymdm/PySpice

# Install CharLib
pip install charlib

Make sure you also have a compatible circuit simulator. ngspice and xyce are currently supported.

Usage

charlib run path/to/library/config/

CharLib searches the specified directory for a YAML file containing a valid cell library configuration, then characterizes the specified cells. See yaml.md for information on constructing a config file.

The general process for using CharLib is as follows:

1. Acquire SPICE files and transistor models for the cells you want to characterize
2. Write a configuration YAML file for the library
3. Run CharLib

Running charlib --help will display lots of useful information.

Contributing

We're glad you're interested in contributing to CharLib! See CONTRIBUTING.md for details on how to get involved.

Citing

If you use this work in your research, please cite as follows:

@inproceedings{mellor_charlib_2024,
    title = {{CharLib}: {An} {Open} {Source} {Standard} {Cell} {Library} {Characterizer}},
    shorttitle = {{CharLib}},
    url = {https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10658687},
    doi = {10.1109/MWSCAS60917.2024.10658687},
    booktitle = {2024 {IEEE} 67th {International} {Midwest} {Symposium} on {Circuits} and {Systems} ({MWSCAS})},
    author = {Mellor, Marcus and Stine, James E.},
    month = aug,
    year = {2024},
    note = {ISSN: 1558-3899},
    keywords = {Accuracy, Circuits and systems, Design tools, Libraries, Micrometers, Process control, Silicon},
    pages = {277--281},
}