Parametric Macromodels of Differential Drivers and Receivers

This paper addresses the modeling of differential drivers and receivers for the analog simulation of high-speed interconnection systems. The proposed models are based on mathematical expressions, whose parameters can be estimated from the transient responses of the modeled devices. The advantages of this macromodeling approach are: improved accuracy with respect to models based on simplified equivalent circuits of devices; improved numerical efficiency with respect to detailed transistor-level models of devices; hiding of the internal structure of devices; straightforward circuit interpretation; or implementations in analog mixed-signal simulators. The proposed methodology is demonstrated on example devices and is applied to the prediction of transient waveforms and eye diagrams of a typical low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) data link

Why we measure period fertility

Four reasons for measuring period fertility are distinguished: to explain fertility time trends, to anticipate future fertility, to construct theoretical models and to communicate with non-specialist audiences. The paper argues that not all measures are suitable for each purpose, and that tempo adjustment may be appropriate for some objectives but not others. In particular, it is argued that genuine timing effects do not bias or distort measures of period fertility as dependent variable. Several different concepts of bias or distortion are identified in relation to period fertility measures. Synthetic cohort indicators are a source of confusion since they conflate measurement and forecasting. Anticipating future fertility is more akin to forecasting than to measurement. Greater clarity about concepts and measures in the fertility arena could be achieved by a stronger emphasis on validation. Period incidence and occurrence-exposure rates have a straightforward interpretation. More complex period fertility measures are meaningful only if a direct or indirect criterion can be specified against which to evaluate them. Their performance against that criterion is what establishes them as valid or useful