Library encryption allows you to distribute proprietary Star-Hspice models, parameters and circuits to other people without revealing your company's sensitive information. Recipients of an encrypted library can run simulations that use your libraries, but Star-Hspice does not print encrypted parameters, encrypted circuit netlists, or internal node voltages. Your library user sees the devices and circuits as "black boxes," which provide terminal functions only.
Use the library encryption scheme primarily to distribute circuit blocks with embedded transistor models, such as ASIC library cells and I/O buffers. Star-Hspice uses subcircuit calls to read encrypted information. To distribute device libraries only, create a unique subcircuit file for each device.
This chapter describes Avant!'s Library Encryptor and how to use it to protect your intellectual property. The following topics are covered in the chapter: