IEC 61691-8:2021

Overview

IEC 61691-8:2021 - Behavioural languages Part 8 specifies the Standard SystemC® Analog/Mixed‑Signal (AMS) Extensions Language Reference Manual. Published as a double‑logo IEC–IEEE standard and based on IEEE Std 1666™ (SystemC LRM), it defines a C++ class library that extends SystemC to model and simulate heterogeneous systems with analog, mixed‑signal, continuous‑time, discrete‑time and discrete‑event behavior simultaneously. The standard provides language definitions, terminology, syntactical/semantic conventions and a comprehensive set of AMS class interfaces for system and hardware designers.

Key technical topics and requirements

• SystemC AMS extensions: Defines the analog/mixed‑signal extensions as an ANSI C++ class library built on SystemC and IEEE Std 1666.
• Models of computation: Standardizes multiple MoCs including Timed Data Flow (TDF), Linear Signal Flow (LSF) and Electrical Linear Networks (ELN) to represent continuous and discrete behaviors.
• Core language elements: Specifies header files and base classes (e.g., sca_core::sca_module, sca_core::sca_time, sca_core::sca_port) and detailed class interfaces for AMS modules and channels.
• Domain libraries and components: Includes class families and primitives such as sca_tdf (TDF modules, ports, signals), sca_lsf (signal‑flow elements like gains, integrators), and sca_eln (nodes, R/L/C, controlled sources, transformers).
• Elaboration and simulation semantics: Defines hierarchical composition, port binding, elaboration and multi‑domain simulation semantics to ensure interoperable co‑simulation of analog and digital components.
• Normative conventions and terminology: Contains requirements for syntactical/semantic conventions, implementation-defined behaviors and error handling to support consistent implementations.

Practical applications and who uses this standard

IEC 61691-8:2021 (SystemC AMS) is intended for:

• System architects and SoC designers performing hardware/software co‑design who need combined analog/digital modeling.
• EDA tool developers implementing SystemC AMS‑compliant simulators, libraries and co‑simulation interfaces.
• Verification engineers building system‑level testbenches that include analog front‑ends, sensors, power networks and mixed‑signal IP.
• Researchers and educators modeling multidisciplinary systems (power electronics, RF front‑ends, sensor interfaces, mixed‑signal transceivers).

Common use cases:

• System‑level prototyping of mixed‑signal SoCs and sensor systems
• Virtual platform integration of analog peripherals with software
• Behavioral modeling and verification of data converters, PLLs, analog filters and power management circuits
• Co‑simulation of continuous‑time circuits with discrete event software controllers

Related standards

• IEEE Std 1666™ (SystemC Language Reference Manual) - foundational C++/SystemC LRM that IEC 61691-8 extends.
• Other IEC/IEEE behavioural language parts addressing SystemC and modelling frameworks.

Keywords: IEC 61691-8:2021, SystemC AMS, SystemC Analog/Mixed‑Signal, IEEE Std 1666.1, timed data flow, linear signal flow, electrical linear networks, mixed‑signal simulation, C++ class library.