System-Level Simulation Using Mixed-Nature Models

Miniaturized, integrated sensors and actuaturs are more and more used in microsystem applications. In order to promote their use further, specialists must make them more accessible to System designers. This can be done through behavioral modeling of sensors and actuators. The resulting models can be used in conjunction with models of the associated electronics to simulate a complete microsystem. Additionally, models of the non-electrical environment (stimuli, other devices) should be developed too. This paper presents our contribution to solve this modeling and simulation problem. We propose to use and eventually extend existing analog and mixed electronic design tools in such a way that microsystems can be simulated globally at an early stage of the design.