IEC 61691-8-2021 (IEEE Std 1666.1) PDF

Full title and description

St IEC 61691-8-2021 (IEEE Std 1666.1) — Behavioural languages — Part 8: Standard SystemC® Analog/Mixed‑Signal Extensions Language Reference Manual. This double‑logo IEC–IEEE standard defines the SystemC AMS (Analog/Mixed‑Signal) extensions as an ANSI C++ class library built on SystemC to support modelling and simulation of analog, mixed‑signal, discrete‑time and discrete‑event behaviours in heterogeneous electronic systems.

Abstract

IEC 61691‑8:2021 (published jointly with IEEE as IEEE Std 1666.1) specifies the language reference manual for SystemC Analog/Mixed‑Signal (AMS) extensions. It provides the core class definitions, execution semantics and modelling constructs required to create interoperable AMS models and simulation environments that combine continuous‑time and discrete‑event representations within a C++/SystemC framework. The standard is intended to enable consistent implementations of the SystemC AMS class library and to support tool vendors, library implementers and designers working on system‑level AMS modelling and virtual prototyping.

General information

• Status: Active international standard (double‑logo IEC–IEEE publication).
• Publication date: 26 July 2021.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in cooperation with IEEE (double‑logo IEC–IEEE standard).
• ICS / categories: 25.040.01; 35.060 (behavioural languages / IT languages).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (IEC 61691‑8:2021).
• Number of pages: 221 pages.

Scope

The standard defines the syntax, semantics and class‑library interface for the SystemC AMS extensions used to model analog and mixed‑signal behaviour in C++/SystemC. It covers core language definitions, base classes, channel and port concepts, data types and units, time and simulation semantics, solver and integration mechanisms, converters and interoperability with digital SystemC models. The scope explicitly targets implementers of the SystemC AMS class library, tool vendors that support AMS co‑simulation, and designers using SystemC for system‑level AMS modelling.

Key topics and requirements

• Core language and class header definitions for SystemC AMS (sca_core, sca_prim_channel, sca_module, sca_interface).
• Execution semantics that enable concurrent simulation of continuous‑time and discrete‑event domains.
• Data types, units, time resolution and numeric representation for AMS modelling.
• Channel, port and module APIs for connecting analog/mixed‑signal components.
• Solver interfaces and recommended integration methods for differential/non‑linear systems.
• Converters and interfaces for mixed‑signal interaction (analog‑to‑digital / digital‑to‑analog wrappers).
• Guidance on subsets, implementation‑defined behaviours and portability considerations for library implementers.

Typical use and users

Typical users include EDA tool vendors, SystemC AMS library implementers, SoC and mixed‑signal system architects, analog/mixed‑signal IP designers, verification engineers performing mixed‑signal co‑simulation, and academic researchers/educators working on system‑level modelling and virtual prototyping. The standard is used to ensure consistent behaviour across different SystemC AMS implementations and to support integration of AMS models into larger SystemC-based architectures.

Related standards

Relevant related standards and documents include IEEE Std 1666 (SystemC Language Reference Manual) and IEEE Std 1666.1‑2016 (the SystemC AMS publication transferred to IEEE), other parts of the IEC 61691 series such as IEC 61691‑7 (SystemC Language Reference Manual) and IEC 61691‑6 (VHDL Analog and Mixed‑Signal Extensions / VHDL‑AMS). These documents define the digital/SystemC base language and other behavioural language AMS extensions that together form a family for behavioural languages and AMS modelling.

Keywords

SystemC AMS, IEEE 1666.1, IEC 61691‑8, analog/mixed‑signal, language reference manual, SystemC, C++ class library, AMS solver, mixed‑signal simulation, behavioural languages.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61691‑8:2021 (published with IEEE as IEEE Std 1666.1) is the international language reference manual that specifies the SystemC Analog/Mixed‑Signal (AMS) extensions — an ANSI C++ class library and execution semantics for modelling AMS behaviour in SystemC.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the formal definition of SystemC AMS core classes, channels, modules and interfaces; time and unit conventions; solver and integration interfaces for continuous‑time modelling; converters for mixed‑signal interaction; and guidance for implementers to achieve interoperable AMS simulations within a SystemC environment.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Library implementers, EDA tool developers, system architects and designers of mixed‑signal SoCs, verification engineers performing AMS co‑simulation, and researchers/educators using SystemC for system‑level AMS modelling.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published, IEC 61691‑8:2021 is an active standard. As of 25 February 2026 it remains current (IEC lists a stability date of 2026 for this edition). There is no widely published superseding edition of IEC 61691‑8 known as of that date.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — IEC 61691 is a multi‑part series covering behavioural languages and language reference manuals (for example IEC 61691‑7 for SystemC base language and IEC 61691‑6 for VHDL AMS). IEEE Std 1666.1 is the IEEE counterpart for the SystemC AMS portion of the series.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Keywords are: SystemC AMS, analogue, mixed‑signal, SystemC, IEEE 1666.1, IEC 61691‑8, language reference, class library, solver, co‑simulation.