diff --git a/compiler/characterize_existing.py b/compiler/memchar.py
similarity index 98%
rename from compiler/characterize_existing.py
rename to compiler/memchar.py
index 73a7c235..d824e5a6 100755
--- a/compiler/characterize_existing.py
+++ b/compiler/memchar.py
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ c = sram_config(word_size=OPTS.word_size,
                 num_spare_rows=OPTS.num_spare_rows,
                 num_spare_cols=OPTS.num_spare_cols)
 
+OPTS.netlist_only = True
+
 # Initialize and create the sram object
 from sram import sram
 s = sram(name=OPTS.output_name, sram_config=c)
diff --git a/compiler/func_sim_existing.py b/compiler/memfunc.py
similarity index 86%
rename from compiler/func_sim_existing.py
rename to compiler/memfunc.py
index 7616fc81..7d8ed83e 100755
--- a/compiler/func_sim_existing.py
+++ b/compiler/memfunc.py
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@
 # All rights reserved.
 #
 """
-This script will characterize an SRAM previously generated by OpenRAM given a
-configuration file. Configuration option "use_pex" determines whether extracted
-or generated spice is used and option "analytical_delay" determines whether
-an analytical model or spice simulation is used for characterization.
+This script will functionally simulate an SRAM previously generated by OpenRAM 
+given a configuration file. Configuration option "use_pex" determines whether 
+extracted or generated spice is used. Command line arguments dictate the
+number of cycles and period to be simulated.
 """
 
 import sys
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ c = sram_config(word_size=OPTS.word_size,
                 num_spare_rows=OPTS.num_spare_rows,
                 num_spare_cols=OPTS.num_spare_cols)
 
+OPTS.netlist_only = True
+
 # Initialize and create the sram object
 from sram import sram
 s = sram(name=OPTS.output_name, sram_config=c)