Chapter 5 The Package Editor

What's in this chapter

The Package editor manages the Package library. This library provides the pack-
age information for the components in the Micro-Cap Component library and
enables the program to create netlist files for use by external PCB programs. It
stores the name of each package and the pin information for each package. All
package information is linked to the components using the Package editor.

This chapter is organized as follows:

• The Package editor layout

• Adding basic packages to the library
• Adding complex packages to the library

179
 The Package editor layout
The Package editor is accessed from the Windows menu. It looks like this:

File command
Data fields buttons

Package
Pin fields selector

Command buttons

Figure 5-1 The Package editor

Command buttons:
Add: This command adds an entry to the Package library. A Find dialog box
appears requesting the name of the component whose package and pin infor-
mation is to be defined. This command should be chosen when the package
contains only one instance of the specified component.

Add Complex: This command adds an entry to the Package library. A Find
dialog box appears requesting the name of the component whose package
and pin information is to be defined. This command should be chosen when
the package contains multiple instances of the specified component.

Duplicate: This command duplicates the currently selected entry, except for
the component name, which is chosen from a Find dialog box. The purpose
of the command is to speed data entry when the new part is very similar to an
existing part, except for the component name.

Delete: This command deletes the highlighted package.

180 Chapter 5: The Package Editor

 Find: This command finds a specified library entry. A Find dialog box ap-
pears requesting the text of the entry. The text would typically be the part
name followed by the package type, although the search routine works with
fragments by returning multiple items. For example, performing a find on
"740" will return all entries that start with 740.

Close: This command closes the Package editor and optionally saves any
changes to the package file.

Help: This command accesses the Package editor Help system.

Info: This command displays model information for the selected part.

File command buttons:

New: (CTRL + N) This command creates a new package library file. Any
packages added to it are available for use in the Package library.

Open: (CTRL + O) This command loads an existing package library file. Its
packages are then available for use in the Package library.

Merge: This command merges a package library file (*.PKG) with the cur-
rent package library file. It provides a dialog box to let you locate the exter-
nal library file that you want to merge with the current library. Only unique
packages from the external library file are included. Packages with duplicate
names are not merged.

Save File: This command saves the current package library file under its
current name.

Save File As: This command saves the current package library file under a
new name specified by the user.

Remove: This command removes the currently loaded package library file. Its
packages are no longer available for use in the Package library.

Data fields:
Package: This is the package as it will appear in the Attribute dialog box of
the specified component for the PACKAGE attribute.

Component: This is the component that the package is being defined for. This
field is fixed except when the package is first entered from an Add, Complex,
or Duplicate command.
181
 Pin Cnt: This controls the pin count for the entry.

Accel: This field overwrites the Package field when the schematic is trans-
lated to an Accel netlist.

OrCad: This field overwrites the Package field when the schematic is trans-
lated to an OrCad netlist.

Protel: This field overwrites the Package field when the schematic is trans-
lated to a Protel netlist.

PADS: This field overwrites the Package field when the schematic is trans-
lated to a PADS netlist.

Pin fields:
These fields define the configuration of the pins in the PCB netlist. For a ba-
sic package, there are two fields: Pin Name and PCB. The Pin Name fields
contain the names of the pins as they appear in Micro-Cap for the specified
component. These are the pin names as they appear in the Component edi-
tor. If the Pin Name is set to NC#, (no connection) the corresponding PCB
field is ignored. The PCB fields contain the names of the pins that will be
used in the output PCB netlist. Normally, these are the pin numbers from
the component's data sheet that correspond to the pins specified in the Pin
Name fields. For a complex package, a third field, called Gate, will be pres-
ent. Since a complex package contains multiple instances of the component,
the Gate fields must specify which instance the pin is being defined for. A '*'
in the Gate field indicates that all instances of the component in the package
share this pin.

Package selector:
The selector is a list box that lets you select a package for viewing or editing.
The packages are sorted in groups according to their first character. The tabs
at the top of the selector control the group that is shown in the list box.

Where more than one package is available for a part, a default package can
be specified by clicking on the adjacent check box. When the part is placed in
a schematic, the default package is specified for the PACKAGE attribute.

Expanding the Package editor window size:

To expand the Package editor window size, move the mouse to one of the win-
dow edges and when the two-headed arrow icon comes up drag the window edge
with the left mouse button.
182 Chapter 5: The Package Editor
Adding basic packages to the library
The Package library contains package information for most of the components
that come with Micro-Cap. The main use of the Package editor is to define new
packages. Figure 5-2 displays the package information for the 74164 component
which uses a basic package. The data sheet for this component can be found in
TI's TTL Logic data book.

Figure 5-2 The Package editor settings for the 74164

Adding a basic package uses the following procedure:

• Click on the Add command button.

• In the Find Component dialog box, specify the component name such as
74164.

• Define the package type in the Package field such as DIP14.

• Define the number of pins in the Pin Cnt field such as 14.
• Define the Pin Name fields with their corresponding PCB fields. Click on
the drop-down list of a Pin Name field to view the available pin names. For
example, in TI's data sheet for the 74164, pin 1 on the package is specified as
the A pin. In the Package editor, the Pin Name field should be set to A, and its
corresponding PCB field should be set to 1.

183
 Adding complex packages to the library
Figure 5-3 displays the package information for the 7400 component which uses
a complex package. The data sheet for this component can be found in TI's TTL
Logic data book.

Figure 5-3 The Package editor settings for the 7400

Adding a complex package uses the following procedure:

• Click on the Add Complex command button.

• In the Find Component dialog box, specify the component name such as
7400.

• Define the package type in the Package field such as DIP14.

• Define the number of pins in the Pin Cnt field such as 14.
• Define the Pin Name fields with their corresponding Gate and PCB fields.
Click on the drop-down list of a Pin Name field to view the available pin
names. For example, in TI's data sheet for the 7400, pin 4 on the package
is specified as the 2A pin which is the 1A pin for the second instance of the
7400 component in the package. In the Package editor, the Pin Name field
should be set to 1A, the Gate field to B to denote the second instance of the
component, and the PCB field to 4.

184 Chapter 5: The Package Editor

Chapter 6 Transient Analysis

What's in this chapter

Transient analysis requires the repeated iterative solution of a set of nonlinear
time domain equations. The equations are derived from the time-domain models
for each of the components in the circuit. The device models are covered in a
later chapter.

Features new in MC12

• Worst Case analysis: This function has been enhanced by an improved

editor and inclusion of bias template libraries.

• Performance functions: This function has been improved by the addition

of .measure functions from the Measure.lib.

• Time dependent temperature: The temperature field can now be a

function of time and other circuit variables.

• .Measure commands: These are now available from the Get Function
command.

Smoke: Smoke tests device operating conditions against user-defined limits

and displays a color-coded chart depicting how close each device is to
exceeding the limits.

.Nodeset: This command in the State Variables editor maps the current
conditions into a .Nodeset statement in the text area of the schematic to serve
as an initialization aide for a subsequent run.

185
 What happens in transient analysis
Transient analysis predicts the time-domain behavior of a circuit. It tries to pre-
dict what would happen if you built the circuit in the lab, hooked up power sup-
plies and signal sources and looked at the curves with a scope or a logic analyzer.

The program begins by constructing a set of nonlinear, time-varying, differential

equations to represent the circuit. The remaining process is comprised of three
steps:

• Initialization of state variables

• DC operating point (optional)
• Main transient analysis

Initialization of state variables:

The initialization process is explained in more detail later in this chapter. State
variables include node voltages, inductor currents, and digital node states.

Optional DC operating point:

The purpose of the operating point is to establish, by iterative calculation, a stable
set of state variable values that represent the steady state condition the circuit
is assumed to have for the Time = 0 starting point of the transient analysis. The
operating point is calculated by treating capacitors as open circuits and inductors
as shorts. Using a DC nonlinear model for the other devices in the circuit, the
program linearizes the model about the last set of state variable values. Linear-
izing means replacing the nonlinear model with simple numeric constants that
express a linear relationship between the terminal voltages and currents of the
device. These numeric constants are usually obtained by differentiating the state
variables with respect to their controlling variables. The linear model is assumed
to hold over the interval of one iteration. The program then solves for the incre-
mental voltages and currents. It adds these increments to the prior state values,
and checks to see if they have stabilized, or converged. When all state variables
have converged, the operating point is complete and the program starts the main
transient analysis.

Main transient analysis:

The main transient analysis begins with the state variables computed during the
operating point, or the initialized values if the operating point was skipped. Us-
ing a standard nonlinear time-domain model for each device in the circuit, the
program linearizes the models about the last set of state variable values. It then
solves a set of linear equations for incremental voltages and currents. It adds
186 Chapter 6: Transient Analysis
these linear increments to the prior state variable values and checks to see if they
have stabilized. When all of the state variables have stabilized, convergence at
this data point is achieved and the data point is evaluated to see if the local trun-
cation error (LTE) is acceptable. If so, the time point is accepted and added to the
plot, time is incremented, and the next data point is attempted. If the LTE is not
acceptable, the data point is discarded, the time step is reduced, and a new data
point is attempted. This process continues until the time variable equals the speci-
fied tmax.

To summarize, the basic conceptual sequence for Transient analysis is as follows:

1. Initialize state variables.

2. Optionally calculate the DC operating point.
3. Set Tlast = T = 0 and DT = minimum time step.
4. Solve for all state variables.
5. If variables have converged go to step 6, else go to step 4.
6. If LTE of state variables is acceptable go to step 8.
7. Discard time point: DT = DT/2, set T = Tlast , and go to step 4.
8. Plot or print requested variables. Set Tlast = T.
9. If Time equals tmax, quit.
10. Time = Time + time step.
12. Go to step 4.

187
 The Transient Analysis Limits dialog box
Load the MIXED4 circuit file and select Transient from the Analysis menu.
Micro-Cap extracts the necessary circuit information directly from the schematic.
More information is needed before the analysis can begin, and that information is
supplied by the Analysis Limits dialog box.

Command buttons

Numeric limits Options

Auto-size

Curve options Waveform

row

Plot page
Plot group
Variables list
Expression fields
(Right click
in expression
field)
Figure 6-1 The Analysis Limits dialog box
The Analysis Limits dialog box is divided into five areas: the Command buttons,
Numeric limits, Curve options, Expression fields, and Options.

Command buttons
The Command buttons are located just above the Numeric limits field.

Run: This command starts the analysis run. Clicking the Tool bar Run button
or pressing F2 will also start the run.

Add: This adds another Curve options field and Expression field line after
the line containing the text cursor. The scroll bar to the right of the Expres-
sion fields scrolls through the curves when there are more than can be dis-
played. 

Delete: This deletes the waveform row where the text cursor is.

Expand: This expands the text field where the cursor is into a large dialog
box for editing or viewing. To use the feature, click the mouse in the desired
field, and then click the Expand button. Use Zoom buttons to adjust text size.

188 Chapter 6: Transient Analysis

 Stepping: This invokes the Stepping dialog box. Stepping is reviewed in a
separate chapter.

PSS: This invokes the Periodic Steady State dialog box where you control
PSS parameters. See the chapter, Periodic Steady State, for more details.

Properties: This command invokes the Properties dialog box which lets you
control the analysis plot window and the way curves are displayed.

Help: This command invokes the Help screen which provides information by
index and topic.

Copy to Clipboard List: This command copies the upper analysis limits to
the Clipboard List. Analysis limits include everything but the waveforms.

Copy to Clipboard List: This command lets you paste one of the analysis
limits sets from the Clipboard List to the current analysis limits.

Numeric limits
The Numeric limits field provides control over the analysis time range, time step,
number of printed points, and the temperature(s) to be used.

• Maximum Run Time: This specifies the maximum run time for the
analysis. The format of the field is:

<tmax>

The run starts with time equal to zero and ends when time equals <tmax>.

• Output Start Time (tstart): This field specifies when the program will
start saving output. Output includes plots, numeric output, and Probe files
available from Run Options / Retrieve. The format of the field is:

[<tstart>]

For example, if you wanted to do a 200mS run, but only save the last
1mS, then you would enter 200mS for <tmax> and 199mS for <tstart>.

• Maximum Time Step: This field defines the maximum time step that the
program is allowed to use. The default value, (<tmax> )/50, is used when the
entry is 0 or blank.

189
 • Number of Points: This sets the number of printed values in the numeric
output. The default is 51. This value is usually set to an odd value for an even
print interval. The print interval is the time between successive printouts. The
interval used is (<tmax> - <tstart>)/([number of points] - 1).

• Temperature: This field specifies the global temperature(s) of the run(s)

in degrees Celsius. This temperature is used for each device unless individual
device temperatures are specified.

If the Temperature list box shows Linear or Log the format is:

<high> [ , <low> [ , <step> ] ]

The default value of <low> is <high>, and the default value of <step> is
<high> - <low> (linear mode) or high/low (log mode). Temperature values
start at <low> and are either incremented (linear mode) or multiplied (log
mode) by <step> until <high> is reached.

If the Temperature list box shows List the format is:

<t1> [ , <t2> [ , <t3> ] [ ,...]]

where t1, t2,.. are individual values of temperature.

One analysis is done at each specified temperature, producing one curve
branch for each run.

Temperature expressions that depend upon time-varying variables may also

be used. For example, 27+PD(Q1(1))*300 or 27+VCE(Q2)*IC(Q2))*250. If
expressions are used then the Temperature list box value is set to List since
you can't step an expression.

Retrace Runs
This field specifies the number of retrace runs.

Curve options
The Curve options field is located below the Numeric limits field and to the left
of the Expressions field. Each curve option affects only the curve in its row.

190 Chapter 6: Transient Analysis

 The first option toggles between Save and Plot , Save and Don't Plot ,
and Don't Save or Plot . If you save but don't plot, you can later add the
plot back to the display from the Properties (F10) dialog box.

The second option toggles the X-axis between a linear and a log plot.
Log plots require positive scale ranges.

The third option toggles the Y-axis between a linear and a log
plot. Log plots require positive scale ranges.

Color
The option activates the color menu. There are 64 color choices for an
individual curve. The button color is the curve color.

Numeric Output
The option prints a table showing the numeric value of the curve. The
number of values printed is set by the Number of Points value. The table is
printed to the Output window and saved in the file CIRCUITNAME.TNO.

Plot page
This field lets you organize waveforms into groups which can be selected
for viewing from the tabs at the bottom of the plot window.

Plot group
A number from 1 to 19 in the (P) column selects the plot group the curve will
be plotted in. All curves with like numbers are placed in the same plot group.
If the P column is blank, the curve is not plotted. You can also use .defined
variables to simultaneously enable or disable plots. For example, if you use
P1 in several P fields, then

.define P1 10 would plot the waveforms, and

.define P1 (blank) would not plot the waveforms

Expression fields
The X Expression and Y Expression fields specify the horizontal (X) and vertical
(Y) expressions. Micro-Cap can evaluate and plot a wide variety of expressions
for either scale. Usually these are single variables like T (time), V(10) (voltage at
node 10), or D(OUT) (digital state of node OUT), but the expressions can be
more elaborate like V(2,3)*I(V1)*sin(2*PI*1E6*T).

191
 Variables list
Clicking the right mouse button in the Y expression field invokes the Variables
list which lets you select variables, constants, functions, operators, and curves, or
expand the field to allow editing long expressions. Clicking the right mouse but-
ton in the other fields invokes a simpler menu showing suitable choices.

X Range and Y Range fields: These specify the numeric scales to be used when
plotting the X and Y expressions.

The format is:

<high> [,<low>] [,<grid spacing>] [,<bold grid spacing>]

<low> defaults to zero. [,<grid spacing>] sets the spacing between grids. [,<bold
grid spacing>] sets the spacing between bold grids. Placing "AUTO" in the X
or Y range calculates the range automatically. The Auto Scale Ranges option
calculates scales for all ranges during the simulation run and updates the X and
Y Range fields. The Auto Scale (F6) command immediately scales all curves,
without changing the range values, letting you restore them with CTRL + HOME
if desired. Note that <grid spacing> and <bold grid spacing> are used only on
linear scales. Logarithmic scales use a natural grid spacing of 1/10 the major grid
values and bold is not used. Auto Scale uses the number of grids specified in the
Properties dialog box (F10) / Scales and Formats / Auto/Static Grids field.

Options

• Run Options
• Normal: This runs the simulation without saving it.
• Save: This runs the simulation and saves it to disk, using the same
format as in Probe. The file name is NAME.TSA.

• Retrieve: This loads a previously saved simulation and plots and prints
it as if it were a new run. The file name is NAME.TSA.

• State Variables
These options determine the state variables at the start of the next run.

• Zero: This sets the state variable initial values (node voltages, inductor
currents, digital states) to zero or X.

192 Chapter 6: Transient Analysis

 • Read: This reads a previously saved set of state variables and uses
them as the initial values for the run.

• Leave: This leaves the current values of state variables alone. They
retain their last values. If this is the first run, they are zero. If you have
just run an analysis without returning to the Schematic editor, they are
the values at the end of the run. If the run was an operating point only
run, the values are the DC operating point.

• Retrace: This runs the analysis N times, where N is the number in the
Retrace Runs field. For the first run, normal initialization is done and, if
requested, the operating point is calculated. Initial conditions are retained
for subsequent runs, whether invoked manually with F2 or automatically
by using a number greater than 1 in the Retrace Runs field.

• Ignore Expression Errors: If checked, expression errors are ignored. This

is useful when you want to temporarily disable portions of the schematic but
not have to delete the corresponding plot expressions.

• Operating Point: This calculates a DC operating point. It uses the initial

state variables as a starting point and calculates a new set that represents the
DC steady state response of the circuit to the T=0 values of all sources.

• Operating Point Only: Computes a DC operating point only. No transient

run is made. State variables are left with their final operating point values.

• Auto Scale Ranges: This sets the X and Y range to AUTO for each new
analysis run. If it is not enabled, the existing scale values from the X and Y
Range fields are used.

The Run, State Variables, and Analysis options affect the simulation results.
To see the effect of changes of these options you must do a run by clicking
on the Run command button or pressing F2.

• Accumulate Plots: This accumulates waveforms or curves that result from

editing the circuit. The Clear Accumulated Plots command clears any
accumulated plots.

• Fixed Time Step: This option forces the program to use a fixed time step
equal to the specified Maximum Time Step. This feature is made available
for theoretical study and is not often used. The native variable time step
based upon local truncation error theory is far more efficient.
193
 • Periodic Steady State: This option uses a shooting method to eliminate
transients and produce steady state waveforms. Transient-free waveforms are
essential for accurate results in harmonic and intermodulation distortion,
switch-mode, and RF circuits. If the option is enabled, the program runs a
series of full transient analyses, with each iteration ideally producing a more
stable waveform. You can watch the progress on the screen as each plotted
waveform is shown and on the status bar where the periodicity error is shown
for each iteration. The bottom of the Schematic Info page also recaps the PSS
iteration and error history. To study PSS in more detail see the chapter on
Periodic Steady State.

Resizing
The Analysis Limits dialog box can be resized in a variety of ways:

• Field size adjustment: Adjust the field sizes by dragging the lines that
separate the column titles (e.g. X Expression, Y Expression, etc.).

• Auto-size: Click the auto-size button to the right of the Y Range field to
automatically adjust the field sizes to match existing expression lengths.

• Grow: Drag the Grow icon in the lower right corner of the dialog box to
change the shape / size of the dialog box.

194 Chapter 6: Transient Analysis

The Transient menu
Run: (F2) This starts the analysis run.

Limits: (F9) This accesses the Analysis Limits dialog box.

Stepping: (F11) This accesses the Stepping dialog box.

Optimize: (CTRL + F11) This accesses the Optimize dialog box.

Worst Case (ALT + F6): This accesses the Worst Case analysis dialog box.

Analysis Window: (F4) This command displays the analysis plot.

Watch: (CTRL + W) This displays the Watch window where you define
expressions or variables to watch during a breakpoint invocation.

Breakpoints: (ALT + F9) This accesses the Breakpoints dialog box.

Operating Point Methods (CTRL + SHIFT + O): This lets you select
the operating point method to be used and the order in which each is tried.

3D Windows: This lets you add or delete a 3D plot window. It is enabled

only if there is more than one run.

Performance Windows: This lets you add or delete a function plot window.
It is enabled only if there is more than one run.

Fourier Windows: This adds or deletes Fourier windows. It opens the dialog
box, where you can select waveforms and specify Fourier parameters.

Slider: This lets you add or delete a slider bar to control a circuit parameter.

Numeric Output: (F5) This shows the Numeric Output window.

State Variables editor: (F12) This accesses the State Variables editor.

Smoke: This enables the Smoke feature. Smoke tests device operating
conditions against user-defined limits and displays a color-coded chart
showing how close each device is to exceeding the limits.

195
 Reduce Data Points: This invokes the Data Point Reduction dialog box. It
lets you delete every n'th data point.

Exit Analysis: (F3) This exits the analysis.

196 Chapter 6: Transient Analysis

Initialization
State variables define the state or condition of the mathematical system that
represents the circuit at any instant. These variables must be initialized to some
value prior to starting the analysis run. Here is how Micro-Cap does the initial-
ization:

Setup initialization:
When you first select a transient, AC, or DC analysis, all state variables are
set to zero and all digital levels to X. This is called the setup initialization.

Run initialization:
Each new run evokes the run initialization based upon the State Variables
option from the Analysis Limits dialog box. This includes every run, whether
initiated by pressing F2, clicking on the Run button, stepping parameters,
using Monte Carlo, or stepping temperature. There are several choices:

Zero: The analog state variables, node voltages, and inductor currents are
set to 0. Digital levels are set to X, or in the case of flip-flop Q and QB
outputs, set to 0, 1, or X depending upon the value of DIGINITSTATE.
This value is defined in the Global Settings dialog box. This is the only
option in DC analysis.

Read: MC12 reads the variables from the file CIRCUITNAME.TOP.

The file itself is created by the State Variables editor Write command.

Leave: MC12 does nothing to the initial state variables. It simply leaves
them alone. There are three possibilities:

First run: If the variables have not been edited with the State
Variables editor, they still retain the setup initialization values.

Later run: If the variables have not been edited with the State
Variables editor, they retain the ending values from the last run.

Edited: If the variables have been edited with the State

Variables editor, they are the values shown in the editor.

Retrace: MC12 does nothing to the initial state variables. It simply

leaves them alone.

197
 Device initialization: Device initialization is the third step. It is always done
for the first run and for subsequent runs if Retrace is disabled.

After the State Variables option has been processed, .IC statements are
processed. Device IC statements, such as those for inductor current and
capacitor voltage, override .IC statements if they are in conflict.

Note that .IC statements specify values that persist throughout the initial
bias point calculation.

They are more resilient than simple initial values which can (and usually
do) change after the first iteration of the bias point. This may be good or
bad depending upon what you are trying to achieve.

Using these initial values, an optional operating point calculation may be

done and the state variables may change. If no operating point is done,
the state variables are left unchanged from the initialization procedure. If
an operating point only is done, the ending state variable values are equal
to the operating point values.

The transient analysis begins after the setup, run, and device initializations are
complete.

At first glance, you might think Retrace mode could be used to do eye diagrams,
but there is a much easier way. Simply use an X expression like this;

T MOD Period

instead of the usual T. Period is the expected period of the waveform so a typical
X expression might be like this;

T MOD 2n

See the circuit EYE_DIAGRAM.CIR for an example of how to do this.

198 Chapter 6: Transient Analysis

The State Variables editor
The State Variables editor is for reviewing or editing state variables. It looks like
this:

Figure 6-2 The State Variables editor

The editor displays node voltages, inductor currents, and digital node levels. The
scroll bars may be used to review values not visible on the display. Any value
may be edited.

The command buttons function as follows:

• Close: This exits the dialog box.

• Clear: This immediately sets all analog values to zero. Digital node levels
are set to 'X'.

• Format: This lets you set the numeric format to be used in the Write, Print,
and .IC commands.

• Read: This immediately reads a new set of values from a disk file, after
prompting for a file name.

199
 • Write: This immediately writes the displayed values to a disk file using a
user-supplied file name. This file is created for use when the Analysis Limits
State Variables Read option is selected. The Read option uses the values
stored in this file at the Run initialization stage.

• Print: This copies the values to a text file called CIRCUITNAME.SVV.

• .IC: This command translates the existing state variables into .IC
statements and saves them in the circuit's text area. The following
translations are made:

State variable IC statement

Node voltage .IC V(Node name) = Node voltage
Inductor current .IC I(Inductor name) = Inductor current
Digital node state .IC D(Digital node name) = Digital node state

The purpose of this command is to provide a handy way to create .IC

statements, which some users prefer as a means of initializing state variables.

• .Nodeset: This command is similar to the .IC command but generates a

.NODESET command instead.

It is important to note that the clear and read commands, and all manual
edits result in immediate changes, as opposed to the delayed changes
made by the Analysis Limits options. The Zero, Read, and Leave options
from the Analysis Limits dialog box affect the values at the start of the
simulation (Run initialization).

• Help: This accesses help topics for the State Variables editor.

Using the P key

During a simulation run, the value of the expressions for each curve can be seen
by pressing the 'P' key. This key toggles the printing of the numeric values on
the analysis plot adjacent to the expressions. This is a convenient way to check
the course of a new, lengthy simulation when the initial plot scales are unknown.
This feature may significantly slow the simulation, so only use it to "peek" at the
numeric results, then toggle it off with the 'P' key.

200 Chapter 6: Transient Analysis

Numeric output
Numeric output may be obtained for each curve by enabling the numeric output
button in the curve row. Content is also controlled from the Numeric Output
panel of the Properties dialog box (F10).

• Curves: This lets you select which curves to print, their numeric format,
and an alternative alias for the curve name.

• Show: This section allows selection of the other material to include in the
numeric output file.

• Include Numeric Output: This enables creation of the numeric output

file. The other options control content of the file.

• Include Main Header: This prints the main header.

• Include Analysis Limits: This adds the analysis limits.
• Include Branch Headers: This adds branch headers that identify
the item(s) being stepped or the Monte Carlo case number.

• Include Model Parameters: This prints model parameters.

• Include Zero Parameters: This enables the printing of zero-
valued parameters.

• Include Undefined Parameters: This prints undefined model

parameters using their default values.

• Include Operating Point Values: This controls the printing of the

operating point data to the file.

• Include Noise: This controls the printing of the individual device

noise contributions to the file. This is enabled only for AC analysis.

• Include Waveform Values: This controls the printing of all

waveform values to the file. The numeric output icon , adjacent to
each waveform expression in the analysis limits, must also be
enabled for printing to occur.

201
 • Include Waveform Headers: This prints identifying
expression text above each numeric column.

• Begin Printing At: This specifies the time value at which

printing of the waveform values begin.

• End Printing At: This specifies the last time value at which
waveform printing occurs.

• Table Formats: This controls how the numeric output curve /

waveform tables will be arranged. Horizontal is the conventional
format, with column vectors shown horizontally. Vertical prints
the time column, followed sequentially by single column vec-
tors, one for each output. Vertical X,Y Alternate is the same but
with an extra analysis variable column inserted between each
output vector. Finally Vertical X,Y Pairs produces column pairs
consisting of the analysis variable and one output. The pairs are
arranged vertically.

Output is saved in the file CIRCUITNAME.TNO and printed to the Numeric

Output window, which is accessible after the run by pressing F5, clicking on the
button, or by selecting the Numeric Output Window tab after F5 is hit.

Figure 6-3 Numeric output

202 Chapter 6: Transient Analysis

Operating Point Methods
The operating point calculation methods and the order in which they are tried is
user controllable from the Operating Point Methods dialog box, available from
many analysis menus. It looks like this:

Figure 6-4 Operating Point Methods

There are five basic methods:

• Standard Newton-Raphson: This is the simplest, and still the most often
successful method for solving for the operating point.

• Source Stepping: This is the first of the continuation methods that all
attempt to set a control parameter to a value to solve an easier problem, and
then gradually move the targeted parameter towards its final 100% value. In
this case the parameter is a scale factor which multiplies all DC voltage
sources. It starts with a small value and, when convergence is achieved,
increases the factor until convergence is achieved with the factor at 100%.

• Diagonal Gmin Stepping: This method adds a small conductance to the

diagonal of the solution matrix and when convergence is achieved decreases
it until convergence is achieved with the conductance set to zero.

• Junction Gmin Stepping: Gmin is a conductance which is normally added

across the junctions of many devices. This method sets Gmin to a large value.
If convergence is achieved, it decreases the Gmin value until convergence is
achieved with Gmin set to the Global Settings value.

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 • Pseudo Transient: In this method, time-varying sources are set to their
T=0 value, and a fixed capacitor is added from each node to ground. A
transient analysis is then run until the circuit stabilizes. The stable set of
voltages then becomes the operating point. This method works slowly but
very well for most circuits. It does not usually work on unstable or oscillatory
circuits.

The dialog box lets you select which methods will be used and the order in which
they are used. The top method is used first, and so on to the end of the list. The
dialog box also provides a means to test for the best methods and adjusts the or-
der accordingly. It provides these options:

Up Triangle: This moves the selected method up in the list.

Down Triangle: This moves the selected method down in the list.

Left Triangle: This moves the selected method from the Using list and parks it in
the Available list, deactivating it.

Right Triangle: This moves the selected method from the Available list to the
Using list, activating it.

Test for Best: This tests all five methods and arranges their execution order from
fastest to slowest. If a method fails to converge, it is so indicated and placed at
the end of the list.

Default: This resets the method order to the default settings. These are the set-
tings that produce the shortest overall time on a large number of test circuits.

OK: This accepts any changes you have made and exits the dialog box.

Cancel: This ignores any changes you've made and exits the dialog box.

Help: This accesses the Help information for the dialog box.

204 Chapter 6: Transient Analysis