Defining Traces Using Range Functions

Range functions use a 2D dataset as input, along with zero or more additional parameters. Use range functions to produce a 2D report that displays a collection of traces and their attributes. The trace collection and attributes generate a portion of a report definition that generates a family of curves in the report window.

Apply range functions to a range (subset) of points on an X-Y plot; they will then calculate a single-number representation of the specified range, and display that number directly over a plotted wave-form. Use range functions to extract trace characteristics (such as maximum, minimum, and overshoot) from a plot and use those values for additional plotting. You can also use the values to export to a file, where the data table formats are supported. Range functions appear in the Range Function dialog box. Extracted trace characteristics may also be used in Optimetrics.

For example, with a wave-form in a transient plot that contains a square pulse, a range function can calculate and display a single value that represents the High-to-Low/Low-to-High transition states. Or, with a plot that shows a pulse, the PulseWidth and RiseTime range functions use the entire plotted curve to calculate a single number that represents the width or rise-time, and display that single-number representation directly over the specified range of plotted points.

Range functions trace characteristics appear on the report window as a column in legend window.
Range functions are available from reporter and optimetrics.
Numerous range functions are available in these categories:
- Math functions
- Pulse width functions
- Overshoot/Undershoot functions
- TR & DC functions
- Error functions
- Period functions
- Radiation functions
- Eye Measurements functions

This table lists the available range functions:

Range Function	Category	Description	Parameters
*avg	Math	Returns the average of the values of the selected quantity. avg = (Area between the curve and the X-axis) / ( X length of the curve)	N/A
avgabs	Math	Returns the mean of the absolute value of the selected quantity.	N/A
crestfactor	TR & DC	Returns the crest factor (peak/RMS) for the selected quantity.	N/A
deadtime	TR & DC	Obtains the latest time when the qtyl is within a tolerance of zero.	Tolerance: The +/- bandwidth around zero .
delaytime	TR & DC	Obtains the time from zero to 50% of the target point.	Target: The target value for input.
distortion	TR & DC	Returns the total distortion for the selected simulation quantity and an additional argument frequency, which is the frequency in Hz at which to calculate the fundamental RMS of the simulation quantity.	Frequency: Freq in Hz at which to calculate the RMS value of the selected quantity.
formfactor	TR & DC	Returns the form factor (RMS/Mean Absolute Value) for the selected quantity.	N/A
fundamentalmag	TR & DC	Returns the RMS value of the fundamental frequency for the selected quantity, and an additional argument, Frequency, which specifies the fundamental frequency.	Frequency: Freq in Hz at which to calculate the RMS value of the selected quantity.
iae	Error	Returns the integral of the absolute deviation of the selected quantity from a target value that is entered via the additional argument.	Target: Target value.
integ	Math	Integral of the selected quantity. Uses trapezoidal area.	N/A
integabs	Math	Returns the integral of the absolute value of the selected qty.	N/A
ise	Error	Returns the integral of the squared deviation of the selected quantity from a target value that is entered via an additional argument.	Target: Target value.
itae	Error	Returns the time-weighted absolute deviation of the selected quantity from a target value that is entered via an additional argument.	Target: Target value.
itse	Error	Returns the time-weighted squared deviation of the selected qty from a target value that is entered via an additional argument.	Target: Target value.
max	Math	Maximum (of magnitudes).	N/A
mean	Math	Returns the average in the set of quantities selected. mean = sum( all y-value) / (number of y-values)	N/A
min	Math	Minimum (of magnitudes).	N/A
overshoot	Overshoot/Undershoot (Overridable)	Calculates peak overshoot given a threshold value and number of evenly spaced points over entire time range.	Threshold: The reference value from where the overshoot/undershoot is calculated. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
per	Period (Overridable)	Calculates period.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the period. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pk2pk	Math	Difference between maximum and minimum of the first parameter over the second parameter. Returns the peak-to-peak value for the selected simulation quantity.	N/A
pkavg	Math	Returns the ratio of the peak to peak-to-average for the selected quantity.	N/A
pmax	Period (Overridable)	Maximum period of input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the period. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pmin	Period (Overridable)	Minimum period of input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the period. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
prms	Period (Overridable)	Rms of period of input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the period. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pulsefall9010	Pulse Width	Returns the pulse fall time of the selected quantity according to the 90%-10% estimate.	N/A
pulsefront1090	Pulse Width	Returns the pulse front time of the selected quantity according to the 10%-90% estimate.	N/A
pulsefront3090	Pulse Width	Returns the pulse front time of the selected quantity according to the 30%-90% estimate.	N/A
pulsemax	Pulse Width	Returns the pulse maximum from the front and tail estimates for the selected quantity.	N/A
pulsemaxtime	Pulse Width	Returns the time at which the maximum pulse value of the selected quantity is reached.	N/A
pulsemin	Pulse Width	Returns the pulse minimum from the front and tail estimates for the selected quantity.	N/A
pulsemintime	Pulse Width	Returns the time at which the minimum pulse value of the selected quantity is reached.	N/A
pulsetail50	Pulse Width	Returns the pulse tail time of the selected quantity from the virtual peak to 50%.	N/A
pulsewidth5050	Pulse Width	Returns the pulse width of the selected quantity as measured from the 50% points on the pulse front and pulse tail.	N/A
pw_minus	Pulse Width (Overridable)	Pulse width of the first negative pulse.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the pulse width. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pw_minus_avg	Pulse Width (Overridable)	Average of the negative pulse width input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the pulse width. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pw_minus_max	Pulse Width (Overridable)	Maximum pulse width of the negative pulse of input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the pulse width. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pw_minus_min	Pulse Width (Overridable)	Minimum pulse width of the negative pulse of input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the pulse width. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pw_minus_rms	Pulse Width (Overridable)	RMS of the negative pulse width input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the pulse width. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pw_plus	Pulse Width (Overridable)	Pulse width of first positive pulse.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the pulse width. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pw_plus_avg	Pulse Width (Overridable)	Average of the positive pulse width input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the pulse width. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pw_plus_max	Pulse Width (Overridable)	Maximum pulse width of the positive pulse of input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the pulse width. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pw_plus_min	Pulse Width (Overridable)	Minimum pulse width of the positive pulse of input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the pulse width. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
pw_plus_rms	Pulse Width (Overridable)	RMS of the positive pulse width input stream.	Threshold: Y transition value which determines the pulse width. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
ripple	Math	Returns the ripple factor (AC RMS/Mean) for the selected quantity.	N/A
risetime	TR & DC	Obtains the time taken to go from 10% to 90% of target point.	Target: The target value for input.
rms	Math	Returns total RMS of the selected quantity.	N/A
rmsAC	Math	Returns the AC RMS for the selected quantity.	N/A
settlingtime	TR & DC	Returns the latest time at which the value of the selected simulation quantity fell outside its tolerance band. The target value of the quantity and the +/- bandwidth of the tolerance band are the additional args.	Target: Tolerance.
stddev	Math (Overridable)	Returns the standard deviation of given values.	N/A
sum	Math (Overridable)	Returns the sum of given values.	N/A
undershoot	Overshoot/Undershoot (Overridable)	Calculates peak undershoot given a threshold value and number of evenly spaced points over entire time range.	Threshold: The reference value from where the overshoot/undershoot is calculated. Number of Points: Number of evenly spaced time points.
variance	Math (Overridable)	Returns the variance of given values.	N/A
XAtYMax	Math	Returns the X value at maximum Y.	N/A
XAtYMin	Math	Returns the X value at minimum Y.	N/A
XAtYVal	Math	Returns the X value at the first occurrence of Y value.	Y Value: Y value at which we need to find X.
YAtXMax	Math	Returns the Y value at maximum X.	N/A
YAtXMin	Math	Returns the Y value at minimum X.	N/A
YAtXVal	Math	Returns the Y value at the first occurrence of X value.	X Value: X value at which we need to find Y.