General Options
- Ambient Temperature
(Cel) - Temp
Global ambient temperature for temperature dependent components. The default value is 27 degrees Celsius.
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Enable SPICE Formula Solver
Select this setting to use an enhanced formula solver for expression-controlled sources. This solver is particularly beneficial for very large expressions, which typically are the result of resolving a large set of .FUNC definitions during the import of SPICE models. The default setting is ON. It is also possible to use this solver for textual SML model definitions by adding SPCFML:=1 in the parameter list of expression-controlled sources
- Use new sparse matrix code
This option uses a different sparse matrix solver for the global circuit simulator. The default matrix solver (when this check box is cleared) is the most appropriate solver for any typical application. However, in certain situations such as the default solver failing due to singularity error or taking a long time to solve, using this solver may be helpful.
Damping Heuristics
Damping heuristics settings provide one possible method for achieving convergence in cases of convergence failure. They are especially useful for highly non-linear behavior – such as that produced by exponential characteristics where the Newton-Raphson algorithm does not converge due to large changes in the flow quantities (such as current) caused by changes in the node potentials. This algorithm prevents divergence by limiting the allowed change in node potentials per Newton-Raphson iteration.
- Limit node potential change per iteration – Select to enable the Node Potential Limiting method.
- Limit for initial simulation only – Select to limit node potential change for the first step only (that is, operating point analysis in case of TR analysis, and DC solution in case of AC analysis)
- Absolute limiting value and Relative limiting value – Used to calculate the acceptable change per iteration. The acceptable change value is calculated as follows - ((Relative limiting value)/100) * Current Potential Node Value + Absolute limiting value. Any change greater than this in an iteration will be limited to this value. Units for the Absolute limiting value are the same as the corresponding potential node units (V, m/sec, rad/sec, Pascals, deg Centigrade, and so on).
Data Reduction
Use these data reduction settings to reduce the quantity of saved solution data.
- Start saving data at – The time (or frequency for AC simulations) at which simulation results data saving begins.
- End saving data at – The time (or frequency for AC simulations) at which simulation results data saving ends.
- Dynamic Limits – Off by default.
Output every ... steps lets you sample the solution output every “n” steps, where “n” is a positive integer. For example, if “n” is 1, every solution is saved; if “n” is 2, every second solution is saved; if “n” is 3, every third solution is saved, and so on.
Output time step [s] lets you sample the solution output at the set time interval (or the set frequency interval for AC simulations).
Maximum relative change [%] lets you sample the solution output based on the set percentage change relative to the previous solution value.
Simulator Pivoting Strategy
Select the Manual check box to enable the performance slider control. Use this control to influence the pivoting algorithm used by the circuit simulator. The position of the performance slider and the sparseness of the system matrix determine the choice between partial (diagonal) or complete pivoting in the solver. Position the slider to the extreme right to force Complete pivoting, or to the left extreme to force Partial pivoting. (see Using the Simulator Performance Slider for additional information.)
Advanced Logging Info
This option enables logging of additional information created by FMUs, Twin models, Modelica models, and Dynamic ROMs. You can select the level of detail and the location of the log file. If you enable logging, a separate log file for each component is written to the design’s result folder (<project location>\<projectname>.aedtresults\<designname>), but you can choose a different location. Generated logs are in the AdvancedLogs subdirectory. Log file names have a <ComponentName>.log format.
For Optimetrics analysis, logs appear under one more level of subdirectory, corresponding to the sweep’s task number.