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Contents

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About PSpice

What is PSpice?

What is Probe?

Types of analyses you can run with PSpice

AC sweep and noise

DC sweep & other DC calculations

Transient and Fourier

Parametric and temperature

Monte Carlo and sensitivity/worst-case

Frequency Response Analysis

Files used by PSpice (input files)

Files Generated by Schematic Editors or Design Entry Programs

Other Input Files

Model libraries

Stimulus files

Include files

Preparing and configuring input files

Files generated by PSpice (output files)

Documentation

Additional sources of information about PSpice

Preparing your design for simulation

Creating designs for simulation

Placing stimulus sources

Creating a simulation netlist

Setting up analyses

Setting up an AC analysis

Setting up the loading of bias points

Setting up the saving of bias points

Setting up a DC analysis

Setting up a Monte Carlo/worst-case analysis

Setting the bias point detail

Setting digital options

Setting up a parametric analysis

Setting up a sensitivity analysis

Setting the temperature

Setting up a transient analysis

Simulating your circuit

Interacting with a simulation

Extending a transient analysis

Interrupting a simulation

Scheduling changes to runtime parameters

Running multiple simulations

Using the Simulation Manager

Understanding the Simulation Manager

Available functionality of the Simulation Manager

Error message handling by the Simulation Manager

Setting up multiple simulations

Starting, stopping, and pausing simulations

Attaching PSpice to a simulation

Setting options in the Simulation Manager

The Simulation Manager File menu

The Simulation Manager Edit menu

The Simulation Manager View menu

The Simulation Manager Simulation menu

The Simulation Manager Tools menu

The Simulation Manager Toolbar

Entering distributions

Using markers

Limiting waveform data file size

Setting data collection options

Suppressing data from a transient run

Assigning marker colors

Viewing results

Viewing results as you simulate

Configuring PSpice Display of Simulation Results

Viewing Monte Carlo histograms

Defining part properties needed for simulation

Handling unmodeled pins

Saving a copy of your project

Setting up your design for simulation

Files needed for simulation

Files that Design Entry Programs generate

Other files that you can configure for simulation

Files that PSpice generates

Checklist for simulation setup

When netlisting fails or the simulation does not start

Using parts that you can simulate

Part naming conventions

Finding the part that you want

Passive parts

Breakout parts

Behavioral parts

Defining part properties needed for simulation

Specifying values for part properties

Using global parameters and expressions for values

Expressions

Defining stimuli

Things to watch for

Performing Circuit Analysis

Analyzing waveforms with PSpice

What is waveform analysis?

Performing post-simulation analysis of the results

Pinpointing design errors in digital circuits

What are the features of PSpice simulation profiles?

Increased reusability of simulation profiles

Support for profile level configuration

Creating a new simulation profile

Using a simulation profile

Editing a simulation profile

Deleting a simulation profile

Viewing the simulation queue

General simulation settings for simulation profiles

Analysis settings for simulation profiles

Configuration Files Tab

Stimulus settings for simulation profiles

Library settings for simulation profiles

Include files settings for simulation profiles

Options for simulation profiles

Data collection options for simulation profiles

Probe windows settings for simulation profiles

Traces

Adding traces

Viewing trace information

Editing trace display properties

Setting grid display properties

Setting plot edge properties

Defining analog trace expressions

Defining digital trace expressions

Narrowing the list of output variables

Deleting traces

Setting the digital plot size

Using cursors

Moving cursors along a trace

Changing views

Creating a Fourier Transform

Cautions when using FFTs

Changing axis settings

Adding a new Y axis

Deleting a Y axis

Using multiple plots

Using Probe windows

Toggling between display modes

Keeping the Probe window visible at all times

To print plots

Using Display Control

Using plot window templates

Creating a plot window template

Modifying a plot window template

Deleting a plot window template

Copying a plot window template

Restoring a plot window template

Viewing the properties of a plot window template

Loading a plot window template

Placing plot window template markers

Labeling plots

Editing labels

Copying Probe data to other applications

Loading large data file

Importing traces

Import Traces

Using performance analysis and measurements

Using Performance Analysis

Using Measurement Expressions

Composing Measurement Expressions

Measurement Expression Example

Viewing Measurement Results

Evaluating a measurement

Measurement Results Example

Measurement Definitions Included with PSpice

Creating Custom Measurement Definitions

Composing a New Measurement Definition

Managing Measurements

Copying a Measurement Definition

Editing a Measurement Definition

Measurement Definition Example

Measurement Definition Syntax

Measurement Name Syntax

Marked Point Expression Syntax

Comments Syntax

Search Command Syntax

Limiting a Measurement Expression to a Specific Range of Data

Control Elements in Dialog Boxes

Introducing the Performance Analysis Wizard

Selecting a Measurement

Selecting Measurement Arguments

Testing the Measurement

Setting Options

Setting PSpice Application Theme

Setting Probe window options

Setting large data file options

Selecting a Printer

Using Print Preview

Setting up the Page

Printing in PSpice

Setting the Width of Printed Plot Lines

Changing the Screen Colors

Header and footer codes

Customizing toolbars

Customizing Commands

Generating a Report

Reference Information

Using files

PSpice default keyboard shortcuts

Invalid node names

Limits in PSpice and Probe

Files and Commands

Using .PRB files

Loading .PRB files

PRB file

Moving data to other applications

Logging commands

Creating and changing macros

CSDF

Binary

Specifying default command line options

Configuring the pspice.INI file

Calculating Hysteresis Core Loss

Descriptions of menus

The File menu

The Edit menu

The View menu

The Simulation menu

The Trace menu

The Plot menu

The Tools menu

The Window menu

Terms used in File

Export Data

Find dialog box

Regular expressions

The Large Data File dialog box

Using the Quick Reference Card

Keyboard shortcuts

PSpice toolbars

Index of PSpice symbol and part properties

Introduction to device equations

Making device model changes

Changing a parameter name

Giving a parameter an alias

Adding a parameter

Changing the device equations

Functional subsections of the device source file

Adding a new device

Specifying new internal device structure

Recompiling and linking the device equations option

Personalizing your DLL

Simulating with the device equations option

Selecting which models to use from a Device Equations DLL

Popup Menu Items

PSpice Errors and Solutions

.PROBE and .ALIAS must agree on /CSDF

Invalid device type

Maximum number of alias nodes exceeded

Unable to open index file

Model type unknown

Duplicate library entry for <modelname>

Out of Memory

Unrecognizable command

Unable to open stimulus file

Model references form circular list. For example:

Unable to open probe file

Unable to make index for library file

Model <modelname> referenced by model <modelname>, is undefined

Subcircuit <filename> used by <filename> is undefined

Unable to open library

Making new index file for library file

Missing model name in library

Missing model type in library

Missing subcircuit name

|VON - VOFF| too small for VSWITCH model

RON or ROFF less than or equal to zero for VSWITCH model

RON or ROFF greater than 1/GMIN for VSWITCH model

RON = ROFF for VSWITCH model

ION - IOFF| too small for ISWITCH model

RON or ROFF less than or equal to zero for ISWITCH model

RON or ROFF greater than 1/GMIN for ISWITCH model

RON = ROFF for ISWITCH model

<param> not a subcircuit param

Less than 2 connections at node

Node is floating

Invalid radix, expecting BIN (1), OCT (3), or HEX (4)

Unrecognized parameter

Tolerances on model <modelname> ignored due to <tolerance>

MC or .WCASE ignored (No <analysis type> command in circuit)

No models had tolerances. .MC or .WCASE ignored

The circuit matrix is singular and cannot be solved.

The circuit matrix is too close to being singular to solve.

Convergence problem

Convergence problem

Time step is too small in Transient Analysis at xxx

Missing or invalid expression

Missing expression

Bad radix spec

LABEL invalid in REPEAT loop

Missing goto label

GOTO invalid in REPEAT loop

HREPEAT missing FOR or FOREVER

Attempt to redefine builtin name

Must be D

Must be I or V or D

Must be I or V

Must be V

Must be I or V, D not allowed

Expression not allowed here

Unknown parameter

Probability must not be less than 0.

At least two pairs of numbers necessary

Please simplify .. distribution too complicated

Use RLGC & LEN for lossy line

Use Z0 & TD or F/NL for ideal line

Z0 or RLGC parameters must be specified

TD or F must be specified

BadTransferFunction

Missing REPEAT iteration count

Symbols Table overflow

Voltage Source and/or Inductor Loop Involving xxx

Convergence problem

Convergence problem

Invalid Outside of .SUBCKT

Library Index File Does Not Have the Correct Format

Unable to Find Library File

Library File Has Changed Since Index File Was Created

The Timestamp Changed from xxx to yyy

Model <modelname> Used by <filename> Is Undefined

Missing param name in library

There Are No Devices in This Circuit (This Message Will Be Printed)

Only one .TEMP value allowed with .STEP

Only one .TEMP, .DC TEMP, or .STEP TEMP permitted

Unable to open file

Missing .ENDS in .SUBCKT

Name on .ENDS does not match .SUBCKT

Invalid device in subcircuit

Subcircuit <filename> is Undefined

Incorrect Number of Interface Nodes for <filename>

Digital Simulator Option not present

Cannot Open Temporary Digital File

Missing model

Missing number of nodes

Too few output nodes specified

Bad or missing parameter

Invalid value

Undefined parameter used in expression

Undefined Parameter: <parameter>

I(node) is not valid

Must be independent source (I or V)

Digital node table overflow

Missing parameter

Not a valid parameter for model type

Must be 'I' or 'V'

Missing node number

Missing device name

Analog simulator option not present

Invalid parameter

Inductor part of this K device

Inductor part of another core device

Transmission line part of this K device

Invalid specification

Bad value

Invalid number

No analog devices--DC sweep ignored

No analog devices--small-signal analysis Ignored

Missing value

EOF in subcircuit

Errors and Solutions

Unable to write to disk: check if disk is full

Unable to read from file - improper mode

Unable to write to file - improper mode

Cannot open file: filename

Cannot open directory for backup directory name

File error, fseek failed

File error, ftell failed

File error, cannot reopen

Previous error in opening file

Backup failed: Permission denied to file

Backup failed: Bad file number

Backup failed: Cannot write to file

Extension can only have up to three characters

Filenames can have only up to eight characters

File name contains an invalid character

Blanks are not allowed in file names

Directory in path does not exist

No filename?!

Cannot open temporary file

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