SIMPLIS Tutorial

2.1  Add Symbols and Wires

The Commonly Used Parts category in the Parts Selector contains all of the symbols for this schematic except the diode and the MOSFET. For these two, you will learn two other ways to place symbols: by navigating the Parts Selector and by using a keyboard shortcut.

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2.1.1  Place the Symbols

Step 1: To place the inductor, diode, and MOSFET, follow these steps using the illustration below as a general guide for placing the symbols.

1. Check the lower right corner of the Schematic editor to verify that the simulator mode is SIMPLIS.
   If the mode is SIMetrix, go to the menu bar, click File, choose Select Simulator..., click the SIMPLIS radio button in the dialog box, and click Ok.
2. From the Commonly Used Parts list, double click Inductor.
   Result: The inductor appears on the screen.
3. Move the mouse to where you want to place the symbol, and press the left mouse button.
   Result: An inductor, labeled L1, is now in place.
4. To place the diode, follow these steps in the Parts Selector:
   1. Click + in front of Discretes to expand the list.
   2. Click + in front of Diodes, and then click Select from Model Library.
      Result: The Select Device window appears.
      
   3. In the Filter field at the bottom left side of the Select Device window, put your cursor in front of the asterisk (*) and type D1n41.
   4. Click Apply.
      Result: D1n4148 appears as the only item available.
      
   5. Highlight D1n4148 and click Place.

      Result: The Extract Diode Parameters dialog opens.
      

   6. Click Extract to accept the default values and close the dialog box.
   7. Place the cross hair  to the left and down from the inductor, and then press the left mouse button.
      Result: A diode, labeled D1, is now in place.
   8. To rotate the diode 180 degrees, press F5 two times.
5. To place the MOSFET, follow these steps, using a keyboard shortcut.
1. Move the cross hair directly above the diode, and type m.

   Note: The letter m is a keyboard shortcut for the Semiconductor -> NMOS 3 terminal discrete.

   Result: The Extract MOSFET Parameter dialog opens.
   

2. Click Extract to accept the default values and close the dialog box.
3. With the cross hair directly above the diode, click the left mouse button to position the symbol on the schematic.
   Result: A MOSFET labeled Q1 is now in place.

Step 2: To place the remaining symbols, follow these steps:

1. Place the symbols in the order listed in Table 1 below, using either of the following methods:
   • From the Commonly Used Parts list, double click the component name.
     OR
   • Type the keyboard shortcut if one is listed in Table 1.
2. After the symbol appears on the grid, move the mouse to the general location indicated on the diagram below and then press the left mouse button to place the symbol on the grid.
   

   Table 1

   Legend	Label	Commonly Used Parts	Shortcut	Comments
   1	C1	Electrolytic capacitor (w/ ESR and ESL (Level 1-3)		No keyboard shortcut
   2	R1	Resistor (Z Shaped)	4
   3	V1	Power Supply	v
   4	V2	Waveform Generator (Pulse, Ramp...)	w	.
   5	R2	Resistor (Z Shaped)	4	To rotate 270 degrees, press F5 three times.
   6		Ground	g
   7	Probe1-NODE	Probe-Voltage	b
   8	Probe2-NODE	Probe-Voltage	b
   9	IPROBE1	Probe-Inline Current		No keyboard shortcut

   Note: If you accidentally place an extra symbol, you can immediately remove it by typing Ctrl+Z.or by selecting Edit ▶ Undo from the menu bar. If you did not remove the extra symbol immediately after placing it, see 2.1.4__Remove_extra_symbols_and_wires.

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2.1.3  Add the Wires

To wire your symbols together, follow these steps:

1. Place the mouse pointer over a symbol pin.
   Result: The pointer changes to a pencil, indicating that the schematic is in wiring mode.

2. To start a wiring segment, click the left mouse button.

3. To create corner points, click the left mouse button again until you reach the symbol to which you are drawing a connection.

4. When you finish drawing a segment, click the right mouse or press the Esc key.

5. Continue adding wires to the schematic as shown below:
   

   Note: If you accidentally place an extra wire, you can immediately remove it by typing Ctrl+Z.or by selecting Edit ▶ Undo from the menu bar. If you did not remove the extra wire immediately after placing it, see 2.1.4__Remove_extra_symbols_and_wires.

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2.1.4  Remove Extra Symbols and Wires

To remove an individual symbol or wire, follow these steps:

1. Click on the symbol or wire that you want to remove.
   Result: The symbol or wire changes to blue, indicating that it is selected.
2. Press the Delete key.

To remove a group of extra symbols and wires, follow these steps:

1. To start a selection box, hold down the left mouse button while dragging the mouse to the opposite corner.
2. When you have defined the area, release the mouse button.
   Result: The wires (and any symbols) inside the box change to blue, indicating these wires and components are selected.
3. Press Delete.
   Result: The selected wires and components disappear from the schematic.
   

   Note: To select extra wires and symbols. click anywhere on the schematic.

In some cases, you may want to remove wires that are inside the symbol bounds of a comparator with the input pins shorted together as shown below.

To remove only the wire segments, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the Shift key, click and hold the left mouse button as you drag to select the wire area as shown below..
   
2. When you have defined the area, release the mouse button.
   Result: The wires inside the box change to blue, indicating these wires are selected.
   
3. Press Delete.
   Result: The selected wires disappear from the schematic.
   

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2.1.6  Saving your Schematic

To save your schematic, follow these steps:

1. Select File ▶ Save As.
2. Navigate to your working directory where you are saving your schematics.
3. Name the file 1_my_buck_converter.sxsch.

A schematic saved at this state can be downloaded here: 1_SIMPLIS_tutorial_buck_converter.sxsch.

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