Advanced SIMPLIS Training

1.2.3 User Interface Feature Tour

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What You Will Learn

Some common and uncommon features of the SIMetrix/SIMPLIS User Interface, including:

1. The Command (F11) Window
2. Finding Net Names on the Schematic
3. Hierarchical Schematic Component Files
4. Hierarchical Symbols
5. Switching Between Windows
6. Saving Window Size and Position

Getting Started

1. Using the new command shell file menu File ▶ Training ▶ Module 1, open the 1.1_SelfOscillatingConverter_POP_AC_Tran.sxsch schematic.

2. Press F11 to open the command (F11) window.
   Result: A text editing window opens on the bottom of the schematic. There is a horizontal slider bar to change the size of the text window.

Discussion

The Command (F11) Window

Every schematic and schematic component file has a command, or F11 window. During the netlist process, the contents of the F11 window are placed in the netlist before any content from that schematic level is added. The F11 window is a very handy place to put additional content, including subcircuit models, graphing statements, and variable statements, etc.

The F11 window of the current schematic is shown below:

The first section of the F11 window contains the analysis directives. When you execute the schematic menu Simulator ▶ Choose Analysis..., the results from the dialog are saved to the top of the F11 window. Because the dialog will manipulate the F11 window content, users should place any additional content below the last analysis statement. The first user entry is the line:

.var RLoad=2.5

This is a variable statement, the load resistor with reference designator uses this variable in an expression: {RLoad}. Whenever a variable or set of variables and constants is placed inside the curly brackets {}, this tells the simulator to evaluate the expression contained between them. In this case, the simulator will replace the {RLoad} expression with the numeric constant 2.5 prior to the simulation.

The next portion of the F11 window is a custom graph command. There are two lines which constitute a custom graph statement:

1. .PRINT V(#FLUX)

2. .GRAPH "XY( :#FLUX , :L4#P )" axisType="auto" persistence=1 graphName="BH" curveLabel="PWL Inductor"
   + analysis="pop|tran" xLog="auto" yLog="lin" nowarn=true xLabel="Magnetizing Current" yLabel="Flux Linkage" xUnit="A" yUnit="Weber"

The first line tells the simulator to output the voltage vector named #FLUX on the schematic. You will learn more about finding the node names on a schematic later in this section.

The second line is a call to the actual graphing function. The .GRAPH entry is the underlying mechanism used by the fixed probes. This graph statement generates a x-y plot of the FLUX voltage versus the positive pin current of the PWL inductor L4. The details of the .GRAPH statement are covered in topic 2.1.5 The .GRAPH Statement. You can also refer .GRAPH statement syntax in the Simulator Reference Manual.

The final three lines in the F11 window are a .SIMULATOR control and two more variables. Both the .SIMULATOR control and variables will be covered in detail in The .SIMULATOR_Control topic.

CAUTION: When you copy a schematic using the File ▶ Save As... menu or by copying and pasting in a Windows Explorer window, the F11 window contents are also copied. Keep this in mind, as the original schematic may have F11 content which is not needed, or worse, detrimental to the new design.

Finding Net Names on the Schematic

Hover your mouse over any wire on the schematic and the node name is displayed on the bottom bar of the schematic window.

While you are here, there is a wealth of information on the bottom bar of the schematic. From left to right:

• Select: The current command ready to execute - that is the selection of symbols or wires.
• X 1 : The current zoom level.
• Modified : The schematic has been modified since it was opened.
• NET=#FLUX : The net name nearest the cursor.
• SIMPLIS: The simulator mode for the current schematic.

Hierarchical Schematic Component Files

There are two types of schematic files used in SIMetrix/SIMPLIS.

1. A Schematic file has no symbol and is the "top level", or parent, schematic. This schematic has all the analysis information contained in the F11 window. Some users might think of this type of schematic as a "test bench." Schematic files have the extension .sxsch or .wxsch.

2. A Schematic Component file includes both a symbol and a schematic containing hierarchical ports which match the pins on the symbol. The Schematic Component file is a self contain module containing both the electrical model information in schematic form, and the symbol which is required to connect the model to a parent schematic. Schematic Component files have the extension .sxcmp.

The 1.1_SelfOscillatingConverter_POP_AC_Tran.sxsch schematic contains one model implemented with a Schematic Component file, the opto-coupler U1. To view the schematic for the opto-coupler,

1. Select U1.
   Result: The symbol turns from red to blue, indicating that it is selected.
   

2. Press the keyboard shortcut key combination Ctrl+E, or use the schematic menu Hierarchy ▶ Descend Into.
   Result: The schematic view of the Gen_Opto Schematic Component opens.
   

3. Press the Home key.
   Result: the schematic zooms to fit all symbols and wires on the Gen_Opto.sxcmp schematic.
   

4. To ascend a level to the parent of U1, Press Ctrl+U, or use the schematic menu Hierarchy ▶ Ascend.
   Result: The parent schematic tab 1.1_SelfOscillatingConverter_POP_AC_Tran.sxsch comes into focus.

Lets pause here and discuss the new information on the bottom bar of the Schematic Component. Two items have changed from the Schematic window:

1. U1 NET=#K : The net name nearest the cursor is now preceded with the reference designator of the schematic component. If there were multiple levels, the reference designators would be separated by a ".", such as U1.U4.

2. The full path to the parent schematic is shown in the lower right hand corner.

Hierarchical Symbols

There are several ways to edit the symbol view of a Schematic Component file. Here are the two most common methods.

1. From the parent schematic, select U1.

2. Right click to bring up the context menu and select Edit Symbol:
   
   

   Note: The training material shortcut Shift+S will execute the same menu item.

OR

1. From the Gen_Opto.sxcmp schematic view, select Hierarchy ▶ Open/Create Symbol for Schematic...
   

   Note: The training material shortcut S will execute the same menu item.

Both these methods will open the symbol editor to the symbol contained in the Gen_Opto.sxcmp file:

Switching Between Windows

SIMetrix/SIMPLIS uses four windows:

1. Command Shell
2. Schematic Editor
3. Symbol Editor
4. Graph Viewer

A few handy shortcuts will help navigate between the windows:

• Ctrl+T : Tabs between schematic, symbol, and graph Windows.

• Space Bar : Brings the Command Shell into Focus.

• Ctrl+W : Brings up a selection dialog to select which window to focus on:
  

Saving Window Size and Position

The program automatically remembers the size and position of each pop-up dialog every time you close the dialog. The four main windows are handled differently - you have to direct the program when you want to save the position of the windows. To setup the windows on your desktop,

1. Manually adjust the four windows to have the size and screen position you desire.

   • If you don't have a graph viewer open, press F10 to open a blank graph viewer.

   • To open the symbol editor, use the Command shell menu File ▶ Symbol Editor ▶ New Symbol.

2. Once your windows are sized and positioned, select the command shell menu: File ▶ Windows ▶ Save Desktop.
   Result: Your desktop preferences are saved. No message is produced.

Try moving and resizing a window. To restore the saved desktop, select the menu File ▶ Windows ▶ Restore Desktop.

SIMetrix/SIMPLIS will use your saved settings every time the program starts.

Conclusions and Key Points to Remember

• Every schematic and schematic component file has a F11 window.

• The contents of the F11 window are included in the simulation prior to any netlist generated from the schematic.

• Analysis directives are stored in the F11 window.

• Schematic Component files contain both the Symbol and Schematic view of a model.

• The parent-child hierarchy model presented here will be exploited in future chapters. This concept offers a very powerful way to isolate functional blocks.

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