Introduction to Simulation Environment

Targeted simulator: SIMetrix

About this document

Scope and purpose
The current document provides guidance on how to get started with the attached behavioral model using the
SIMetrix Simulator either by creating a new project from scratch or based on an existing testbench like the one
attached to the current archive.
Important note
This document has been created for general purposes and has NOT been tailored to any specific product.
Therefore, the naming of symbols, testbenches and other files will differ from the ones included in the delivery
package.

GettingStarted Please read the sections "Important notice" and "Warnings" at the end of this document V1.0
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Introduction to Simulation Environment
Targeted simulator: SIMetrix
Table of contents

Table of contents

About this document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Table of contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1 Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
2 Starting a new project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1 Create a new project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2.2 Import of an existing model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2.1 Install the model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2.2 Associate model with symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3 Set up and run a transient analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
2.4 Set up global parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.5 Recommended simulation settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3 Opening an existing project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.1 Transient simulation considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

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1 Resources

1 Resources
The minimum files required to follow the steps from this document can be found in the current archive with the
following extensions:
• .lib : the model code – to be found either as encrypted (to protect Infineon’s IP) or unencrypted format
• .sxslb : schematic symbol view for graphical user interface
• .sxsch : project file which contains one/several application setup(s)

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2 Starting a new project

The instructions presented below assume basic knowledge like opening a schematic and running a simulation.
If necessary, please get familiar with simulation environment before proceeding.

2.1 Create a new project

Begin by opening the SIMetrix application. Select File menu→New→Schematic and the window will display a
new schematic panel, similar to that below:

Figure 1 Create new Schematic

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2.2 Import of an existing model

Before setting up a simulation, the model libraries of interest must be integrated in the simulator tool. This
section gives an introduction about the installation of the simulation model files in SIMetrix.
All simulation models are installed using a common, two-step procedure:
• Install the model
• Associate model with symbol

2.2.1 Install the model

SIMetrix present two ways of model installation: “drag and drop method” and “local installation method”.

Drag and Drop method

To install a model select and drag the code source file (.lib), e.g. GENERIC_MODEL.lib and the symbol file
(.sxslb), e.g. simulation_model.sxslb and drop them in the SIMetrix Command Shell
• Open windows explorer and locate the device models
• Select items to be installed
• Make sure that the SIMetrix command shell is in focus. If not, select a schematic or graph and press the
spacebar
• Select the files in windows explorer, then drag and drop them into the command shell
• For files which are processed individually, a message box will pop up. Once confirmed the simulation
model will be installed

Figure 2 Drag & Drop

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Local Installation method

A model (.lib file) can also be enabled for a certain schematic only – by including a reference in the Command
Window.
Steps to follow:
• Open the schematic sheet, press F11 on keyboard to toggle Command Window
• Use .include command followed by library name. The model library file (.lib) must be place in the same
folder with the schematic

Figure 3 Local model

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2.2.2 Associate model with symbol

Once the simulation model has been installed, the symbol (.sxslb) and the code source file (.lib) can be placed
on the schematic and start a simulation:
• To associate a symbol to a new installed library, go to Place → From Model Library

Figure 4 Associate symbol with model

• In the “Recently Added Models” section select the chosen part, e.g. GENERIC_MODEL and a schematic
symbol will appear in the preview window, like in Figure 5

Figure 5 Associate Symbol with Model

• In case SIMetrix display the following message: “SIMetrix does not know what symbol to use for this
model” like in Figure 6, press Place, select Auto Create Symbol (Figure 7)and a default rectangular shape
will be associated.

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Figure 6 Associate symbol with model for unknown part

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Figure 7 Associate symbol with model - Auto create symbol

• A preview of the model can be observed in the Electrical Model window.

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Figure 8 Associate symbol with model – Auto create symbol

• If the part will be placed in the “Unassigned” category, press OK and select Yes, leave at “Unassigned”
(Figure 9), otherwise select a proper category or create a new one.

Figure 9 Associate Symbol with Model – Auto Create Symbol

The symbol is now ready and could be place in the schematic.

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2.3 Set up and run a transient analysis

A Transient Analysis will evaluate the behavior of the circuit in the time domain, similar to what an oscilloscope
displays in the lab.
To perform this analysis follow the next steps:
• From the main menu select Simulator → Choose Analysis

Figure 10 Choose Analysis

• From „Choose Analysis” dialog box select Transient check box situated on the right under„Analysis
Mode”.

Figure 11 Simulation settings

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• Select Transient tab at the top and enter the simulation parameters as described below:
- Stop time (1) = total simulation time. Note that the simulation can be paused before the Stoptime is
reached, allowing the results obtained so far to be examined
- Data output option (2) = Sometimes it is desirable to restrict the amount of data being generated by
the simulator which in some situations can be very large. It can be specified that data output does not
begin until after a certain duration. It can also be specified a certain time interval for the data to be
displayed
- Advanced option (3) = press on the button and will opens the dialog box (Figure 12 Transient
Advanced Options)

Figure 12 Simulation settings

- Time Step (4) = defines the maximum internal step size, which is dependent on the specified Stop
Time parameter
- Integration Method (5) = it is recommended to set this to Gear integration because in most cases it
works better and is less noisy then Trapezoidal integration
- Skip DC bias point (6) = the simulation will start with all nodes at zero volts (transient analysis
convergence problems are very likely if this is not the case as the circuit will be starting from an
unknown state)
• From the main menu, select Simulator → Run Schematic to perform the analysis

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Figure 13 Run the simulation

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2.4 Set up global parameters

A model parameter allows the user to have a direct control over specific components inside the circuit at any
hierarchical level with the following purposes:
• Apply the same value to multiple part instances
• Set up an analysis that sweeps a variable through a range of values (for example, DC sweep or parametric
analysis)
To declare a global parameter in SIMetrix:
• Open the schematic sheet
• Press F11 on keyboard to toggle Command Window;
• Use .PARAM command followed by parameter name and value

Figure 14 Define global parameter

Two practical examples are shown below:
• Apply the same value to multiple instances: in the value field of any component use the parameter name
between curly brackets

Figure 15 Global parameter for multiple instances

• Set up an analysis to sweep a variable through a range of values. The effect is the same as running the
circuit several times, once for each value of the swept variable. To perform this analysis follow the steps
from Figure 16
• In “Chose Analysis” menu select “Enable multi-step” (1) and click on “Define…”

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Figure 16 Set up a parametric simulation

• Select “Parameter” from “Sweep mode” menu (3), enter the “Parameter name” (4) and define the
“Step parameters” (5)

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Figure 17 Set up a parametric simulation (b)

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2.5 Recommended simulation settings

As Spice was not originally designed for power electronics and highly non-linear components, the simulation
parameters (Simulator → Choose Analysis → Options) may be optimized for a specific design.

Figure 18 Simulation settings

The following recommended values facilitate convergence:

Table 1 Recommended values for simulation parameters

Relative tolerance=10m relative accuracy of voltage and currents
Current tolerance=1n maximum current accuracy
Integration method=Gear
Skip DC bias point
.options noOpIter skip the initial attempt at solving the DC operating
point; can be define in the schematic’s F11 window

In general, the delivered models need to detect a rising edge starting from 0V on Inputs and Supply voltages to
properly for a proper start-up sequence. It is recommended to use VPWL or VPULSE instead of VDC component.

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Tip: In order to avoid the simulator’s potential convergence issues please avoid using voltage sources such
as VDC components as most of the models require a power-up pattern starting for at least a couple
of micro-seconds from a zero volts supply. Therefore, it is best-practice to use sources like VPULSE or
VPWL as shown below:
Table 2 Table A
VDC VPULSE VPWL

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3 Opening an existing project

3 Opening an existing project

Typically, the model is delivered with an attached demo_testbench which is already configured and is ready for
use.

3.1 Transient simulation considerations

• Open the SIMetrix application and from the File → Open
• In the browse window locate and open the schematic file (.sxsch), e.g.“DEMO_TESTBENCH.sxsch” file from
the Infineon-GenericModel-SimulationModel-L1-SIMetrix-v01_00-EN package directory. For example:

Figure 19 Open an existing project

• The window will display the application testbench schematic, similar to that below:

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Figure 20 Open the demo_testbench

• To start the simulation, press “F9” on the keyboard or open the Simulator → Run Schematic.
Alternatively, the play button on the SIMetrix toolbar may be used

Figure 21 Start a simulation

• Once the netlist has been generated, the “Simulator” will open and the simulation will automatically start
• After the Simulator Status will show Complete (1) the signals can be plotted. To do this, close the
Simulator window (2) and from the main menu select Probe → Add curve (3)

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Figure 22 Plot signals

• To plot the signals please select them from the Available vectors (4) then press “OK” button (5)

Note: Filtering of the desired signals can be done from “Edit Filter” menu (6), using the check boxes in
the right of the window by their type (e.g. voltages, currents (7))

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Figure 23 Plot signals

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Figure 24 Plot signals

• To add other windows, select from the main menu Axes → New Grid

Figure 25 Plot signals

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Revision history

Revision history
Document Date of Description of changes
version release
V1.0 2020-01-20 GettingStarted released

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