5Spice
Operating Point convergence option
- fixed bug that made convergence more difficult, not less, for a few circuits.
rare Simulation failure if user enters a maximum time step > 100 larger than length of simulation.
WinSpice doc said it supported the following Temperature Coeff syntax. fixed in 5Spice so it does.
R7 N1 N2 VALUE TC=x,y
R7 N1 N2 VALUE TC1=x TC2=y
subcircuit that calls both VSwitch model and external subcircuit reports "model not found". example: IR2103 subcircuit.
replace non-working 5Spice implementation of PSpice's ISwitch
with revised WinSpice implementation. ISwitch is rare, VSwitch is used everywhere and was fine.
Transistor Area
AREA=xxx specified on the call line. this syntax form is not found in Spice3 or PSpice documentation but is used in some commercial transistor models. fix 5Spice to allow it.
Q2 1 2 3 PNP8 AREA=xxx
Area specified with parameter in call line. fix 5Spice to allow it.
Q2 1 2 3 PNP8 {x36}
WinSpice
"singular matrix" error with some Analog Devices models. had to be fixed in WinSpice. sorry it took so long.
BSIM1, BSIM2 models: publicly documented XPART fix. prevents random variation in simulation results
MOS1-MOS6 diode model
traditional Spice3 bug in adding GMIN to drain-to-body and source-to-body diodes. Fixed to be identical to Spice2 code and Spice3's BSIM1, BSIM2 implementation.
Resistor with Temperature Coefficient gave wild numbers in Sensitivity analysis.
program crash using LTC1250 subcircuit.
transmission line in AC analysis with line length <> 1.
traditional Spice bug was worked around in earlier 5Spice, now fixed in WinSpice.
diode model: junction charge versus temperature
traditional Spice bug where charges are computed using the ================
5Spice version 1.50, October 17, 2008
NEW FEATURES
Schematic and Analysis Error Messages
Add a new error message display box under schematic so errors can be read while viewing the schematic.
Revise and clarify schematic and analysis error messages. Document messages in new section in program's Help.
Add larger schematic Zoom levels
Zoom has two new levels allowing the schematic to be displayed up to twice as large. Good for laptops and super high resolution screens.
data separator in Data Export file
Default separator between data is now the TAB character, not the comma. This allows cut and paste into spreadsheet and eliminates confusion for users in countries where the comma is the decimal separator.
Added user option to select the comma as was used in previous versions.
Add option to display phase in FFT graph display
BUG FIXES
FFT analysis/graphs - fixed several bugs that occured when
1. using a single graph and alternately running two FFT analyses that have different time parameter values.
2. running one FFT analysis, locking the graph, changing time parameters and running again to create second graph, then re-running the FFT on first graph.
FFT analysis
fixed export and auto-export of FFT data.
Fixed bug that occasionally would cause Library to loose track of compatibility problems found when parsing a subcircuit that contains call to an external subcircuit.
If a Library model file referenced by a schematic symbol is missing/renamed and you load a schematic and immediately run an analysis, then "file not found" messages show but simulation is started. Get confusing error message from WinSpice.
Fix: if error, prevent simulation from starting.
When sweeping component values, simulation may halt before all value steps have been simulated. Number of steps simulated before halting varies. Fixed.
Gain did not change when sweeping gain of a dependent sources (VCVS, VCCC, CCVS, CCCS)
In version 1.40, dragging a resistor across the schematic leaves a trail of dots on screen. Fixed.
In Graph where component values are swept, clicking the bottom edge of the component value box could cause the graph to redraw, hiding some parts.
Fixed bug that prevented ST TRIACs from working in 5Spice.
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5Spice version 1.40, March 10, 2008
NEW FEATURES
Network licensing option, concurrent user model
5Spice file locations changed in Vista and XP starting with v1.30. Add main menu TOOLS entry that lists the file and Library locations for your computer.
"Power" (interconnect) schematic symbol
allow full range of characters for the symbol's name that appears in the schematic
Single Frequency FM waveform in Transient analysis
Add comparator with input hysteresis to digital logic gates
Ability to plot relative phase difference between signals at two TestPoints
Transferring the program's registration
Add a simpler method for users to transfer the registration when re-installing Windows or moving to a new computer. See "transfer the registration" under main menu HELP.
Warn user when they select a modern MOSFET model for IC design that it may not be implemented or may need correct LEVEL and VERSION set.
BUG FIXES
Transmission line
In AC analysis the phase would be wrong if the line length was not equal to one and no resistance per length was specified.
numbers using comma separator (number written as 1,23)
fixed bugs when these numbers were used with internal Transformer and OpAmp models.
diagonal lines in graph with 4 plots
fixed bug that occured with 4 TestPoints that have long names
fix bug that caused errors if running two copies of the program and simulating in both copies. Still can't have both simulations run simultaneously.
detect Zetex power MOSFETs properly that were not showing in selection lists.
fix bug that hid error reporting of problems in individual Library .Models
fix text spacing when schematic text is written in vertical orientation
fix bug that prevented program closing if 5Spice.ini file was missing
fix bug that caused "not a number" error message in .MODEL if IS={parameter}. There was no problem in the usual case where IS = a number.
ignore .HTM and .HTML files in Library (Spice cannot parse these files)
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5Spice version 1.30, May 30, 2007
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5Spice version 1.22, September 27, 2005
(maintenance release)
warn user when Spice adds shunt resistors to achieve DC bias convergence.
clarify pin order for adding pin names to Opamp subcircuit symbol.
fix bug after adding pin names to OpAmp subcircuit symbol - sometimes symbol would not connect to circuit properly.
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5Spice version 1.21, September 4, 2005
(maintenance release for v1.20)
overseas users: fix v1.20 bugs for users in countries where numbers are written as 1,23 (not 1.23)
Transient, Distortion, FFT analyses - simulation never ends
Calculated plots - "not a valid floating point number" error
logic gates, v1.20
user set logic Level and logic Threshold were only applied during
Transient and Distortion analysis. now applied in all analyses.
Risetime and one-shot Pulsewidth setting were not applied during FFT. fixed.
Convergence Help checkbox
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5Spice version 1.20, September 1, 2005
NEW FEATURES
FFT analysis, demo schematic using FFT
four input NonLinear Source
One-shot and D Flip-Flop
built-in logic gates
- now available in unregistered version. schematic can't be saved.
- global setting of logic high level, logic threshold and risetime
- when using large Transient time step values, logic internal time constants
- track time step value for faster simulation and reliable clocking.
auto-numbering of components as they are added to schematic. can be turned off.
schematic symbols linked to subcircuits/models
- option to hide the library file name
squarewave SignalSource
- option to start squarewave from zero volts
graphs
- user can change the scale of the horizontal axis after graph is created
graph of phase
- option to have phase range from 0-360 degrees (default is from -180 to +180 degrees)
Library rebuild error report contains more detail on errors in subcircuits
Running under Win2000 and XP: remove length limitation on schematic Notes page and SignalSource's PWL datapoint list.
allow setting GMIN to smaller value = 1E-14
BUGS / IMPROVEMENTS
graph of noise - now works with sweeping a component value or temperature
new install program
- does not have the "missing file" problem installing under XP service pack 2
- does not contain bug that can cause Windows to falsely think the Tahoma font files are missing after an un-install of 5Spice. See website FAQ for fix if you have this problem.
schematic Notes and SignalSource's PWL list
- under Win2000 and XP, if user entered more than 64K of text, then saved the schematic file, file would fail during loading when re-opened.
wrong phase reported in ac analysis
- when imaginary part equaled exactly 0 and real part=negative value, program reported phase=0 instead of -180 degrees.
wire terminated with only a junction was not reported as un-connected - simulation would run with this wiring error.
deleting a schematic part that has error circles at its pins and then performing 10 or more deletes could cause repeating error message. fixed.
MOSFET symbol linked to subcircuit - simulation would fail if user did not specify at least one geometry parameter.
some very old Burr-Brown (now Analog Devices) subcircuit files are still in DOS format. 5Spice included DOS file termination character when it submitted subcircuit to WinSpice. WinSpice would halt while reading circuit description.
Distortion analysis
- changed from first to third order interpolation of data onto time grid for more consistant results at distortion levels less then 1%.
- if transient data was all zero's, math would fail with error msg and program would misbehave.
- if user entered 0 for stabilization time, would get error msg.
Project Wizard
selecting Added Resistances checkboxes caused GMIN and PIVTOL to be mistakenly set to their overriden values, not their calculated values. Did not affect simulation but was confusing to the user.
double clicking a graph in a separate window would bring up the rescale axis dialog for the main graph.
.PARAM line
program would label as error a line where second parameter uses the first in its definition:
.PARAM Rwidth=10K Cwidth=PulseWidth/Rwidth
syntax errors in manufacturers' subcircuits
- large LTC model file sometimes uses .END instead of .ENDS
accept error
- rare: if subcircuit is missing .ENDS entirely, does not appear in program's Library index or error report. Fix and accept if file has only one subcircuit, otherwise report error.
- International Rectifier and some others violate PSpice syntax by not including the equals sign in "VALUE={ }" syntax. accept syntax error
- LTC model file - some .Model lines for PSpice's VSwitch use brackets [ ] instead of parentheses ( ). accept syntax error
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5Spice version 1.11. February 4, 2005 (maintenance release)
added demo schematics for power dissipation
BUGS / IMPROVEMENTS
swept/stepped component value
when data appeared in a table the swept value was not displayed correctly after the first step. fixed.
calculated Plot and the Pac (power) operator
fix Pac not calculating power correctly in analyses other than AC. change operator name from Pac to Pwr
component parameter TestPoint
we had blocked selecting the power parameter in v1.10 due to last minute bug. further investigation shows Spice reports power OK except in AC analysis. Spice source code notes that other parameters may also be reported incorrectly in AC analysis.
1. allow use of power parameter
2. prevent use of the parameter TestPoint in AC analysis
Also fixed access violation error when user edits TestPoint and then presses OK to close but has not selected a parameter.
TestPoints selected to appear in DC analysis data tables were not being checked for valid TestPoint names.
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5Spice version 1.10 December 28, 2004
NEW FEATURES
AC Sensitivity analysis (for registered users)
new TestPoint shows device power, junction capacitance and small signal parameters (for registered users)
allow graph Plot to be calculated from data of two TestPoints
add Potentiometer component - wiper position can be swept in analysis.
analysis Temperature displayed on status line below schematic
allow generic subcircuit symbol's parameter fields to be positioned relative to symbol body
Duplicate and missing reference numbers - highlight in the schematic so easy to find
option to save visible portion of schematic to .EMF image file
swept component/temperature values in Graph:
add display under XY readout cursor box listing the swept component values. clicking on a value makes cursor readout the values of the associated graph plot.
Distortion graph - add background to identify "circuit stabilization time" portion of waveform
Graph plot linestyle and color - add button to save user choices as the program default settings
C size printing - add alignment marks for joining the two sheets of paper.
Component tolerance - display with % sign in schematic.
external subcircuits - allow math functions in expressions
BUGS / IMPROVEMENTS
Fix drawing problems in user interface on newer displays with very high resolution on small screen. Occured when Window's display is set for "Large Fonts".
Printing bug - occasionally schematic printed as double image. In Japan no schematic printing. Fixed.
endless Errors on Schematic Load - a SignalSource rotated 90 in the schematic would cause endless errors when file was reloaded. Fixed.
better error handling when trying to load a schematic from a newer version of 5Spice.
SignalSource with PWL waveform
fixed bug limiting length of PWL list to 255 characters
fixed bug where after user defines a PWL waveform, schematic symbol still says "Piecewise undefined".
DC analysis, table of results - allow user to select which TestPoints are displayed in table
MOSFET symbol linked to subcircuit - fix to pass geometry parameters to subcircuit
graph AC magnitude in dB, fix for log(0)
log(0) is undefined (-infinity), graph was showing 0.
Fix: display -999 for log(0) and also if signal < 0
parsing multiple expressions in a line - only first expression was handled correctly.
graph label overlap with log frequency scale fixed.
graph XY readout with log frequency scale - the Y value interpolation between datapoints was wrong. fixed.
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5Spice version 1.02 June 02, 2004
NEW FEATURES
export data from graph/table to file for import into other programs. requires program registration
added tool to scan for .models missing parameters that can cause the Transient "timestep too small" error/failure in certain cases
BUGS / IMPROVEMENTS
expanded Help for "timestep too small" error
revise IdealDiode.lib library file for more realistic voltage drops
allow user to turn off MOSFET model and file names in schematic
swept/stepped component or temperature value - increase max number of steps to 10
reverse initial placement orientation of diodes (except zener)
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5Spice version 1.01 May 07, 2004
NEW FEATURES
shortcut CRTL+P for Print
shortcut CTRL+S for SaveAll files
ability to show graphs in a separate windows. allows visual comparison. graphs can be from same or different schematics.
IGBT, SCR and TRIAC schematic symbols
center tapped and three winding transformer symbols
support for .PARAM statements in subcircuits (note: trying to set Spice global parameters like GMIN with .PARAM statement inside a subcircuit is flagged as an error.)
switch mode power supply models by C. Basso now supported in both PSpice and Intusoft versions. note: program registration required to pass parameter values from schematic to subcircuits
made it easier for registered user to transfer program registration to another computer that can be recognized as belonging to them.
BUGS / IMPROVEMENTS
Arithmetic Overflow crash for WinSpice
Simulating a circuit that used subcircuit containing a PSpice controlled switch model with particular model parameters could occasionally crash WinSpice with "arithmetic overflow" error. Could depend on changes in the schematic. Problem fixed in 5Spice.
Rebuilding the Library
One subcircuit file reported with a unusual typographical error that caused 5Spice to crash with Stack Overflow error. Fixed for all typos.
B source line using named constant (e,pi,boltz,echarge) was marked as having error. Fixed.
Error reporting file: wrong line number reported for call to missing subcircuit or model. Fixed.
When checking for errors, program now distinguishes between calls to a subcircuit and a model in the same file that have the same name.
Calls to transistor models were marked as having error if the Area or Temperature parameter was used and there were spaces between it and the equals sign. Fixed.
PSpice syntax translation
"VALUE= { }" syntax that used parameters passed to the subcircuit was not translated correctly to Spice3 syntax. Subcircuit would have error reported when simulation was run. Fixed.
example: Rin is a parameter
E 1 2 VALUE = {1 + Rin}
NonLinear Source (Fxy) formula syntax checking
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5Spice version 1.00 December 17, 2003
NOTE: Trial period for commercial use is now 30 days.
NEW FEATURES
DC Sensitivity analysis (results displayed only for registered users)
differential Testpoint added
save image of graph as .BMP or .EMF file
Backwards Euler integration method for Transient and Distortion analysis
convergence option which fixes "timestep too small" error in some circuits
basic syntax checking of the NonLinear Source's formula
rebuilding the Library generates a report file (*.rpt) of problems. the expanded error descriptions are useful if more details are needed about a problem in a subcircuit.
handle common Intersil subcircuit syntax
TIME and TEMP (temperature) available in subcircuits and NonLinear Source formula
Unregistered Programs no longer access
Noise and Distortion analysis
digital logic parts
BUGS / IMPROVEMENTS
Help - numerous improvements
Subcircuit Syntax
TEMP global variable available for B source, E and G sources with VALUE=
TIME global works in same places except in DC, Noise and Senstivity analysis. user notified with message in those analyses.
can now use IF-THEN syntax in expressions for component values
bug fixed with F source and POLY syntax that caused simulation failure.
bug fixed where function names common to Spice3 and PSpice syntax were causing subcircuit to be marked as containing error when used in PSpice VALUE syntax.
PWR,PWRS(-3, 6) when base had unary minus sign, was not being translated correctly into Spice3. fixed.
Intersil subcircuits
now handles POLY syntax where dimension is not enclosed in ( )
now handles numbers with leading + as in +1E-07
Graph divide by zero error, AC analysis, plot of Phase
if the real part of a simulation data point is zero, got a divide by zero error (even though the same code worked last spring). fixed
Schematic cut and paste bug fixed
if popup menu used to cut or copy and then shortcut keys used to cut or copy, program would refuse to cut or copy or selection might jump to wrong part.
Simulation Engine Error reporting
fixed situation where the last in a series of errors were reported. Generally the later errors are caused by the earlier. Now report the first error.
TestPoint with no connection
fixed bug where disconnecting a Testpoint used in a graph plot caused an unrelated error. now correct error message.
Group Delay
bug fixed where value jumped as phase moved through 180 degrees
SubCircuit list display
bug when user un-checked the "show only matching subcircuits" box and selected a subcircuit not visible before. the program would not remember this the next time schematic was loaded. caused a "subcircuit not found" error. fixed.
Transmission Line (LTRA model) in subcircuit
program was marking subcircuit as having error. fixed.
AC Analysis Graph setup
Radians checkbox now available only if "Phase" is selected for the plot
Library Index building now ignores files with extension .BAK
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note: history prior to v1.00 is not shown
