Design Verification Module: DVM Symbols

TITLE SIMetrix/SIMPLIS DVM Symbol Documentation
APPLIES TO SIMetrix/SIMPLIS DVM v6.10
KEYWORDS dvm, symbol, control, source, load
DESCRIPTION Covers the special symbols used with the SIMetrix/SIMPLIS Design Verification Module.

In order to support the ability to run multiple analyses without the user making schematic changes, the Design Verification Module (DVM) uses a few special symbols, namely:

Input Source

Typical DVM Input Source Configurations:

  • DC: a simple DC voltage source.
  • PULSE: a piece-wise linear voltage source with configurable VSTART, VPULSE and VFINAL.
  • RAMP: a piece-wise linear voltage source with configurable VSTART and VFINAL.

Special DVM Input Source Configurations:

  • DC (IMPEDANCE): a simple DC voltage source with special circuitry for measuring input impedance.
  • DC (SUSCEPTIBILITY): a simple DC voltage source with special circuitry for measuring conducted susceptibility.

All Input Source configurations support Equivalent Source Resistance.

Aux. Source

DVM Aux. Source Configurations:

  • DC: a simple DC voltage source.
  • PULSE: a piece-wise linear voltage source with configurable VSTART, VPULSE and VFINAL.
  • RAMP: a piece-wise linear voltage source with configurable VSTART and VFINAL.
  • All Aux. Source configurations support Equivalent Source Resistance.

    Load (2 Terminal)

    Typical DVM Load (2 Terminal) Configurations:

    • DC: a simple DC current source.
    • PULSE: a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART, IPULSE and IFINAL.
    • RAMP: a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART and IFINAL.
    • RES: a simple resistive load.

    Special DVM Load (2 Terminal) Configurations:

    • PULSE (PURE): a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART, IPULSE and IFINAL.
    • RAMP (PURE): a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART and IFINAL.
    • RES (IMPEDANCE): a simple resistive load with special circuitry for measuring output impedance.
    • RES (SHORTCKT): a simple resistive load with special circuitry for triggering a short circuit.

    Load (3 Terminal)

    Typical DVM Load (3 Terminal) Configurations:

    • DC: a simple DC current source.
    • PULSE: a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART, IPULSE and IFINAL.
    • RAMP: a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART and IFINAL.
    • RES: a simple resistive load.

    Special DVM Load (3 Terminal) Configurations:

    • PULSE (PURE): a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART, IPULSE and IFINAL.
    • RAMP (PURE): a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART and IFINAL.
    • Res (BODE): a simple resistive load with special circuitry for creating a bode plot.
    • RES (IMPEDANCE): a simple resistive load with special circuitry for measuring output impedance.
    • RES (SHORTCKT): a simple resistive load with special circuitry for triggering a short circuit.

    Load (4 Terminal)

    Typical DVM Load (4 Terminal) Configurations:

    • DC: a simple DC current source.
    • PULSE: a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART, IPULSE and IFINAL.
    • RAMP: a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART and IFINAL.
    • RES: a simple resistive load.

    Special DVM Load (4 Terminal) Configurations:

    • PULSE (PURE): a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART, IPULSE and IFINAL.
    • RAMP (PURE): a piece-wise linear current source with parameters ISTART and IFINAL.
    • Res (BODE): a simple resistive load with special circuitry for creating a bode plot.
    • RES (IMPEDANCE): a simple resistive load with special circuitry for measuring output impedance.
    • RES (SHORTCKT): a simple resistive load with special circuitry for triggering a short circuit.

    DVM Control (Basic)

    The DVM Control (Basic) symbol holds the bare minimum amount of information required to run DVM (accessed by double clicking the DVM Control Symbol on the schematic). The basic control has only one tab containing the following fields:

    • Circuit Name: for display purposes only, this information appears in the DVM Control symbol.
    • Circuit Description: for display purposes only, this information appears in the DVM Control symbol.
    • Report Customization: allows the user to specify custom CSS and image files for the HTML reports.
    • Pre-process Script: SIMetrix script to be executed immediately before launching each simulation, allowing an advanced user full access to adjust a schematic before a test.
    • Post-process Script: SIMetrix script to be executed immediately after each simulation successfully completes, allowing an advanced user full access to perform waveform manipulation and create custom scalar and spec values.

    DVM Control (Full PowerAssist)

    The DVM Control symbol is the central data storage location for information about your circuit. Design demographic information and performance specification and specifications can be entered into the five main tabs of the DVM Control dialog (accessed by double clicking the DVM Control Symbol on the schematic).

    • General: allows the user to set some basic characterization and housekeeping properties.
    • Input: allows the user to set properties related to the circuit's input source.
    • Output: allows the user to set properties related to the circuit's output load.
    • Advanced: allows the user to customize the pre- and post-processing behavior for a schematic as well as the appearance of the simulation report.
    • Analysis: allows the user to customize parameters for the following analysis types:
      • AC: parameters pertaining to AC Analyses (Bode Plot, Input Impedance, Output Impedance, Conducted Susceptibility).
      • POP: parameters pertaining to POP/Steady-State Analyses (Steady-State, Line and Load Regulation). A successful POP run is also a prerequisite for AC analyses.
      • Step Line: parameters pertaining to Step Line Analyses.
      • Step Load: parameters pertaining to Step Load Analyses.
      • Startup: parameters pertaining to Startup Analyses.
      • Short Circuit: parameters pertaining to Short Circuit Analyses.

    General

    • Circuit Name: for display purposes only, this information appears in the DVM Control symbol.
    • Circuit Description: for display purposes only, this information appears in the DVM Control symbol.
    • Switching Frequency: nominal switching frequency, used to determine actual timing events that are described in the testplan in "number of cycles".
    • Min. Phase Margin: specification for minimum phase margin.
    • Min. Gain Margin: specification for minimum gain margin.
    • Supports Startup?: if checked, startup tests will be performed, if not, startup tests will be skipped.
    • Supports Short Circuit?: if checked, short circuit tests will be performed, if not, short circuit tests will be skipped.

    Input

    • Input Voltage: minimum, nominal and maximum input voltages, used to setup simulation test conditions.
    • Source Resistance: equivalent source resistance for the input source.

    Output

    • Output Voltage: nominal output voltage.
    • Tolerances: specifications for positive, negative and overshoot output voltage tolerances.
    • Maximum Current: specification for current at 100% load.
    • Light Load: specifications for light load at Input 1 Min and Input 1 Max, circuit should be stable at these loads.

    Advanced

    • Report Customization: allows the user to specify custom CSS and image files for the HTML reports.
    • Pre-process Script: SIMetrix script to be executed immediately before launching each simulation, allowing an advanced user full access to adjust a schematic before a test.
    • Post-process Script: SIMetrix script to be executed immediately after each simulation successfully completes, allowing an advanced user full access to perform waveform manipulation and create custom scalar and spec values.

    Analysis: AC

    • Start Frequency: the start frequency of the AC sweep.
    • Stop Frequency: the stop frequency of the AC sweep.
    • Sweep Type: DEC, OCT or LIN.
    • Points per Decade / Octave: number of data points collected per decade, octave or total (in the case of a LIN sweep).

    For more information on these parameters, please see the SIMPLIS reference manual, specifically the section covering SIMPLIS-FX. If your circuit is pre-configured to run an AC analysis when the DVM Control symbol is placed, these values will be automatically extracted from your schematic.

    Analysis: POP

    • Trigger Gate: device name of a logic gate whose output defines a POP cycle.
    • Trigger Condition: 0_TO_1 or 1_TO_0, defines whether a rising or falling edge is the start of a new POP cycle.
    • Max. Period: defines the lowest frequency where POP will look for a Steady-State solution.
    • Cycles Before Launch: number of cycles before the POP algorithm will attempt to determine a Steady-State solution.

    For more information on these parameters, please see the SIMPLIS reference manual, specifically the section covering SIMPLIS-POP. If your circuit is pre-configured to run an AC analysis when the DVM Control symbol is placed, these values will be automatically extracted from your schematic.

    Analysis: Step Line

    • Slew Rate: maximum rate of change of the source voltage.
    • Cycles Before Event: combined with the nominal switching frequency, determines the length of time before the start of the line transient.
    • Cycles to Recover: combined with the nominal switching frequency, determines the length of time after the end of the line transient that the circuit has to recover.

    Analysis: Step Load

    • Slew Rate: maximum rate of change of the output load.
    • Cycles Before Event: combined with the nominal switching frequency, determines the length of time before the start of the load transient.
    • Cycles to Recover: combined with the nominal switching frequency, determines the length of time after the end of the load transient that the circuit has to recover.

    Analysis: Startup

    • Slew Rate: maximum rate of change of the source voltage.
    • Cycles Before Event: combined with the nominal switching frequency, determines the length of time before the start of the startup transient.
    • Cycles to Recover: combined with the nominal switching frequency, determines the length of time after the end of the startup transient that the circuit has to recover.
    • Cycles Before Stop Time to Check Output Regulation: combined with the nominal switching frequency, determines the length of time at the end of the simulation in which the circuit is examined to determine that it's in regulation.

    Analysis: Short Circuit

    • Short Circuit Load Resistance: on resistance of the switch used to implement the short circuit.
    • Short Circuit Duration: length of the short circuit event.
    • Cycles Before Event: combined with the nominal switching frequency, determines the length of time before the start of the short circuit.
    • Cycles to Recover: combined with the nominal switching frequency, determines the length of time after the termination of the short circuit in which the circuit is expected to recover.
    • Cycles Before Stop Time to Check Output Regulation: combined with the nominal switching frequency, determines the length of time at the end of the simulation in which the circuit is examined to determine that it's in regulation (only applicable to Short Circuit and Recover tests).

    Input Source Detail


    DC Input Source
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_SOURCE_DC (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters DC_VOLTAGE

    SOURCE_RESISTANCE


    Pulse Input Source
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_SOURCE_PULSE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Voltage
    X0 0 Y0 START_VOLTAGE
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_VOLTAGE
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 PULSE_VOLTAGE
    X3 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH Y3 PULSE_VOLTAGE
    X4 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH+FALL_TIME Y4 FINAL_VOLTAGE
    Relevant Parameters SOURCE_RESISTANCE


    Ramp Input Source
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_SOURCE_RAMP (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Voltage
    X0 0 Y0 START_VOLTAGE
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_VOLTAGE
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 FINAL_VOLTAGE
    Relevant Parameters SOURCE_RESISTANCE


    DC Input Source (Impedance)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_SOURCE_DC_IMPEDANCE (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters DC_VOLTAGE

    SOURCE_RESISTANCE


    DC Input Source (Susceptibility)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_SOURCE_DC_SUSCEPTIBILITY (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters DC_VOLTAGE

    SOURCE_RESISTANCE

    Aux. Source Detail


    DC Aux. Source
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_SOURCE_AUX_DC (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters DC_VOLTAGE

    SOURCE_RESISTANCE


    Pulse Aux. Source
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_SOURCE_AUX_PULSE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Voltage
    X0 0 Y0 START_VOLTAGE
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_VOLTAGE
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 PULSE_VOLTAGE
    X3 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH Y3 PULSE_VOLTAGE
    X4 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH+FALL_TIME Y4 FINAL_VOLTAGE
    Relevant Parameters SOURCE_RESISTANCE


    Ramp Aux. Source
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_SOURCE_AUX_RAMP (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Voltage
    X0 0 Y0 START_VOLTAGE
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_VOLTAGE
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 FINAL_VOLTAGE
    Relevant Parameters SOURCE_RESISTANCE

    2 Terminal Load Detail


    DC Load (2 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_2T_DC (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters DC_CURRENT


    Pulse Load (2 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_2T_PULSE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 PULSE_CURRENT
    X3 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH Y3 PULSE_CURRENT
    X4 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH+FALL_TIME Y4 FINAL_CURRENT
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE



    Ramp Load (2 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_2T_RAMP (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 FINAL_CURRENT
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Resistive Load (2 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_2T_RES (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Pulse Load (Pure) (2 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_2T_PULSE_PURE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 PULSE_CURRENT
    X3 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH Y3 PULSE_CURRENT
    X4 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH+FALL_TIME Y4 FINAL_CURRENT



    Ramp Load (Pure) (2 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_2T_RAMP_PURE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 FINAL_CURRENT


    Resistive Load (Impedance) (2 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_2T_RES_IMPEDANCE (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Resistive Load (Shortckt) (2 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_2T_RES_SHORTCKT (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE

    SHORTCKT_LOAD_RESISTANCE

    PULSE_WIDTH

    3 Terminal Load Detail


    DC Load (3 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_3T_DC (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters DC_CURRENT


    Pulse Load (3 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_3T_PULSE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 PULSE_CURRENT
    X3 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH Y3 PULSE_CURRENT
    X4 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH+FALL_TIME Y4 FINAL_CURRENT
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE



    Ramp Load (3 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_3T_RAMP (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 FINAL_CURRENT
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Resistive Load (3 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_3T_RES (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Pulse Load (Pure) (3 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_3T_PULSE_PURE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 PULSE_CURRENT
    X3 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH Y3 PULSE_CURRENT
    X4 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH+FALL_TIME Y4 FINAL_CURRENT



    Ramp Load (Pure) (3 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_3T_RAMP_PURE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 FINAL_CURRENT


    Resistive Load (Bode) (3 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_3T_RES_BODE (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Resistive Load (Impedance) (3 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_3T_RES_IMPEDANCE (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Resistive Load (Shortckt) (3 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_3T_RES_SHORTCKT (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE

    SHORTCKT_LOAD_RESISTANCE

    PULSE_WIDTH

    4 Terminal Load Detail


    DC Load (4 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_4T_DC (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters DC_CURRENT


    Pulse Load (4 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_4T_PULSE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 PULSE_CURRENT
    X3 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH Y3 PULSE_CURRENT
    X4 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH+FALL_TIME Y4 FINAL_CURRENT
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE



    Ramp Load (4 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_4T_RAMP (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 FINAL_CURRENT
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Resistive Load (4 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_4T_RES (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Pulse Load (Pure) (4 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_4T_PULSE_PURE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 PULSE_CURRENT
    X3 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH Y3 PULSE_CURRENT
    X4 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME+PULSE_WIDTH+FALL_TIME Y4 FINAL_CURRENT



    Ramp Load (Pure) (4 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_4T_RAMP_PURE (schematic)
    Timing

    Time Current
    X0 0 Y0 START_CURRENT
    X1 TIME_DELAY Y1 START_CURRENT
    X2 TIME_DELAY+RISE_TIME Y2 FINAL_CURRENT


    Resistive Load (Bode) (4 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_4T_RES_BODE (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Resistive Load (Impedance) (4 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_4T_RES_IMPEDANCE (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE


    Resistive Load (Shortckt) (4 Terminal)
    Sub-circuit Name SIMPLIS_DVM_ADVANCED_LOAD_4T_RES_SHORTCKT (schematic)
    Relevant Parameters LOAD_RESISTANCE

    SHORTCKT_LOAD_RESISTANCE

    PULSE_WIDTH