Virtuoso Spectre Pro S3: Transient Algorithm

Length: 1/2 day (4 Hours)

Course Description

This course is part of the Virtuoso^® Spectre^® Pro series. It is an advanced class offering and part of the Engineer Explorer series. You use the Spectre Circuit Simulator and its corresponding options to analyze results from transient analysis and you use the Analog Design Environment to set up and run simulations on circuit examples. You learn how the transient algorithm is used to solve circuits in a Spectre simulation. Concepts of timestep, truncation errors and numerical methods used during the analysis are discussed. You then learn how certain simulator tolerance and convergence settings affect your transient simulations.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Decode simulation convergence for transient analysis
• Identify the capacitor and inductor models used
• Interpret local truncation error (LTE)
• Use timestep limits by choosing timesteps during simulation
• List the various numerical integration methods along with their advantages and disadvantages
• Specify the relref setting used for transient convergence criteria
• Use the Dynamic Parameter setting from the analysis setup form
• Apply the diagnose option and interpret its results
• Use data reduction techniques to reduce the size of the output file
• Use the save-restart feature for your simulation runs
• Run transient analysis on oscillators

Software Used in This Course

• 38500 Spectre Classic Simulator
• 91050 Spectre Accelerated Parallel Simulator
• 95250 Virtuoso ADE Explorer
• 95255 Virtuoso Visualization & Analysis XL

Software Release(s)

SPECTRE 17.1 and IC 6.1.7 ISR16

Modules in this Course

• Transient Analysis Algorithm
• Transient Analysis Simulation Options
• Transient Analysis on Oscillators

Audience

• RF Designers
• Analog/Mixed-Signal IC Designers

Prerequisites

You need to have knowledge of the following software:

• Spectre Circuit Simulator
• Virtuoso Analog Design Environment

Or you must have completed the following courses:

• Spectre Simulator Fundamentals S1: Spectre Basics                         
• Spectre Simulator Fundamentals S2: Large-Signal Analyses
• Spectre Simulator Fundamentals S3: Small-Signal Analyses

This course is not an introductory offering. It is an advanced class and part of the Engineer Explorer advanced user offerings. It requires that you understand the basic operation of Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator and the Virtuoso Analog Design Environment.

Related Courses

• Virtuoso Spectre Pro S1: DC Algorithm
• Virtuoso Spectre Pro S2: AC, XF, STB, and Noise Analyses
• Virtuoso Spectre Pro S4: Measuring Accurate Fourier Transforms
• Virtuoso Spectre Pro S5: Transient Noise

Please see course learning maps at this link for a visual representation of courses and course relationships. Regional course catalogs may be viewed here.