Introducing several practical power supply simulation software

IsSpice is a commercial simulation software launched by Intusoft, an American company, and is an important part of the ICAP/4 software integration system. The ICAP/4 software integration system is mainly composed of four functional modules: SpiceNet, PreSPice, InSpice and IntuScope. The workflow of ICAP/4 is: first enter SpiceNet to draw the circuit diagram and generate the corresponding Netlist file, then execute the IsSpice simulation software module. Before simulation, the system will automatically connect to the component model in the PreSpice simulation database. After the simulation is completed, the simulation model is analyzed and processed using the IntuScope waveform analysis and processing module.

SpiceNet is a circuit schematic drawing module, which mainly realizes the drawing of circuit schematics, automatic generation of Netlist files, transient waveform display and interactive simulation control. SpiceNet is compatible with various popular simulation systems, and its output document format is suitable for Mentor, OrCAD and Protel systems. The PreSpice component database of ICAP/4 Industrial Edition contains more than 10,000 component models, which are saved in ASCⅡ format. Users can browse the component models provided by different component suppliers at any time through the simulation model browser Parts Browser. At the same time, the ICAP/4 system also provides more than 100 general models, which can be directly called after entering the corresponding component parameters. In addition, users can download the latest component library instantly through the Internet.

InSpice is an interactive simulation software with complete simulation control functions. Its main features include: (1) transient waveform display; (2) circuit component voltage, current, power consumption and model parameter display; (3) use of ICL interactive programming language to control the simulation process; (4) group parameter scanning; (5) AC, DC, transient, noise, Fourier, distortion, temperature, DC sensitivity, Monte Carlo analysis and optimization analysis; (6) ability to measure critical values ​​of circuit parameters.

IntuScope waveform analysis and processing software can realize the functions of digital storage oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer, and can perform real-time analysis and calculation processing on simulation results. It can mainly achieve: (1) display simulation waveforms of various analysis types; (2) waveform analysis parameters include: effective value, peak-to-peak value, average value, maximum value, minimum value; (3) allow a large number of waveforms to be displayed and analyzed simultaneously; (4) can perform regression, filtering, gain, phase, rise/fall time analysis and calculation.

The SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) software for analog circuit simulation was developed in 1972 by the computer-aided design team of the University of California, Berkeley, using the FORTRAN language. It is mainly used for computer-aided design of large-scale integrated circuits. The official practical version of SPICE, SPICE 2G, was officially launched in 1975, but the operating environment of the program is at least a minicomputer. In 1985, the University of California, Berkeley rewrote the SPICE software in C language, and in 1988 SPICE was designated as the US national industrial standard. At the same time, various commercial analog circuit simulation software with SPICE as the core have done a lot of practical work on the basis of SPICE, making SPICE the most popular electronic circuit simulation software.

[page]PSPICE is a SPICE version upgraded by Microsim in the United States based on SPICE 2G version and used on PC. Version 5.0, which uses free-format language, has been widely used in my country since the 1980s, and a graphical interface has been introduced since version 6.0. In 1998, ORCAD, a well-known EDA commercial software developer, formally merged with Microsim, and since then Microsim's PSPICE products have been formally incorporated into ORCAD's commercial EDA system. At present, ORCAD has officially launched ORCAD PSPICE Release 9.0. Compared with traditional SPICE software, PSPICE 9.0 has achieved major changes in three major aspects: First, on the basis of basic circuit characteristic analysis such as DC, AC and transient for analog circuits, it realizes more complex circuit characteristic analysis such as Monte Carlo analysis, worst-case analysis and optimization design; second, it can simulate not only analog circuits, but also digital circuits and digital/analog mixed circuits; third, the integration is greatly improved, and circuit simulation can be directly performed after the circuit diagram is drawn, and the simulation results can be analyzed and observed at any time.

Parameter extraction module), PSPICE/Probe (simulation display and analysis module) and Optimizer (optimization module). Although PSPICE is increasingly used, it also has obvious shortcomings. Since SPICE software was originally developed mainly for information electronic circuit design, the device models are all for low-power electronic devices. It is not suitable for the high voltage and large injection phenomena of high-power devices used in power electronic circuits, and sometimes even may lead to wrong results. PSPICE uses a variable step size algorithm. For power electronic circuits with periodic switching state changes, a lot of time will be spent on finding a suitable step size, which will extend the calculation time and sometimes even fail to converge. In addition, PSPICE also needs to be strengthened in the model of magnetic components. Saber is an analog and mixed signal simulation software developed by Analogy in the United States and launched in 1987. It is known as the most advanced system simulation software in the world and the only multi-technology and multi-field system simulation product. Analogy is a world leader in mechatronics and power electronics design and analysis. Its products are widely used in power, electronics, aviation, transportation, household appliances and military fields. Different from traditional simulation software, Saber adopts hardware description language (MAST) and single-core hybrid simulation scheme in structure, and improves the simulation algorithm, making Saber simulation faster, more effective and more widely used. When application engineers are designing systems, it is crucial to establish the most accurate and complete system simulation model.

Saber can simulate analog signals, event-driven analog signals, digital signals, and mixed-signal devices at the same time. Using the Calaversas algorithm developed by Analogy, Saber can ensure that two simultaneous simulation processes can achieve maximum efficiency, and can realize information exchange between the two processes, and achieve seamless connection between analog and digital simulation analysis. Saber is applicable to a wide range of fields, including electronics, power electronics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, electro-optics, optics, water conservancy, control systems, and data sampling systems. As long as the simulation object can be described by mathematical expressions, Saber can perform system-level simulation on it.

In Saber, simulation models can be directly described by mathematical formulas and control relationship expressions without the need for electronic macromodel expressions. Therefore, Saber can accurately simulate complex hybrid systems, and simulation results of different systems of the simulation object can be obtained simultaneously. In order to solve the convergence problem in the simulation process, Saber uses 5 different algorithms to simulate the system in turn. Once one of the algorithms fails, Saber will automatically use the next algorithm. Generally, the higher the simulation accuracy, the longer the simulation process takes. Ordinary simulation software has to balance simulation accuracy and simulation time. Saber uses its unique design to ensure the highest simulation accuracy in the shortest time. Saber works in the SaberDesigner graphical interface environment and can easily integrate with Cadence Design System, Mentor Graphics and Viewlogic. Saber can be directly called for simulation through the above software.

At present, Analogy of the United States and the National Engineering Research Center for Power Electronics Application Technology of Zhejiang University have cooperated to establish the Analogy Asia System Simulation Center (ZASC). On the one hand, it provides technical support and technical services to Saber users in the Asia-Pacific region. On the other hand, it also undertakes system simulation and computer-aided design projects for power electronics, mechatronics and hybrid technologies, and cultivates system simulation engineering and technical talents for enterprises.

ORCAD PSPICE Release 9.0 has six major functional modules, among which the core module is PSPICE A/D, and the other functional modules are: Capture (circuit schematic design module), Stimulus Editor (stimulus signal editing module), and Model Editor (model).