Softpedia >Windows >Science / CAD >5Spice Analysis >  Changelog

5Spice Analysis Changelog

What's new in 5Spice Analysis 2.30.0

Feb 25, 2015
  • parameter TestPoint
  • error if schematic contains a parameter TestPoint and AC analysis is run but the TestPoint is not selected for a graph plot. Fixed.
  • feature: enable these TestPoints to be used for graph plots in AC analysis. previously worked only in DC Bias, DC and Transient.
  • new Precision convergence Option for Transient and FFT analysis.
  • tightens Spice's RELTOL for greater simulation accuracy.
  • TestPoints with two digits ("TP17") causes range check error in v2.25.
  • restore bug fix used in 2.20 and 2.10.
  • User could enter a space at beginning of component's RefNum when editing comp. caused "unresolved model or device reference" error. Fixed.
  • User trying to transfer 5Spice registration in v2.25 did not see button to enter transfer code. Fixed.
  • WinSpice 5.3.6 fixes bug where BJT model's Area factor of ".1" rather than "0.1" would give "unresolved model or device reference" error.

New in 5Spice Analysis 2.25.0 (Feb 25, 2015)

  • NonLinear Source bug introduced in v2.20:
  • fix bugs when formula uses part's X,Y inputs or variables TEMP, TIME, FREQ
  • Library rebuild:
  • detect .Models in Library that are PSpice encrypted. (.subckts were already detected)
  • show PSpice encrypted subckts in model selection lists (bug fix)
  • ignore files with ".DSN" extension
  • 5Spice would crash if Windows was shutting down and user said to not save 5Spice changes.
  • use new compiler

New in 5Spice Analysis 2.20.0 (Feb 25, 2015)

  • a parameter whose expression used a second parameter caused an error when simulation was starting. fixed.
  • allow user to enter parameters in the NonLinear Source formula.
  • speed up Library rebuild.
  • 5Spice Transfer code - add patch for occasional "corrupt 5Spice.cf5 file" error.
  • Transformer with Core - auto-calculate of secondary Ls could fail to occur. fixed.
  • Tool that makes schematic into .subckt (Professional edition feature) - add option to select whether a Signal Source is included in the .subckt, makes testing the subcircuit schematic much easier.
  • add option to evaluate all schematic parameters to fixed numbers when .subckt is created. allows using parameters in the schematic but the .subckt can be used with Spice programs that do not support parameter syntax.
  • the subcircuit schematic's Internal Parameters are now defined and stored as the Project's User Defined Parameters.
  • parameters were not working in .subckts created with the tool. fixed
  • misc. bug fixes, rewrite Help.
  • 5Spice Library selection list: some subckts created with the tool were falsely marked with errors. fixed.

New in 5Spice Analysis 2.10.0 (Nov 28, 2013)

  • fix bug in v2.06 where analysis using a plot equation in a graph may cause program fault on repeated simulation. bug depends on the equation syntax. fault may leave the program unstable.
  • Archive Projects and the Project Manager:
  • fix bug where reloaded archive project would get WinSpice error
  • on simulation.
  • improve user interface for archiving and de-archiviing projects.
  • add confirmations for user actions working with models and the Library.
  • DC Bias table of values:
  • fix table showing at wrong tab position when schematic has more
  • than one page.
  • fix table showing "Warning Node voltages may have changed" when analysis includes swept temperature or component value and circuit is not modified.
  • creating Subckt Schematic:
  • creating NodeList for simulation
  • fix not finding XportLink in NodeList when its name is same as a NetLink name.
  • add error message about unconnected XportLinks.
  • clarify existing error messages.
  • configuring a graph at start of simulation:
  • fix Range check error if TestPoint name plotted in graph starts with 3 letters and has more than a single digit at the end. examples: TPv17, TPI99
  • loading a version 1.xx schematic:
  • fix: polar capacitor symbol is misaligned
  • Project Manager, Spice Models page:
  • disable model reload, delete and save buttons when function is not available.
  • Feature:
  • main menu TOOLS: add Highlight Net menu item.

New in 5Spice Analysis 2.06.0 (Nov 28, 2013)

  • fix memory overwrite error occurring as graph is populated with data. overwrite may occasionally cause an error to occur later.
  • fix: if user entered extra parentheses in a graph plot equation, the equation returned the result calculated for the first data point for every data point in the plot.
  • update third party Internet library used in 5Spice with weekly "Check for Updates".

New in 5Spice Analysis 2.05.0 (Nov 28, 2013)

  • fix CTRL+S shortcut bug.
  • move menu item to change schematic page size to top of menu.
  • made it easier to transfer Upgrade registrations to another computer or re-install them. fix bugs for some cases.
  • new version WinSpice 5.3.5
  • final fixes to capacitor model that uses voltage coefficients.
  • fix missing connections (singular matrix) when a subckt called an external subckt.
  • in 5Spice this only affected the OneShot part.

New in 5Spice Analysis 2.04.0 (Nov 28, 2013)

  • fix v2.03 bug: no data loads in DC and Distortion analysis graph. new version of WinSpice 5.3.4
  • accept subcircuits with illegal Greek mu character such as Linear Tech
  • LTC6084.
  • fix fatal bug in NonLinear (B) source's MAX and MIN functions when used with a node voltage.
  • fix multiple bugs when using voltage coefficients with a capacitor value.

New in 5Spice Analysis 2.03.0 (Nov 28, 2013)

  • fix rare program hang/delay (>10 seconds) in Transient analysis
  • connecting a voltage TestPoint to ground could cause wrong data for graph plot of another TestPoint.
  • detect certain Vishay power MOSFET subcircuits correctly
  • minor appearance cleanup of user interface.

New in 5Spice Analysis 1.61.0 (Sep 9, 2010)

  • NEW FEATURES:
  • warn user of shorted passive components in schematic.
  • BUG FIXES:
  • Library Rebuild would freeze with new Diodes Inc file that contains all models including Zetex models. Also hundreds of syntax errors in this file and more in other Diodes Inc model files would prevent many models from appearing in 5Spice selection lists. Fixed freeze, syntax errors now corrected by 5Spice.
  • "underflow" math error message with saturating core transformer or exp() or pwr() functions in behavioral modeling. Occurred when extreme values were passed to the device or function. Fixed.
  • Search function is program's Help was not working.

New in 5Spice Analysis 1.60.0 (Jul 30, 2009)

  • NEW FEATURES
  • WinSpice 5.0
  • A version of the simulation engine specifically for 5Spice.
  • We finally have the ability to directly modify the WinSpice program to our needs! Many bug fixes and better coordination between the two programs.
  • 5Spice
  • New convergence option for SMPS circuits
  • switch-mode power supply circuits can be slow and tricky to simulate. this option tunes WinSpice for 2x speed and more robustness at the expense of accuracy. Use the traditional options for more accuracy.
  • Add Shunts convergence option
  • - the lowest shunt resistance value is increased to 1E8 ohms from 1E6.
  • - helps prevent mis-biasing of high impedance circuits.
  • -Shunts now will be used, if selected, when a "singular matrix" error is encountered.
  • handle PSpice TABLE syntax used in manufacturers' subcircuits
  • better Reporting of WinSpice error and warning messages
  • - warnings now appear in the "message box" below schematic.
  • add circuit Temperature as a global parameter
  • - allows using Fairchild MOSFETs models
  • schematic Line Widths increase
  • - when you are using super high screen resolution on a small size screen.
  • program indicates while loading if it is running under a network license
  • allow circuits with TIME in B source to run DC, noise and sensitivity analysis.
  • WinSpice
  • no more WinSpice program crashes that pop-up confusing error boxes.
  • code modified to improve convergence of circuits with JFETs (such as op amps)
  • Arbitrary Source, Fxy source, B source (different names for same thing)
  • (5Spice uses these extensively in translating PSpice subcircuit syntax.)
  • - better error reporting.
  • - rigorous protection against program crashes on math errors due to these sources
  • by rewriting protections of several math functions that could have math error.
  • by wrapping formula optimization and evaluation with graceful error handling. - fixed traditional Spice bug where division has large error if denominator is < 1E-9.
  • .IC and .NodeSet lines are now allowed in subcircuits
  • Maxim has one millivolt-drop diodes in some opamp subcircuits that
  • cause a math error when used at any temp except 27C.
  • Added fix so the problem diodes are always calculated at 27C.
  • WinSpice now handles the PSpice VSwitch and ISwitch models for a 2x
  • speed increase. Some power MOSFET subcircuits use these switches.
  • BUG FIXES
  • 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. Traditionall Spice bug where charges are computed using the non-temperature adjusted junction potential.

New in 5Spice Analysis 1.50.0 (Jul 30, 2009)

  • 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.

New in 5Spice Analysis 1.40.0 (Oct 13, 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)