SIEMENS EDA

Importing and Simulating

a SPICE Model File
2023.10
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Table of Contents
Support Kit .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Objective .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Included Files ................................................................................................................................... 2
Description ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Directions ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 8

Importing and Simulating a SPICE Model File

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Support Kit

Objective
Abstract:

In this article we will go over how to simulate an imported SPICE Model file with HyperLynx AMS.

At the end of this lab, you will be able to:

• Import a SPICE Model File into AMS

• Create a Test Circuit
• Simulate the Test Circuit

We will provide the steps and an example project which you can use to practice running the process. This
project folder can also be found in <AMS installation path>\SDD_HOME\sim\systemvision\tutor\. Copy the
folder SPICE_import to your working directory.

Estimated time to complete: 30 to 45 minutes

Prerequisites: Installation and licensing of HyperLynx AMS and HyperLynx Advanced Solvers

Included Files
Data.zip Files for lab
SPICE_model_import_and_simulate.docx Instructions for Lab

Description
SPICE simulator tools include schematic capture and waveform viewer with enhancements and models for
improving the simulation of analog circuits. Its graphical schematic capture interface allows you to probe
schematics and produce simulation results. Our goal in this lab is to take a previously existing SPICE
model file and import it and simulate this in HyperLynx AMS.

There are several ways to import SPICE models into AMS depending on what needs to be imported. This
section shows how to import a SPICE model from a file (.MOD extension) and run a time domain
simulation.

Importing and Simulating a SPICE Model File

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Directions
Download Data.zip for the lab files.

Open the Tutorial Project

The first step for simulating a design is to open the project.

1. Open the tutorial.

2. Download and extract “Data.zip” to a working folder of your choosing.

3. In AMS, select the File > Open > Project menu item, browse into the copied folder, and open
the SPICE_Import.prj file located in the extracted SPICE_import folder. If asked to automatically
update this project to your version of AMS, click Yes.
4. Ensure that the AMS license is checked out. Select Setup->Settings->Licensing and check
the AMS license.

Import SPICE Model from a File

1. On the AMS toolbar click the Model and Symbol Wizard button .

2. In the Model and Symbol Wizard:

a. On the Select Source form, in the “Select the model type or the data source for the
model” area click SPICE and then click Next.

b. On the Select/Create Model form, to the right of the Spice File Name box, click the
Browse button (…) and click the SPICE File popup menu item. In the project folder, open
the Browse to the folder, which is located where you copied these tutorial files.

c. Open the file .\SPICE_Models_From_Web\SPICE_OpAmp_Mod_TI\OPA27.MOD and

click Next.This is an OP27 op amp model from the Texas Instruments (TI).

d. On the Select/Create Symbol form, for the Symbol Graphics setting, click Generic Box.

e. Click Finish.

f. In the Save Model(s) & Mapping dialog set the Save to Location list choose Local Project
and click OK. The symbol is added to the local project library and opened in a new window.

Edit New Symbol

You now have a working op amp and symbol for your design. However, the default placement of the
symbol pins is not convenient for wiring in a schematic.

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The pins for this op amp (and the other op amps you will use in the exercise) have the following
assignments:

1. Ensure the Grid Snap On/Off button is On

Ensure the Grid Display On/Off button is On

2. Right-click pin 5 (the line next to the number 5) and click the Mirror popup menu item.

3. Drag the pin to the right side of the symbol (solid) box and place it halfway between the top and
bottom edges of the symbol box.

4. Right-click pin 4 and click the Rotate popup menu item.

5. Drag the pin to the bottom of the symbol box and place it halfway between the left and right edges
of the symbol box.

6. Right-click pin 3 and click Mirror. Then right-click and click the Rotate popup menu item.
7. Drag the pin to the top of the symbol box and place it halfway between the left and right edges of
the symbol box.

8. Drag pin 1 to two grid points above the bottom of the symbol box keeping it on the left side.

Importing and Simulating a SPICE Model File

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9. Drag pin 2 to two grid dots below the top of the symbol box keeping it on the left side. The symbol
should look like Figure 1. As we are interested only in simulating (and not symbol aesthetics), we
will not modify the symbol any further.

10. Close the OPA27.1 symbol window and Save when prompted.

Create a Test Circuit

1. Select File > New > Schematic to create a new schematic. You can give the schematic a new
name, of just use the default name, Schematic1.

2. Click the Simulation > Search/Place Symbols menu item.

3. Expand the (Current Project) category and SPICE_import subcategory.

4. Place the new OPA27 symbol in the schematic.

5. On the Simulation toolbar, use the SPICE symbol buttons to complete the schematic as shown.

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6. Set the component parameters as follows (ignore case differences):

Rin: Value = 10K

Rfb: Value = 5K

Rload: Value = 100K

vp: DC = 12.0

vn: DC = -12.0

6 Importing SPICE Models

V_PULSE:

T_RISE = 1 MS

T_FALL = 1 MS

T_WIDTH = 5 MS

T_PERIOD = 10 MS

V_FINAL = 5.0

V_INITIAL = -5.0

Note: The op amp power nets are connected to the DC sources by net name. Be sure to name
these nets for both the op amp and the sources as shown in the figure (i.e. vpos and vneg).

7. We will run a time domain simulation for 20ms. First, we will want to go to Simulation >
Simulate.

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8. Enable Time Domain Analysis and set the end time for 20m.

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9. The waveform analyzer should pop up, and we can analyze the waveforms by either double
clicking the waveform from the Waveform List or dragging and dropping a waveform from the
Waveform List onto the waveform display window.

Conclusion
We have imported a SPICE model file and performed a time domain analysis.

Importing and Simulating a SPICE Model File