I got spoiled with the LTspice “Pick New Diode” function which allowed me to select a Zener diode from a list showing a wide range of voltages. Is there any similar selection process available for QSPICE?
Yes. QSPICE uses different libraries for Zener, Schottky, Zener, Varactor and normal Silicon diodes. If you press the ‘D’ key multiple times, you cycle through the different types of diodes. Then right click and execute menu command Selection Guide. It will show you the different diodes available. Different selection criteria is displayed depending on the type of diode. For example, for varactors, the grading coefficient is displayed because that tells you how much relative change in capacitance you get a fixed range of bias voltage. The Q is also displayed.
The reason QSPICE does it this way is because (i) it assumes you know what type of diode you want when you’re drafting so it doesn’t show you zeners when you draft a Schottky and (ii) it allows displaying more relevant criteria depending on the type of diode.
–Mike
I had already edited the diodes so the selection guide did not show up as a right-click choice, but it does show up on a first-placed diode. Is there a way to reclaim that choice without deleting an edited diode and placing a new diode?
Thanks,
Carl
I might not understand. When in doubt, just type Ctrl-Z until you find happiness. If you don’t find happiness, the then Ctrl-Y to get back to the same point of suffering.
I miss you Carl.
–Mike
This problem goes beyond Ctrl-Z help. To see the reason for my whining complaint about the missing selection guide, open up the ACMEsemi.qsch and right-click on any of the diodes to observe the missing selection guide option. How do we change the diode back to something that can offer the selection guide?
Do you have plans to add unipolar and bipolar MOV or TVS devices?
Thanks,
Carl
Ah, the selection guide shows up when there is a library associated with the symbol. If you place a normal diode, Zener, Varacter, Schoktty on the schematic, you get a selection guide.
I removed the library associated with the diode symbol instance in ACMIsemi.qsch because the model is on the schematic. There’s no other correct way. It is important that there is no selection for that instace of that diode.
If I didn’t remove the “Library File” value of the diode, that file would be included in the netlist, which isn’t desired since it isn’t used.
That is the way it should work. If you’re authoring a simulation model, you should include the models required for the model you author. It is absolutely not okay for the model to require some external library and hope (i) that it is installed on the computer running your model and (ii) it contains what you need. I realize this is going to be a new idea. Usually one doesn’t get to see the inside of a simulation model. One crucial difference between QSPICE and any other SPICE from an IC mfg, is that you can see some examples of how to properly model an IC. Once people figure this out, I can’t see how anyone would ever go back to some other SPICE with only opaque simulation models.
–Mike
OK, that makes sense. If I need different components in places where I have components with included models, I can delete the ones in the schematic and add a new components.
I remember that I should only ask one question in a post . . .How about the second question of the post regarding plans for native MOVs?
Thanks,
Carl
Can other user libraries or individual components be added to the Selection Guide?