The parameters – entered either directly or extracted from supplied data – are automatically written to a model file and that file linked to the nominated schematic component.įor detailed information on defining a digital simulation model, refer to the Creating and Linking a Digital SimCode Model application note. Using the Wizard the characetristics of such a device can be defined based on user-acquired data. Not anymore – enter Altium Designer's SPICE Model Wizard. Creation of this model file by hand and then linking it manually to the required schematic component can be quite laborious. Others – if the device is digital in nature – will require the device to be modeled using the proprietary Digital SimCode™ language, the definition of which is linked to through an intermediary model file.Ĭertain analog device models built-in to SPICE provide for an associated model file (*.mdl) in which to parameterically define advanced behavioral characteristics (e.g. Some models may need to be written from scratch – for example using the hierarchical sub-circuit syntax to create the required sub-circuit model file (*.ckt). Attaching these types of models to a component is straigthforward and simply a process of select-and-enter (select the model type and enter the parameter values directly in an associated dialog). Some of the more basic analog device models in SPICE require no distinct model file – only specification of simple parameter values when defining the model link (e.g. Typically, it's as simple as downloading the required model file (SPICE, PSpice®) and hooking it up to the schematic component.
Many device manufacturer's supply simulation models corresponding to the devices they manufacture. The type of model and how it is obtained will largely depend on the component and, to some extent, on the personal preference of the designer. In order to simulate a circuit design using Altium Designer's Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulator, all components in the circuit need to be simulation-ready – that is, they each need to have a linked simulation model.