Summary of Maintenance Updates

Build 2450 Released February 2005:
RefDes Capability: Automatic RefDes renumbering capability has been added to SpiceNet so all parts with a standard RefDes (consisting of a key letter, a number, and possibly one or more final letters) are renumbered from left to right. This is done in one-inch high horizontal bands, from the top to the bottom of the schematic. Any RefDes that the user has previously modified to a non-standard form is not changed.

When using this capability, the entire schematic is renumbered without any additional input from the user. However, the reassignments are undoable. Note: An optional toolbar button for the new automatic RefDes has been added.

Show All Layers Toolbar button: An optional toolbar button has been added to SpiceNet that will allow the user to temporarily see the objects in layers that are not included in the current configuration.

This button is located in the "Edit" list inside the "Category" pulldown within the Customize Toolbar dialog. Its description is "Temporarily show all layers." If you place it in the toolbar, and click on it while the left mouse button is held down, objects in non-included layers will be shown as light-gray phantom lines. When the button is released, the window will be redrawn in the normal mode.

The purpose of this feature is to let the user see where to place parts, wires, etc. so that these entities won't conflict with other parts when the configuration is changed.

Part placement warning: A warning message will appear if you place a part exactly on top of an already existing part.

Pin number font for printing: The pin number font size for printing is now increased proportionally as the user increases the minimum printing line width from 0.25mm to 1.00mm.

Scaling drawing in Word: When scaling down a schematic that has been pasted into Word, wire connection dots are now proportional to the minimum printing line width. In this way they are kept from becoming too small.

B-element Properties Dialog: The B-element Properties Dialog comes to view with the expression selected and highlighted, instead of the ref-des.

"Select file" functions: When the user selects file > save as or save copy in SpiceNet, the current project name will automatically be filled in and highlighted for easy editing.

Transparent Artwork: Transparent artwork is now hollow so you can select parts behind it.

Item Characteristics on Artwork/Text: You can right mouse click on any artwork shape or text and choose Item Characteristics. A new popup menu is displayed that allows you to change the following: Colors, Fill Type, Line Width, Arrow Heads, and Text Font. These actions are undoable.

Improved rubberbanding: Under most situations, prior wire routing in SpiceNet will be retained when "sliding" a part, or group of parts, along a wire when rubberbanding.

MakeDB: MakeDB now skips any library or symbol pathnames that contain spaces to prevent part database corruption. Also the MakeDB dialog can now be resized by dragging its lower right-hand corner. Thus, the output data can be reviewed with less scrolling.

SendScript Auto-Launches Scope: Previously in SpiceNet, if you right mouse clicked on a text block containing a Scope5 keyword, and chose "sendscript," the program would beep if IntuScope was not already open. Now the software automatically launches IntuScope and runs the intended script.

New Footprint capability:

Resize "command" and "output" windows: You can now resize the undocked and free-floating IntuScope Command or Output windows on the auxiliary monitor of a dual-monitor system.

Undoing FFT: Undoing the addition of an FFT plot in IntuScope can now be performed.

Noise Spectral Density Curves: IntuScope now shows Volts^2/hertz or amperes^2/hertz units for the noise spectral density curves "inoise" and "onoise."

"Updating" Feature Improved: The reliability of IntuScope’s updating feature has been improved, particularly when there are multiple traces and plots, or when the updating script contains nested function calls

Build 2326 Released October 2004:
New schematic file format: Version 15 is new and able to directly accommodate drawing artwork, work with new convergence options (ICSTEP and AUTOTOL) and provides a subcircuit current test point via the keyboard (6y). The previous release used File version 13. If you save a new drawing to an older version, i.e., for s/he who didn't update, the new features will be lost. This is because the drawing will save to the older version by removing unsupported features, then immediately re-open.

Automatic Test Point Ref Des Assignment on initial placement:
a) When adding a voltage test point to a named node (i.e., a node with a name rather than a number), the test point's RefDes is set to the name of the node if the name starts with the letter "V." If not, it is set to the name with a "V" prefix.
b) If the node is unnamed, the RefDes is set to "V<n>", where <n> is the node #.
c) When adding a differential voltage test point, its RefDes is set to the names of its two nodes as defined in a) and b) above, and separated by an underscore character. If the second pin of the test point is not yet connected when the test point is placed, the underscore character will still append to the name for the first node.
d) When adding a current or power test point to a part, the test point's RefDes is set to a name that reflects the part for which it is connected (i.e., "WR1" for a power test point connected to resistor "R1," "IR1" for a current test point connected to R1, and "IX1_1" for a subcircuit current test point connected to pin 1 of X1)
e) If a test point is placed where it is not connected to anything, it is given a RefDes consisting of the letter "Y," followed by a sequentially assigned number, the same as it was before this automatic naming capability was added. At any time you can press the "Auto Ref Des" button in Test Point Properties dialog to rename any test point according to the rules stated above, based on its type and current connection(s).

Systematically Reassign Ref Des: The method to systematically renumber any or all of a schematic's part reference designations is as follows. The user selects "Reassign RefDes..." from the Edit menu, or clicks on an optional toolbar button. A non-modal dialog is displayed, which tells the user to click on parts in the desired order, which will be renumbered sequentially. The default mode is to begin renumbering each type of part starting from 1 (e.g., R1, C1, X1, etc). The dialog also provides the capability to start renumbering a specific part type, starting with the first corresponding part that is clicked. When a part is renumbered, it is highlighted so the user can remember which parts have been renumbered and which haven't. Renumbering stops when the user closes the dialog, either by clicking its "Done" button, reselecting its menu item, or re-clicking its optional toolbar button. Renumbering can be undone or redone in the same fashion as most other SpiceNet changes.

Ref Des is retained: A part's RefDes is retained when copying and pasting, as long as the prior RefDes does not already exist on the target drawing. A RefDes that has been modified to a non-standard form is also retained with one or more 'x' characters appended to its copied version. This distinguishes it from the original. It also enables you to copy and paste entire sections of circuitry onto another drawing without losing their already assigned part and test point names.

Highlight Connected Labels: When a component is double-clicked, any labels belonging to that component are automatically selected. This provides an easy way to determine the labels connected to that component.

Place Parts Easily: The �Preferred Parts� hierarchical menu has been added to the right-button popup menu. This makes it even easier to quickly place components and subcircuit parts.

SpiceNet Artwork Drawing tools: Previously if it was desired to draw simple artwork shapes, such as a dividing line or box around a group of components, the artwork would first have to be drawn in the symbol editor and sent to the schematic. Now, new drawing tools have been added to SpiceNet's main window, which add simple artwork shapes to the schematic drawing. The ability to group selected artwork and free text labels into single symbols has also been added. The artwork shapes are line, bezier, poly-line, rectangle, round rectangle, ellipse and polygon. Holding down the Shift key to constrain artwork shapes has the following affect:
a) Lines are constrained to angles of 0, 45, 90, 135, 180 and 225 degrees. This is applicable for lines, poly-lines, polygons and base lines for Bezier curves. The process applies to both the main window and the Symbol Editor.
b) Rectangles, rounded rectangles and ellipses are constrained to squares, rounded squares and circles respectively, in both the main window and the Symbol Editor for initial draw. Resizing after initial draw constrains the artwork to the last drawn ratio. If a rectangle is drawn with its length twice the height, while resizing by holding down shift key, the rectangle will keep this ratio and not become a square.
c) Elliptical arcs and half ellipses are constrained to quarter and half circles in the Symbol Editor. Drawing arcs and half ellipses are not supported in the main window.

Save Symbol Editor Preferences: �Save Preferences� and �Restore Default Prefs� have been added to the SpiceNet Symbol Editor Options menu. This makes it possible to save Symbol Editor's window and tool palette position, and selected option settings.

Modify Wire Widths Displayed on Schematic: Wire widths displayed in SpiceNet can be modified, enabling improved visibility and differentiation. Select the "Options/Drawing" menu and then �Displayed Wire Width�� This dialog can be used to set the displayed width of selected wires, or if none are selected, all wires drawn in the future. Wire widths are not scaled when the drawing is rescaled on the monitor.

Component Labels No Longer Default to Snap to Grid: When component labels are moved independently of their parts, they are now considered as artwork. As a result, whether or not they are snapped to the grid, is now determined by the "Snap Art to Grid" flag rather than the "Snap Parts to Grid" flag. Since the "Snap Art to Grid" flag is set to �off� by default, it will be possible to position labels in single pixel increments. This holds true whether labels are moved from dragging them with the mouse, or selected and moved using the arrow keys.

Menu Simplification: The Actions menu �ICAPS� has been changed to �ICAPS/Simulation Control.� This matches the corresponding �simulation control� dialog box that comes to view. You can view the active setup and change it from the Actions\Simulation Setup hierarchal menu. Most changes have been made to the options menu where the drawing and artwork hierarchal menus were added. New features include selecting the drawing line width and optional snap-to-grid for artwork.

Subdrawing Changes: A few changes have been invoked to make it easier when working with subdrawings. First, the �Subdrawings� menu located under the �File� menu has been moved to the main menu bar, and has replaced the �Instance� menu. The �Instance� menu is now part of the �Subdrawings� menu. Next, if the current drawing is a subdrawing of the active project, and a simulation is attempted, you are queried whether to simulate the current project, or change the project to the active window before simulation. Hence, it is no longer necessary to navigate back to the project window before simulation. If the current drawing is not a subdrawing, the project is changed automatically as before. Finally, if the current drawing is a sub-drawing of the active project and you attempt to display a project tree, you are now queried whether the root of the tree should be the active project, or if the active project should be changed to the current drawing before displaying the tree. If the current drawing is not a sub-drawing, you are queried whether to change the project or cancel. These features enable much clearer navigation through drawings and projects.

The following changes have been made to the menu and the subdrawing tree for more integrated operation:
a) When an instance-menu selection change causes OP labels to be updated, the active analysis type is now reset. Hence, the user can cross-probe without having to reset the active analysis type manually.
b) When the tree is visible, and the instance menu selection is changed, the selected item in the tree is automatically updated to match.
c) When an item in the tree is selected, OP labels are updated the same as when the instance menu selection is changed.

Test Configuration Stays Selected: When a test configuration is selected in ICAPS/Simulation Control, the drawing configuration, and simulator setup behind the dialog, changes to match the test configuration. Previously when the Ok button was clicked, the drawing configuration and simulator setup reverted back to initial settings when the ICAPS dialog was invoked. Now if OK is clicked, the drawing and simulator-setup configurations remain selected. If the dialog is selected by clicking the close box or by pressing the escape key, the drawing and simulator-setup configurations revert to their original value.

Removed 15 Results Dialog per Session: In actions > ICAPS/Simulation Control..., Measurement Results dialogs can now be opened and closed an unlimited amount of times. The limit of 15 is now correctly applied only to the number of dialogs that can remain open at any given time.

Directly Embed Scope Graphs: You can now embed IntuScope graphs directly onto your schematic. In SpiceNet, choose Insert New Object... from the Edit menu. Then choose "Create from File" radio button and browse for your Scope .GRF file to insert. This makes a copy of your Scope Graph part of your .DWG, which you can resize or double click to do limited in-place editing. 

After Simulation Go To: A new dialog enables the SpiceNet window, IsSpice4 simulation window or IntuScope waveform window to be assigned as the active application following a simulation. �After Simulation go to� can be selected anytime from the Options menu in the IsSpice4 window.

Hide IsSpice4 Simulation Control: Clicking the Close button on the �Simulation Control� dialog banner now hides it instead of ending the IsSpice4 session. Formerly, if this window was closed, the simulation session would completely terminate. Anytime the dialog is not visible, selecting it from the IsSpice4 Windows menu will restore it.

New Acct Output: Two new lines have been added to the account output, which are tacked onto the end of the .OUT file. In SpiceNet, go to Actions > Simulation Setup > Edit, then click on the "Simulator Options..." button. Check the "ACCT Circuit Accounting Information" box to enable this option. The first line reports the Maximum Number of Transient Iterations that were needed in the simulation. The next line reports the simulation time step at which this number of iterations occurred. This all indicates how hard the simulator must work for a given transient simulation setup. It also affects its adjustment of circuit and simulator options to obtain the most accurate result and/or best simulation run time.

New Convergence Parameters: New entries for AUTOTOL and ICSTEP have been added to the Simulation Options dialog.

Show Full Path in IsEd: In IsEd, the user may choose to have either the full pathname or only the file name appear in window title bars. This makes it easy to determine the location of the file being worked on.

Display More Log Divisions: IntuScope now displays major division lines and numeric labels in logarithmic scales containing three or fewer cycles, for intervals of 1, 2, and 5, rather than just at the beginning of each cycle (i.e., intervals of 1).

Prevent Update Problems with Non-default X Axes: Prevent problems from coming up when you delete or undo previous actions prior to updating Scope plots that have non-default X axes.

Placed Cursors Keep Position: Cursors in IntuScope are no longer reset to end points when you add new waveforms, or update existing waveforms. This means the cursors now automatically reset to end points only when the first trace is added to a plot. When subsequent traces are added, the cursors are not affected. This allows the user to set the cursors relative to the first trace and have them remain there.

Auto Change to Linear Scale When Adding Non-Loggable Waveform: When the current plot has a y-axis log scale:
a) New traces added through scripts are changed to use a y-axis log scale if possible. Otherwise, the plot is changed to use y-axis linear scales.
b) New traces added through the Add Waveform dialog are checked to determine whether they can be plotted with a y-axis log scale. If not, the plot is changed to use y-axis linear scales.

New IntuScope Scripts: �Delta� acquires dy/dx values from IntuScope's cursors. "ExtractMid" and "ZapDelay" rid start-up transients before performing an operation such as an FFT. They work by extracting elements from a vector array. ExtractMid's dialog enables a desired default scale range for extraction, and plots the new vector. ZapDelay subtracts the offset, starting the new vector at 0.  

Support for Pspice Diode Parameters: Intusoft's diode model now support the six extra parameters, which are used by Pspice.

ibvl - "low-level reverse breakdown knee current"
ikf - "high-injection knee current isr"
isr - "recombination current parameter"
nbv - "reverse breakdown ideality factor"
nbvl - "low-level reverse breakdown ideality factor"
nr - "emission coefficient for isr"

If these are not defined, then Intusoft's diode model reverts back to using its standard Berkeley version.

Updated BSIM models:
a) New BSIMSOI3.1 (Silicon-On-Insulator) assigned to level=10.
b) New BSIM4.3.0 assigned to level=15. ICAP/4's old BSIM4.2.1 is still available: Level=14.

New SPICE Models: 622 simulation models have been added to ICAP/4's total part count.
a) New variable-area QNL and QPL transistor models are now part of IsSpice4. The ratio of IC areas is important in modeling, for instance, band-gap reference in ICs.
b) Generic NMOS and PMOS models have been added for power FETs, including accountability for sharp MOS capacitance change near threshold. �npwrmosT� and �ppwrmosT� include Rdon temperature coefficients for circuits that sense current by measuring �ON� voltage. These models are considerably simpler than ones generally used, enabling them to run faster.

New IBIS2SPICE Converter: This version is available with all non-Rx ICAP/4 products. It supports all 14 IBIS model types and IBIS versions up to 3.2. It converts many magnitudes faster than its predecessor. The former version is still available at: http://www.intusoft.com/utilities.htm It is free of charge and exclusively supports 2 IBIS model types and IBIS versions up through 2.1.

Enhanced Library Manager: Several enhancements have been made, and the Library Manager has been added to all non-ICAP/4Rx software packages.
a) Program will not modify the *SRC, *SYM, *HELP, *DWG or *PINOUT lines when updating a subdrawing definition from the "Export Subdrawing" function in SpiceNet.
b) Capability has been added to optionally work with absolute pathnames for library files.
c) Capability has been added to optionally work with an absolute pathname for a test-circuit drawing file.
d) A "Browse..." button has been added to the "Edit Drawing Reference" dialog, so it is no longer necessary to type pathnames.
e) Add and Delete buttons have been implemented in the Edit Include Libraries dialog. This includes adding a dialog box to enable selection of which multiple-include libraries to delete.
f) When you modify the name in the subcircuit line, the corresponding subcircuit name in the source line is also modified.

Part Number Validation: Implemented the ability to build and verify the NPSL ( N ASA P arts S election L ist) part numbers for resistors and capacitors using rr.type and cc.type xml database. The database is accessed using the Footprint picker in the right mouse button pop up menu or by using the browse button in the mechanical properties dialog. MIL-STD parts are a subset of the NPSL.

Export to Bartels PCB system: A graphical interface has been added to assign a wealth of footprint information in SpiceNet, such as passive part type, mechanical properties, pin assignment, failure rate, and terminal type. Designs can be exported to Bartels' PCB system.

Build 2127 Released December 2003:
Read in CSDF File Format: Intuscope now has the ability to read in HSpice CSDF and plot their corresponding waveforms.

White Zoom Cursor Outline:A white border around the zoom cursor has been added so it can be seen against a dark background.

IntuScope “Size on Monitor” Graph: Before IntuScope could only print and copy to clipboard the “Fit to Page” graph. This ment your documentation graph would appear slightly different then what you saw on your monitor because the label size and position would change. Now you can print and copy to clipboard exactly how the graph appears on the monitor. Just select “Size on Monitor” in IntuScope Print Preview.

Test Point Support Added to B-Elements: Current and power test points can now be connected to B-elements.

Read in CSDF File Format: The CSDF (Common Simulation Data File) generated by ICAPS now ends with the more common .CSD extension instead of .TXT. Intuscope now has the ability to read in PSpice CSDF and plot their corresponding waveforms.

Modify Schematic Wire Width for Output: To improve documentation legibility, the schematic wire width can be adjusted prior to printing the schematic, or copying it to the clipboard and pasting it into a target publication.

Save Schematic Image Directly to EMF File: Copy to clipboard in SpiceNet now has extra shift key options. When you press the shift key and left click on Copy to Clipboard in the print dialog, you can save to Microsoft’s standard vector file.

"Save as" added to SpiceNet File Menu: Saving a schematic to a new file automatically makes it the current active project.

Group Rotate or Flip Multiple Parts: The ability to rotate or flip multiple parts as a “group select” about their collective center was added to SpiceNet.

Link X Axis Based on Active Plot: Previously with IntuScope it was possible to select "Link X Axes" in the Scaling menu, but only when all displayed plots had identical x-axes. Now, "Link X Axis" is selectable as long as the X axes of all plots have the same name. Further, if their scale factors or log types are different, all of them are set to match those of the active plot.

Perform Update Based on Selected Analysis Type: IntuScope now provides the ability to perform an update using the currently selected analysis type, rather than the analysis type originally selected. Note, you can change between these two modes by selecting either "Use Original Analysis Type" or "Use Selected Analysis Type" in the update menu. You can have the corresponding update happen during a mode change by checking "Update on Mode Change."

Easier Crossprobing: When in cross-probe mode you can now move the cross-probe cursor over the desired area to probe, press the right mouse button, and choose from the popup menu what type of waveform you want to plot to the schematic or IntuScope (i.e., voltage, power, etc.). All future cross-probing will maintain this cross-probe mode until otherwise changed. Also, SpiceNet will automatically launch IntuScope in the background and place a trace in it during cross-probing. Cross-probe waveform viewing has been switched so simply mouse click to send a waveform to IntuScope and Shift+Click to plot it on the schematic.

Easily Work with Schematic Cross-probe Plots: SpiceNet will automatically change the cross-probe cursor to a normal cursor while it is passing over a waveform plot that has been placed on the schematic. This enables easy moving, deleting and resizing of cross-probe plots without having to first change cursors between these operations.

Improved File Name Support: SpiceNet has been modified to prevent saving a file with a name longer than 43 characters (including the .DWG extension) or a path longer than 240 characters (not counting the file name). Also, a warning is displayed when opening a file that exceeds these naming limits.

"Include Cursors" in IntuScope Printouts: The option to "Include Cursors" in printouts was added to IntuScope.

Control Parameter Digits Shown in Netlist: A PARAMDIGITS option has been added, which enables setting the number of significant digits that will be printed on the netlist for a passed parameter value. This option is only active when passing parameters in ICAPS, and the default is 2 for backward compatibility.

IntuScope Uses Significantly Less Memory to Handle Large Waveforms: IntuScope was modified to significantly reduce its memory usage when working with very large waveforms.

New XP Style UI: Support was added for an XP-style dialog user interface. In Display Properties: Appearance Tab, choose "Windows XP Style" under "Windows and Buttons."In Display Properties: Settings Tab: Advanced button, choose "Large Size (120 DPI)" under DPI setting.

Keeping IsEd Open: IsEd will remain open when closing SpiceNet after a simulation has been completed.

Simulating Multiple Schematics: Change between multiple schematics in the Windows pull down menu and simulate the active schematic without closing any schematics.

Saving Default Legends and Labels with Application: In Scope highlight label, in the options menu choose and make changes to legend or label fonts, save preferences with the application.

Relationship Between Vectors: In Scope the Add Waveform dialog now shows the relationship between the vectors in sub drawings.

New ICL Scripts and Functions: Added "integratex" and "differentiatex" in Calculus in the Calculator menu. Modified the "isdisplayed" script to identify vectors that have been displayed from those used in the calculations.
To change the x-axis vector in an existing plot use the keyword "default" on the left side of the statement in the Scope ICL processor.

General Feedback Theorem: A mathematical model of a control system developed by Dr. R. A. Middlebrook with California Institute of Technology now available as a download from the web. You will need build 1989 or the demo to run it. The GFT can be invoked to measure open loop control system characteristics while the loop is closed; thereby, preserving the correct loading and DC bias for any injection point in the forward loop.

AUTOTOL: A new Operating Point convergence aid that identifies and eliminates problem nodes, see NL69 for a description.

New Scope5 Scripts: Hotkey t, for region based tiling, tiles waveforms based on values between cursors.

Open Schematic from a web link: A drawing can now be opened using an HTML link. Check out http://www.intusoft.com/pwrtemplates.htm and click on the .DWG link. We'll be doing more of this in help files and newsletters.

New Help menus: Help for both Scope5 and SpiceNet is now file based. All links are made from the contents of a help file in the respective program folder. You can now access all ICAP/4 help and documentation files from SpiceNet.

Easy Access to Symbol Editor: Open the Symbol editor and revise a symbol in a snap with a new right mouse button feature.

Push into Subdrawing: This new right mouse button feature lets you quickly bring up the schematic a subdrawing part is linked to.

Repeat Feature added to PWL Function Generator: The code model Pulse Width Linear .dll has been replaced with one which is up to 500 times faster for use with very large, repeating PWL files. More than 6 digits to the right of the decimal point can now be read.

Fuse Models Enhanced: The 48 models in the fuse library have been updated to run more accurately. One new fuse model has been added.

Compare Live Data to Simulation Data Easily: Read in a text file of data points, for example, from a tester or other device, to plot in IntuScope5.

New Scope5 Script: A new “isdisplayed” script lets you search active plots or plot and vector name combinations through the IntuScope5 waveform viewer.

BSIM4 Model Updated: A new 4.1.2 version of BSIM4 has been incorporated in the ICAP/4Windows software family. Improvements include general clean-up of the code for more efficient operation. Also, Gate Induced Source Leakage (GISL) was added to provide a significant improvement in simulation convergence. Together with GIDL, it makes the gate induced leakage component of the substrate current symmetric.

New Templates for Power Supply Designers: SWITCHMODE power supply templates and models for ON Semiconductor and Future Electronics were added to ICAP/4Window’s power libraries. The templates are complete working solutions were only a few parameters need to be modified to use them within your drawing.

Rubberbanding Improved: The algorithm was modified to signficantly improve results for wiring connections.

Better IEEE Standard Conformance: Units displayed in IntuScope5 were modified to better conform with IEEE standards.

Easily Produce Presentation Graphs: Modify x and y-axis legends in IntuScope5 to quickly tailor graphs to your publication requirements.

Create Title Blocks in a Snap: Quickly place a title block on your SpiceNet schematic with the new Borders and Title Blocks dialog. Just double-click to edit. Several pre-formatted title blocks -- or build your own.

Eye Diagrams: The familyEye.scp script collapses a transient simulation into a family for reviewing eye diagrams. Other new scripts include panLeft.scp and panRight.scp and Test Blocks.

2. Send a Script to Scope or Spice directly from the Schematic -- Use new SendScript feature to send an ICL script from the schematic directly to Scope5 or IsSpice4.

3. One-Click Advanced Parameters Access -- Now you can access Standard, Monte, Optimize, Sweep, Parameters, and Tolerance in one easy button click on the main Simulation Control Dialog box.

4. Easily Add Sweep and Optimize Part Parameters-- Within Sweep and Optimize dialogs you can now select from a part list and edit part parameters without leaving the dialog box.

5. Better Optimizer Information --- After you enter a percent tolerance for the optimized parameter, you are able to view the minimum, maximum and mean value for that parameter.

6. Modified B Element-- Added the capability to copy "B Element" expression to the part comments, so they will be displayed on the drawing. Also added an Enter dialog for entering very long expressions.

2. Easy Location of Subcircuit Vectors -- The Add Waveform Dialog in IntuScope now features an expandable tree structure for subcircuit vectors.

3. Dynamic Help Menu For IntuScope5 -- HELP now includes updated Movie Tutorials, and web access to the latest documentation.

4. Smith Charts -- As a Test Designer, ICAP/4 Professional, or RF user, you can now plot Smith Charts by reading in a Touchstone formatted file. Smith Charts may be used to calculate impedance determination, impedance matching, noise figure optimization, or stability.

IsSpice4 change summary, Build 1726 Released August 2001:
1. Template data is available.

2. Sendplot replaced with Sendscript.

SpiceNet change summary, Build 1726 Released August 2001:
1. Bogus Error messages eliminated from hierarchical drawings.

2. Cross probing in SpiceNet Alter dialog fixed (data collected before simulation instead of after).

3. SWEEP capability was extended so that it works for both inner and outer sweeps and to the gain of E, F, G and H controlled sources.

Intuscope5 change summary, Build 1726 Released August 2001:
1. Scope5 "askvalues" command added for user input.

2. Scope5 "askvalue" function added for a single value.

3. Cursors initialized after cross-probing.

4. Add Waveform dialog check boxes retain their state after running another simulation.

5. Ctrl+Y behavior from Scope4 added as a y script (Matchscales) in Scope5. Y is now used to expand a scale.

6. Minscale and Maxscale function added to support the matchscale script.

7. Update works for AC and DC, as well as for duplicate documents.

8. Curve families can have parametric curvers using the parametric cursor script.

9. Plotref ICL script added.

Library updates in Build 1726 Released August 2001:
1. Power supply template libraries have been added.

2. Special.sym and Mathfunc.sym have the symbols needed for the templates.

3. New Push-Pull template added.

SpiceNet change summary, Build 1716:
2. The Simulation Control Dialog was slightly re-arranged (except for Rx versions) to allow you to view simulation templates in a list box instead of a drop down menu. The buttons for the older style sweep and optimization that used Scope4 for data reduction were removed.

3. Sweep, Optimization and Monte Carlo simulation templates are available.

4. Alter parameter tool now sends waveforms to Scope5.

Intuscope5 change summary, Build 1716:
5. New IntuScope 5 waveform analyzer replaces Scope4 from now on.

6. Scripts that were lying dormant in Berkeley Spice3 have been brought to life like the compose and vmid command.

7. IntuScope 5 now understands Sweep, Optimization and Monte Carlo scripts and allows you to make plot vectors AFTER running a simulation. This is in addition to the usual way of defining measurement results before running the simulation.

8. Scope5 updates are now working for x-y plots in both time and frequency. After re-running a simulation, press <Ctrl>+u to automatically update your documents to immediately see what changed.

9. Checkout the !Drawing and !User scripts.. Gives you some idea of what personalized scripts can do.

IsSpice4 change summary, Build 1702 Released January 2001:
1. New MOSFET Models --The latest EPLF-EKV MOSFET model parameters have been incorporated into IsSpice4.

SpiceNet change summary, Build 1702 Released January 2001:
There are a large number of changes in SpiceNet, especially in comparison with version 8.x.7. Some key menu items have been moved. The user interface (mouse, part selection method, part moving, simulation access, etc.), however, has remained the same for the most part. Listed below are details on the changes and examples of some of the major feature additions. The version number (if present) indicates when the feature was added to SpiceNet.

1. Mixed-Signal Logic Levels --The voltage level for high and low logic for all auto-bridges can now be set.

2. Import Spice Models -- Spice models can be added to the part library by using the "Copy from Clipboard" or "Copy from Text File" commands. The program creates the correct symbol and netlist syntax to link to part browser. *Special Note: Library Manager, available with Test Designer, ICAP/4Professional, Power Supply Designer programs only, is needed for this feature.

3. Area Select and Zoom -- The user can now select a specific area of a schematic to zoom in on using a bounding box.

4. Insert Border -- Borders may now be added with x and y coordinates to aid in production of professional schematic drawings.

5. Serialization of Drawing Files -- The program now gives you the option of either saving the drawing file to the version it was created with or the current version you are running. This enable someone to send you a drawing created with an older version and not worry about still being able to open the file after you worked on it within a newer version of the ICAP/4 software.

6. Easy Switching Between Active Projects -- When you try to open a new drawing with a drawing already opened, you will be given the option of closing the current drawing and making the opened drawing active. This feature eliminates the need to close the active drawing before opening a new one.

7. Recent File List -- A new pulldown list on the Open File Dialog enables you to quickly access the last folders you recently opened.

Library Manager introduction, Build 1702 Released January 2001:
Added Library Manager -- The user can now archive model libraries, compare new models with archived models, search library for duplicate parts, define models symbolically rather than by using a netlist method, and create help and test drawings for models.

A new Library Manager is available to assist advanced users in maintaining ICAP/4 model libraries. The library manager can be run stand-alone or it can be invoked from SpiceNet, SpiceMod or Magnetics Designer. When invoked from another program, the library manager is used to insert new models into the ICAP/4 libraries.

A new user-defined Help Facility within Library Manager allows you to communicate with your colleagues so that models are more re-usable. The property help is assessible from the ICAP/4 Part Browser dialog or the Part Properties dialog. The Help File can document the meaning of parameters and explain the usage of the model. The user defined help does not need additional software to produce the help files.

Intuscope5 change summary, Build 1702 Released January 2001:
New IntuScope5 Graphical Waveform Viewer -- The IntuScope program has been completely redesigned from the ground up, with significant enhancements to the waveform selection, manipulation, scaling, viewing and math operation capabilities. In addition, IntuScope now provides an even larger wealth of uncompromising features for the advanced user. Powerful interactive features, which require communication with the SPICE simulator and the SpiceNet schematic capture program, have also been enhanced.

New Add Waveform Dialog -- A new Add Waveform Dialog is used to select the active project. The project may be the active simulation (for ICAP/4 or Test Designer users only), or a prior simulation’s output file. Check boxes are provided so that you can globally show or hide specific waveform types within the waveform list. Wwaveforms can now be automatically scaled, tiled and/or linked as they’re added to a graph.

New Scaling Dialog -- A new Scaling Dialog includes scale/offset or min/max settings. In addition, there is a new capability to limit the X- and Y-axis scaling to multiples of 1, 2 and 5, just as you would see on a laboratory oscilloscope.

New Grid Characteristics Dialog -- The new Grid Characteristics Dialog allows the user to control the grid line characteristics, line color, border color and background color.

New Trace Style Settings -- New trace style settings have been added, which include several line, dot and bar styles. These features greatly enhance the ability to make great-looking presentation quality graphics.

Auto Labels -- Labels can now be placed directly on any waveform graph with a single mouse click. These labels can be individually moved, resized, and customized in regards to text font, color, and justification. The background color and border display can also be customized. The Y-axis scaling label capability has been improved in order to permit several Y-axis labels to be displayed on a plot. Traces can be moved vertically or horizontally by clicking and dragging the mouse in the desired direction. Traces can also be copied and pasted from one plot to another, or dragged and dropped from one plot onto another plot.

About Plots -- Several plots can now be displayed within a single graph window. You can mix and match different plot types, i.e., Tran, AC, etc. A new function has been added so that you can automatically create a new plot-on-the-fly when a selected waveform is displayed.

Unlimited Cursors -- An unlimited number of cursors can be used on any plot, and cursors can be moved from one trace on a plot to another trace on the same plot. This allows the capability to make relative measurements on different traces within the same plot. In addition, if two plots have the same X-axis scaling, each trace will show dotted lines, which appear on both plots as the trace is dragged, so you can now make relative measurements between different plots.

Scripting Capability -- A powerful new scripting capability saves time by eliminating the need to manually repetitive tasks. IntuScope5 includes several scripts, which perform different types of measurements and functions. The user has complete control over the script menu names and the locations for each script. The scripts in the menus parallel the script files and folders within the installed scripts folder. Users may also create and edit their own scripts.

Update Function -- An update function allows you to replace all displayed traces on the plot using the new simulation data; add duplicate traces to the plot using the new simulation data so that both the old and new simulation data are displayed simultaneously; and create a new graph document and display the traces using the new simulation data.

Automatic Interpolation Feature -- An automatic interpolation feature has been added so that math operations can be performed on waveforms from different simulations, even if the waveforms have different X-axis ranges and different quantities of data points. IntuScope5 automatically interpolates the data points and scales each waveform. The first displayed waveform dictates the X-axis scaling.

Change Summary, Version 8.x.7 Updates (top)

IsSpice4 change summary, Build 1634 Released July 2000:
1. Added VSECTOL option for accurate simulation of fast pulses.

2. Added DCCONV and TRANCONV options to help hard to converge circuits in dc and transient analysis.

3. ACCT now also results in a listing of parts statistics for the circuit.

4. Incorporation of latest BSIM4 model from UC Berkeley.

5. Eliminated -n bug for PRINTTEXT command.

6. Issue warning for isolated nodes.

7. Fixed bug for LIN sweep for AC sensitivity.

8. When doing a NEWPLOT in a script, the cursors now copy, too.

9. Fixed bug for sinusoidal I-source with a delay.

10. Fixed a bug with the ADC_BRIDGE and small rise times. All dlls were updated.

11. Issued a warning for "unrecognized parameters" in a .model line and continue simulation instread of stopping the simulation.

12. Fixed the bug for all transient analysis currents (gate, drain, etc.) for all MOS models.

13. Fixed a bug for entering numbers with a comma (,) instead of a point(.)

ICAPS change summary, Build 1634 Released July 2000:
1. Implemented bining for BSIM3 models.

2. Allow tolerances in parameter passing.

SpiceNet change summary, Build 1592 Released December 1999:
1. This new Display function located on the Options Menu of SpiceNet, allows the quick toggle on/of capability for Pin Numbers, Part Labels, Node numbers and Labels, OP Values, Waveforms, and Artwork.

2. The new Find function, located on the Edit Menu of SpiceNet, allows you to find and highlight any part and/or node in your drawing.

3. A Yes/No option has been added to the Test Point Part Properties dialog in order to provide automatic .PRINT statement generation for distortion analysis.

4. The Place Subdrawing dialog now sorts folders and directories alphanumerically.

5. SpiceNet now allows the simulation of read-only drawing (.DWG) files.

6. The MakeDB utility now automatically opens the log file if an error has occurred during the parts database compilation process.

7. The Update Cache function has been improved so that it now recognizes additional model library file changes such as changes in mechanical properties information.

8. AC cross-probing of primitive device current is now supported.

ICAPS change summary, Build 1592 Released December 1999:
1. ICAP/4 packages can now be installed in long folder names which contain one or more spaces and dots.

IsEd change summary, Build 1592 Released December 1999:
1. IsEd now offers a window auto sizing option when saving preferences.

MakeDB Utility change summary, Build 1592 Released December 1999:
1. The MakeDB utility now automatically opens the log file if an error has occurred during the parts database compilation process.

SpiceNet change summary, build 1432.1 Released February 1999:
1. Corrected error in SpiceNet related to updating the Actions menu. This affected cross-probing in AC analysis. The menu update was moved from notification of SpiceNet coming foreground to the action of cross-probing.

2. Corrected argument to ShowWindow for ViewLogic build of browser.dll.

3. Incorporated Network version using NetHasp.

4. Updated the Actions menu when SpiceNet come forward. This ensures that the cross-probe menu is updated to reflect the current selections in IsSpice.

5. Corrected tol syntax for standard monte from [val] back to Tol = val.

6. Fixed copy/paste problem where model names were not being changed when their properties are changed following a copy and paste.

7. Suppressed Server Busy Dialog.

8. Eliminated "no analyses are selected" error message when doing Transfer function only.

9. Eliminate IsSpice error when displaying waveforms for which no "saves" were present.

10. Made SpiceNet insert saves for test points, even if turned off globally.

11. Added feature to allow selection of mag, phase, db, real, imag variations for the AC measurements.

12. Removed ...[p] instance params from the AC wizard selection list.

13. Fixed a problem that made a warning message repeat after selecting "test point" in the ICAPS (Simulation Control) dialog "Save Data From" group.

Model Library Changes, build 1432.1 Released February 1999:
1. MOTIC.LIB (Power Deluxe option and Power Supply Designer's Library)
Fixed MC33370_AC model to protect against divide by zero changes. Corrected MC33363 model ground. Added specific MC33370-MC33374 models in place of one generic MC3337x model. Added MC33365 model.

2. OPTO.LIB (All ICAP/4 Systems)
Added 4n33 model

3. SIGNAL2.LIB (All ICAP/4 Systems)
Adjusted PSK and FSK subcircuit parameters.

4. 74xx.LIB, 54xx.LIB (All ICAP/4 Systems)
Adjusted *FAMILY node bridge parameters.

5. AD9.LIB (All ICAP/4 Systems with Vendor Supplied Models)
Added AD8519 subcircuit

ICAPS change summary, build 1432.1 Released February 1999:
1. Incorporated Network version using NetHasp

IsSpice4 change summary, build 1432.1 Released February 1999:
1. All of the Simulation Template scripts were updated to better handle AC analysis calculations.

IsEd change summary, build 1432.1 Released February 1999

1. IsEd no longer launches an untitled window when Edit Model is selected in the Parts Browse dialog.

2. Bottom line scrolling is now handled correctly.

3. Select region highlighting has been updated.

IsSpice4 change summary, build 1218:
1. We can now use I(element) or P(element) in all control commands such as saves, alias, etc. instead of @r1[i] .... For Multi-terminal elements the current is defined as:

BJT Collector current
MOSFET Drain-to-source current
JFET Drain-to-source current
MESFET Source current

2. Fixed a bug relating to our non-linear sources. These had to do with POLY(2) or higher dimensioned sources that needed to be translated into our B elements. Identical negative and positive nodes are now
flagged and the user is notified of the error.

3. Moved the printing of .OPTION LIST to the start of the simulation. This is needed in case an error occurs and the user wants to see the actual simulated netlist. Before we were doing the list printing at the end of all analysis. This is particularly useful if the user is using Multi-Dimensional POLY type sources which are translated into out B elements and any error message refrences to these NEW B elements which were not in the user provided netlist. Now the user can do a .OPTION LIST and pin point the error generating elemnent.

4.Implemented the new BSIM3V3.1 update of the BSIM3 model from UC Berkeley. Using level=8 in any MOSFET model will result in this version of the BSIM3 model.

5. Fixed a bug with the ICL command SHOWMOD. To get SHOWMOD to print model parameters we had to perform some type of anaylusis in the ICL script. Also; the showmod did not work properly if we used the *# syntax. These problems are fixed now.

6. Fixed a bug for BSIM3 model. Some parameters were being stored in the instance of each model. This caused the START and DOSCRIPT buttons to give incorrect results if these parameters were used in the model because each new simulation updated the parameter value internally and performing an interactive simulation using for example the START button caused the last value of these parameters being used rather than the initial one. This problem is fixed now for all versions of BSIM3 model,e.g. both levels 7 and 8.

ICAPS change summary, build 1222:
1. Continuation lines in X were not being handled properly.

The problem happened for cases like

x1 X2 CLK MR 1234578 15 17 18 19
+ { passes parameteres }

2. Fixed a bug on combining continuation lines, comment lines and X calls. For example, the following did not work before:

************** connector model ***************
XSECT_A
************
* Board Side
**A1***A2***A3***A4***A5***A6***A7***A8**
+ 1111 0 1113 1114 1115 0 1117 0
*****************************************
* Cable Side
**A1***A2***A3***A4***A5***A6***A7***A8**
+ 2111 2112 2113 2114 2115 2116 2117 2118
*****************************************
+ SECT_A

and X call which is using comment lines and continuation signs. We never allowed this syntax actually. It is now fixed and the user can mix and match continuation lines and comments lines when doing an X call.

3. Fixed a bug in usage of models in nested subckts. Some models were not accessible by the 1st child subckt in conjuction with parameter passing.