Output Files

Star-Hspice produces various types of output files, as listed in the following table.

The files are listed in Star-Hspice Output Files and Suffixes and described below.

Output listing can appear as output_file (no file extension), output_file.lis , or have a user-specified file extension, depending upon which format is used to start the simulation. Output_file is the output file specification, less extension. This file includes the following information:

• Name and version of simulator used
• Avant! message block
• Input file name
• User name
• License details
• Copy of the input netlist file
• Node count
• Operating point parameters
• Details of volt drop, current, and power for each source and subcircuit
• Low resolution plots originating from the .PLOT statement
• Results of .PRINT statement
• Results of .OPTIONS statements

Transient analysis results are placed in output_file . tr# , where # is specified as 0-9 or a-z following the -n argument. This file contains a list of transient analysis numerical results. It is the result of an input file .TRAN statement together with an .OPTION POST statement to create a post-analysis file. The output file is in proprietary binary format if POST = 0 or 1, or ASCII format if POST = 2. The explicit expressions POST = BINARY, POST=ASCII may also be used.

Transient analysis measurement results are written to output_file.mt# . This output file is the result of an input file .MEASURE TRAN statement.

DC analysis results appear in output_file.sw# , which is produced as a result of a .DC statement. This file contains the results of the applied stepped or swept DC parameters defined in that statement. The results may include noise, distortion, or network analysis.

DC analysis measurement results are given in the file output_file . ms# when a .MEASURE DC statement exists in the input file.

AC analysis results are placed in output_file.ac# . These results contain a listing of output variables as a function of frequency, according to user specification following the .AC statement.

AC analysis measurement results appear in output_file.ma# when a .MEASURE AC statement exists in the input file.

Hardcopy graph data are placed in output_file.gr# , which is produced as a result of a . GRAPH statement. It is in the form of a printer file, typically in Adobe PostScript or HP PCL format. This facility is not available in the PC version of Star-Hspice.

Digital output contains data converted to digital form by the U element A2D conversion option.

FFT analysis graph data contains the graphical data needed to display the FFT analysis waveforms.

Subcircuit cross-listing is automatically generated and written into output_file.pa# when the input netlist includes subcircuits. It relates the subcircuit node names in subcircuit call statements to the node names used in the corresponding subcircuit definitions.

Output status is named with the output file specification, with a .st# extension, and contains the following runtime reports:

• Start and end times for each CPU phase
• Options settings with warnings for obsolete options
• Status of preprocessing checks for licensing, input syntax, models, and circuit topology
• Convergence strategies used by Star-Hspice on difficult circuits

The information in this file is useful in diagnosing problems, particularly when communicating with Avant! Customer Support.

Operating point node voltages are DC operating point initial conditions stored by the .SAVE statement.