Using Output Statements

Output Commands

Star-Hspice output statements are contained in the input netlist file and include .PRINT, .PLOT, .GRAPH, .PROBE, and .MEASURE. Each statement specifies the output variables and type of simulation result to be displayed--for example, .DC, .AC, or .TRAN. With the use of .OPTION POST, all output variables referenced in .PRINT, .PLOT, .GRAPH, .PROBE, and .MEASURE statements are put into the interface files for AvanWaves. AvanWaves allows high resolution, post simulation, and interactive display of waveforms.

Output Statement	Description
.PRINT	Prints numeric analysis results in the output listing file (and post-processor data if .OPTION POST is used).
.PLOT	Generates low-resolution (ASCII) plots in the output listing file (and post-processor data if .OPTION POST is used).
.GRAPH	Generates high-resolution plots for specific printing devices (HP LaserJet for example) or in PostScript format, intended for hard-copy outputs without a using a post-processor.
.PROBE	Outputs data to post-processor output files but not to the output listing (used with .OPTION PROBE to limit output).
.MEASURE	Prints to output listing file the results of specific user-defined analyses (and post-processor data if .OPTION POST is used).

.Measure Performance

Star-Hspice will take a long time to run if too many .measure statements are specified. In release 2001.2 and above, this issue is resolved for cases created according to the following rule.

Similar variables, which are listed in the .measure statement, must be placed together to save run time.

Examples

Example 1 - Original Case (Slower)

.meas tran val1 AVG v(1) FROM=0ms TO=50ms

.meas tran val2 AVG v(2) FROM=0ms TO=50ms

.meas tran val3 AVG v(1) FROM=50ms TO=100ms

.meas tran val4 AVG v(2) FROM=50ms TO=100ms

Example 2 - Improved Case (Faster)

.meas tran val1 AVG v(1) FROM=0ms TO=50ms

.meas tran val3 AVG v(1) FROM=50ms TO=100ms

.meas tran val2 AVG v(2) FROM=0ms TO=50ms

.meas tran val4 AVG v(2) FROM=50ms TO=100ms

Output Variables

The output format statements require special output variables to print or plot analysis results for nodal voltages and branch currents. There are five groups of output variables: DC and transient analysis, AC analysis, element template, .MEASURE statement, and parametric analysis.

DC and transient analysis displays individual nodal voltages, branch currents, and element power dissipation.

AC analysis displays imaginary and real components of a nodal voltage or branch current, as well as the phase of a nodal voltage or branch current. AC analysis results also print impedance parameters and input and output noise.

Element template analysis displays element-specific nodal voltages, branch currents, element parameters, and the derivatives of the element's node voltage, current, or charge.

The .MEASURE statement variables are user-defined. They represent the electrical specifications measured in a .MEASURE statement analysis.

Parametric analysis variables are mathematically defined expressions operating on user-specified nodal voltages, branch currents, element template variables, or other parameters. You can perform behavioral analysis of simulation results using these variables. See Using Algebraic Expressions for information about parameters in Star-Hspice.

Star-Hspice Manual - Release 2001.2 - June 2001