These notes provide you with details for using Pulsonix Schematic designs with the LTSpice simulator. As with all Spice simulators, the netlist that drives them usually contains special commands and idiosyncrasies associated with that simulator. LTSpice is no exception and so the netlist written by Pulsonix for LTSpice accommodates this. LTSpice is a free of charge simulator and provides reliable simulation results.
Shortcuts
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: Simulation
Command: Set Netlist Spice Type and Run Simulation
Exporting an LTSpice Netlist
In order to run a Pulsonix Schematic design into the LTSpice simulator you have the following features available to you.
- Library - Pulsonix is installed with a dedicated LTSpice Parts library and corresponding Schematic symbol library.
- Spice Netlist type - to format the netlist specifically for LTSpice.
- Pulsonix Schematics to create the design for simulation.
- Use Pulsonix LTSpice parts to add sources, stimuli and probes to your Pulsonix schematic.
- Export the schematic to LTSpice and automatically run the simulator with the results displayed.
Pulsonix LTSpice Library
The standard Pulsonix product is installed with an LTSpice ‘flavoured’ library. It is not extensive but delivers a range of Parts and associated symbols for use with the LTSpice simulator (named LTSpice.pal and .ssl respectively). The LTSpice Parts library contains a selection of Parts with associated Spice models. It also contains sources, stimuli and probes for use in your schematic design. It does mean the same libraries used to create your schematic and simulate it, can be used to also produce the PCB design, such is its tight integration.
Set Netlist Type for LTSpice
Before running your design into the simulator, you must first tell the simulation export option which Spice netlist type to format for, where the simulator lives, its name and command line options to set in order to launch it automatically.
Use the Set Spice Netlist Type option and set it to LTSpice.
Using the Program: entry, choose the location and program file name of the LTSpice simulator. This will be where you installed it. Be aware though, the executable file is not called LTSpice but is called scad3.exe. If you used their standard installation, it will be installed under the folder LTSpice though.
Note: if using a 32-bit operating system (if supported by LTSpice), then the Extra Simulation Data entry must be changed to reflect when the LTSpice program file models are installed. For 64-bit systems, this will be in the (X86) folder.
Setting Command Line Switches is optional, setting it to -big will present LTSpice full screen. Using the Reset button will also pre-select the -big command. Other command line switches can be invoked, refer to the LTSpice online help for more information. By default, the the LTSpice simulator will be invoked from Pulsonix and a netlist sent to it and the simulator automatically run.
Creating Pulsonix Schematics for use with LTSpice
You should use the LTSpice library provided with Pulsonix. You can also use your own Parts library
provided you have defined the Spice Type for
the Part. On selecting of LTSpice parts in the design, you can use the Edit Spice Value/Model
from the context menu or press
Exporting an LTSpice Netlist
Once complete and the design contains the necessary sources and probes, the design can be written and
the simulator run. Press the
The simulator will run up and your netlist passed to it in the background. It may give you errors which you need to review and correct. These errors will be documented in the LTSpice help.
Pulsonix LTSpice Examples
If you wish to see some examples, Pulsonix is supplied with a set of LTSpice ready examples. These are complete Schematic designs that have LTSpice stimuli and probes, and that use the LTSpice library examples supplied. They can be found in the Pulsonix examples folder under the LTSpice sub-folder.
Related Topics
Set Spice Netlist Type | Define Spice Type | Simulation Analysis Modes