Selecting a Simulator

You can set a simulator in one of three ways:

Specifying a Default Startup Simulator

You can specify a simulator as the default on startup by setting the DEFAULT_SIMU variable to one of the simulators. This setting is only effective if set at the global level and is overridden if a different simulator is specified by setting a SIMULATOR variable or applying the Select Simulator command. When you exit the program, the DEFAULT_SIMU setting is saved in the .icconfig file. If this variable is not defined, the default on startup is spice2.

To specify a default startup simulator:

1	In the IC-CAP/Main window, select Tools > System Variables.

2	In the System Variables window, click System Variables.

3	In the dialog box, select General Simulation Options as the Variable Type and select the DEFAULT_SIMU variable.

4	Enter the simulator name in the Value field and choose OK.

Specifying a Simulator for a Specific Model, DUT, or Setup

Some models require or perform better with a specific simulator. In these model files, you can specify a simulator for a model, DUT, or setup by setting the SIMULATOR variable. This allows you to use different simulators for different models, DUTs or setups, since a SIMULATOR variable can be specified at any level. The model files for which the SIMULATOR variable is defined are shown in the following table.

Table 11 Model Files with Predefined Simulators 

Model File Name	SIMULATOR Value
bjt_ft.mdl	hpspice
bjt_ncehf.mdl	hpspice
HPEEbjt2.mdl	mns
hpsimbjt_ncehf.mdl	hpeesofsim
hpsimbjt_nhf.mdl	hpeesofsim
hpsimnpn.mdf	hpeesofsim
hpsimvbic.mdl	hpeesofsim
mnsnpn.mdl	mns
mxt3t_npn.mdl	mns
mxt4t_npn.mdl	mns
mxt504_npn.mdl	hpeesofsim
sabernpn.mdl	saber
spectre_ncehf.mdl	spectre
spectrenpn	spectre
vbic_npn	mns
HPDiode.mdl	mns
juncap.mdl	spice3
pn_diode.mdl	spice2
HPEEhemt1.mdl	mns
CGaas1.mdl	hpspice
CGaas2.mdl	hpspice
CGaashf.mdl	hpspice
CGaashfax.mdl	hpspice
HPEEfet3.mdl	mns
HPRootFet.mdl	mns
hpsimHPEEfet3.mdl	hpeesofsim
UCBGaas.mdl	spice3
UGaashf	spice3
lc.mdl	spice3
sabercirc.mdl	saber
sys110_verify.mdl	hpspice
hnmos6.mdl	hspice
hnmos28.mdl	hspice
hpmos28.mdl	hspice
HPRootMos.mdl	mns
sabernmos.mdl	saber
noise_simu.mdl	spice3
bjt_1f_noise.mdl	hpspice
mos_1f_noise.mdl	spice3
mnsopamp.mdl	mns
opamp.mdl	hpspice
bjt_ncehfp.mdl	hpspice
BSIM3_DC_CV_Measure.mdl	spice3
BSIM3_DC_CV_Extract.mdl	spice3
BSIM3_RF_Measure.mdl	spice3
BSIM3_RF_Extract.mdl	spice3
BSIM3_AC_Noise_Tutorial.mdl	spice3
BSIM3_CV_Tutorial.mdl	spice3
BSIM3_DC_Tutorial.mdl	spice3
BSIM3_Temp_Tutorial.mdl	spice3
BSIM3_DC_CV_Finetune.mdl	spice3
BSIM4_DC_CV_Measure.mdl	spice3
BSIM4_DC_CV_Extract.mdl	spice3
BSIM4_RF_Measure.mdl	spice3
BSIM4_RF_Extract.mdl	spice3
BSIM4_DC_CV_Tutorial.mdl	spice3
BSIM4_DC_CV_Finetune.mdl	spice3

When a simulation is performed, IC-CAP looks for the SIMULATOR variable first, and if found, makes that the active simulator. The Select Simulator dialog box changes to reflect the name of the active simulator. If the SIMULATOR variable is not defined, IC-CAP uses the simulator displayed in the Select Simulator dialog box.

To set a simulator for a specific model, DUT, or setup:

1	Open the appropriate model, DUT, or setup folder and click the Variables tab.

2	Type SIMULATOR in an empty variable Name field and type the name of the simulator in the corresponding Value field.

Specifying a Simulator without a Variable

The Select Simulator command sets the simulator to be used for all simulations performed in the current session, except when simulating a model, DUT, or setup for which a SIMULATOR variable has been defined.

To set a simulator without using a variable:

1	In the IC-CAP Main window, select Tools > Select Simulator. A dialog box listing simulator names appears.

2	Select a simulator name or type the name of a simulator you have linked with IC-CAP and choose OK.