SIMPLORER User Manual V6.0 - FER-a

3.4 Characteristics in Simulation Models
SIMPLORER 6.0 — Manual 55
Some components use characteristics for specifying of their model properties, for example
nonlinear passive components, nonlinear sources, semiconductors of system level, the nonlinear
transfer block, and the nonlinear DC machine.
SIMPLORER offers two types of characteristics: Predefined and user-defined. The characteristic
components are located in the Tools/Characteristic folder in the «Basics» tab.
You can assign characteristics to a component in two different ways: Via the component dialog
itself or via a separate characteristic component. The data can be stored in a separate
.mdx, .xls, .csv, or .txt file.
The Sheet Scan Tool scans a printed characteristic curve and transfers it in a simulator legible
format. See also “Separate Component Characteristic” on page 297.
Characteristics within the Component Dialog
The separate component characteristic dialog is used if you define a characteristic directly in
the dialog of components using nonlinear characteristics. Click to open the
dialog.
Choose the option «Lookup Table» and enter the data-pairs in the table on the right side. Create,
delete, or move the entries with the symbols placed on the upper right side.
Characteristics defined only in the lookup table create an .mdx file stored at the same position
as the model file. You can use the automatically created file within the DAY Post Processor
or as characteristic for other components. Please note: The file is overwritten with the active
data in the lookup table at each simulation run.
Characteristic Reference via Separate Component
The characteristic via a name reference is used if you open the dialog in a
component using nonlinear characteristics and choose the option «Reference». Type the
name, for example XY1.VAL in the text box.
You can also connect the characteristic to the pin. Choose the nonlinear component type in a
dialog and select the option «Use Pin». The pin to connect the characteristic is available on
the sheet.
Characteristics in Files
To use a file for defining a component characteristic you have to define the file name which
refers to a proper characteristic file format. This input field is active when you had checked
«File Name» in the dialog in a component using nonlinear characteristics.
A two-dimensional data file, which first line is occupied with the axes names, is required. The
XY-data file has always two channels (columns) where X-value and Y-value are stored. The
length (number of lines) of the data files is arbitrary and limited only by the available memory.
The symbols starts the dialog to open a data-pairs file or to save a file. Please note: Select the
correct file filter (.mdx, .xls, .txt) before browsing. The characteristic file can be created by the
DAY Post Processor or a text editor. See also 14.2 “SIMPLORER ASCII System Data Formats”
on page 467.