DVM - Design Verification Module
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DVM - Design Verification Module
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The CreateXYScalarPlot() function creates an X-Y plot from scalar data recorded in all tests previous to the test where the function is called. The scalar expressions, x-expression and y-expression, can include any number of scalars, arithmetic operators as well as all variables declared with a Var(), GlobalVar(), Change(), or Temp() testplan entry. These variables are made available by default and should not be placed in the list of scalars to extract.
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The CreateXYScalarPlot() function has the following syntax with
the seven required arguments and one optional argument as explained in
the table below.
CreateXYScalarPlot(x-expression, y-expression,
scalars to extract, curve_name, graph_name, grid_index, axis_name, OPTIONAL_PARAMETER_STRING)
| Arg # | Argument Name | Description |
1 |
x-expression | The expression of scalars to be plotted on the x-axis |
2 |
y-expression | The expression of scalars to be plotted on the y-axis |
3 |
scalars_to_extract | A space delimited list of scalars to extract from the previous reports. |
4 |
curve_name | Name for the curve being generated |
5 |
graph_name | Name of the graph for the new test report* |
6 |
grid_index | Grid on which to place the curve* |
7 |
axis_name | Axis on a particular grid* |
8 |
OPTIONAL_PARAMETER_STRING | A space-separated set of KEY=VALUE pairs that define additional parameters** |
* For additional information about graph_name, grid_index, and axis_name, see Graph Address System.
** For additional information about OPTIONAL_PARAMETER_STRING, see Optional Parameters.
IMPORTANT! Scalar
names with spaces will produce errors when used with the CreateXYScalarPlot()
function. The best solution is to create unique scalar names without spaces.
Example 1: A good example of this function is to plot efficiency versus average load current. The scalar values for efficiency and average load current are automatically generated after any SIMPLIS POP simulation. This includes all Power Assist AC objectives as well as the steady-state objectives. The following example is taken from the built-in efficiency testplan.
CreateXYScalarPlot(ILOAD, Efficiency_Nom, ILOAD Efficiency_Nom, DVM Vin Nom, DVM Efficiency, A1, vert, xlabel=Load Current xunits=A ylabel=Efficiency yunits=%%% showpoints=true color=red)
This call to CreateXYScalarPlot() generates the efficiency curve for the nominal input voltage.
Note: This example uses the Alias() function to create a new scalar name for efficiency with its value measured by DVM Power Assist. This alias is necessary because the efficiency testplan has three sets of data—one for each input voltage. In this case, the x-expression and y-expression are the actual scalars.
Example 2: This example uses algebraic expressions to calculate the input-to-output voltage gain for an LLC converter. The converter is operating open-loop with the normalized switching frequency swept.
CreateXYScalarPlot(Fnormalized, 2 * N * VOUT2 / VIN2, VOUT2 VIN2, DVM SIMPLIS(Q=0.4), DVM Gain, A1, vert, showpoints=true color=red)
In this example, notice the following:
The y-expression 2 * N * VOUT2 / VIN2 is the mathematical expression for the gain of the converter.
The variable N representing the ratio of transformer turns was set with a Var() function.
VOUT2 and VIN2 were renamed from the DVM fixed probe using the Alias() function. Since multiple cases were simulated, the alias was required to make the scalar values for the input and output voltages unique to the test conditions.
The program automatically searches through the previous test reports, acquiring the scalars to extract and attempts to evaluate the x- and y- expressions for each test report.
Note: When one or more scalars are not found, the test report is skipped and the program proceeds to the next test report. A warning is reported in the command shell if all previous test reports are searched and no resulting vectors can be evaluated.
The following syntax rules apply to the OPTIONAL_PARAMETER_STRING argument:
ylabel=Body Diode Forward
Current
Temp=-40
Spaces in values are allowed as long as no spaces are on either side
of the equal sign. Thee three examples below illustrate this:
The following table lists the available formatting options for use in the OPTIONAL_PARAMETER_STRING argument.
| Parameter Syntax | Value Type | Description |
xgrid= |
Any positive integer | Specifies space between the x gridlines |
| ygrid= positive_integer |
Any positive integer | Specifies space between the y gridlines |
| xscale=lin | log | One of two options:
|
Specifies the units for the x axis |
| yscale=lin | log | One of two options:
|
Specifies the units for the y axis |
| xlabel=string | Any alphanumeric string |
Specifies a label for the x axis |
| ylabel=string | Any alphanumeric string |
Specifies a label for the y axis
Note:
The |
| xunits=string | Any alphanumeric string |
Specifies the units label for the x axis |
| yunits=string | Any alphanumeric string |
Specifies the units label for the y axis.
Note:
The ArbitraryBodePlot() |
| xMinlimit=integer | Any positive or negative integer |
Specifics the minimum x-axis limit |
| xMaxlimit=integer | Any positive or negative integer |
Specifics the maximum x-axis limit |
| yMinlimit=integer | Any positive or negative integer |
Specifics the minimum y-axis limit |
| yMaxlimit=integer | Any positive or negative integer |
Specifics the maximum y-axis limit |
| showpoints= TRUE | FALSE |
TRUE or FALSE |
Specifies whether or not to show points on graph. |
| sort=xascend|yascend | One of two options:
|
Determines the order of the data points on the resulting curve |
| color= color_specification |
One of three options to specify the color:
|
Specifies the color for the curve.
Note: See the next section for information on these three methods for specifying a color.. |
You have three options for specifying the color for a curve:
The syntax for the color-name alias is as follows:
color=color_name
where color_name is one of the
16 built-in color aliases as listed in the following table with the hexadecimal
code.
| Color Name Alias | Hex Code | |
| Red | #FF0000 | |
| Green | #008000 | |
| Blue | #0000FF | |
| Teal | #008080 | |
| Purple | #800080 | |
| Maroon | #800000 | |
| Navy | #000080 | |
| Black | #000000 | |
| Magenta | #FF00FF | |
| Lime | #00FF00 | |
| Salmon | #FA8072 | |
| Medium violet red | #C71585 | |
| Brown | #A52A2A | |
| Indigo | #4B0082 | |
| Medium orchid | #BA55D3 | |
| Blue violet | #8A2BE2 | |
The syntax for the hexidecimal color is as follows:
color=#rrggbb
where rr, gg,
and bb are hex numbers from 00
to FF.
You can specify any color for the curve by using a hexadecimal specification.
The syntax for the SIMetrix sequence method of specifying a color is
as follows:
color=SEQ:n
where n is a positive integer between
1 and 20.
SIMetrix has eight default curve colors, starting with red, green, blue, etc.
To change and extend these colors to a maximum of 20 user-defined curve colors, follow these steps:
Note: If you do not set each Curve item in the list, the sequence wraps; for example, with the default curve colors, SEQ:9 yields the same curve color as SEQ:1.
The CreateXYScalarPlot() function is also available as a SIMetrix script function and can be called from a PostProcess or FinalProcess script. Calling this function from a script is useful when you need to generate a large number of curves and/or if the length of the arguments makes the testplan difficult to read or edit.
The syntax for the function in a script is as follows:
SimplisDVMAdvancedUtilMeasurementCreateXYScalarPlot(array,
log_file)
Argument |
Description |
| array | A string array that contains the normal arguments to the CreateXYScalarPlot() function |
| log_file | The DVM log file that is an argument passed into the post and final process scripts |
The efficiency example (Example 1 above) could be generated in a post-process script with the following statement:
| Let return = SimplisDVMAdvancedUtilMeasurementCreateXYScalarPlot([ 'ILOAD', 'Efficiency_Nom', 'ILOAD Efficiency_Nom', 'DVM Vin Nom', 'DVM Efficiency', 'A1', 'vert', 'xlabel=Load Current xunits=A ylabel=Efficiency yunits=%%% showpoints=true color=red' ], log_file) |
Note: The array argument is bounded by open and close brackets [ ], and the string elements in the array are each enclosed in single quotes.
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