Stats

  • Replies 3
  • Subscribers 130
  • Views 192
  • Members are here 0

Simulating Encrypted PSpice Model from TI (CSD95373AQ5M)

WW202601034742

Hello, 

I'm trying to do a custom controller IC design for my thesis, using a commercial buck converter power stage.

The power stage that I chose is TI's CSD95373AQ5M, and the Pspice model can be downloaded here https://www.ti.com/lit/zip/slpm115. As I have took many days digging through all the posts regarding importing Pspice model into ADE Explorer for simulation, and still fail to find a completely successful solution, I decide to make a new post for some help.

The methods I tried are as below: (all of them are set to run transient for 50us )

1. I created a pspice cellview named 'CSD95373AQ5M' and created a symbol as prompted. Then I created a testbench schematic and setup all the test signals totally according to the datasheet's recommendations. After that, I created a config cellview and set the cell view for CSD95373AQ5M as 'pspice'.

Partial of output log is as below:

Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.

Installed compiled interface for _e70efeb97de39ece08cf4831e300a63c.

Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.

Installed compiled interface for _de3735aeeedf1f32a5d36c772777ee47.

Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.

Installed compiled interface for _ac4347c922592d0b7ade475040de5fef.

Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.

Installed compiled interface for _3c30654cc3be9cc0c01cc36053863659.

It looks like the simulator could interpret the subckt content, but it always stopped at some moment and couldn't finish the whole simulation period.

2. I also tried to use Setup -> Simulation Files -> Pspice Files to add my .lic file. It also couldn't work.

3. I tried the method according to this site. In essence it adds the .lic to model libraries for simulation. The output log said it couldn't understand the syntax in the .lic, which is also resonable to me.

4. I tried the method according to https://support.cadence.com/apex/articleattachmentportal?id=a1O0V0000091D0vUAE&pageName=ArticleContent&attachId=0690V000006N8jaQAC&sq=null&caseSessionKey=null

I followed it step by step and still couldn't make my model work on ADE Explorer. However, I did try another model, CSD97394Q4M using this method. But during the simulation, the output log still showed a lot of warning and oddly small time steps (as small as 1.5as) and stopped suddenly at 42.5us. When I plot the output it finally showed some reasonable buck converter waveforms. However, when I ran it again it just got stuck again.

I'm using a remote session for EDA tool and it doesn't allow file download nor copy paste outside of the environment, so I could only use AI to partially parse the texts for reference. I apologize in advance for insufficient information.

I also asked TI and they refused to give decrypted model (confidential from TI) and they don't provide support model use outside of PSpice. Since Pspice and Virtuoso both belong to Cadence, I hope I could get some help for pointing out what I am doing wrong or help me try out https://www.ti.com/lit/zip/slpm115. Or any alternative solution if this Pspice model just can't work on Virtuoso. I'm using Virtuoso IC6.1.8-64b.500.35

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

Parents
  • WW202601034742

    Below is my netlist for method 4, which I think might be working the most likely.

    // Point Netlist Generated on: Jan 3 23:53:54 2026

    // Generated for: spectre
    // Design Netlist Generated on: Jan 3 23:50:07 2026
    // Design library name: BUCK_COT
    // Design cell name: CSD95373AQ5M_tb
    // Design view name: schematic
    simulator lang=spectre
    global 0
    include "/home/winston/T018/models/spectre/rf018.scs" section=tt

    // Library name: BUCK_COT
    // Cell name: CSD95373AQ5M_tb
    // View name: schematic
    I0 (NC_0 NC_1 ENABLE NC_2 VDD VSW VIN BOOT_R BOOT FCCM TAO PWM PGND) \
    CSD95373AQ5M
    V4 (FCCM 0) vsource dc=3.3 type=dc
    V3 (PGND 0) vsource dc=0 type=dc
    V2 (VIN 0) vsource dc=19 type=dc
    V0 (VDD 0) vsource dc=5 type=dc
    V5 (ENABLE 0) vsource type=pulse val0=0 val1=5 period=600u delay=10n \
    rise=10n fall=10n width=300u
    V1 (PWM 0) vsource type=pulse val0=0 val1=3.3 period=1u delay=50n rise=1n \
    fall=1n width=300n
    L0 (VSW net3) inductor l=150n r=500.0n
    C2 (TAO PGND) capacitor c=1n
    C1 (BOOT_R net07) capacitor c=100n
    C0 (net3 PGND) capacitor c=300u
    R1 (net07 BOOT) resistor r=1
    R0 (net3 PGND) resistor r=1
    simulatorOptions options psfversion="1.4.0" reltol=1e-3 vabstol=1e-6 \
    iabstol=1e-12 temp=27 tnom=27 scalem=1.0 scale=1.0 gmin=1e-12 rforce=1 \
    maxnotes=5 maxwarns=5 digits=5 cols=80 pivrel=1e-3 \
    sensfile="../psf/sens.output" checklimitdest=psf
    tran tran stop=50u write="spectre.ic" writefinal="spectre.fc" \
    annotate=status maxiters=5
    finalTimeOP info what=oppoint where=rawfile
    modelParameter info what=models where=rawfile
    element info what=inst where=rawfile
    outputParameter info what=output where=rawfile
    designParamVals info what=parameters where=rawfile
    primitives info what=primitives where=rawfile
    subckts info what=subckts where=rawfile
    saveOptions options save=allpub
    pspice_include "/home/winston/T018/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M/pspice/design.pspice"

    And the output is here:


    Spectre (R) Circuit Simulator
    Version 21.1.0.389.isr8 64bit -- 26 May 2022
    Copyright (C) 1989-2022 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Cadence and Spectre are registered trademarks of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All others are the property of their respective holders.

    Includes RSA BSAFE(R) Cryptographic or Security Protocol Software from RSA Security, Inc.

    User: winston Host: wimlserver HostID: 718C1B95 PID: 42772
    Memory available: 125.9767 GB physical: 134.6591 GB
    Linux : CentOS Linux release 7.9.2009 (Core)
    CPU Type: Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5218R CPU @ 2.10GHz
    Socket: Processors [Frequency] (Hyperthreaded Processor)
    0: 0 [799.9] ( 40 ), 1 [1074.0] ( 41 ), 2 [800.7] ( 42 )
    3 [799.9] ( 43 ), 4 [800.1] ( 44 ), 5 [974.8] ( 45 )
    6 [800.1] ( 46 ), 7 [800.1] ( 47 ), 8 [800.1] ( 48 )
    9 [799.9] ( 49 ), 10 [3943.1] ( 50 ), 11 [800.1] ( 51 )
    12 [800.1] ( 52 ), 13 [799.9] ( 53 ), 14 [799.9] ( 54 )
    15 [799.9] ( 55 ), 16 [1038.5] ( 56 ), 17 [1125.4] ( 57 )
    18 [800.2] ( 58 ), 19 [800.1] ( 59 )
    1: 20 [800.2] ( 60 ), 21 [817.0] ( 61 ), 22 [1164.1] ( 62 )
    23 [800.1] ( 63 ), 24 [886.1] ( 64 ), 25 [800.1] ( 65 )
    26 [1724.7] ( 66 ), 27 [799.9] ( 67 ), 28 [816.5] ( 68 )
    29 [1092.3] ( 69 ), 30 [799.9] ( 70 ), 31 [800.1] ( 71 )
    32 [800.1] ( 72 ), 33 [800.2] ( 73 ), 34 [800.1] ( 74 )
    35 [800.2] ( 75 ), 36 [800.3] ( 76 ), 37 [800.2] ( 77 )
    38 [800.1] ( 78 ), 39 [800.2] ( 79 )

    System load averages (1min, 5min, 15min) : 0.2 %, 0.2 %, 0.1 %
    Hyperthreading is enabled
    HPC is enabled


    Simulating `input.scs' on wimlserver at 11:50:09 PM, Sat Jan 3, 2026 (process id: 42772).
    Current working directory: /home/winston/simulation/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M_tb/maestro/results/maestro/ExplorerRun.0/1/BUCK_COT:CSD95373AQ5M_tb:1/netlist
    Command line:
    /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools/bin/spectre -64 \
    input.scs +escchars +log ../psf/spectre.out -format psfxl -raw \
    ../psf +mts +preset=mx +mt +lqtimeout 900 -maxw 5 -maxn 5 -env \
    ade -ahdllibdir \
    /home/winston/simulation/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M_tb/maestro/results/maestro/ExplorerRun.0/sharedData/CDS/ahdl/input.ahdlSimDB \
    +logstatus

    Licensing Information:
    [23:50:09.160159] Configured Lic search path (21.01-s002): 5280@lstn:5280@lstc:5280@lshc:26585@lstn:26585@lstc:26585@lshc:1717@lshc

    Licensing Information:
    [23:50:09.006824] Periodic Lic check successful

    Licensing Information:
    [23:50:09.106769] Periodic Lic check successful

    Loading /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/cmi/lib/64bit/5.0/libinfineon_sh.so ...
    Loading /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/cmi/lib/64bit/5.0/libphilips_o_sh.so ...
    Loading /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/cmi/lib/64bit/5.0/libphilips_sh.so ...
    Loading /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/cmi/lib/64bit/5.0/libsparam_sh.so ...
    Loading /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/cmi/lib/64bit/5.0/libstmodels_sh.so ...
    Reading file: /home/winston/simulation/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M_tb/maestro/results/maestro/ExplorerRun.0/1/BUCK_COT:CSD95373AQ5M_tb:1/netlist/input.scs

    Notice from spectre during circuit read-in.
    Pre_Configuration file used: /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/configs/preset.precfg
    Configuration file used: `/usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/configs/preset.cfg'.

    Reading link: /usr/cad
    Reading file: /cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/configs/spectre.cfg
    Reading file: /cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/configs/preset.precfg
    Reading file: /home/winston/T018/models/spectre/rf018.scs
    Reading file: /home/winston/T018/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M/pspice/design.pspice
    Reading file: /cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/configs/preset.cfg
    Time for NDB Parsing: CPU = 167.285 ms, elapsed = 627.38 ms.
    Time accumulated: CPU = 275.468 ms, elapsed = 627.384 ms.
    Peak resident memory used = 71.7 Mbytes.


    Warning from spectre during circuit read-in.
    WARNING (SFE-2628): "/home/winston/T018/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M/pspice/design.pspice" 316: `DELAY' will override a reserved primitive with identical name.

    Reading link: /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/ahdl/discipline.h
    Reading file: /cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/ahdl/disciplines.vams
    Reading link: /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/ahdl/constants.h
    Reading file: /cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/ahdl/constants.vams


    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _e70efeb97de39ece08cf4831e300a63c.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _de3735aeeedf1f32a5d36c772777ee47.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _ac4347c922592d0b7ade475040de5fef.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _3c30654cc3be9cc0c01cc36053863659.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _8b32d83e0455eea9de10d0ef4f096dd6.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _c192d13c04623480743f9309bf447083.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _5a65b2c2c1097f0b59441d0edbc316c5.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _ba0392e11aa386bdecb7879290cce23b.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _7c9189e72f6b41c28d4c255d149cc6a3.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _aecec591f8d3463da4eaefa4a505ef9d.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _465424a7754b150834a0a898642e5ffc.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _2d921f1ca1402b72da7a1e949932270f.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _ff210264137722e0dd1568e5525ab03a.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _86a84faeb6ad08fb93fd8416f98629e0.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _9f43a2e8e575dc03f153f2a9ad1cc2d6.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _cf6df34118a57c33e2685c24475d7f27.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _e7dd2f0651772851fe92597bd4293e9d.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _4ff5a6428d990a03f101280736b709e4.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _84105b26fd7d667950c26b2f78b4bc74.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _ce12ea590ca83c8ee92af9215d26bc78.

    Warning from spectre during hierarchy flattening.
    WARNING (SFE-3016): The floating node NC_2 is removed.
    WARNING (SFE-3016): The floating node NC_0 is removed.
    WARNING (SFE-3016): The floating node NC_1 is removed.

    Time for Elaboration: CPU = 28.073 ms, elapsed = 28.1401 ms.
    Time accumulated: CPU = 303.617 ms, elapsed = 655.599 ms.
    Peak resident memory used = 81.9 Mbytes.


    Notice from spectre during hierarchy flattening.
    The value 'psf' specified for the 'checklimitdest' option will no longer be supported in future releases. Use 'spectre -h' to see other recommended values for the 'checklimitdest' option.


    Time for EDB Visiting: CPU = 3.69 ms, elapsed = 3.69811 ms.
    Time accumulated: CPU = 307.377 ms, elapsed = 659.367 ms.
    Peak resident memory used = 83.6 Mbytes.


    Warning from spectre during initial setup.
    WARNING (SPECTRE-592): Following parameters are disabled because they are ignored or redefined in Spectre X:
    Option Parameters:
    iabstol
    reltol
    vabstol


    Global user options:
    psfversion = 1.4.0
    temp = 27
    gmin = 1e-12
    rforce = 1
    maxnotes = 5
    maxwarns = 5
    digits = 5
    cols = 80
    pivrel = 0.001
    sensfile = ../psf/sens.output
    checklimitdest = psf
    save = allpub
    reltol = 0.001
    tnom = 27
    scalem = 1
    scale = 1

    Scoped user options:

    Circuit inventory:
    nodes 15
    capacitor 3
    inductor 1
    resistor 2
    vsource 6

    Analysis and control statement inventory:
    info 7
    tran 1

    Output statements:
    .probe 0
    .measure 0
    save 0

    Design checks inventory:
    assert 1


    Notice from spectre during initial setup.
    Protected devices exist and are not included in the circuit inventory.
    30 resistors are shorted because their absolute value is less than or equal to 'rabsshort'.
    4 resistors are changed to resistance form because their value are less than 'rthresh'.
    Spectre X preset=mx enabled.
    Multithreading enabled: 8 threads in the system with 80 available processors.

    Time for parsing: CPU = 96.881 ms, elapsed = 476.488 ms.
    Time accumulated: CPU = 404.327 ms, elapsed = 1.13592 s.
    Peak resident memory used = 91.3 Mbytes.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Pre-Simulation Summary
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    - (Spectre X) Multi-threading. The recommended number of threads is [2, 4], consider adding +mt=2 or +mt=4 on command line.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Notice from spectre during transient analysis `tran'.
    No checklimit analysis defined for asserts. A default checklimit analysis 'SpectreChecklimitAnal' has been created with all asserts enabled.


    ************************************************
    Transient Analysis `tran': time = (0 s -> 50 us)
    ************************************************
    Trying Fast DC 0 for initial conditions...

    Perform DC simulation with solver optimization
    Trying Fast DC 0 for initial conditions...

    Error found by spectre during IC analysis, during transient analysis `tran'.
    ERROR (SPECTRE-16080): Cannot print DC solution because DC did not converge. Resolve the convergence issue and rerun the simulation.

    The values for those nodes that did not converge on the last Newton iteration are given below. The manner in which the convergence criteria were not satisfied is also given.
    Failed test: | Value | > RelTol*Ref + AbsTol

    Top 10 Residue too large Convergence failure:
    V(VIN) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -38 A | > 190 mA + 1 pA
    V(FCCM) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -3.3 kA | > 16.5 A + 1 pA
    V(VDD) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -255.5 uA | > 1.2775 uA + 1 pA
    V(PWM) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 250 uA | > 1.25 uA + 1 pA
    V(BOOT) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 5 uA | > 25 nA + 1 pA
    V(PGND) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 3.249 kA | > 16.78 A + 1 pA

    DC simulation time: CPU = 297.146 ms, elapsed = 59.325 ms.
    Analysis `tran' was terminated prematurely due to an error.
    finalTimeOP: writing operating point information to rawfile.

    Opening the PSF file ../psf/finalTimeOP.info ...
    Trying Fast DC 0...

    Perform DC simulation with solver optimization
    Trying Fast DC 0...

    Error found by spectre during DC analysis, during info `finalTimeOP'.
    ERROR (SPECTRE-16080): Cannot print DC solution because DC did not converge. Resolve the convergence issue and rerun the simulation.

    The values for those nodes that did not converge on the last Newton iteration are given below. The manner in which the convergence criteria were not satisfied is also given.
    Failed test: | Value | > RelTol*Ref + AbsTol

    Top 10 Residue too large Convergence failure:
    V(VIN) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -38 A | > 190 mA + 1 pA
    V(FCCM) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -3.3 kA | > 16.5 A + 1 pA
    V(PGND) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 3.3 kA | > 16.5 A + 1 pA
    V(VDD) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -255.5 uA | > 1.2775 uA + 1 pA
    V(PWM) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 250 uA | > 1.25 uA + 1 pA
    V(BOOT) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 5 uA | > 25 nA + 1 pA

    DC simulation time: CPU = 228.72 ms, elapsed = 47.58 ms.
    Analysis `finalTimeOP' was terminated prematurely due to an error.
    modelParameter: writing model parameter values to rawfile.

    Opening the PSF file ../psf/modelParameter.info ...
    element: writing instance parameter values to rawfile.

    Opening the PSF file ../psf/element.info ...
    outputParameter: writing output parameter values to rawfile.

    Opening the PSF file ../psf/outputParameter.info ...
    designParamVals: writing netlist parameters to rawfile.

    Opening the PSFASCII file ../psf/designParamVals.info ...
    primitives: writing primitives to rawfile.

    Opening the PSFASCII file ../psf/primitives.info.primitives ...
    subckts: writing subcircuits to rawfile.

    Opening the PSFASCII file ../psf/subckts.info.subckts ...
    Licensing Information:
    Lic Summary:
    [23:50:10.348786] Cdslmd servers:5280@lstn:5280@lstc:5280@lshc:26585@lstn:26585@lstc:26585@lshc:1717@lshc
    [23:50:10.348811] Feature usage summary:
    [23:50:10.348811] Virtuoso_Multi_mode_Simulation
    [23:50:10.348816] Spectre_X_MMSIM_Lk


    Aggregate audit (11:50:10 PM, Sat Jan 3, 2026):
    Time used: CPU = 947 ms, elapsed = 1.26 s, util. = 75.2%.
    Time spent in licensing: elapsed = 528 ms, percentage of total = 41.9%.
    Peak memory used = 96.5 Mbytes.
    Simulation started at: 11:50:09 PM, Sat Jan 3, 2026, ended at: 11:50:10 PM, Sat Jan 3, 2026, with elapsed time (wall clock): 1.26 s.
    spectre completes with 2 errors, 5 warnings, and 11 notices.

Reply
  • WW202601034742

    Below is my netlist for method 4, which I think might be working the most likely.

    // Point Netlist Generated on: Jan 3 23:53:54 2026

    // Generated for: spectre
    // Design Netlist Generated on: Jan 3 23:50:07 2026
    // Design library name: BUCK_COT
    // Design cell name: CSD95373AQ5M_tb
    // Design view name: schematic
    simulator lang=spectre
    global 0
    include "/home/winston/T018/models/spectre/rf018.scs" section=tt

    // Library name: BUCK_COT
    // Cell name: CSD95373AQ5M_tb
    // View name: schematic
    I0 (NC_0 NC_1 ENABLE NC_2 VDD VSW VIN BOOT_R BOOT FCCM TAO PWM PGND) \
    CSD95373AQ5M
    V4 (FCCM 0) vsource dc=3.3 type=dc
    V3 (PGND 0) vsource dc=0 type=dc
    V2 (VIN 0) vsource dc=19 type=dc
    V0 (VDD 0) vsource dc=5 type=dc
    V5 (ENABLE 0) vsource type=pulse val0=0 val1=5 period=600u delay=10n \
    rise=10n fall=10n width=300u
    V1 (PWM 0) vsource type=pulse val0=0 val1=3.3 period=1u delay=50n rise=1n \
    fall=1n width=300n
    L0 (VSW net3) inductor l=150n r=500.0n
    C2 (TAO PGND) capacitor c=1n
    C1 (BOOT_R net07) capacitor c=100n
    C0 (net3 PGND) capacitor c=300u
    R1 (net07 BOOT) resistor r=1
    R0 (net3 PGND) resistor r=1
    simulatorOptions options psfversion="1.4.0" reltol=1e-3 vabstol=1e-6 \
    iabstol=1e-12 temp=27 tnom=27 scalem=1.0 scale=1.0 gmin=1e-12 rforce=1 \
    maxnotes=5 maxwarns=5 digits=5 cols=80 pivrel=1e-3 \
    sensfile="../psf/sens.output" checklimitdest=psf
    tran tran stop=50u write="spectre.ic" writefinal="spectre.fc" \
    annotate=status maxiters=5
    finalTimeOP info what=oppoint where=rawfile
    modelParameter info what=models where=rawfile
    element info what=inst where=rawfile
    outputParameter info what=output where=rawfile
    designParamVals info what=parameters where=rawfile
    primitives info what=primitives where=rawfile
    subckts info what=subckts where=rawfile
    saveOptions options save=allpub
    pspice_include "/home/winston/T018/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M/pspice/design.pspice"

    And the output is here:


    Spectre (R) Circuit Simulator
    Version 21.1.0.389.isr8 64bit -- 26 May 2022
    Copyright (C) 1989-2022 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Cadence and Spectre are registered trademarks of Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All others are the property of their respective holders.

    Includes RSA BSAFE(R) Cryptographic or Security Protocol Software from RSA Security, Inc.

    User: winston Host: wimlserver HostID: 718C1B95 PID: 42772
    Memory available: 125.9767 GB physical: 134.6591 GB
    Linux : CentOS Linux release 7.9.2009 (Core)
    CPU Type: Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5218R CPU @ 2.10GHz
    Socket: Processors [Frequency] (Hyperthreaded Processor)
    0: 0 [799.9] ( 40 ), 1 [1074.0] ( 41 ), 2 [800.7] ( 42 )
    3 [799.9] ( 43 ), 4 [800.1] ( 44 ), 5 [974.8] ( 45 )
    6 [800.1] ( 46 ), 7 [800.1] ( 47 ), 8 [800.1] ( 48 )
    9 [799.9] ( 49 ), 10 [3943.1] ( 50 ), 11 [800.1] ( 51 )
    12 [800.1] ( 52 ), 13 [799.9] ( 53 ), 14 [799.9] ( 54 )
    15 [799.9] ( 55 ), 16 [1038.5] ( 56 ), 17 [1125.4] ( 57 )
    18 [800.2] ( 58 ), 19 [800.1] ( 59 )
    1: 20 [800.2] ( 60 ), 21 [817.0] ( 61 ), 22 [1164.1] ( 62 )
    23 [800.1] ( 63 ), 24 [886.1] ( 64 ), 25 [800.1] ( 65 )
    26 [1724.7] ( 66 ), 27 [799.9] ( 67 ), 28 [816.5] ( 68 )
    29 [1092.3] ( 69 ), 30 [799.9] ( 70 ), 31 [800.1] ( 71 )
    32 [800.1] ( 72 ), 33 [800.2] ( 73 ), 34 [800.1] ( 74 )
    35 [800.2] ( 75 ), 36 [800.3] ( 76 ), 37 [800.2] ( 77 )
    38 [800.1] ( 78 ), 39 [800.2] ( 79 )

    System load averages (1min, 5min, 15min) : 0.2 %, 0.2 %, 0.1 %
    Hyperthreading is enabled
    HPC is enabled


    Simulating `input.scs' on wimlserver at 11:50:09 PM, Sat Jan 3, 2026 (process id: 42772).
    Current working directory: /home/winston/simulation/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M_tb/maestro/results/maestro/ExplorerRun.0/1/BUCK_COT:CSD95373AQ5M_tb:1/netlist
    Command line:
    /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools/bin/spectre -64 \
    input.scs +escchars +log ../psf/spectre.out -format psfxl -raw \
    ../psf +mts +preset=mx +mt +lqtimeout 900 -maxw 5 -maxn 5 -env \
    ade -ahdllibdir \
    /home/winston/simulation/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M_tb/maestro/results/maestro/ExplorerRun.0/sharedData/CDS/ahdl/input.ahdlSimDB \
    +logstatus

    Licensing Information:
    [23:50:09.160159] Configured Lic search path (21.01-s002): 5280@lstn:5280@lstc:5280@lshc:26585@lstn:26585@lstc:26585@lshc:1717@lshc

    Licensing Information:
    [23:50:09.006824] Periodic Lic check successful

    Licensing Information:
    [23:50:09.106769] Periodic Lic check successful

    Loading /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/cmi/lib/64bit/5.0/libinfineon_sh.so ...
    Loading /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/cmi/lib/64bit/5.0/libphilips_o_sh.so ...
    Loading /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/cmi/lib/64bit/5.0/libphilips_sh.so ...
    Loading /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/cmi/lib/64bit/5.0/libsparam_sh.so ...
    Loading /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/cmi/lib/64bit/5.0/libstmodels_sh.so ...
    Reading file: /home/winston/simulation/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M_tb/maestro/results/maestro/ExplorerRun.0/1/BUCK_COT:CSD95373AQ5M_tb:1/netlist/input.scs

    Notice from spectre during circuit read-in.
    Pre_Configuration file used: /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/configs/preset.precfg
    Configuration file used: `/usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/configs/preset.cfg'.

    Reading link: /usr/cad
    Reading file: /cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/configs/spectre.cfg
    Reading file: /cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/configs/preset.precfg
    Reading file: /home/winston/T018/models/spectre/rf018.scs
    Reading file: /home/winston/T018/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M/pspice/design.pspice
    Reading file: /cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/configs/preset.cfg
    Time for NDB Parsing: CPU = 167.285 ms, elapsed = 627.38 ms.
    Time accumulated: CPU = 275.468 ms, elapsed = 627.384 ms.
    Peak resident memory used = 71.7 Mbytes.


    Warning from spectre during circuit read-in.
    WARNING (SFE-2628): "/home/winston/T018/BUCK_COT/CSD95373AQ5M/pspice/design.pspice" 316: `DELAY' will override a reserved primitive with identical name.

    Reading link: /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/ahdl/discipline.h
    Reading file: /cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/ahdl/disciplines.vams
    Reading link: /usr/cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/ahdl/constants.h
    Reading file: /cad/cadence/SPECTRE/SPECTRE_21.10.389/tools.lnx86/spectre/etc/ahdl/constants.vams


    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _e70efeb97de39ece08cf4831e300a63c.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _de3735aeeedf1f32a5d36c772777ee47.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _ac4347c922592d0b7ade475040de5fef.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _3c30654cc3be9cc0c01cc36053863659.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _8b32d83e0455eea9de10d0ef4f096dd6.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _c192d13c04623480743f9309bf447083.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _5a65b2c2c1097f0b59441d0edbc316c5.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _ba0392e11aa386bdecb7879290cce23b.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _7c9189e72f6b41c28d4c255d149cc6a3.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _aecec591f8d3463da4eaefa4a505ef9d.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _465424a7754b150834a0a898642e5ffc.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _2d921f1ca1402b72da7a1e949932270f.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _ff210264137722e0dd1568e5525ab03a.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _86a84faeb6ad08fb93fd8416f98629e0.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _9f43a2e8e575dc03f153f2a9ad1cc2d6.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _cf6df34118a57c33e2685c24475d7f27.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _e7dd2f0651772851fe92597bd4293e9d.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _4ff5a6428d990a03f101280736b709e4.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _84105b26fd7d667950c26b2f78b4bc74.
    Existing shared object for module encrypted model is up to date.
    Installed compiled interface for _ce12ea590ca83c8ee92af9215d26bc78.

    Warning from spectre during hierarchy flattening.
    WARNING (SFE-3016): The floating node NC_2 is removed.
    WARNING (SFE-3016): The floating node NC_0 is removed.
    WARNING (SFE-3016): The floating node NC_1 is removed.

    Time for Elaboration: CPU = 28.073 ms, elapsed = 28.1401 ms.
    Time accumulated: CPU = 303.617 ms, elapsed = 655.599 ms.
    Peak resident memory used = 81.9 Mbytes.


    Notice from spectre during hierarchy flattening.
    The value 'psf' specified for the 'checklimitdest' option will no longer be supported in future releases. Use 'spectre -h' to see other recommended values for the 'checklimitdest' option.


    Time for EDB Visiting: CPU = 3.69 ms, elapsed = 3.69811 ms.
    Time accumulated: CPU = 307.377 ms, elapsed = 659.367 ms.
    Peak resident memory used = 83.6 Mbytes.


    Warning from spectre during initial setup.
    WARNING (SPECTRE-592): Following parameters are disabled because they are ignored or redefined in Spectre X:
    Option Parameters:
    iabstol
    reltol
    vabstol


    Global user options:
    psfversion = 1.4.0
    temp = 27
    gmin = 1e-12
    rforce = 1
    maxnotes = 5
    maxwarns = 5
    digits = 5
    cols = 80
    pivrel = 0.001
    sensfile = ../psf/sens.output
    checklimitdest = psf
    save = allpub
    reltol = 0.001
    tnom = 27
    scalem = 1
    scale = 1

    Scoped user options:

    Circuit inventory:
    nodes 15
    capacitor 3
    inductor 1
    resistor 2
    vsource 6

    Analysis and control statement inventory:
    info 7
    tran 1

    Output statements:
    .probe 0
    .measure 0
    save 0

    Design checks inventory:
    assert 1


    Notice from spectre during initial setup.
    Protected devices exist and are not included in the circuit inventory.
    30 resistors are shorted because their absolute value is less than or equal to 'rabsshort'.
    4 resistors are changed to resistance form because their value are less than 'rthresh'.
    Spectre X preset=mx enabled.
    Multithreading enabled: 8 threads in the system with 80 available processors.

    Time for parsing: CPU = 96.881 ms, elapsed = 476.488 ms.
    Time accumulated: CPU = 404.327 ms, elapsed = 1.13592 s.
    Peak resident memory used = 91.3 Mbytes.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Pre-Simulation Summary
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    - (Spectre X) Multi-threading. The recommended number of threads is [2, 4], consider adding +mt=2 or +mt=4 on command line.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Notice from spectre during transient analysis `tran'.
    No checklimit analysis defined for asserts. A default checklimit analysis 'SpectreChecklimitAnal' has been created with all asserts enabled.


    ************************************************
    Transient Analysis `tran': time = (0 s -> 50 us)
    ************************************************
    Trying Fast DC 0 for initial conditions...

    Perform DC simulation with solver optimization
    Trying Fast DC 0 for initial conditions...

    Error found by spectre during IC analysis, during transient analysis `tran'.
    ERROR (SPECTRE-16080): Cannot print DC solution because DC did not converge. Resolve the convergence issue and rerun the simulation.

    The values for those nodes that did not converge on the last Newton iteration are given below. The manner in which the convergence criteria were not satisfied is also given.
    Failed test: | Value | > RelTol*Ref + AbsTol

    Top 10 Residue too large Convergence failure:
    V(VIN) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -38 A | > 190 mA + 1 pA
    V(FCCM) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -3.3 kA | > 16.5 A + 1 pA
    V(VDD) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -255.5 uA | > 1.2775 uA + 1 pA
    V(PWM) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 250 uA | > 1.25 uA + 1 pA
    V(BOOT) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 5 uA | > 25 nA + 1 pA
    V(PGND) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 3.249 kA | > 16.78 A + 1 pA

    DC simulation time: CPU = 297.146 ms, elapsed = 59.325 ms.
    Analysis `tran' was terminated prematurely due to an error.
    finalTimeOP: writing operating point information to rawfile.

    Opening the PSF file ../psf/finalTimeOP.info ...
    Trying Fast DC 0...

    Perform DC simulation with solver optimization
    Trying Fast DC 0...

    Error found by spectre during DC analysis, during info `finalTimeOP'.
    ERROR (SPECTRE-16080): Cannot print DC solution because DC did not converge. Resolve the convergence issue and rerun the simulation.

    The values for those nodes that did not converge on the last Newton iteration are given below. The manner in which the convergence criteria were not satisfied is also given.
    Failed test: | Value | > RelTol*Ref + AbsTol

    Top 10 Residue too large Convergence failure:
    V(VIN) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -38 A | > 190 mA + 1 pA
    V(FCCM) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -3.3 kA | > 16.5 A + 1 pA
    V(PGND) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 3.3 kA | > 16.5 A + 1 pA
    V(VDD) = 0 V
    residue too large: | -255.5 uA | > 1.2775 uA + 1 pA
    V(PWM) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 250 uA | > 1.25 uA + 1 pA
    V(BOOT) = 0 V
    residue too large: | 5 uA | > 25 nA + 1 pA

    DC simulation time: CPU = 228.72 ms, elapsed = 47.58 ms.
    Analysis `finalTimeOP' was terminated prematurely due to an error.
    modelParameter: writing model parameter values to rawfile.

    Opening the PSF file ../psf/modelParameter.info ...
    element: writing instance parameter values to rawfile.

    Opening the PSF file ../psf/element.info ...
    outputParameter: writing output parameter values to rawfile.

    Opening the PSF file ../psf/outputParameter.info ...
    designParamVals: writing netlist parameters to rawfile.

    Opening the PSFASCII file ../psf/designParamVals.info ...
    primitives: writing primitives to rawfile.

    Opening the PSFASCII file ../psf/primitives.info.primitives ...
    subckts: writing subcircuits to rawfile.

    Opening the PSFASCII file ../psf/subckts.info.subckts ...
    Licensing Information:
    Lic Summary:
    [23:50:10.348786] Cdslmd servers:5280@lstn:5280@lstc:5280@lshc:26585@lstn:26585@lstc:26585@lshc:1717@lshc
    [23:50:10.348811] Feature usage summary:
    [23:50:10.348811] Virtuoso_Multi_mode_Simulation
    [23:50:10.348816] Spectre_X_MMSIM_Lk


    Aggregate audit (11:50:10 PM, Sat Jan 3, 2026):
    Time used: CPU = 947 ms, elapsed = 1.26 s, util. = 75.2%.
    Time spent in licensing: elapsed = 528 ms, percentage of total = 41.9%.
    Peak memory used = 96.5 Mbytes.
    Simulation started at: 11:50:09 PM, Sat Jan 3, 2026, ended at: 11:50:10 PM, Sat Jan 3, 2026, with elapsed time (wall clock): 1.26 s.
    spectre completes with 2 errors, 5 warnings, and 11 notices.

Children
  • Andrew Beckett
    in reply to WW202601034742

    It runs (albeit complaining about convergence, and having to adopt a "disaster recovery algorithm") with Spectre Classic (i.e. not using APS or Spectre X). I did wonder whether post-layout optimisation might be getting in the way because of the ideal components (probably some in the model too), but turning that off didn't help. I can get it to run (with the same warnings about convergence) by using preserve_inst=[*]. However, otherwise it is complaining about some warnings within the protected block - it might be worth reporting this to TI alongside your circuit (although the team that builds these models might only be checking it with Pspice).

    We might be able to help you more with customer support too.

    Anyway, these are the ADE settings I used (I ran from the command-line, but these are equivalent). Note I was using a more recent Spectre version than you (which complained more about the model when it failed to converge). I did just check with the version you're using, and the workaround of using preserve_inst doesn't help there - it fails during the DC (whereas in the later version it fails during the transient). Using Spectre Classic does work in the version you're using though. For the record, I was using 23.1.0.802.isr17, 24.1.0.513.isr13 or 25.1.0.235.isr5 - all worked with the workaround.

    Andrew

  • WW202601034742
    in reply to Andrew Beckett

    Hello Mr. Beckett,

    First of all thank you very much for helping me test this model on various versions. Actually I do have access to another server that runs spectre version 23.1.0.802.isr17, and I tried your method of adding preserve_inst into simulation settings on both the servers. The results came out the same as you said. Also since I know how to make the simulation work now, I found some models (CSD95373AQ5M) that couldn't work even though the simulation concluded and it is more suitable for my goal. I guess I would just choose another power stage with a model (CSD97376Q4M or CSD97394Q4M) that can work in my simulation instead.

    For 21.1.0.389.isr8: CSD97376Q4M instead of CSD95373AQ5M is used, failed during DC.

    For 23.1.0.802.isr17: CSD97376Q4M instead of CSD95373AQ5M is used

    It usually gets stuck for about 5 minutes during the 166.9~167 ns 4 out of 5 times, and after passing this time, the simulation concluded almost instantly (with reasonable results). Do you have any clue on how I could avoid this from happening? And also is it safe to overlook the tons of warnings and the 5 minute stuck (I think you also saw the same as mine), and trust all of the results for my future simulations?

    Lastly, I'm very grateful for the solution that you offered for me to finally see some reasonable result anyways. I would like to paste another picture showing the waveform but the forum wouldn't let me.

Community Guidelines

The Cadence Design Communities support Cadence users and technologists interacting to exchange ideas, news, technical information, and best practices to solve problems and get the most from Cadence technology. The community is open to everyone, and to provide the most value, we require participants to follow our Community Guidelines that facilitate a quality exchange of ideas and information. By accessing, contributing, using or downloading any materials from the site, you agree to be bound by the full Community Guidelines.