[Help-gnucap] New release of Gnucap

[Al Davis]

There is a new release (0.31) available

Official site:
from gnu (ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/gnucap/gnucap-0.31.tar.gz)

Alternate sites:
ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/apps/circuits/gnucap-0.31.tar.gz

Here are the release notes:
====================
Gnucap 0.31 release notes  (03/25/2002)

The most significant changes are the BJT model and "binning".


New features:

1. BJT model.

2. "Binning" for all MOS models.

3. Internal element: non-quasi-static poly-capacitor. (needed by
 BJT).

4. Enhancements to the data structures and model compiler to support
binning in general.

5. A line prefixed by "*>" is not ignored, in spite of the fact that
"*" usually begins a comment.  This is a deliberate incompatibility
with Spice.  If you prefix a line by "*>" it will be interpreted as a
non-comment in Gnucap, but a comment in Spice.

6. Circuit line prefixes of ">" and command prefixes of "-->" are
ignored.  This is so you can copy and paste whole lines, without
having to manually remove the prompt string.


Changes that may or may not be improvements.

1. It is not the default to include stray resistance in device
 models. The option "norstray" will revert to the old behavior.  This
 is only a change to the default value of "rstray".


Significant internal changes:

1. The internal element non-quasi-static poly-capacitor actually
works.  It is used by the BJT model, and will eventually be used by
MOSFET models.

2. There are now two poly_g devices: "CPOLY_G" and "FPOLY_G".  There
are interface differences that impact modeling.  Previously, there
 was only one, which is equivalent to the "FPOLY_G".


Some things that are still partially implemented:

1. BSIM models, charge effects, "alpha0" parameter.  (computed then
ignored)

2. Configure still doesn't handle everything.

3. The model compiler still requires too much raw coding.


General comments:

The new BJT model seems to pass the CircuitSim90 test cases as well
 as anything else, except where a missing feature prevented it from
 working.  A few files would not run because of named nodes.  One
 file (ring11) failed completely.  This file also has MOSFETs, with
 level 2 models.  The MOS level 2 model is not as robust as the BJT. 
 I believe the problem is due to the voltage sync bug that still
 impacts the MOS model.

Most of the models have has a reasonable amount of testing in DC, but
inadequate testing in AC and transient.  The BJT model has had more
testing than the others in AC and transient.  All differences
(relative to other simulators) that were observed can be attributed
 to differences in transient step size control or tolerance checking.


Bugs (nothing new, but needs repeating):

1. The transmission line initial conditions are not propagated until
the transient analysis runs.


Bugs (newly discovered, not fixed):

1. In some cases, it is possible for the voltages at various stages
 of model evaluation to get out of sync with each other.  In
 particular, when device limiting occurs, the conversion from FPOLY
 to CPOLY form may use the unlimited voltages, resulting in an
 erroneous conversion. This problem has been fixed (before release)
 in the DC BJT model.  The charge portion of the BJT model may still
 have the problem, but the symptom rarely shows.  The MOS model is
 known to still have the problem.  The symptom of the problem is
 occasional slow convergence or non convergence.  There can be a
 single incorrect iteration that throws the solution far from the
 intended path, then it usually recovers eventually.  The fix is
 known, but I wanted to get the BJT model out, so this fix will wait
 for the next release.

2. The "modify" command with multiple arguments seems to take only
 the first one.  It used to work, but is broken in this release.  I
 am not sure when it broke.


Hot items for a future release (no promises, but highly probable):

1. Charge effects and substrate current (alpha0) in BSIM models. 
 They are computed, but not loaded to the matrix.  It was deferred
 waiting for the poly-cap, but now that the poly-cap works, this
 missing part of the MOS models should be working soon.

2. JFET model.

3. Completion of multi-rate.

4. Homotopy methods to improve convergence.

5. Transmission line accuracy and speed improvements, using a step
control mechanism similar to that used for capacitors.

6. Parameterized subcircuits and defined parameters.

7. Spice-3 compatible "B" device.


To reach me, try this email address:
        address@hidden

ftp sites:
        ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/gnucap/gnucap-0.31.tar.gz
        ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/apps/circuits/gnucap-0.31.tar.gz