B

Environment Variables for Spectre Simulator Options Form

This section describes the environment variables that you can set in the .cdsenv file to specify default values for Spectre simulator options or analysis options.

The default values specified for the variables in this document indicate the default values specified for these variables in the $CDSHOME/tools/dfII/etc/tools/spectre/.cdsenv file. If the default value of a variable is specified as an empty string value("") or as "default", Spectre uses the in-built default value for that variable. For example, the default value for spectre.hb noiseout is "". If you do not modify this value in Virtuoso, while running the simulation, Spectre internally sets it to the in-built default value "usb". For more details, refer Spectre Circuit Simulator Reference Guide.

You can set or customize the Spectre simulation options using the Simulator Options form in ADE. This appendix provides details of all available options on the following tabs of the Simulator Options form and their respective environment variables:

spectre.opts

Simulator Options - Main Tab
generalnoiseinst	generalnoiseinstonoff
highvoltage	iabstol
multithread	noiseOffType
noiseOnType	nthreads
reltol	residualtol
temp	tempeffects
tnom	vabstol
Simulator Options - Algorithm Tab
convdbg	dc_pivot_check
dptran_gmethod	gmethod
gmin	gmin_check
gmindc	homotopy
icpriority	limit
nonconv_topnum	pivabs
pivotdc	pivrel
preorder	rabsclamp
rabsshort	rebuild_matrix
rforce	rthresh
try_fast_op
Simulator Options - Component Tab
approx	auto_minductor
vth_vdsmin	ivthl
ivthn	ivthp
ivthw	macromodels
maxrsd	nport_default_passivity
nportcompress	nportcompressfiledir
nportirfiledir	nportirreuse
nportunusedportgmin	nportunusedportrmin
minr	scale
scalefactor	scalem
tmevthmod	vthmod
Simulator Options - Check Tab
checklimitdest	checklimitfile
checklimitskipfile	checklimitskipsubs
diagnose	iccheck
ignshorts	redefinedparams
opptcheck	topcheck
Simulator Options - Annotation Tab
audit	cols
colslog	debug
digits	error
info	inventory
maxnotes	maxnotestologfile
maxnotestologfile	maxwarns
notation	note
narrate	printstep
simstat	title
warn
Simulator Options - Miscellaneous Tab
additionalArgs	ahdllint
ahdllint_maxwarn	ahdllint_on
flow	quantities
sensbinparam	sensfile
sensfileonly	sensformat
senstype	value1

Simulator Options - Main

generalnoiseinst

spectre.opts generalnoiseinst string "noiseContribution"

Description

List of instances to be considered for noise contribution.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	Instance List:

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "generalnoiseinst")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "generalnoiseinst" 'string "")

generalnoiseinstonoff

spectre.opts generalnoiseinstonoff string "noiseContribution"

Description

Specify whether to enable ("on") or disable ("off") the noise contribution for the instance list given in the generalnoiseinst cdsenv.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	Noise Contribution

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "generalnoiseinstonoff")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "generalnoiseinstonoff" 'string "")

highvoltage

spectre.opts highvoltage string "spectreSettings"

Description

Enables optimized Spectre settings for high voltage designs including voltage, and current binning, excluding VerilogA and dangling nodes from convergence checks, and optimized large capacitance handling.

The valid values are 'no' and 'yes'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	highvoltage

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "highvoltage")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "highvoltage" 'string "no")

iabstol

spectre.opts iabstol string "any_string_value"

Description

Convergence criterion for absolute current tolerance.

The default value is 1e-12.

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	iabstol

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "iabstol")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "iabstol" 'string "")

multithread

spectre.opts multithread string "multithreadCapability"

Description

Enable or disable multithreading capability. When multithreading is enabled but the number of threads (nThreads) is not specified, Spectre will automatically detect the number of processors and select the proper number of threads to use.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	multithread

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "multithread")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "multithread" 'string "")

noiseOffType

spectre.opts noiseOffType toggle { thermal | flicker | shot | ign | all }

Description

Disable specific noise sources for the list of instances given with the cdsenv generalnoiseinst.

The default value is (nil nil nil nil nil).

Example:

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "noiseOffType" 'toggle '(t nil t nil nil))

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	noiseoff_type

noiseOnType

spectre.opts noiseOnType toggle { thermal | flicker | shot | ign | all }

Description

Enable specific noise sources for the list of instances given with the cdsenv generalnoiseinst.

The default value is (nil nil nil nil nil).

Example:

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "noiseOnType" 'toggle '(t nil t nil nil))

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	noiseon_type

nthreads

spectre.opts nthreads string "numberOfThreads"

Description

Specifies the number of threads for multithreading.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	nthreads

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "nthreads")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "nthreads" 'string "")

reltol

spectre.opts reltol string "any_string_value"

Description

Relative convergence criterion.

The default value is 1.00E-03.

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	reltol

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "reltol")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "reltol" 'string "")

residualtol

spectre.opts residualtol string "any_string_value"

Description

Tolerance ratio for residual (multiplies reltol).

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	residualtol

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "residualtol")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "residualtol" 'string "")

temp

spectre.opts temp string "temperature"

Description

Specifies the temperature.

The default value is "27".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	temp

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "temp")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "temp" 'string "")

tempeffects

spectre.opts tempeffects string "any_string_value"

Description

Temperature effect selector. If tempeffect = vt, only thermal voltage varies with temperature; if tempeffect = tc, parameters that start with tc are active and thermal voltage is dependent on temperature; and if tempeffect = all, all built-in temperature models are enabled.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	tempeffects

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "tempeffects")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "tempeffects" 'string "")

tnom

spectre.opts tnom string "any_string_value"

Description

Temperature measurement of the default component parameter.

The default value is "27".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	tnom

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "tnom")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "tnom" 'string "")

vabstol

spectre.opts vabstol string "any_string_value"

Description

Convergence criterion for absolute voltage tolerance.

The default value is 1.00E-06.

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Main
Field	vabstol

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "vabstol")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "vabstol" 'string "")

Simulator Options - Algorithm

convdbg

spectre.opts convdbg string "convergenceIssues"

Description

Specifies the option to diagnose convergence issues and identify problem areas.

The valid values are "none", "status" and "detailed".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	convdbg

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "convdbg")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "convdbg" 'string "none")

dc_pivot_check

spectre.opts dc_pivot_check string "any_string_value"

Description

During DC analysis, the numeric pivoting is only performed when bad pivot is detected.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	dc_pivot_check

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "dc_pivot_check")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "dc_pivot_check" 'string "")

dptran_gmethod

spectre.opts dptran_gmethod string "any_string_value"

Description

Stamp gdev, gnode, or both in the dptran (homotopy) methods.

The valid values are 'dev', 'node' and 'both'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	dptran_gmethod

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "dptran_gmethod")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "dptran_gmethod" 'string "node")

gmethod

spectre.opts gmethod string "any_string_value"

Description

Stamp gdev, gnode, or both in the homotopy methods (other than dptran).

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	gmethod

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "gmethod")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "gmethod" 'string "")

gmin

spectre.opts gmin string "simulationNonConvergence"

Description

gmin (conductance) is added to each nonlinear branch of the device to prevent simulation non-convergence. Large gmin impacts accuracy of current probe, small gmin may cause circuit convergence issue. For circuit that is sensitive to leakage current, it is recommended to set gmin to a small value or zero.

The default value is "1e-12".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	gmin

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "gmin")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "gmin" 'string "")

gmin_check

spectre.opts gmin_check string "gminEffect"

Description

Specifies that effect of gmin should be reported if significant.

The valid values are 'no', 'max_v_only', 'max_only' and 'all'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options- Algorithm
Field	gmin_check

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "gmin_check")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "gmin_check" 'string "no")

gmindc

spectre.opts gmindc string "any_string_value"

Description

Minimum conductance across each non-linear device in DC analysis. If gmindc is not specified, the value of gmindc will be equal to gmin.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	gmindc

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "gmindc")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "gmindc" 'string "")

homotopy

spectre.opts homotopy string "any_string_value"

Description

Method used when there is no convergence on initial attempt of DC analysis.

The valid values are 'none', 'gmin', 'source', 'dptran', 'ptran', and 'all'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	homotopy

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "homotopy")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "homotopy" 'string "none")

icpriority

spectre.opts icpriority string "icPriorityOrder"

Description

Set the ic priority order. If set to netlist, the order from lowest to highest is readNS, netlist NS, readIC, netlist IC. If set to file, the order from lowest to highest is netlist NS, readNS, netlist IC readIC.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	icpriority

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "icpriority")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "icpriority" 'string "")

limit

spectre.opts limit string "dcConvergence"

Description

Limiting algorithms to aid DC convergence.

The valid values are 'delta', 'log' and 'dev'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options- Algorithm
Field	limit

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "limit")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "limit" 'string "log")

nonconv_topnum

spectre.opts nonconv_topnum string "any_string_value"

Description

Top number of non-convergence nodes to be printed.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	nonconv_topnum

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "nonconv_topnum")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "nonconv_topnum" 'string "")

pivabs

spectre.opts pivabs string "pivotThreshold"

Description

Specifies the absolute pivot threshold.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	pivabs

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "pivabs")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "pivabs" 'string "")

pivotdc

spectre.opts pivotdc string "dcAnalysis"

Description

Use numeric pivoting on every iteration of DC analysis.

The valid values are "no" and "yes".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	pivotdc

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "pivotdc")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "pivotdc" 'string "no")

pivrel

spectre.opts pivrel string "pivotThreshold"

Description

Specifies the relative pivot threshold.

The default value is 1.00E-03.

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	pivrel

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "pivrel")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "pivrel" 'string "")

preorder

spectre.opts preorder string "amountOfMatrixPreordering"

Description

Try this option when simulation runs out of memory or if the simulation is unreasonably slow for the size of your design. It controls the amount of matrix pre-ordering that is done and may lead to much fewer matrix fill-ins in some cases. Known cases include designs with very large number of small resistors and large number of behavioral instances containing voltage based equations.

The valid values are "partial" and "full".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	preorder

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "preorder")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "preorder" 'string "full")

rabsclamp

spectre.opts rabsclamp string "any_string_value"

Description

When rabsclamp=value is specified, all instance resistors with absolute R<value are clamped to value.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	rabsclamp

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "rabsclamp")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "rabsclamp" 'string "")

rabsshort

spectre.opts rabsshort string "any_string_value"

Description

When this option is set, all fixed value resistors with absolute value of R<=rabsshort are shorted.

Default value is 0 for Spectre, and 1m for APS. Rabsshort can additionally be applied to variable resistors using the option 'short_cut_var_elem=yes'.

The default is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	rabsshort

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "rabsshort")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "rabsshort" 'string "")

rebuild_matrix

spectre.opts rebuild_matrix string "circuitMatrix"

Description

If set to yes, rebuild circuit matrix at the beginning of ac, dc, dcmatch, montecarlo, pz, stb, sweep, tdr, and tran analyses. This is to ensure consistent matrix ordering at the beginning of the analyses for consistent results. Notice that rebuild circuit matrix can result in performance overhead.

The valid values are "no" and "yes".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	rebuild_matrix

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "rebuild_matrix")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "rebuild_matrix" 'string "no")

rforce

spectre.opts rforce string "nodesetsAndNodeBasedConditions"

Description

Resistance used when forcing nodesets and node-based initial conditions.

The default value is "1".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	rforce

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "rforce")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "rforce" 'string "")

rthresh

spectre.opts rthresh string "any_string_value"

Description

All instance resistors that have resistance smaller than global rthresh will use resistance form, unless their instance parameter or model parameter overwrites it. Note that resistance form of any resistor is set at the beginning of simulation and cannot be changed later, so altering the value of rthresh is of no use. You will have to start a new run if you want a different rthresh for your circuit.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	rthresh

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "rthresh")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "rthresh" 'string "")

try_fast_op

spectre.opts try_fast_op string "dcSolution"

Description

Speed up the DC solution. For hard-to-converge designs, this feature fails and other methods are applied. In corner cases, this feature may have negative effects. If the DC analysis is unusually slow, the memory usage of the processes keeps increasing, or if DC analysis gets stuck even before homotopy methods start, set this option to "no".

The default is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Algorithm
Field	try_fast_op

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts " "try_fast_op")

envSetVal("spectre.opts " "try_fast_op" 'string "")

Simulator Options - Component

approx

spectre.opts approx string "approximateModels"

Description

Specifies the use of approximate models. Difference between approximate and exact models. The valid values are 'yes' and 'no'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	approx

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "approx")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "approx" 'string "no")

auto_minductor

spectre.opts auto_minductor string "inductorCoupling"

Description

Automatic insertion of missing mutual inductor coupling.

The valid values are 'yes' and 'no'.

The default is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	auto_minductor

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "auto_minductor")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "auto_minductor" 'string "no")

vth_vdsmin

spectre.opts ivth_vdsmin string "any_string_value"

Description

Minimum Vds in constant current Vth calculation.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	ivth_vdsmin

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "ivth_vdsmin")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "ivth_vdsmin" 'string "")

ivthl

spectre.opts ivthl string "any_string_value"

Description

Length offset for constant current Vth.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	ivthl

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "ivthl")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "ivthl" 'string "")

ivthn

spectre.opts ivthn string "any_string_value"

Description

NMOS Vth current parameter.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	ivthn

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "ivthn")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "ivthn" 'string "")

ivthp

spectre.opts ivthp string "any_string_value"

Description

PMOS Vth current parameter.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	ivthp

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "ivthp")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "ivthp" 'string "")

ivthw

spectre.opts ivthw string "any_string_value"

Description

Width offset for constant current Vth.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	ivthw

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "ivthw")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "ivthw" 'string "")

macromodels

spectre.opts macromodels string "any_string_value"

Description

Determine whether circuit contains macromodels; at times, setting this parameter to yes helps improve performance

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	macromodels

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "macromodels")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "macromodels" 'string "")

maxrsd

spectre.opts maxrsd string "any_string_value"

Description

Use approximation for drain/source parasitic resistors which are less then maxrsd. Applies to bsim3v3, bsim4 mosfet models.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	maxrsd

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "maxrsd")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "maxrsd" 'string "")

nport_default_passivity

spectre.opts nport_default_passivity string "s-parameterPassivity"

Description

Check and enforce passivity of S-parameter for all nport instances. Default is "disable", which means this global option has no effect. If set to a value other than "disable", all nport elements in the netlist without a value for 'passivity' explicitly set, will have their 'passivity' argument set to the same value as specified in this global option. If an nport instance already has the 'passivity' option specified, the instance option will take priority if both are present.

The valid values are "no", "check", "enforce", "fit_weak_enforce", "fit_enforce" and "disable".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	nport_default_passivity

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "nport_default_passivity")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "nport_default_passivity" 'string "no")

nportcompress

spectre.opts nportcompress string "any_string_value"

Description

Nport compression improves the efficiency of S-parameter simulation of large nport files when a certain percentage of the ports is unused, i.e., open or short circuited. Nport compression does not impact simulation accuracy. This option turns off compression if set to no and attempts to force compression if set to yes. If left unspecified, compression is on if N>=10 and the ratio of used ports is less than or equal to 0.8.

The valid values are "no" and "yes".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	nportcompress

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "nportcompress")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "nportcompress" 'string "no")

nportcompressfiledir

spectre.opts nportcompressfiledir string "directoryPath"

Description

The directory where the compressed nport S-parameter file is written to. If unspecified, it is stored in outdir.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	nportcompressfiledir

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "nportcompressfiledir")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "nportcompressfiledir" 'string "")

nportirfiledir

spectre.opts nportirfiledir string "impulseResponseFile"

Description

The directory to which the nport impulse response file will be written. If it is not specified, the file will be written to /home/<username>/.cadence/mmsim/. If a relative path is specified, the path is relative to the current working directory.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	nportirfiledir

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "nportirfiledir")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "nportirfiledir" 'string "")

nportirreuse

spectre.opts nportirreuse string "impulseResponseData"

Description

Reuses impulse responses data for all nport instances. If set to "no", disables this feature. The valid values are "no" and "yes".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	nportirreuse

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "nportirreuse")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "nportirreuse" 'string "no")

nportunusedportgmin

spectre.opts nportunusedportgmin string "any_string_value"

Description

Default is 0, which leaves the port open-circuited. A small value loads open-circuited ports with a finite but large resistance. This introduces a small error in the response, but it induces losses which help obtain a passive response.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	nportunusedportgmin

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "nportunusedportgmin")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "nportunusedportgmin" 'string "")

nportunusedportrmin

spectre.opts nportunusedportrmin string "any_string_value"

Description

Default is 0, which leaves the port short-circuited. A small value will insert a small resistance in place of short circuited ports. This introduces a small error in the response, but it induces losses which help obtain a passive response.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	nportunusedportrmin

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "nportunusedportrmin")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "nportunusedportrmin" 'string "")

minr

spectre.opts minr string "deviceResistors"

Description

All parasitic resistors inside devices less than global minr will be removed. The order of checking devices is the follows:

Check if resistors are smaller than local minr. If yes, check if it is a MOSFET or BJT. If it is a MOSFET, drop the resistor, if it is BJT, clamp to the minr value, and give a warning message for both cases.
Check global minr, All Parasitic resistors less than global minr are removed and a warning message is issued.
If the resistor is not removed and is smaller than 0.001, issue a warning.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	minr

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "minr")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "minr" 'string "")

scale

spectre.opts scale string "any_string_value"

Description

Device instance scaling factor.

The default value is "1".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	scale

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "scale")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "scale" 'string "")

scalefactor

spectre.opts scalefactor string "deviceModelTechnology"

Description

ScaleFactor for Device Model Technology Scaling. The options parameter scalefactor enables device model providers to scale device technology independent of the design dimension scaling done by circuit designers. The resulting device instance scaling is defined by 'scale * scalefactor'. If the foundry uses a technology scale factor of 0.9 (scalefactor=0.9), and the circuit designer uses a design scale factor of 1e-6 (scale=1e-6), then the compounded scaling of the device instance dimension is 0.9e-6. Unlike options parameter scale, scalefactor cannot be used as a netlist parameter and cannot be altered or used in sweep statements.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	scalefactor

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "scalefactor")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "scalefactor" 'string "")

scalem

spectre.opts scalem string "any_string_value"

Description

Model scaling factor.

The default value is "1".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	scalem

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "scalem")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "scalem" 'string "")

tmevthmod

spectre.opts tmevthmod string "any_string_value"

Description

TSMC constant vth calculation. By default it is not activated.

The valid values are "0" and "1".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	tmevthmod

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "tmevthmod")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "tmevthmod" 'string "1")

vthmod

spectre.opts vthmod string "any_string_value"

Description

Vth output selector. 'std' outputs model equation Vth; 'vthcc' outputs constant current Vth and may impact simulation performance.

The valid values are "std" and "vthcc".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Component
Field	vthmod

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "vthmod")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "vthmod" 'string "std")

Simulator Options - Check

checklimitdest

spectre.opts checklimitdest string "destination"

Description

Destinations where violations are written.

The valid values are 'file', 'psf' and 'both'.

The default value is "psf".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Check
Field	checklimitdest

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "checklimitdest")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "checklimitdest" 'string "file")

checklimitfile

spectre.opts checklimitfile string any_string_value

Description

File to which assert violations are written.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Check
Field	checklimitfile

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "checklimitfile")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "checklimitfile" 'string "")

checklimitskipfile

spectre.opts checklimitskipfile string any_string_value

Description

Specifies the file which contains the subcircuit masters or subcircuit master patterns to be skipped in device checking. Patterns can have any wildcard symbols.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Check
Field	checklimitskipfile

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "checklimitskipfile")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "checklimitskipfile" 'string "")

checklimitskipsubs

spectre.opts checklimitskipsubs string any_string_value

Description

Specifies the array of subcircuit masters or subcircuit master patterns to be skipped in device checking. Patterns can have any wildcard symbols.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Check
Field	checklimitskipsubs

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "checklimitskipsubs")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "checklimitskipsubs" 'string "")

diagnose

spectre.opts diagnose string "accuracyAndConvergenceProblems"

Description

Print additional information that might help diagnose accuracy and convergence problems. The valid values are 'no', 'yes' and 'detailed'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Check
Field	diagnose

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "diagnose")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "diagnose" 'string "no")

iccheck

spectre.opts iccheck string "any_string_value"

Description

Check if nodes with initial conditions have capacitive path to ground or connected to the ground by vsource. IC for such node is treated as nodeset.

The valid values are 'no', 'vsource', 'cap' and 'all'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Check
Field	iccheck

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "iccheck")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "iccheck" 'string "all")

ignshorts

spectre.opts ignshorts string "shortedComponents"

Description

Silently ignore shorted components.

The valid values are 'no' and 'yes'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Check
Field	ignshorts

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "ignshorts")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "ignshorts" 'string "no")

redefinedparams

spectre.opts redefinedparams string "parameters"

Description

Specify whether parameters can be redefined in the netlist. When set to warning or ignore, the simulator allows you to redefine parameters in the netlist. However, it honors only the last definition of the redefined parameter. Depending on the value set, the simulator displays warning messages for the redefined parameters or does not display any message. When set to error, the simulator does not allow you to redefine parameters in the netlist and displays an error message.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Check
Field	redefinedparams

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "redefinedparams")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "redefinedparams" 'string "")

opptcheck

spectre.opts opptcheck string "pointParameters"

Description

Checks operating point parameters against soft limits.

The valid values are "no" and "yes".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Check
Field	opptcheck

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "opptcheck")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "opptcheck" 'string "no")

topcheck

spectre.opts topcheck string "circuitTopology"

Description

Check circuit topology for errors.

The valid values are "no", "min", "full", "fixall", "errmin" and "errfull".

The default is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Check
Field	topcheck

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "topcheck")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "topcheck" 'string "no")

Simulator Options - Annotation

audit

spectre.opts audit string "any_string_value"

Description

Print time required by various parts of the simulator.

The valid values are 'no', 'brief' or 'detailed'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	audit

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "audit")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "audit" 'string "no")

cols

spectre.opts cols string "screenWidth"

Description

Width of screen in characters.

The default value is "80".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	cols

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "cols")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "cols" 'string "")

colslog

spectre.opts colslog string "logFile"

Description

Width of log-file in characters.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	colslog

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "colslog")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "colslog" 'string "")

debug

spectre.opts debug string "debuggingMessages"

Description

Give debugging messages.

The valid values are 'no' and 'yes'.

The default is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	debug

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "debug")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "debug" 'string "no")

digits

spectre.opts digits string "numbers"

Description

Number of digits used when printing numbers.

The default value is "5".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	digits

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "digits")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "digits" 'string "")

error

spectre.opts error string "errorMessages"

Description

Generate error messages.

The valid values are 'no' and 'yes'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	error

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "error")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "error" 'string "")

info

spectre.opts info string "infoMessages"

Description

Give informational messages.

The valid values are 'no' and 'yes'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	info

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "info")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "info" 'string "")

inventory

spectre.opts inventory string "componentsSummary"

Description

Print summary of components used.

The possible values are 'brief', 'detailed' and 'no'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	inventory

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "inventory")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "inventory" 'string "")

maxnotes

spectre.opts maxnotes string "noOfNotices"

Description

Maximum number of times a notice is issued per analysis. Note that this option has no effect on notices issued as part of parsing the netlist. Use the -maxnotes command-line option to control the number of all notices issued.

The default value is "5".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	maxnotes

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "maxnotes")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "maxnotes" 'string "")

maxnotestologfile

spectre.opts maxnotestologfile string "noOfPrintedNotices"

Description

Maximum number of times a notice message is printed to the log file per analysis. Note that this option has no effect on notices printed as part of parsing the netlist. Use the -maxnotestolog command-line option to control the number of all notices printed to the log file.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	maxnotestologfile

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "maxnotestologfile")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "maxnotestologfile" 'string "")

maxwarns

spectre.opts maxwarns string "issuedWarningMessages"

Description

Maximum number of times a warning message is issued per analysis. Note that this option has no effect on warnings issued as part of parsing the netlist. Use the -maxwarns command-line option to control the number of all warnings issued.

The default value is "5".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	maxwarns

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "maxwarns")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "maxwarns" 'string "")

maxwarnstologfile

spectre.opts maxwarnstologfile string "noOfWarnings"

Description

Maximum number of times a warning message is printed to the log file per analysis. Note that this option has no effect on warnings printed as part of parsing the netlist. Use the -maxwarnstolog command-line option to control the number of all warnings printed to the log file.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	maxwarnstologfile

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "maxwarnstologfile")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "maxwarnstologfile" 'string "")

notation

spectre.opts notation string "numbersOnScreen"

Description

The notation to be used to display real numbers to the screen.

The valid values are 'eng', 'sci' and 'float'.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	notation

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "notation")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "notation" 'string "")

note

spectre.opts note string "noticeMessages"

Description

Give notice messages.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	note

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "note")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "note" 'string "")

narrate

spectre.opts narrate string "simulation"

Description

Narrate the simulation.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	narrate

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "narrate")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "narrate" 'string "")

printstep

spectre.opts printstep string "results"

Description

Enables Spectre to print results by equal step defined in .tran statement.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	printstep

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "printstep")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "printstep" 'string "")

simstat

spectre.opts simstat string any_string_value

Description

Print simulation phase statistics report.

The valid values is "basic" or "detailed".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	print statistics report

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "simstat")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "simstat" 'string "")

title

spectre.opts title string "circuitTitle"

Description

Specifies the circuit title.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	title

warn

spectre.opts warn string "warningMessages"

Description

Display warning messages.

The valid values are "no" and "yes".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Annotation
Field	warn

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "warn")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "warn" 'string "")

Simulator Options - Miscellaneous

additionalArgs

spectre.opts additionalArgs string "options"

Description

Specifies a string that adds options that are not supported through the ADE GUI.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	Additional arguments

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "additionalArgs")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "additionalArgs" 'string "")

ahdllint

spectre.opts ahdllint string "verilog-aLinterCheck"

Description

Specifies the Spectre command line argument to enable Verilog-A linter check.

The valid values are 'warn', 'error', and 'force'.

This option is not available in Spectre base. It is available only in APS or XPS.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	Warning type

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "ahdllint")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "ahdllint" 'string "")

ahdllint_maxwarn

spectre.opts ahdllint_maxwarn string "noOfLinterWarningMessages"

Description

Specifies the maximum number of Verilog-A linter warning messages to be reported by the simulator for each message ID.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	Max warning

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "ahdllint_maxwarn")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "ahdllint_maxwarn" 'string "")

ahdllint_on

spectre.opts ahdllint_on string "linterFeature"

Description

When set to "on", enables the AHDL Linter feature.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	Linter check

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "ahdllint_on")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "ahdllint_on" 'string "")

flow

spectre.opts flow string "flowQuantity"

Description

Specifies the default flow quantity.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	flow

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "flow")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "flow" 'string "")

quantities

spectre.opts quantities string "quantities"

Description

Print quantities. If quantities=min, the simulator prints out all defined quantities; if quantities=full, the simulator also prints a list of nodes and their quantities.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	quantities

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "quantities")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "quantities" 'string "")

sensbinparam

spectre.opts sensbinparam string "binningModels"

Description

Sensitivity for binning models.

The valid values are "no", "uncorrelated" and "correlated"

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	sensbinparam

sensfile

spectre.opts sensfile string "fileName"

Description

Output sensitivity data file name.

The default value is "../psf/sens.output".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	sensfile

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "sensfile")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "sensfile" 'string "")

sensfileonly

spectre.opts sensfileonly string any_string_value

Description

Enable or disable raw output of sensitivity results.

The valid values are "no" and "yes".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	sensfileonly

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "sensfileonly")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "sensfileonly" 'string "")

sensformat

spectre.opts sensformat string "sensitivityData"

Description

Format of sensitivity data.

The valid value is "tabular" or "list".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	sensformat

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "sensformat")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "sensformat" 'string "")

senstype

spectre.opts senstype string "sensivityType"

Description

Type of sensitivity being calculated.

The valid values is "partial" or "normalized".

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	senstype

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "senstype")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "senstype" 'string "")

value1

spectre.opts value1 string "defaultValueQuantity"

Description

Specifies the default value quantity.

The default value is "".

GUI Equivalent

Command	Options - Analog - Simulator Options - Miscellaneous
Field	value

Examples

envGetVal("spectre.opts" "value1")

envSetVal("spectre.opts" "value1" 'string "")

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Virtuoso ADE Environment Variables ReferenceProduct Version IC23.1, September 2023

B

Environment Variables for Spectre Simulator Options Form

spectre.opts

Simulator Options - Main

generalnoiseinst

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

generalnoiseinstonoff

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

highvoltage

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

iabstol

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

multithread

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

noiseOffType

Description

GUI Equivalent

noiseOnType

Description

GUI Equivalent

nthreads

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

reltol

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

residualtol

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

temp

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

tempeffects

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

tnom

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

vabstol

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

Simulator Options - Algorithm

convdbg

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

dc_pivot_check

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

dptran_gmethod

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

gmethod

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

gmin

Description

GUI Equivalent

Examples

Virtuoso ADE Environment Variables Reference
Product Version IC23.1, September 2023