JPH1021267A - Method and device for circuit design support - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support the selection of an element model for a nonlinear element included in a circuit whose designing is supported by specifying characteristics and operation of the element model wherein the element is described. SOLUTION: Different kinds of element model are stored in a nonlinear element information file 14, an input device 30 accepts operation for inputting selection standards that the element model is requested to have, and an arithmetic unit 50 displays analytic conditions for analyzing the operation of the element model on a display device 60; and the arithmetic unit 50 analyzes the operation of the element model under the analytic conditions answered by the input device 30 and the analyzed operation is displayed on the display device 60.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a circuit design support method and a circuit design support system for supporting the design of an electronic circuit by simulating a circuit operation, and more particularly to a large-capacity and high-speed nonlinear switching element. The present invention relates to a circuit design support method and a circuit design support system that are suitable for supporting the design of an electronic circuit including:

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In circuit design of an electronic circuit, a circuit design support system for simulating the circuit operation of the electronic circuit by numerical analysis is used.

In the numerical analysis of circuit operation, an analysis technique has been established for a linear element having linear characteristics. Therefore, as for the nonlinear element, an element model that approximates the characteristics of the nonlinear element by a combination of a plurality of types of linear elements is prepared in advance. This element model describes a non-linear element on an electronic circuit and simulates a circuit operation.

[0004]

In a circuit analysis including a non-linear element, the type of an element model of each element, and
The simulated circuit operation differs greatly depending on the operation mode. In particular, in an electronic circuit analysis including a large-capacity and high-speed non-linear switching element, a change in circuit operation due to a change in each element model and its switching mode is remarkable. Therefore, in order to simulate the operation of an electronic circuit to be designed, it is necessary to apply an element model suitable for each element and a mode in which the element operates.

However, the above-described conventional circuit design support system cannot satisfy this requirement for the following reasons.

First, in the conventional circuit design support system, only one element model for describing each nonlinear element is prepared for one nonlinear element. Therefore, it may be difficult to reproduce the operation of the element depending on the operating conditions of the nonlinear element.

Second, the accuracy of the operation reproduced by the element model with respect to the operation characteristics required for the nonlinear element has not been displayed. For this reason, it is difficult to predict the validity of the simulated operation based on the analysis based on the circuit model described including the element model.

Further, there are several parameters for defining the characteristics of the element model. In a conventional circuit design support system, it is required to input each of these parameters. However, these parameters include parameters that are not independent parameters. Further, depending on the mode of operation of the nonlinear element, it is required to input parameters that are not required.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a circuit design support method and a circuit design support system having a plurality of selectable element models that approximate required characteristics.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a circuit design support method and circuit capable of displaying the accuracy with which an element model reproduces the operation of a nonlinear element included in an electronic circuit to be designed. The purpose is to provide a design support system.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a circuit design support method and a circuit design support system for requesting an input of a parameter corresponding to an operation required of a nonlinear element.

[0012]

In order to achieve the first and second objects, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation of each nonlinear element for each nonlinear element assumed in advance is analyzed. An element model for performing the operation is stored in advance in association with each nonlinear element, and a circuit model of an electronic circuit to be designed including the nonlinear element is described using the element model, and the circuit model described above is described. In the circuit design support method having a function of simulating the operation of the above by analysis and outputting the simulated operation, at least one of the above-described nonlinear elements stores a plurality of types of element models in association with one nonlinear element. When any one of the nonlinear elements to which the plurality of types of element models are associated is selected, an operation for inputting a reference characteristic required for the selected nonlinear element is performed. In addition, for a plurality of types of element models corresponding to the selected nonlinear element, calculations are performed to analyze operations simulated by the plurality of types of element models, and the accuracy with which the analyzed operation satisfies the reference characteristics is obtained. For the plurality of types of element models, displaying at least an element model candidate indicating the type of the element model and the accuracy, and selecting any one of the element models from the displayed element model candidates. A circuit design support method is provided, wherein the method accepts an operation and outputs the selected element model to describe the circuit model.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an element model for analyzing the operation of each nonlinear element assumed in advance is defined as:
A function of supporting a circuit model representing an electronic circuit to be designed, which is stored in advance in a storage device in association with each of the nonlinear elements and includes the nonlinear element, and an analysis based on the circuit model described above. A computer having a function of simulating the operation of an electronic circuit by accepting an operation of instructing any of the nonlinear elements to describe the circuit model, searching for an element model corresponding to the indicated nonlinear element, When a plurality of types of element models are searched corresponding to the specified nonlinear element, an operation of inputting a reference characteristic required for the specified nonlinear element is received, and the searched plurality of types of element models are received. Perform an operation to analyze the operation simulated by each, and perform an operation to determine the accuracy with which the analyzed operation satisfies the reference characteristics. For the above-mentioned plurality of kinds of element model,
At least the type of the element model and displaying an element model candidate indicating the accuracy, accepting an operation for selecting any element model from the displayed element model candidates,
There is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a program including an instruction for causing the computer to output the selected element model to describe the circuit model.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, for each nonlinear element assumed in advance, an element model for analyzing the operation of each nonlinear element is stored in advance in association with each nonlinear element. Means, a circuit model creation circuit for describing a circuit model of an electronic circuit to be designed including the nonlinear element using the element model, and a simulation for analyzing and simulating the operation of the circuit model described above. In the circuit design support system having arithmetic means, the element model storage means stores, for at least one of the nonlinear elements, a plurality of types of element models in association with one nonlinear element. Detecting means for detecting that an operation for specifying a nonlinear element to which the plurality of types of element models are associated is received; A reference characteristic input unit for receiving an operation of inputting a reference characteristic required for the nonlinear element, and an element model output for outputting a plurality of types of element models corresponding to the specified nonlinear element to the simulation calculation unit Means, simulated operation obtaining means for obtaining each operation simulated by the simulated operation means, and accuracy operation means for performing an operation for obtaining an accuracy that each of the obtained operations satisfies the reference characteristic. And an element model candidate display means for displaying an element model candidate indicating at least the type of the corresponding element model and its accuracy, and selecting one of the element models from the displayed element model candidates. Outputting the selected element model to the circuit model generating means. Circuit design support system characterized by having a fit element model output means.

In order to achieve the second object, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, for each nonlinear element assumed in advance, an element model for analyzing the operation of each nonlinear element is assigned to each nonlinear element. A circuit model of an electronic circuit to be designed, including a nonlinear element, which is stored in advance in association with each other, is described using the element model, and the operation of the described circuit model is simulated by analysis, and the simulated operation is performed. In the circuit design support method having a function of outputting a non-linear element, when any one of the nonlinear elements is selected, an operation of inputting a reference characteristic required for the selected nonlinear element is received, and a function corresponding to the nonlinear element is received. An operation for analyzing the operation simulated by the element model is performed, and an operation for determining the accuracy with which the analyzed operation satisfies the reference characteristic is performed. Operation and Le, and displays the accuracy obtained above, the selected element model, the circuit design support method and outputting to describe the circuit model is provided.

In order to achieve the third object, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an element model for analyzing the operation of each nonlinear element assumed for each nonlinear element in advance is assigned to each nonlinear element. A circuit model of an electronic circuit to be designed, including a nonlinear element, which is stored in advance in association with each other, is described using the element model, and the operation of the described circuit model is simulated by analysis, and the simulated operation is performed. In the circuit design support method having a function of outputting a plurality of element models, at least one of the non-linear elements is stored in association with a plurality of element models for one non-linear element, and the plurality of element models are associated with each other. When one of the nonlinear elements is selected, an operation of inputting a reference characteristic required for the selected nonlinear element is received, and For the corresponding plural kinds of element models, an operation for analyzing the operation simulated by the plural kinds of element models is performed, and the analyzed operation is selected as the element model closest to the reference characteristic. A circuit design support method is provided, wherein an element model is output to describe the circuit model.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, an element model for analyzing the operation of each nonlinear element assumed in advance is defined as:
A function of supporting a circuit model representing an electronic circuit to be designed, which is stored in advance in a storage device in association with each of the nonlinear elements and includes the nonlinear element, and an analysis based on the circuit model described above. A computer having a function of simulating the operation of an electronic circuit by accepting an operation of instructing any of the nonlinear elements to describe the circuit model, searching for an element model corresponding to the indicated nonlinear element, When a plurality of types of element models are searched corresponding to the specified nonlinear element, an operation of inputting a reference characteristic required for the specified nonlinear element is received, and the searched plurality of types of element models are received. Performs an operation to analyze each simulated operation, and selects an element model whose analyzed operation is closest to the reference characteristic. The an element model, to be output to describe the circuit model storing a program comprising instructions to be executed by the computer, the computer-readable storage medium is provided.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, for each nonlinear element assumed in advance, an element model for analyzing the operation of each nonlinear element is stored in advance in association with each nonlinear element. Means, a circuit model creation circuit for describing a circuit model of an electronic circuit to be designed including the nonlinear element using the element model, and a simulation for analyzing and simulating the operation of the circuit model described above. In the circuit design support system having arithmetic means, the element model storage means stores, for at least one of the nonlinear elements, a plurality of types of element models in association with one nonlinear element. Detecting means for detecting that an operation for specifying a nonlinear element to which the plurality of types of element models are associated is received; A reference characteristic input unit for receiving an operation of inputting a reference characteristic required for the nonlinear element, and an element model output for outputting a plurality of types of element models corresponding to the specified nonlinear element to the simulation calculation unit Means, a simulated operation obtaining unit for obtaining each operation simulated by the simulated operation unit, and the obtained operations are compared with respect to the reference characteristic, and an operation that satisfies the reference characteristic best. A circuit design support system, comprising: an element model selecting means for selecting an element model having the element model; and an element model output means for outputting the selected element model to the circuit model creating means. Is done.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a circuit for executing a process for supporting a circuit design using an arithmetic unit 50 having a circuit design support program 2 in which a procedure for supporting the circuit design is described. An example of the design support system 1 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, a circuit design support system 1 to which the present invention is applied includes an input device 30 for inputting information describing an electronic circuit to be analyzed, and a circuit description information describing the electronic circuit. An auxiliary storage device 40 for storing; an arithmetic device 50 for simulating the operation of the circuit based on the stored circuit description information; and a guidance for inputting information is displayed, and based on the input information, A display device 60 for displaying the processed result, a storage medium reading device 90 for reading information stored in the storage medium 80, and an interface 100 for connecting these devices
And is provided. Further, an output device 70 for outputting the designed circuit model may be provided. As an output device, for example, there is a printer device capable of outputting figures and characters on paper.

As the input device 30, a keyboard device 31 or a pointing device 32 is used in addition to or instead of the keyboard device 31. The keyboard device 31
For example, a cursor movement key that can move the cursor in four directions, up, down, left, and right, or in eight directions obtained by adding these four directions and an intermediate direction, can be provided. By using the cursor movement keys, it is possible to easily and quickly select a menu on the screen and position the cursor on the screen. The combination of the tab key and the shift key can be used for menu selection as a two-way cursor movement key.

The pointing device 32 includes a display device 60.
There is a direct pointing device that directly performs an operation on the screen, and an indirect pointing device that performs a pointing operation indirectly by operating at a position away from the screen.
As a direct pointing device, for example, a light pen,
Touch screens, styluses and the like can be mentioned. Also,
Examples of the indirect pointing device include a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, a tablet, a touch pad, and the like.

As the display device 60, a raster scan type CRT, a stroke character type CRT, a plasma panel, a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode display,
There is an electroluminescent display and the like. In addition, it is also possible to use a voice generating device together. A sound is generated from the sound generation device, and, for example, information requesting an input, information confirming that the input has been received, information notifying a warning, and the like can be transmitted.

The arithmetic unit 50 includes a main storage device 550 for storing a program describing a procedure for supporting circuit design, and a process for supporting circuit design in accordance with the program stored in the main storage device 550. And a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 500 for executing the processing.

The non-linear element information file 14 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 40. In the nonlinear element information file 14, a plurality of types of element models for reproducing the characteristics of the nonlinear element in the electronic circuit are stored in advance.

The circuit design support program 2 for supporting the circuit design is stored in the main storage 550 of the arithmetic unit 50.
Is stored in The circuit design support program 2 includes a model creation unit 3 in which a procedure for creating circuit description information describing an electronic circuit to be designed is described, and the CPU 500 analyzes the operation of the electronic circuit based on the circuit description information. And a middle processing unit 4 that describes a procedure for performing pre-processing and post-processing between the model creating unit 3 and the circuit analyzing unit 5. It is composed. The circuit design support program 2 is, for example, stored and supplied to the storage medium 80, read by the storage medium reading device 90, and stored in the auxiliary storage device 40. The circuit design support program 2 stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 is read into the main storage device 550 at the time of execution. The CPU 500 executes processing according to the procedure described in the circuit design support program 2 read into the main storage device 550, thereby realizing circuit design support. Note that the circuit design support program 2 is read from the storage medium reading device 90 to the main storage device 550 in accordance with the form in which the circuit design support program 2 is read.
Alternatively, the data may be directly read. Storage medium 8
As 0, for example, a portable storage medium can be used. Specific examples of the portable storage medium include, for example,
Examples include a flexible magnetic disk, a magnetic fixed disk, a magneto-optical disk, and an optical disk. Further, a detachable semiconductor memory may be used. Specifically, for example, a memory card can be used as the removable semiconductor memory.

A modem device is connected to the interface 100, a data server on the network is accessed via a communication line, and the circuit design support program 2 stored in the data server is downloaded.
0 or may be stored in the main storage device 550.

Further, an auxiliary storage device 40 in which the circuit design support program 2 is stored in advance may be connected.

Next, the circuit design support program 2 describing the procedure for supporting the circuit design will be described.

First, the model creating section 3 will be described.
The model creation unit 3 describes a processing procedure for supporting creation of a circuit model describing an electronic circuit to be designed. For example, a circuit model described by nodes and elements constituting a circuit network is positioned by a cursor on the input device 30, and the nodes and elements are input to describe the circuit network. The information can be displayed on the display device 60 to support the creation of the circuit model. For example, an input of a relative positional relationship between nodes is received, an operation of specifying a position sandwiched by the input nodes is received, and an operation of selecting an element disposed at the position is received. Specifically, for example, a circuit model to be created and a cursor indicating a position in the circuit model are displayed on the display unit 61 of the display device 60.
The position of the node in the circuit model and the arrangement position of the element are received by an operation of pointing the cursor position by the pointing device 23, and when the arrangement position of the element is instructed, the arrangement can be performed. The operation of displaying the element candidates on the display device 60 in a menu format, and selecting one of the element items from the displayed element items,
It can be received by the input device 30.

As described above, the CPU 500 executes the processing in accordance with the means described in the model creation section 3 read into the main storage device 550, thereby supporting creation of a circuit model describing an electronic circuit. A model creation means capable of performing the above is realized.

Next, the circuit analyzer 5 will be described. The circuit analysis unit 5 describes a procedure for analyzing the characteristics and operation of the electronic circuit based on circuit description information that describes the electronic circuit in combination of a linear element and a basic active element. . For example, a network equation is generated based on the given circuit description information, and the generated network equation is solved to simulate the characteristics and operation of the described circuit. As a technique for formulating a circuit network, for example, a nodal analysis method is used. Specifically, as a circuit analysis program that generates a network equation by a nodal analysis method and solves the generated network equation by block triangulation using the sparseness of matrix (the property with few non-zero elements), SPICE was developed at the University of California, Berkeley. This SPI
According to the CE program procedure, the CPU 500 can execute a circuit analysis. In addition, besides this, as a method of formulating a circuit network, for example, tableau (tableau)
Analysis methods, modified nodal analysis methods, cutset analysis methods, loop analysis methods, and state variable analysis methods are included. Tableau analysis, nodal analysis, modified nodal analysis, cutset analysis, and loop analysis result in solving algebraic equations. Therefore, for example, it can be solved by the Gaussian elimination method, the elimination method of performing block triangulation using the sparseness of the matrix, or the like. When the state equation is determined by the state variable analysis method, for example, Laplace (Laplac
e) Can be solved by transformation. In the transient analysis, an ordinary differential equation can be obtained at different times, and a solution can be obtained by a numerical integration method.

As described above, the CPU 500 executes the processing in accordance with the means described in the circuit analysis unit 5 read into the main storage device 550, and the operation of the electronic circuit is performed based on the circuit description describing the electronic circuit. Thus, circuit analysis means capable of simulating characteristics can be realized.

Next, the intermediate processing section 4 will be described. The intermediate processing unit 4 is a processing procedure for supporting selection of an element model describing an element in the circuit model when the circuit model is created by executing the procedure described in the model creation unit 3. Is described. That is,
A sub-circuit description describing the specified element model is output to the circuit analysis unit 3, and the characteristics of the specified element model are analyzed by the circuit analysis unit 3. Information on the analyzed characteristics is input, and information obtained by processing the analyzed information is displayed in addition to or instead of this information.

Further, for the commanded nonlinear element, sub-circuit description information for a plurality of types of element models corresponding to the command is output to the circuit analysis unit 3, and the characteristics of the element model are analyzed based on the respective sub-circuit description information. Then, the characteristics of each of the analyzed element models are compared in accordance with the designated selection condition, the element model having the characteristic closest to the selection condition is selected, and information on this element model can be displayed.

As described above, the CPU 500 executes the processing in accordance with the means described in the intermediate processing unit 4 read into the main storage device 550, thereby performing the operation of the nonlinear element included in the electronic circuit. Intermediate processing means capable of supporting selection of an element model to be reproduced is realized.

Next, a file in which information used by the circuit support program 2 is stored will be described.

A circuit analysis information file 14 for describing the nonlinear element and a circuit analysis data file 20 for describing the created circuit model are stored in the auxiliary storage device 40 so that the circuit design support program 2 can refer to the circuit analysis information file 14. It is memorized.

The nonlinear element information file 14 previously stores a plurality of types of sub-circuit description information in which element models in which the characteristics of the nonlinear elements are respectively reproduced by equivalent circuits are described in a computer-readable form.

The sub-circuit description information stored in the nonlinear element information file 14 is prepared in advance for each nonlinear element.

A plurality of types of element models may be prepared for the same nonlinear element. That is, when it is difficult to reproduce a plurality of types of operation modes with one element model, element models are prepared corresponding to the respective operation modes whose characteristics are to be reproduced. In addition, in order to ensure sufficient accuracy, when the model becomes complicated, the balance between the accuracy to reproduce the characteristics and the ease of circuit analysis
There are prepared a complex element model emphasizing improvement in accuracy and a simple element model emphasizing reduction of analysis time. For example, as a switching element, an ideal switch can be used as an element model as the simplest model. By using such a simple model, the time required for circuit analysis can be reduced. Accordingly, sub-circuit description information indicating each element model is stored in the nonlinear element information file 14 in response to the preparation of a plurality of types of element models for the one nonlinear element.

The circuit analysis data file 20 stores circuit description information created by the CPU 500 in accordance with the procedure described in the model creation section 3. In the circuit description information, the electronic circuit includes circuit connection data 21 describing the position and connection state of each node, operation mode information 22 describing the operation mode of the active element, and the type and element parameters of the linear element. The described linear element description 23 includes the circuit analysis data 20. When the electronic circuit includes a nonlinear element, sub-circuit description information describing an equivalent circuit for reproducing the operation of the nonlinear element is included for each nonlinear element.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, an example of the operation of the circuit design support system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the intermediate processing unit 4.
The following mainly describes the processing procedure described in.

First, support for creating a circuit model describing an electronic circuit is provided. This is performed by the CPU 500 executing the described procedure supported by the model creation unit 3.

First, an operation for inputting a node constituting a circuit model is received (S100). At this time, the circuit model being created is displayed on the display unit 61 of the display device 60, and the position of the node to be configured in the circuit model can be received from the cursor position on the display unit 61. The operation of designating the cursor position can be received using, for example, the pointing device 32. Next, an operation for designating an element to be inserted into the circuit model at a position between the nodes and an operation for selecting a type of the element to be inserted are received (S200). Here, the operation for selecting the element type is as follows.
An element candidate is displayed, an operation of selecting one of the elements is accepted, and a symbol corresponding to the selected element is displayed at a position corresponding to the position between the selected nodes on the screen of the display device 60. You may go.

Then, according to the processing described in the intermediate processing section 4, it is determined whether or not the input element is a non-linear element (S300). If an element that is not a non-linear element (linear element) is input, the process proceeds to step S500. If a nonlinear element is input, an element model that reproduces the characteristics of the nonlinear element is selected (S400). Details of the process of selecting an element model will be described later. Then, the process proceeds to step S500.

In step S500, it is determined whether or not the input of elements in the network has been completed. For example, if a menu item indicating that there is no more element to be input is selected, it is determined that the input of the element has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S600, and the information of the input node and element is stored in the circuit analysis data file. 20. If the input of the element has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S100, and the input of the node and the element is continued.

Then, it is determined whether or not the information stored in the circuit analysis data file 20 contains information indicating a power supply element or a switching element. If it is included, the operation for inputting the operation mode is accepted (S800). Then, the circuit analysis data file 20
Stores information indicating the operation mode.

Next, based on the circuit description information stored in the circuit analysis data file 20, the characteristics and operation of the electronic circuit are simulated by numerical analysis (S900). This is C
This is performed by the PU 500 executing a procedure described in the circuit analysis unit 5. Then, the simulated characteristics and operations are displayed (S1000). Then, information representing the circuit model configured as described above is output to the auxiliary storage device 40 as the output file 25. Further, the output may be output to the outside by the output device 70.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, step S in FIG.
The procedure for selecting an element model at 400 will be described in detail. The processing procedure for selecting an element model is described in the intermediate processing unit 4. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, there are a case where the operator selects the element model and a case where the element model is automatically selected by the arithmetic unit 50.

First, an operation for selecting an element model is received (S410). At this time, an element model corresponding to the element selected in step S200 is displayed on a menu, and a request is made to select any item, and the element model can be selected in a menu format. Then, it is determined whether any of the element models has been selected or an instruction to automatically select an element model has been given (S420).

When an instruction to automatically select an element model is given, a request is made to input a characteristic serving as a reference for selecting an element model and a selection condition for analyzing an operation corresponding to the characteristic, and an input operation is accepted. (S431).

The operation of the element model corresponding to the element selected in step S200 is analyzed (S200).
432). The element model whose analyzed operation is closest to the characteristic specified as the reference is selected (S433).

Then, for the element model selected in S433, the analyzed operation and the accuracy with respect to the specified characteristics are displayed on the display device 60 (S45).
0).

An instruction whether the selection of the element model is appropriate is received (S460). It is determined whether or not the received operation indicates that the element model is appropriate (S
470). To show that the device model is appropriate,
The element model selected in S433 is stored in the circuit analysis data file 20 (S480). If it is determined that the element model is not appropriate, step S410
To repeat the element model selection process.

If any one of the element models is selected in step S420, it is determined whether the selected element model is an ideal element model (S441).
If the model is an ideal element model, the flow advances to step S480 to store sub-circuit description information representing the element model in the circuit analysis data file 20.

When the model is not an ideal element model,
A request is made to input analysis conditions for analyzing the element model, and the input is received (S442). Then, the characteristics and operation of the element model are analyzed according to the analysis conditions (S443).
The analyzed characteristics and operation are displayed in step S450.

In the description of the present embodiment, an example of a circuit design support system equipped with the circuit design support program 1 including the model creation unit 3 and the circuit analysis unit 5 in addition to the intermediate processing unit 4 has been described. Here, at least one of the functions of the model creation unit 3 and the circuit analysis unit 5 may be realized by another system. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, information indicating the type of an input element is received from another system having a model creation unit 3 for describing a circuit network, and an element model corresponding to the element is output. Can be configured. Further, information describing an element model in an equivalent circuit is output to another system having a circuit analysis unit 5 for analyzing characteristics and operation of an electronic circuit described in a circuit network, and characteristics analyzed in accordance with the information are output. , Operation input.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 17, an example of interactive input by screen display of the circuit design support system will be described.

First, an interactive input by screen display when the CPU 500 supports element input will be described in accordance with the procedure described in the model creating section 3. When a circuit model is input, for example, an element menu for selecting an element shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 61 of the display device 60, and a request is made to select a linear element and a non-linear element. When a linear element is selected, for example, a linear element menu shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and any of a register element (resistor), a capacitor element (capacitor), and an inductor element (coil) is displayed as the linear element. Require selection.
For example, when a register element is selected from the above three types of linear elements, a screen for inputting the characteristics of the linear element shown in FIG. 10 is displayed and an input is requested. Thereby, the resistance value of the register element can be specified. FIG.
When a nonlinear element is selected from the element menu of FIG.
A nonlinear element menu shown in FIG. 1 is displayed, and a request is made to select a nonlinear element type. When the thyristor is selected, a thyristor element menu shown in FIG. 12 is displayed, and a request is made to select the type of the thyristor element. FIG.
In the GTO thyristor (Gate-Turn-off thyristo
r), IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor;
Insulated gate bipolar transistor), IGCT (Insul
An item for selecting one of the non-linear elements from an ated Gate Controlled Thyristor (insulated gate control transistor) and the like is shown. For example, from the candidate shown in FIG.
A TO thyristor element can be selected.

Next, an example of an interactive input by screen display when performing a process for supporting the CPU 500 to select an element model according to the procedure described in the intermediate processing unit 4 will be described. For example, when the processing described in the model creation unit 3 is executed and the GTO item is selected from the thyristor element selection menu shown in FIG. 12, FIG.
Is displayed, and a request is made to select an element model that reproduces the characteristics of the GTO thyristor. In the element model menu, for example, items for automatically selecting an element model, items for analyzing the circuit operation in a short time, and element characteristics are reproduced, and the characteristics are reproduced. An item including the item to be selected can be set as a selection candidate item.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, an item “automatic selection” for automatically selecting an element model is provided.
An item of “timing approximate analysis model” for selecting a model for analyzing a rough circuit characteristic in a short time;
For several characteristics of the TO thyristor element, items for selecting a model to be reproduced with emphasis on the characteristics, such as “turn-on characteristic analysis model”, “turn-off characteristic analysis model”, “turn-on / off characteristic analysis model”,
Items such as “tail current reproduction model” are prepared.
Further, for the switching element, an item of “ideal switch model” for selecting a model by an ideal switch is prepared. Also, as shown in FIG.
For some characteristics of the GTO thyristor element, items for selecting models having different analysis accuracy can be prepared. For example, for turn-on characteristics and turn-off characteristics, a high-precision model for reproducing characteristics with high accuracy, a general-purpose model for improving the accuracy of characteristic reproduction and reducing the calculation time required for analyzing circuit characteristics are both compatible. A model and a high-speed analysis model for performing analysis at high speed can be prepared. As described above, by preparing a model having a reproduction accuracy of different characteristics so as to be selectable, it is possible to selectively use the model according to the purpose of circuit analysis.

When the automatic model selection is selected in the element model menu for selecting an element model, an element model selection condition menu for inputting a reference for selecting a model is displayed, and one of the selection conditions is selected. To do that. For example, FIG. 13 (a) or FIG. 13 (b)
In, when the automatic selection is selected, a candidate for a characteristic serving as a reference for selecting an element model of the GTO thyristor element is displayed as a GTO thyristor element model selection menu shown in FIG. That is, some characteristics of the GTO thyristor element are displayed. For example, by selecting the item “turn-off time”, a turn-off time can be designated and used as a reference for selecting an element model. That is, as shown in FIG.
A GTO element characteristic analysis condition input for inputting the selected turn-off time is performed. Here, a screen for inputting a turn-off time to be a reference and analysis conditions necessary for analyzing the turn-off time is displayed. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 15B, it is possible to accept a response input. Specifically, FIG.
As shown in (a), a characteristic to be input can be displayed as an item name, and a numerical value can be input after the characteristic.
More specifically, accepting a numerical input when an input cursor is positioned behind an item, or accepting a relative change by an operation input such as an up / down key and an arrow key when the cursor is positioned. It is possible.

Then, based on the input analysis conditions,
The circuit analysis is performed on the element model describing the GTO thyristor element stored in the element model information 14 according to the procedure described in the circuit analysis unit 5. The executed analysis results are compared, and a model that best approximates the selection criteria of the specified element model is output. Further, the characteristic of the element model is compared with the specified selection criterion, and an error with respect to the selection criterion is displayed. For example, in selecting an element model of a GTO thyristor element, automatic model selection is selected.
When the element model of s is requested, the analysis result is shown in FIG.
It can be displayed as shown in FIG. FIG.
In (a), along with the display of the characteristics of the GTO thyristor element, it is possible to display the characteristics specified as the selection criteria and the error with respect to the characteristics. This allows the analyst to clearly grasp the accuracy of the characteristics reproduced by the selected element model.

For example, when the turn-on characteristic reproduction model (general-purpose) is selected in the GTO element model menu of FIG. 13B, the evaluation is performed on the element model evaluation criteria and the selected element model. The analysis conditions for the input. For example, by displaying the menu shown in FIG. 14, it is possible to request the input of the evaluation criteria. Then, as shown in FIG.
It is possible to display a screen for requesting input of a numerical value of a turn-on time, which is an evaluation criterion, and analysis conditions for executing a circuit analysis in a turn-on characteristic reproduction model. Then, the analysis result can be displayed as shown in FIG. FIG. 16B shows an error of the analyzed characteristic with respect to the designated characteristic, together with the characteristic of the GTO thyristor element.

As described above, with the support of the circuit design support system 1, it is possible to create a circuit model and select an element model in the model. Then, the characteristics and operation of the entire circuit can be analyzed using the circuit analysis unit 5 for the created circuit model. In the analysis of the entire circuit, if an element having a time-dependent characteristic is included in the circuit, the time dependence is input as timing data. Examples of the element having the time dependency include a switching element and a power supply device.

Specifically, when four switching elements SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 are included in the circuit,
For each of the four switching elements, an input for designating an on-state time and an off-state time is received. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the input of the time from the start of the analysis is received as t1, t2,. Then, the state of each switching element at the time sandwiched therebetween is received. The state of the switching element can be specified by two values, an on state and an off state. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, an operation of clicking a check box can be accepted, and an input for designating an ON state can be accepted. Then, in order to display the result in a confirmable manner, the check box can be displayed with a check mark. In this way, it is possible to receive an input specifying the state of each switching element. As for the designation of the time, as shown in FIG. 17, a prompt for input is displayed after the variable name indicating the time, and when the cursor is positioned there, it is possible to accept the input numerical value. . Further, in order to sequentially increase the designated time, an operation for inputting the next time can be accepted by clicking an item of “input next time”.

Next, the operation of the circuit design support system 1 configured as described above will be described for an example in which the present circuit design support system 1 is applied to the design support of a single-phase inverter circuit.

First, an inverter circuit to be designed and a description method thereof will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as a simple example of a circuit including a nonlinear element, an example of a single-phase inverter circuit will be described with reference to a circuit diagram shown in FIG. In the following description, in order to distinguish between a circuit diagram representing a circuit model, and symbols used in circuit description information describing the circuit model and reference numerals for description, the circuit diagram and A description will be given using symbols in the circuit description information. The reference numeral is attached following [] between the above symbols. That is, the circuit model elements [symbols] are described in the order of reference symbols.

In the circuit diagram and circuit description information, each node is represented by adding a numeral indicating the number of the node as a symbol. Each element that constitutes the circuit model is represented by a symbol indicating a letter indicating an element type of each element and a number indicating an element number. For example, an element starting with G indicates a GTO thyristor, an element starting with D indicates a diode, an element starting with V indicates a voltage source, an element starting with R indicates a resistor, and an element starting with L indicates an inductor. Although not shown in the figure, the switches are denoted by SW, the current source is denoted by I, and the capacitors are denoted by symbols starting with C to indicate the element type.

FIG. 6 shows a circuit model 80 of a single-phase inverter.
Indicates 0. node

[0] 810 to node [4] 814 indicate points where elements are connected to each other. The symbol

Node marked with [0]

[0] 810 must be grounded unless otherwise specified (assuming it is a ground level)
May be implied.

The circuit shown in FIG.

[0] 810
And when a direct current is supplied between the node [1] 811 and
It is a single-phase inverter that converts back to alternating current between node [2] 812 and node [4] 814.

Node

A DC voltage source [Vm] 860 is provided between [0] 810 and node [1] 811 to supply a voltage to the circuit.

Node

GTO thyristor (gate-turn-off thyristor) between [0] 810 and node [2] 812
[G2] 822 and diode [D2] 83
2 are provided. The forward direction of the diode [D2] 832 is a node

The direction from [0] 810 to node [2] 812, and conversely, the forward direction of GTO thyristor [G2] 822 is from node [2] 812 to node

[0] A direction toward 810.

Node

Between [0] 810 and node [4] 814, a GTO thyristor [G3] 823 and a diode [D3] 833 are provided. Diode [D3] 8
The forward direction of 33 is a node

[0] 810 to node [4] 81
4, and conversely, a GTO thyristor [G
3] 823 in the forward direction from node [4] 814

[0]
810.

A GTO thyristor [G1] 821 and a diode [D1] 831 are provided between the node [1] 811 and the node [2] 812. Diode [D1] 8
The forward direction of 31 is from node [2] 812 to node [1] 81
GTO thyristor [1]
The forward direction of 821 is from node [1] 811 to node [2] 81
2 direction.

A GTO thyristor [G4] 824 and a diode [D4] 834 are provided between the node [1] 811 and the node [4] 814. Diode [D4] 8
The forward direction of 34 is from node [4] 814 to node [1] 81
1, and conversely, a GTO thyristor [G
4] 824 is from node [1] 811 to node [4].
814.

The nodes [2] 812 and [3] 81
3, a resistor [R] 840 is provided, and its load resistance is 1Ω.

An inductor [L] 850 is provided between node [3] 813 and node [4] 814, and its load inductance is 1H.

GTO thyristors [1] 821 to [4] 8
24 denotes gate terminals 821g to 824g, respectively.
Is provided. When the gate terminal 821g~824g pouring gate current I _G1 ~I _G4, GTO thyristors [G1]
821 to [G4] 824 are turned on. The GTO thyristors [G1] 821 to [G
4] 824, by flowing a gate current I _G1 ~I _G4 reverse from the gate terminal 821G～824g, GTO
The thyristors [G1] 821 to [G4] 824 are turned off.

GTO thyristor [G1] 821, [G
3] 823 is in the ON state and the GTO thyristors [G2] 822 and [G4] 824 are in the OFF state. In addition, GTO thyristor [G
2] 822 and [G4] 824 are on and GT
A mode in which the O-thyristors [G1] 821 and [G3] 823 are off is referred to as a second mode. When the first mode and the second mode are alternated, a connection is established between the node [3] 813 and the node [4] 814, that is, between the node [R] 840 and the inductor [L] 850. , A current _IE whose polarity reverses with the change of the above-mentioned mode flows. Therefore, the DC supplied from the DC voltage source [Vm] 860 can be inversely converted to AC.

Referring to FIG. 7, circuit description information for describing the single-phase inverter circuit shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

In FIG. 7, circuit description information includes two pieces of contact information information 201 and 202 indicating two nodes between which an element is connected, element name information 203 of the element,
Element information 204 describing element characteristics is described.
In the element name information 203, elements starting with G are GT
The elements that indicate O thyristors and begin with D are diodes,
Elements starting with V indicate voltage sources, elements starting with R indicate resistors, and elements starting with L indicate inductors. Element information 2
In 04, the characteristics of the elements can be specified by specifying the values of the linear elements such as R and L as shown in the ninth and tenth rows in FIG. The characteristics of a nonlinear element can be specified by specifying an element model describing the element. For example, as shown in the second row of FIG. 7, the GTO thyristor element G1 has a model
The characteristics are specified by the element model G1.

The element type of each element and the connection form (circuit topology) between the elements are defined by the circuit description information described above. For example, the first line in FIG. 7 indicates that an element is connected between node 0 and node 1, 201, 2
02. 203 indicates that the element is a voltage source named Vm.
The voltage supplied by the voltage source may be 10V.
Indicated by Similarly, the second row in FIG. 7 indicates that elements are connected between nodes 1 and 2 201 and 202.
Indicated by The element name information 203 indicates that the element is G1. Further, it is shown that the characteristics of the element are described by an element model called model G1 by the element information 204. In addition,
At the time of circuit analysis, the CPU 500 sets the element model name mo
The sub-circuit description information corresponding to del G1 is retrieved from the circuit analysis data file, and the operation of the element is simulated based on the equivalent circuit information described by referring to the retrieved sub-circuit description information.

A first application example of the circuit design support system 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. This application example is an example of an operation of automatically selecting an element model by the circuit design support system 1 in the above embodiment.

When a model of a non-linear element of the single-phase inverter circuit shown in FIG. 6 is created, an analyzer inputs an element characteristic required by the analyst, and an element model for reproducing the element characteristic is automatically selected by an arithmetic unit. can do. Further, for the selected element model, it is possible to display the characteristics of the element model and the accuracy with respect to the element characteristics input by the analyst. Therefore, it is possible for an analyst to perform circuit analysis while recognizing the accuracy of the element model.

When a non-linear element stored in the non-linear element information file 10 of FIG. 5 is selected by the input device 30 shown in FIG. 1, a non-linear element list is displayed. For example, it is possible to specify a nonlinear element in response to a menu-type input request as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, it is possible to make a selection in accordance with a display for hierarchically selecting elements.

When a GTO thyristor is selected from the list shown in FIG. 12, a GTO thyristor element model list is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, an ideal switch model for reproducing an operation of an ideal switch, and a turn-on characteristic reproduction for reproducing a transient characteristic when shifting from an off state to an on state. model,
A turn-off characteristic reproduction model for reproducing the transient characteristics when transitioning from the on state to the off state, and a turn-on / off characteristic reproduction for reproducing the turn-on and turn-off characteristics Model, tail (t
ail) A screen is displayed for selecting any one of the element models from a tail current reproduction model for reproducing the current.

Here, depending on whether the analyst presses the transmission key without selecting a specific element model or specifies an item of automatic model selection, a menu screen for specifying analysis conditions shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. Is displayed. Here, by specifying any item, it is possible to select the element model by specifying its characteristics. G shown in FIG.
When a turn-off time item is selected from the TO element analysis condition list, a selection menu shown in FIG. In FIG. 15A, the turn-off time and the GT required to analyze the turn-off time are shown.
An input request for inputting the element characteristics of the O-thyristor element is made.

When the analyst inputs the analysis conditions and the required element characteristics as shown in FIG. 15B, an element model for reproducing the defined element characteristics is selected by the arithmetic unit 50 of FIG. . In FIG. 15 (b), it is specified that an element model of a GTO thyristor element having a turn-off time of 20 μs should be selected. In addition, as an analysis condition for analyzing the turn-off time, a breaking current is 2 kA, and a gate extraction speed is 100 A. / Μs.

In the arithmetic unit 50 shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 500 performs a circuit analysis on the element model candidates of the GTO thyristor element stored in the nonlinear element information file 14 in accordance with the procedure described in the circuit analysis unit 5, and The analysis result is evaluated according to the procedure described in the intermediate processing unit 4 to select an element model. Then, for the selected element model, the analyzed characteristics and the accuracy with respect to the specified characteristics are displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 16A, the selected device model, the characteristics of the analyzed device model, and the reproduction accuracy of the characteristics of the selected model with respect to the specified device characteristics are displayed.

The diodes D1, D2, D3, and D4, which are nonlinear elements in the single-phase inverter circuit of FIG.
Similarly, by inputting necessary element characteristics by an analyst, an element model that reproduces the element characteristics is selected. Then, the current waveform, the voltage waveform, and the device characteristics of the selected device model are shown, and the accuracy of the device characteristics of the selected device model with respect to the device characteristics requested by the analyst can be displayed.

Information on the selected nonlinear element model is stored as the nonlinear element model data 23 in FIG.

The analyst recognizes the characteristics and accuracy of the element model from the display of FIG. Then, the input of the circuit is continued, and when the circuit input is completed, data defining the operation mode of the switching element is input. When the inverter circuit shown in FIG. 6 is input, timing data that defines the operation mode for the four GTO thyristor elements G1, G2, G3, and G4 is input. For example, it is possible to request the input from the input device 30 by displaying the display of the menu format shown in FIG.

When the input of the entire circuit and the input of the timing data are completed, in the arithmetic unit 50, the CPU 500 performs the circuit analysis according to the procedure described in the circuit analysis unit 5. With respect to the result of the implemented circuit analysis, it is possible to display the characteristics of each element on the circuit diagram. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, in the circuit diagram shown in the display device 60, when any element is selected by positioning the cursor, the characteristic of the selected element can be displayed. . In FIG.
A current waveform of the GTO thyristor element shown as G3,
The voltage waveform is displayed.

By examining the relationship between the change in the characteristics of the element model and the change in the current / voltage waveforms of each part, FIG.
It is also possible to predict and display how much error is included in the second current / voltage waveform.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the analyst can know the accuracy with which the element model reproduces the characteristics when selecting the element model. Further, for the entire designed circuit, the characteristics of the nonlinear elements such as the GTO thyristor and the diode in the single-phase inverter circuit of FIG. Can be determined. Therefore, by implementing a circuit design in which these characteristics are changed, it is possible to design an inverter circuit with high efficiency and excellent safety.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 13A, 23, 24, 25, and 26, a second application example in which the circuit design support system 1 to which the present invention is applied is used for circuit design will be described. I do. This application example is an example in which input data is checked in a circuit design to which the circuit design support system 1 in the above embodiment is applied. Since the circuit design support system 1 to which the present invention is applied can freely select an element model having the accuracy required by the analyst, by selecting the simplest model as the element model as described below, It is possible to check input data of the circuit model in a short time.

In the analysis of the single-phase inverter circuit shown in FIG. 6, if the circuit analysis can be performed in a short time before performing the high-precision analysis, it is determined whether input data such as circuit connection data and operation mode data is correct. Is preferable.
In the circuit design support system 1, it is possible to reduce the time required for circuit analysis by selecting a simple circuit model from a plurality of types of element models. less than,
An example in which input data of a circuit model is checked prior to the main analysis using the main circuit analysis support system 1 will be described.

The analysis time can be shortened by selecting a simple model in the element model menu for selecting an element model. For example, in the GTO element model menu shown in FIG.
By selecting an ideal switch model and a timing approximate analysis model, it is possible to quickly confirm input data.

Specifically, in FIG. 13A, by selecting an ideal switch model, an element model constituted by an ideal switch, which is the simplest model, is selected as an element model. When the input of the circuit and the input of the timing data are completed, the circuit analysis is performed on the circuit model in which G1, G2, G3, and G4 in the circuit of FIG.

For example, when the timing data is input as shown in FIG. 25, the GTO thyristor elements G1, G2, G3, G3,
Current I _G1 flowing through G4, respectively, I _G2, current waveform I _G3, I _G4 is displayed. In FIG. 25, 1 indicates an ON state, and 0 indicates an OFF state. By confirming the waveform shown in FIG. 24, it can be confirmed whether or not the operation mode of each switching element is correctly input. By confirming that the modes of the respective GTO thyristor elements are switched as shown in FIG. 23, it can be known that the correct inverter circuit has been designed.

When the timing data as shown in FIG. 26 is input, a current waveform indicating the operation of each GTO thyristor element as shown in FIG. 24 is displayed on the display device 60. By checking this display, it is found that the input of the inverter circuit has failed, and it can be known that the timing data shown in FIG. 26 should be corrected.

As described above, the characteristics and operation of the circuit model constituted by the element model based on the ideal element are analyzed in a negligibly short analysis time as compared with the analysis of the circuit model including the highly accurate element model. It is possible. Therefore, the analyst can check the input data in a short time. Efficient circuit analysis is realized. In particular, this application example is effective in input data check of circuit analysis of a large-scale circuit including many non-linear elements.

Next, FIG. 13 (b), FIG. 15 (c), FIG.
6 (b), FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG. 21, a description will be given of a third application example in which circuit design is performed using the circuit design support system 1 to which the present invention is applied. This application example is an example of realizing a design concept for improving safety when designing a single-phase inverter by applying the circuit design support system 1.

The circuit design support system 1 is capable of freely selecting an element model having the required accuracy, and performing circuit analysis after recognizing the accuracy of the selected element model on the display screen of the display device 60. It is possible. Therefore, as shown below, it is possible to perform a circuit analysis with the accuracy required by the analyst.

In order to enhance the safety of the single-phase inverter circuit shown in FIG. 6, switching elements G1, G2, G3,
It is necessary to design a circuit so that G4 is not destroyed. The destruction of the switching element, when the element is turned off,
It often occurs when an excessive voltage is applied to the element. Therefore, in designing such a circuit, it is required to use an element model that can reproduce the turn-off characteristics of the GTO thyristor.

By designing a circuit using the circuit analysis support system 1, it is possible to select an element model that reproduces a characteristic to be prioritized in design from the GTO element model selection menu shown in FIG. . Therefore, FIG.
It is possible to select an element model that reproduces the above-mentioned turn-off characteristic shown in the menu (b), and proceed with the design by paying attention to the above-mentioned turn-off voltage. For example, a turn-off characteristic reproduction model (general purpose) can be selected. Then, in response to the input request shown in FIG. 15C, the peak value of the rising voltage when the GTO thyristor element is turned off, which is the characteristic to be reproduced, is designated as the reference condition. In addition, as an analysis condition for executing the analysis, a breaking current and a gate extraction speed are input.

In the arithmetic unit 50 of FIG.
Executes the circuit analysis according to the procedure described in the circuit analysis unit 5. Then, in accordance with the procedure described in the intermediate processing unit 4, the analysis result of the characteristics and operation of the element model is compared with the specified reference analysis to perform an operation for obtaining the accuracy of the characteristic reproduced by the element model. The characteristics and accuracy of the analyzed element model are displayed on the display device 60 as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 20, a graph of the operation of the analyzed element model may be displayed together. As a result, the operation of the element model can be displayed in an easily understandable manner. Also, the specified characteristics,
For example, it is possible to clearly display the characteristic of interest by displaying an arrow at a portion indicating Vdsp or highlighting the corresponding portion of the graph. As the highlighted display of the graph, the display brightness and color of the corresponding portion can be changed, and the graph can be displayed in a blinking manner. It is also possible to emphasize the line type of the graph by changing the line type for the corresponding part.

The analyst confirms the accuracy of the selected element model by the display of FIG. 16B, and if the accuracy is sufficient, creates input data relating to the operation mode of each switching element and performs circuit analysis. Is carried out. If the accuracy of the element model is insufficient, a higher-accuracy model is selected from the element model list in FIG. 13B, and after confirming the accuracy of the model, circuit analysis is performed. . Specifically, select the turn-on characteristic reproduction model (high accuracy),
The analysis can be performed again.

Here, FIGS. 18, 19, and 21 to 24 show examples in which the additional display information 68 is displayed on the screen added to the previous screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the screen may be displayed on a screen different from the original screen, or the screen display may be changed so as to replace the information displayed on the original screen. Further, a plurality of windows are set in the display unit 61, and these plurality of display information are displayed.
Multi-window processing may be performed. As the multi-window processing, a plurality of windows may be arranged side by side, or a part or all of an old window may be covered.
A new window may be created.

In the above example, the circuit design support system 1 allows the analyst to freely select an element model, and can automatically confirm the characteristics and accuracy of the selected element model. It is possible to confirm whether or not the circuit analysis is performed with a certain accuracy. Further, by re-selecting the element model, it is possible to perform a circuit analysis with required accuracy and confirm the validity of the circuit design.

The analysis result of a nonlinear element such as a GTO thyristor changes depending on the element model used. Therefore, in a circuit design support system that supports circuit design using the analysis results, the selection of an element model is a factor that affects the validity of the designed circuit.

As described above, by performing circuit design using the circuit design support system 1 to which the present invention is applied, it is possible to clearly recognize the accuracy of the element model used in the circuit model and perform circuit design. Becomes possible. For this reason, it becomes easy for the analyst to predict the accuracy of the analysis result. Therefore, when designing a circuit including a non-linear element such as a GTO thyristor, for example, an inverter circuit, the designer is required to provide the accuracy of an element model describing the non-linear element to the designer
Knowledge of application limits is reduced.

[0117]

The circuit design support system 1 to which the present invention is applied provides a means for preparing a plurality of types of element models corresponding to one nonlinear element in advance for at least one nonlinear element and selecting these. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce the operation of the nonlinear element under different operating conditions.

In addition, the accuracy of the operation reproduced by the element model with respect to the characteristics required for the nonlinear element is displayed. Thus, it is possible to recognize the accuracy with which the circuit model including the element model reproduces the operation of the electronic circuit to be designed.

Further, for at least one nonlinear element, a plurality of element models corresponding to one nonlinear element are prepared in advance, these are provided to be selectable, and the operation of reproducing each element model at the time of selection is provided. Can be displayed. An optimal element model for reproducing characteristics required of the nonlinear element can be selected, and a circuit model can be described using the selected element model. As a result, errors in estimating the operation of the electronic circuit to be designed can be reduced.

When defining the characteristics of the element model, the parameters required for analyzing the characteristics required for the nonlinear element are specified, and the input of the specified parameters is requested. As a result, unnecessary parameter input can be avoided.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a circuit analysis including a large number of nonlinear switching elements, an element model describing the nonlinear switching element can be easily selected while confirming the accuracy of reproducing characteristics. .

In particular, the effect of the present invention is remarkable in the design of a circuit including a large number of large-capacity and high-speed nonlinear switching elements.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of a circuit design support system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a circuit design support system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing in detail a processing procedure for selecting an element model.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration and a flow of information of a circuit design support system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a flow of information of the circuit design support system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a single-phase inverter circuit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of circuit connection data.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a selection menu for selecting an element.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a selection menu for selecting a linear element.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an input request for inputting characteristics of a linear element.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a selection menu for selecting a nonlinear element.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a selection menu for selecting a thyristor element.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a selection menu for selecting a GTO element model, in which (a) an example of a menu in which one element model is prepared for each characteristic to be reproduced, and (b) reproduction menu. It is an example of a menu in the case where an element model that reproduces a power characteristic with different accuracy is prepared.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a selection menu for selecting a reference characteristic serving as a selection condition when selecting an element model of a GTO thyristor element.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an input request for inputting an analysis condition when selecting an element model of a GTO thyristor element, wherein (a) an input request for automatically selecting an element model, and (b) an input. A response example to a request, (c) is an input request when any one of the element models is selected.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a display showing an analysis result of an element model, in which (a) a display in the case of automatic selection;
(B) This is a display when any one of the element models is selected.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an input request for inputting timing data in an interactive format.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display of an input request for designating a GTO thyristor element in a circuit diagram and selecting an element model.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display of an input request for analysis conditions for analyzing the element model selected in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a graph showing the operation of the element model, and
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display showing characteristics and accuracy.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display for displaying a graph representing the operation and characteristics of the GTO element specified in the circuit diagram together with the circuit diagram.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing a display screen for displaying a result of analyzing the entire circuit, in which a graph showing an operation of a GTO element specified in the circuit diagram is displayed together with the circuit diagram. .

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a graph representing an operation mode of a switching element included in the circuit diagram and a screen display displayed together with the circuit diagram.

24 is an explanatory diagram showing a graph representing an operation mode of a switching element included in the circuit diagram and a screen display displayed together with the circuit diagram, in a case where timing data different from FIG. 23 is input.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing input data for specifying an on / off state of a switching element included in the single-phase inverter circuit in FIG. 23;

26 is an explanatory diagram showing input data for specifying an on / off state of a switching element included in the single-phase inverter circuit in FIG. 24.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Circuit design support system, 2 ... Circuit design support program, 3 ... Model creation part, 4 ... Intermediate processing part, 5 ... Circuit analysis part, 14 ... Non-linear element information file, 20 ... Circuit analysis data file, 21 ... Circuit connection Data, 22 operation mode data, 23 element model data, 25 output file, 30 input device, 31 keyboard device, 32 pointing device, 40 storage device, 50 arithmetic device,
Reference numeral 60: display device, 61: display unit, 62: screen display frame, 6
8 Additional display information, 200 circuit connection data, 201, 2
02 ... node information, 203 ... circuit name information, 204 ... element information, 205 ... information indicating the end of the file, 500 ... C
PU, 550: main storage device, 800: single-phase inverter circuit, 811, 812, 812, 814: node, 821,
822, 823, 824... GTO thyristor element, 82
1g, 822g, 823g, 824g ... gate terminal, 8
31, 832, 833, 834 ... diode, 840 ...
Resistor, 850... Inductor, 860.

Claims (10)

[Claims] An electronic circuit to be designed which includes an element model for analyzing an operation of each nonlinear element assumed in advance and which is associated with each nonlinear element, and stores the element model in advance. Describe the circuit model of the above using the element model, simulate the operation of the described circuit model by analysis,
In a circuit design support method having a function of outputting a simulated operation, at least one of the above-described nonlinear elements stores a plurality of types of element models in association with one nonlinear element, and stores the plurality of types of element models. When any of the associated nonlinear elements is selected, an operation of inputting a reference characteristic required for the selected nonlinear element is received, and for a plurality of types of element models corresponding to the selected nonlinear element, An operation for analyzing operations simulated by each of the plurality of types of element models is performed, and an operation for determining the accuracy with which the analyzed operation satisfies each of the reference characteristics is performed. And an element model candidate indicating the accuracy are displayed, and any one of the element models is displayed from the displayed element model candidates. Accepting an operation for selecting, the selected device model, circuit design support method and outputting to describe the circuit model. 2. An electronic circuit to be designed which includes a nonlinear element and an element model for analyzing an operation of each nonlinear element, which is assumed in advance, in association with each nonlinear element. Describe the circuit model of the above using the element model, simulate the operation of the described circuit model by analysis,
In a circuit design support method having a function of outputting a simulated operation, at least one of the above-described nonlinear elements stores a plurality of types of element models in association with one nonlinear element, and stores the plurality of types of element models. When any of the associated nonlinear elements is selected, an operation of inputting a reference characteristic required for the selected nonlinear element is received, and for a plurality of types of element models corresponding to the selected nonlinear element, Performs an operation to analyze operations simulated by a plurality of types of element models, selects an element model whose analyzed operation is closest to the reference characteristic, and describes the selected element model and the circuit model. Circuit design support method, characterized in that the circuit design is output for the purpose. 3. The circuit according to claim 2, wherein said analyzed operation performs an operation for obtaining an accuracy satisfying each of said reference characteristics, and displays at least a type and an accuracy of said selected element model. Design support method. 4. An electronic circuit to be designed which includes an element model for analyzing an operation of each nonlinear element for each nonlinear element assumed in advance, in association with each nonlinear element. Describe the circuit model of the above using the element model, simulate the operation of the described circuit model by analysis,
In a circuit design support method having a function of outputting a simulated operation, when any one of the nonlinear elements is selected, an operation of inputting a reference characteristic required for the selected nonlinear element is received; Performing an operation to analyze the operation simulated by the element model corresponding to the above, performing an operation to obtain the accuracy that the analyzed operation satisfies the reference characteristic, and performing the operation of the analyzed element model and the obtained accuracy. And outputting the selected element model to describe the circuit model. 5. An electronic circuit to be designed which includes element models for analyzing the operation of each nonlinear element assumed in advance and which is stored in advance in a storage device in association with the nonlinear elements. A computer having a function of supporting the description of a circuit model to be represented and a function of simulating the operation of an electronic circuit by analysis based on the circuit model described above. Is received, an element model corresponding to the specified nonlinear element is searched, and when a plurality of types of element models are searched for in correspondence with the specified nonlinear element, the specified nonlinear element is searched. Operation to input the reference characteristics required for Performing an operation to determine the accuracy with which the analyzed operation satisfies each of the reference characteristics; displaying, for the plurality of types of the element models, at least an element model candidate indicating the element model type and the accuracy; A program including an instruction for causing the computer to execute an operation of selecting any one of the element models from the selected element model candidates and outputting the selected element model to describe the circuit model. The computer-readable storage medium stored therein. 6. An electronic circuit to be designed, including a nonlinear element and an element model for analyzing an operation of each nonlinear element assumed in advance, which is stored in advance in a storage device in association with the nonlinear element. A computer having a function of supporting the description of a circuit model to be represented and a function of simulating the operation of an electronic circuit by analysis based on the circuit model described above; Is received, an element model corresponding to the specified nonlinear element is searched, and when a plurality of types of element models are searched for in correspondence with the specified nonlinear element, the specified nonlinear element is searched. Operation to input the reference characteristics required for the above, and execute the operation for analyzing the operation simulated by each of the plurality of element models retrieved above. A program including an instruction to cause the computer to execute an element model whose analyzed operation is closest to the reference characteristic, and to output the selected element model to describe the circuit model. A computer-readable storage medium storing the above. 7. An element model storing means for storing an element model for analyzing an operation of each nonlinear element for each nonlinear element assumed in advance in association with each nonlinear element, and a design including the nonlinear element. A circuit design support system comprising: a circuit model creation unit for describing a circuit model of an electronic circuit as a target using the element model; and a simulation operation unit for analyzing and simulating the operation of the described circuit model. In the element model storage means, for at least one of the nonlinear elements, a plurality of element models are stored in association with one nonlinear element, and the model creation means stores the plurality of element models. Detecting means for detecting that an operation for designating the associated nonlinear element has been accepted; and Reference characteristic input means for receiving an operation of inputting a quasi characteristic; element model output means for outputting a plurality of types of element models corresponding to the specified nonlinear element to the simulation operation means; Simulation operation obtaining means for obtaining each operation simulated by the means, accuracy calculation means for performing an operation for obtaining the accuracy that each of the obtained operations satisfies the reference characteristic, and An element model candidate display unit for displaying an element model candidate indicating at least the type of the element model and its accuracy; and an operation unit for selecting an element model from the displayed element model candidates. Element model selection means; and an element model output means for outputting the selected element model to the circuit model creation means. A circuit design support system having a step. 8. An element model storing means for storing an element model for analyzing an operation of each nonlinear element for each nonlinear element assumed in advance in association with each nonlinear element, and a design including the nonlinear element. A circuit design support system comprising: a circuit model creation unit for describing a circuit model of an electronic circuit as a target using the element model; and a simulation operation unit for analyzing and simulating the operation of the described circuit model. In the element model storage means, for at least one of the nonlinear elements, a plurality of element models are stored in association with one nonlinear element, and the model creation means stores the plurality of element models. Detecting means for detecting that an operation for designating the associated nonlinear element has been accepted; and Reference characteristic input means for receiving an operation of inputting a quasi characteristic; element model output means for outputting a plurality of types of element models corresponding to the specified nonlinear element to the simulation operation means; A simulated operation obtaining unit for obtaining each operation simulated by the unit, and comparing the obtained operations with the reference characteristics, and selecting an element model having an operation that best satisfies the reference characteristics. Circuit design support means for outputting a selected element model to the circuit model creation means. 9. An element model selected by the element model selecting means according to claim 8, further comprising accuracy calculating means for performing an operation for obtaining an accuracy in which the analyzed operation satisfies each of the reference characteristics. A circuit design support system comprising: an element model display unit for displaying the type of the element model and the accuracy calculated by the accuracy calculation unit. 10. The circuit design support system according to claim 9, wherein said element model selecting means selects an element model having the best accuracy calculated by said accuracy calculating means.