Spice Netlist to Simscape Conversion Issue - LIB directive

Hi everyone,

I'm using LTspice to design power electronics topology or circuits for a while, and to control it I'm tring to use Simulink. So far I've done some simple simulations with using these two subcircuit2ssc('ABC.cir','+ABC') and ssc_build commands. However, I've been facing an issue with usage of .LIB directive.

The circuit below is what I'm trying to map into simulink. The FETs models are inside a separate .lib file.

Netlist for this diagram is as below:

.SUBCKT HALFBRIDGE VPP VPN G_H S_H G_L S_L
L1 VPP N004 {L} Rser=100m
E1 N006 N008 G_L S_L 1
R1 N007 N006 10
*V1 VPP VPN 430
E2 N001 N003 G_H S_H 1
R2 N002 N001 10
*Vgs1 G_H S_H PULSE(0 5 0 10n 10n {(1-D)/fs + DT} {1/fs})
*Vgs2 G_L S_L PULSE(0 5 0 10n 10n {D/fs - DT} {1/fs})
XU1 N002 VPP N004 N003 GS-065-008-1-L_L1V4P1
XU2 N007 N004 0 N008 GS-065-008-1-L_L1V4P1
R3 G_H S_H 1k
R4 G_L S_L 1k
C1 VPP N005 {C}
R5 N005 VPN 10m
.param fs = 100k
.param D = 0.2
.param DT = 100n
*.tran 100u
.param L = 10u
.param C = 10u
.lib GanSystem_Fets.lib
.ENDS

The library file(GanSystem_Fets.lib) is also in the same directory with the netlist file.

When I run subcircuit2ssc('GanFet_Test_Matlab.cir','+HalfBridge') spice to simscape converter function, I'm getting below error output:

Error using spiceSubckt.cleanNetlistStringArray
Line continuation is not in expected format.

Error in spiceSubckt/handleLibIncFiles

Error in spiceSubckt/loadSubckt

Error in spiceSubckt

Error in subcircuit2ssc

Error in subcircuit2ssc (line 31)
        subcircuit2ssc(netlist,target);

From this document what my understanding is subcircuit2ssc() function should be able to handle .LIB directives. Without copying and then pasting the .LIB content in to the netlist file, are there any way to make .LIB files visible to subcircuit2ssc function/module?

Thanks in advance,

Nazım

[Sangeeta]

Hi Nazim,

Is your problem solved as I am too getting the same error as you mentioned.?

If its solved can you kindly lwt me know how did you solve it.

Thanks in advance,

Sangeeta

[David John]

Can you please attach the lib file that you're trying to use?

[NAZIM YILDIZ]

Hello @Sangeeta, unfortunately I could not resolve the issue yet, after couple of tries I had stopped trying.

@David John, please see the code below:

*Level 1. Optimized for simulation speed
*$
*$
.subckt GS61008P gatein drainin sourcein source_S
*
*
.param rTC=-0.004  gan_res={3.38e-03}		metal_res={2.0e-3}   gtc=3.275 sh_s=0.239   sh_d=0.761
.param  cur=0.089   x0_0=1.1	  x0_1=1.1  x0_2=1.0  thr=1.8  itc=0.83 atc=180.15
*
*
rd drainin drain { sh_d* (metal_res/2.0*(1-1*rTc*(Temp-25)) + gan_res*PWR((Temp+273)/298,gtc)) }
rs sourcein source { sh_s * (metal_res/2.0*(1-1*rTc*(Temp-25)) + gan_res*PWR((Temp+273)/298,gtc)) }
RSS source_S source {0.001}
rg gatein gate {1.5}
*
*
Rcsdconv drain source {4000Meg}
Rcgsconv gate source {4000Meg}
Rcgdconv gate drain {4000Meg}
*
*
bswitch drain2 source2 I = (if(v(drain2,source2)>0,
+   (cur*(-(Temp-25)*itc+atc)*log(1.0+exp(26*(v(gate,source2)-thr)))*
+	v(drain2,source2)/(1 + dnlim(x0_0+x0_1*(v(gate,source2)+x0_2),0.2,5m)*v(drain2,source2))),

+   (-cur*(-(Temp-25)*itc+atc)*log(1.0+exp(26*(v(gate,drain2)-thr)))*
+	v(source2, drain2)/(1 + dnlim(x0_0+x0_1*(v(gate,drain2)+x0_2),0.2,5m)*v(source2,drain2)))))
*
*
R_drain2 drain2 drain {(1e-7)}
R_source2 source2 source {(1e-7)}
*
*
C_GS	 gate source  	{6.04e-10}
C_GS1 gate source Q = ( - 14.08e-11*(1-1./(1+exp(0.32*(-v(drain, source)+8.0))))
+                       - 1.653e-11*(1-1./(1+exp(0.029*(-v(drain, source)+80.0))))
+    				    - 1.5e-10*(-1+1./(1+exp(0.16*(-v(drain, source)-2.1)))) )*x
*
*
C_GS2 gate source   Q = ( 1.0e-010*log(1+exp(6.1*(x-2.2))))
*
*
C_GD   gate drain  	{0.6e-012}
C_GD1  gate drain Q = ( 44e-11*log(1+exp(0.32*(x+8)))+
+					 57e-11*log(1+exp(0.029*(x+80))) )
*
*
C_SD	 source drain  	{2.18e-010}
C_SD1	source drain Q = ( 44e-11*log(1+exp(0.32*(x+8)))+
+						   57e-11*log(1+exp(0.029*(x+80)))+
+						   1.95e-10*log(1+exp(1.19*(x+16)))+
+						   1.69e-9*log(1+exp(0.07*(x+31))) )
*
*
.ends
*$

* Created in LTspice Version XVII                               *
*                                            					*
* GaN Systems Inc. Power Transistors                            *
* LTSpice Library for GaN Transistors                           *
* Version 3.1                                         			*
*                                                               *
*****************************************************************
*****************************************************************
*                                                               *
* Models provided by GaN Systems Inc. are not warranted by      *
* GaN Systems Inc. as fully representing all of the 			*
* specifications and operating characteristics of the 			*
* semiconductor product to which the model relates. The model 	*
* describes the characteristics of a typical device.			*
* In all cases, the current data sheet information for a given  *
* device is the final design guideline and the only actual      *
* performance specification.                                    *
* Although models can be a useful tool in evaluating the devices*
* performance, they cannot model exact device performance under *
* all conditions, nor are they intended to replace bread-       *
* boarding for final verification. GaN Systems Inc. therefore   *
* does not assume any liability arising from their use.         *
* GaN Systems Inc. reserves the right to change models without  *
* prior notice.                                                 *
*                                                               *
* This library contains models of the following GaN Systems     *
* Inc. transistors:                                             *
*                                                               *
* GS-065-008-1-L                                              	*
*****************************************************************
*Level. Focus on the simulation speed.
*
*
.subckt GS-065-008-1-L_L1V4P1 gatein drainin sourcein source_S
*
*
.param rTC=-0.004	gan_res={199e-3}	metal_res={15.75e-3}	gtc=2.715	sh_s = 0.05263	sh_d = 0.94376
.param  cur=0.0443	x0_0=1.1	x0_1=0.3 	x0_2=1.0 	thr = 1.7 	itc=0.103	atc=20.6629
*
*
rd drainin drain {sh_d*(metal_res*(1-1*rTc*(Temp-25)) + gan_res*PWR((Temp+273)/298,gtc))}
rs sourcein source {sh_s * (metal_res*(1-1*rTc*(Temp-25)) + gan_res*PWR((Temp+273)/298,gtc))}
RSS source_S source {0.035}
rg gatein gate {1.4+0.065}
*
*
Rcsdconv drain source {4000Meg}
Rcgsconv gate source {4000Meg}
Rcgdconv gate drain {4000Meg}
*
*
bswitch drain2 source2 I = (if(v(drain2,source2)>0,
+   (cur*(-(Temp-25)*itc+atc)*log(1.0+exp(26*(v(gate,source2)-thr)))*
+	v(drain2,source2)/(1 + max(x0_0+x0_1*(v(gate,source2)+x0_2),0.2)*v(drain2,source2))),

+   (-cur*(-(Temp-25)*itc+atc)*log(1.0+exp(26*(v(gate,drain2)-thr)))*
+	v(source2, drain2)/(1 + max(x0_0+x0_1*(v(gate,drain2)+x0_2),0.2)*v(source2,drain2)))))
*
*
R_drain2 drain2 drain {(1e-4)}
R_source2 source2 source {(1e-4)}
*
*
C_GS	gate source  	{7.05e-11 * 0.7119}
C_GS1	gate source		Q =(-1.9e-11*(1-1./(1+exp(0.07*(-v(drain, source)+20))))
+								-3.69e-11*(-0.682+0.66/(1+exp(0.11*(-v(drain, source)+.01)))))*x*0.7119
*
*
C_GS2	gate source		Q = 1e-12*log(1+exp(8*(x-0.9))) * 0.7119
*
*
C_GD	gate drain		{0.46e-012 * 0.7119}
C_GD1	gate drain		Q = 275e-12*log(1+exp(0.07*(x+20))) * 0.7119
*
*
C_SD	source drain	{2e-011 * 0.7119}
C_SD1	source drain	Q =  0.85e-9*log(1+exp(0.085*(x+63))) * 0.7119
+							+1.45e-9*log(1+exp(0.025*(x+180)))  * 0.7119
+							-2.65e-11*(1-1./(1+exp(0.07*(x+20))) * 0.7119)
*
*
.ends
*$


.SUBCKT GanSystem_Fets GATE DRAIN SOURCE SOURCE_K
R1 DRAIN SOURCE 1MEG
R2 GATE 0 1MEG
.ENDS GanSystem_Fets

[Uruj]

Hello,

How come dnlim is throwing up an error as an unrecognised function for me? Should I include some perticular addons?

Answer 1

[David John]

On lines 25 and 111 of the lib file, you have stray newlines in the middle of a continued line. Please try removing those two blank lines.

[NAZIM YILDIZ]

It worked, thank you.

However I'm getting a new error, could you please take a look this one as well?

I've issued below command:

subcircuit2ssc('HALFBRIDGE.cir','+HalfBridge')

The output that I got is:

Warning: Directory +HalfBridge does not exist. Creating new directory by that
name. 
Error using spiceBase/getConnectionString
All external nodes must be connected in XU1.

Error in spiceSubckt/getSimscapeText

Error in spiceSubckt/preparSimscapeFile

Error in subcircuit2ssc

Error in subcircuit2ssc (line 31)
subcircuit2ssc(netlist,target);

HALFBRIDGE.cir netlist content is as follow:

.SUBCKT HALFBRIDGE VPP VPN G_H S_H G_L S_L
L1 VPP N004 {L} Rser=100m
E1 N006 N008 G_L S_L 1
R1 N007 N006 10
*V1 VPP VPN 430
E2 N001 N003 G_H S_H 1
R2 N002 N001 10
*Vgs1 G_H S_H PULSE(0 5 0 10n 10n {(1-D)/fs + DT} {1/fs})
*Vgs2 G_L S_L PULSE(0 5 0 10n 10n {D/fs - DT} {1/fs})
XU1 N002 VPP N004 N003 GS0650081L_L1V4P1
XU2 N007 N004 0 N008 GS0650081L_L1V4P1
R3 G_H S_H 1k
R4 G_L S_L 1k
C1 VPP N005 {C}
R5 N005 VPN 10m
.param fs = 100k
.param D = 0.2
.param DT = 100n
*.tran 100u
.param L = 10u
.param C = 10u
.lib GanSystem_Fets.lib
.ENDS

Thank you in advance.

Answer 2

[David John]

The .subckt definition is not quite right for XU1 and XU2. There are some dashes missing from the subcircuit names in order to look like in your lib file. It looks like we should improve the error message for this to make it more clear.

Note that this answer is referring to your followup question.

[NAZIM YILDIZ]

Thank you very much for your time sir, now everything is fine. I've compiled the file without any issue.

subcircuit2ssc('HALFBRIDGE.cir','+HalfBridge')

Netlist converted. Review Simscape component files and make
manual edits for any unsupported items before building the
Simscape library located at:
+HalfBridge.

To provide extra information for the community, the statement line 89 has been fixed(GanSystem_Fets.lib):

% .subckt GS-065-008-1-L_L1V4P1 gatein drainin sourcein source_S
.subckt GS0650081L_L1V4P1 gatein drainin sourcein source_S

Because in the HALFBRIDGE.cir file XU1 and XU2 (which are GanFets) called as below:

XU1 N002 VPP N004 N003 GS0650081L_L1V4P1
XU2 N007 N004 0 N008 GS0650081L_L1V4P1

@Sangeeta, issue has been solved for me.