Genesys 2008.07 SP1 Release Notes

Fixed

• recursive Spectrasys spectrum identification crash for certain types of loops
• various crashes associated with equations, variable tuning, optimization, monte carlo, yield analysis, and sweeps
• issue where path symbols disappear on a level diagram
• crash in Advanced TLine when converting to microstrip, stripline, and slabline
• issue with polygon arc segments for arbitrary start angles
• issue in Testlink where the user entered instrument address was ignored
• missing parameters in imported MOSFET SPICE models
• issues with respect to the active and passive S parameters
• Momentum warning regarding physical S parameters
• crash in MFilter when the order is set to 0
• equation parser error message crash
• polyline input bug
• crash when Spectrasys source spectrum failed
• Spectrasys crash when a divider had a value larger then the number of harmonics
• crash associated with SSB to PM offset spectrum in frequency multipliers and dividers
• port order bug in Momentum for certain sub-circuit configurations
• convergence issue in HarBec when using MTE and MCR models for certain cases
• bug where the SONNET interface was disabled
• bug when using EM port impedance lists
• crash when optimizing from a synthesis dialog optimize button
• issue with modulated source models for Harbec
• MTEX model GPF
• bug where the 'Add Variable' button on optimization didn't work
• optimization crash
• GPF when using the Optimize button in a synthesis
• bugs with modulated sources
• part parameter sorting bug
• case-insensitivity of instance parameters
• units of VBIT model
• "Calculate Osc Frequency", broken in 2008.07
• bug to allow MOSFETs and SPICE imported models at the same time.
• noiseless T-line (TLineBaseModel) singularity for both s12=0 or s12=1
• TLineBaseModel singularity
• Arc segment import for dxf
• out of memory condition

Changes

• Changed the default value of get optimization variables to use part parameters only

Genesys 2008.07 Release Notes

For more information concerning known issues in Genesys, or to report a new issue, refer to the Forum at:

http://www.agilent.com/find/eesof-ewforum

Tabbed Windows and Synthesis

Using tabbed windows (from the Windows Menu), with synthesis tools will cause the synthesis to freeze until its design is selected. We recommend not using tabbed windows when also using any of the synthesis tools. This only applies to the tabbed windows option that effects workspace objects (i.e. designs, graphs ...) in the work area. Using tabbed dockers (i.e. workspace tree, tune window...) is Ok. (note newly added in the 2008.07 release)

Behavioral Filters

Algebraic filters that were used in version 2004.07 are now the primary behavioral filter model. Synthesized circuit filters models are available by adding an '_C' to algebraic models.

Calculate Now and Model Caching

Simulations will calculate without model caching if you double-click the simulation and click the Calculate Now button in the dialog. Right-clicking and picking Calculate Now or using the Calculator button uses model caches if they exist. You can also turn off simulation caching in Tools > Options for the same effect (this will slow down tuning and optimization).

Compatibility with previous Genesys versions

Workspaces saved in Genesys 2008.07 are not backward compatible with Genesys 2004.07 or prior versions.  

Workspaces saved in Genesys 2008.07 that have newer features will behave as follows when loaded from an earlier version:

Equations

Auto-Calculate Equation behavior

This release changes the way Equation AutoCalculate works. Like prior versions, if you turn AutoCalculate off then Genesys will not rerun an equation set as you type and edit it. Unlike prior versions, if you have AutoCalculate turned off then the equations will never calculate except when you manually calculate them. We have improved the Equation display in the tree to show AutoCalculate off (using a ~A and dark green to indicate off). This was necessary because, for example, if you write Instrument Control equations you never want them to run unless you manually click Run.

Built-in functions in Genesys

Many of the built-in functions in Genesys are in the Eagleware Functions Equation library. You can embed them and view them in your workspace using the Library Selector or the Add Item / From Library... command

Equations parse as an entire block.

If you mix input and output lines in an equation block, the output lines may not calculate (because the data is not yet valid) and as a result, the input variables will not exist. Always split your equation blocks into input blocks and output blocks.

Tuning Equations

You can not tune equations that are located locally in a design that is used as a sub-circuit, unless you disable Model Caching (not recommended). Tunable variables can be put into global equation blocks and will work fine.

Graphs

Antenna Plots

Zooming w/ mouse wheel yields inconsistent results.

Error on Recalculate

In some very rare cases graphs may not update correctly. To force an update, resize the graph or double-click the graph and click OK in the dialog.

Incomplete Level Diagrams

In some cases a level diagram may initially show only part of itself.   Zoom to page or zoom out to see the entire level diagram. If this does not yield the correct result, you may need to re-calculate the System Analysis.

Licensing

CrypKey has been removed

If you have a previous version of Genesys  running on your computer you may want to remove the CrypKey service.  To remove CrypKey run Setupex /u from the bin directory of your old installation (for Genesys this is in the Genesys\bin directory usually \Program Files\Genesys200*.*\bin).

Genesys License Server Issue

HASP driver has been updated

If your older hasp driver is working fine, we have added a prompt to Authorize to let you retain the older driver (otherwise we install the latest driver). If Genesys is running and you would like to update your HASP driver, you must close Genesys and run Authorize directly to update the driver.

Installing HASP Keys with Microsoft Windows Vista

To install the hardware key drivers:

• Run Genesys as Administrator.  This will run Authorize and ask you for licensing options.  
• For Product Options click Purchased Software and then click Next .
• For Licensing Options click Genesys Hardware Key and then click Next .
• The HASP driver will begin installing.  
• At The process must be run again prompt, click OK .
• At the Do you want to try again? prompt insert the USB key and click Yes .
• Click Next for both the Product Options and Licensing Options .
• Follow the prompts to complete the authorization process.

M/Filter

As of the 2008.01 release, when using M/Filter to produce an Inverted Microstrip or Suspended Microstrip circuit, the stackup for Air Below is not setup correctly for use in an EM Analysis (Momentum GX or Empower).  You need to manually update the Layouts layers tab to set the Air Below height equal to Advance T Lines Substrate to Ground value.

The "Prepare Layout for Simulation" pull-down menu on the options page does not do anything. It is safe to ignore.

Momentum GX

Genesys currently ships without a viewer, we hope to add this functionality in the next release.

When drawing a layout and then subsequently launching a Momentum GX simulation, it is a best practice to review the Layout Properties Layers tab to ensure the correct substrate information is being used.

If you place a 1-port SGND part (such as a DC voltage source using the SGND symbol) then you must manually change the footprint to an appropriate 1-port footprint, such as "SIGNAL, COPLANAR, 50mil".

Net 0

Starting with Genesys 2007.03 we assume that net 0 (if you have one) is ground. This improves compatibility with Spice import substantially. When you load an existing workspace with a net 0 that is not connected to a ground (GND) you will get a dialog asking if we should rename the net.

Notes

There may be some cases where notes do not save updates (if you just reformat, for example). Type a space / backspace (typing but doing nothing) to tell Genesys the notes have been updated.

PLL and TLINE

Help does not work on Vista.

When exiting in Windows Vista, these programs attempt to write files on exit. Ignore and press OK.

Ports and footprint

If you want to place a port without an associated EM port you can change the footprint to @*NOLAYOUT in the parts properties, and it will not place an EM port.

Schematic

Annotation changes, such as text string changes are not currently undo-able on schematics.

SPECTRASYS Simulation Measurements

Amplifier Compression

The compression definition was changed in Spectrasys from OP1dB = IP1dB + G, to the standard more common in the industry which is OP1dB = IP1dB + ( Gain 1 ) in version 2008.01. As a result, the gain of a non linear device may change slightly based on drive levels.

OP1DB and IP1DB Measurements

Since these measurements were reformulated to improve accuracy in the 2008.01 release, error messages may be displayed when loading old workspaces until the workspace is recalculated.

Path Voltage Measurements

As of the 2008.01 release, any path voltage measurement will need to have the "Add Voltage Measurements" option checked for each path using them. When creating a new path or importing existing workspaces the default option is to only include power measurements.

Supported Operating Systems

Genesys 2008.07 supports Windows XP (32 and 64), Windows Vista Business (32 and 64), and Windows Server 2003. Genesys will run in 32 bit compatibility mode on a 64 bit platform.

Title Block Library

Text blocks that begin with an = are treated as equations.

Tune Window

In some cases when first introducing a tune docking window, although there are tunable variables in the schematic, the tune window does may not initialize.  Select the refresh icon in the small tray of icons immediately above the tune window to remedy this.

VerilogA

The VerilogA models work with all simulators, except for the hisim model, which does not currently work with HARBEC.

Workspace Objects may disappear

There are a few rare cases where you can name two workspace objects with the same name. If you do so, you may find that one of the objects will disappear when you reload the workspace. This can be edited manually in the XML workspace file (the .wsx file) by finding the

XName="myname" UserName="myname"

fields of the offending objects and changing "myname" to something not duplicated. Load the workspace in Wordpad, search for "myname" (with the quotes) to find the entry, then edit the two myname fields. Always copy the file before attempting to manually edit it.