HDL-A is a versatile tool for creating analog simulation models. It can be used to create an array of functions including high-level functional blocks, mathematical equations, and functions to be nested within SPICE models. This paper describes three device models, each one using HDL-A in a different capacity.

The first model is a zero-crossing voltage detector. This model demonstrates using HDL-A to describe a functional block with user defineable output voltage.

The second model is of a PTC thermistor. This demonstrates using mathematical equations within the HDL-A model for curve-fitting of a piecewise continuous function.

The third model is of a metal-oxide varistor SPICE model. This model calls two HDL-A functions to perform a limiting function and to solve a mathematical equation. This model was created to make use of an existing PSpice(R) library which used PSpice(R) specific functions not recognized by SPICE2G6. (PSpice is a registered trademark of MicroSim Corp.)

Bio:
Matthew Sprengeler earned an ASEET degree January 1985 from National Institute of Technology, West Des Moines, Iowa, graduating with honors. In 1991, Matt joined Square D Company in Cedar Rapids, IA as a printed circuit board designer, was promoted to design engineer, and currently is a senior design engineer in electronic development with primary focus on analog component modeling and simulation. Has been working with the AccuSim simulator and modeling electronic and electromechanical components using SPICE2G6 since 1993 and HDL-A since 1995.