I am trying to use the simulation capability built into KiCad. So far for every design, the tool fails to run and produces either of two error messages , as listed below.
How do I resolve these problems? Please provide step by step instructions.
Also, where on the KiCad web site can we find a step by step tutorial for using the spice simulator and adding parts models from files that we might download from digikey, TI, nexperia, analog, etc.?
Thank you
Error Message A:
Note: Codel model file loading path is /home/nelson/Projects/TeensyDataAcquistion/SPI_Instrumenation_Project/Instrumentation_Input_SPI/
Note: Compatibility modes selected: ps lt a
Error in line ic1 __ic1
Not enough parameters
line no. 31 from file circbyline
Error: ngspice.dll cannot recover and awaits to be reset or detached
Error Message B:
Cannot open file ‘/home/nelson/KiCad/models/BGA2870/BGA2870_2.5V_1_25C.lib’.
Error loading simulation model: no ‘Sim.Name’ field
Thank you, I really need written step by step instructions. Videos take too much time to watch.
For example:
There seem to be some useful collections of parts models in zip files.
But what seems to be missing in all of the (written) tutorials is where to put the collections of parts models on a linux machine, and how to let KiCad (or ngspice) know where they are located.
All I get are these cryptic messages like the two listed above and not a clue what is missing or where to go to find further instructions.
You can put the models anywhere. And then in KiCad, edit the symbol properties and browse to the location you put them. This is also mentioned in the (written!) tutorial I linked to, although that tutorial suggest to put (downloaded) models in your project directory.
Oops! Still a little mysterious, and nothing about where to put the models listed on the previous page. So, there I was stuck.
I guess I still haven’t seen where the information is on what to do with those zip files on any of those pages. Perhaps I just perused a little too fast. (There is a lot of information there and not a lot of headings or a TOC)
It seems to me the information about what to do with zip files might be more clear if spelled out right there where it says (paraphrasing) here are some collections, before it begins the list.
But thank you, it is an impressive effort to make all of this available. I’ll probably be up an running in a short while.
No need to go there. the section about the BC546.lib model (even shown in your screenshot) should have been enough I guess. Right after the “copy into your project directory” you can read how to add the model to the symbol.
But do you mean to say that if I unpack those zip files somewhere in that tree (as of yet unspecified exactly where), then when I run the simulator in the kicad schematic editor, it will automatically find the model file for each part?
That’s more or less what I meant by a default search tree (for all of the models, symbols footprints, etc, that I add to kicad).
Even for the symbols and footprints, we are still at the stage where we have to manually add every symbol and every footprint. (And it is still not very smooth.)
For the 3d models it is even less automatic, we have to add the 3d model to every added footprint every time we use it.
It sounds like the spice model has a similar relationship as the 3d models, in that we have to manually add the spice model to the symbol every time we use it.
So it seems like there is a little more integration work to do on both. But anyway, at least now I have some idea where and how to start.
I give up, you win.
But I do confess, that directory I mentioned does not have a predefined sub directory for spice models. Maybe that should be added?
The way most people handle this is by defining their own global symbol library. You can then copy in symbols that you’d like to use regularly, and associate the simulation models (stored somewhere central outside of your project directories) with them in the symbol editor. That way, every time you use those symbols, the simulation stuff will be set up for you.
The reason this sucks is that the companies and people making the models are typically not very clear about what the license of their models are*. Mainly because they don’t normally work with things that are considered under copyright (physical goods don’t have copyright they are shielded by patents).
This leads you into a situation where technically your not allowed to use the models, since the default copyright action is all rights reserved. So while you could argue that they implicitly give you the right to use them since they give you the download, it still does not allow share that forward. Therefore nobody but you the operator can bundle the models into your library, no external entity can do it for you, legally.
This could be circumvented though, by cleanly remaking the models from your own measurements, then sharing those with clear copyright information that allows sharing. But it would be very tedious and expensive. Nobody is doing this, so the situation remains your job to figure this out for components you use.
There is no technical solution to legal restrictions.
then when I run the simulator in the kicad schematic editor, it will automatically find the model file for each part?
Nothing stops you from doing this. Its just that you have to be the one that ensures the system does not make any mistakes. You can define a system variable to look up models in.
* Or they are on purpose restrictive, after all its easier to just forbid everything than adjusting IP right to the optimal level
