SPECIAL NOTES FOR USERS OF VERSION 2.1.5 and earlier:

Division of complex numbers comes up with wrong answers. This only occurs when running simulations on the Macintosh and Windows 3.1 versions, and on the Windows 95/NT version when running simulations in Batch Mode

SPECIAL NOTES FOR USERS OF VERSION 2.1.0 and earlier:

Running the Device Editor (2.1.1) will automatically update the MOSFET which was incorrectly modeled in the database.
The MOSFET (nmos) in the database was previously incorrect, and devices in old circuits of that type will be incorrect as well. The problem is that the bulk (substrate) node is tied to drain rather than to source. You will need to correct this in old circuits if you are running 2.1.0 or earlier. 2.1.1 Workshop will automatically detect the problem and fix it.

SPECIAL NOTES FOR USERS OF VERSION 2.0.2 and earlier:

Your old Spice 2.0 circuits may still have problems. Especially diodes and any components which have been flipped. To be on the safe side, delete your old diodes & replace them with new diodes, and do the same with other components which you may have flipped.

Known bugs in 2.1.6

• The following parts do not work properly due to some missing files. When they are used in a simulation, a message comes up saying "Dependency .... not in database": Motorola parts bfr92, bfr93, bfs17_m, mbr5031, mmbr521, mbr571, mbr901, mbr911, mbr931, mbr941, mbr951, mrf5211, mrf5711, mrf5812, mfr9011, mrf927, mrf9331, mrf9411, mrf947, mrf9511, mrf949, fr8372, mfr917, mbr920, Elantec Part ELH0101_EL.
• The Macintosh version does not support parts that call other subcircuits (like the non working parts above).
• The Windows 3.1 version does not work at all due to a faulty installation. We are currently working on a fix. Please check this site periodically for updates.

Known bugs in 2.1.5
Workshop:

• Division of complex numbers comes up with wrong results in batch mode. This only occurs when running simulations on the Macintosh and Windows 3.1 versions, and on the Windows 95/NT version when running simulations in Batch Mode.
• (Macintosh) If the first character in the "Set Simulation Data" path is a space, the space is deleted once you OK it, causing Spice to not run. If you got to the "Simulation" menu and set the Simulation Data path under "Set More Simulation Options..." then everything should be OK.
• Piece Wise Linear dialog box isn't working properly. The "Set Default" and "Load from file" buttons don't work. Also, the parameters box doesn't accept more than one line. In place of multiple lines, continue adding values on the same line, separated by a space, and everything should work.
• The following devices are not functioning properly and should not be used: Continuos Time Transfer Function (CFFM), Discrete Time Transfer Function (ZFFM), Phase Locked Loop (PLL), Sample and Hold (Sample), Currnet Noise Source (Anoise), Voltage Noise Source (Vnoise), and Schmitt Trigger (Schmitt). If you desperatly need these devices, email us and we'll see what we can do.

Fixes in 2.1.5
Workshop:

• added parameter and temperature sweeps!
• modified graphing so that cursor marker, graph borders, and plot marks can be toggled.
• fixed up "Fit Circuit in View" and "Copy Circuit Picture" so that they now center the circuit in the window.
• subcircuits that call externally defined subcircuits now work properly.
• (Macintosh) mutual inductor now doesn't crash program when you try to edit proprieties.
• (Windows) lossless transmission line now working.

Device Editor:

• importing text models now handles special characters at the ends of lines better. No more extra or deleted characters.

Parts Database:

• added a process model for the switch and corrected some parts that didn't function properly. Also fixed some symbols that were incorrectly drawn.

Fixes in 2.1.4
Workshop:

• adding new plots now fully works.
• fixed problem where, if two pins on the same device were connected, they were assigned different node numbers.
• (Macintosh) fixed up print preview. Previously, there was no way to exit print preview.
• (Macintosh) fixed "Save" and "Save As..." In some cases it didn't save or save any changes and sometimes overwrote existing file without confirmation.

Device Editor:

• fixed problem where program didn't remember pin names after they were set.
• (Macintosh) fixed "Save" and "Save As..." In some cases it didn't save or save any changes and sometimes overwrote existing file without confirmation.

Fixes in 2.1.3a
Workshop:

• fixed linearized data for transient..
• fixed plot expressions including constants. It was previously truncating real numbers.
• Added delete plot capability.
• Fixed symbol editing so that part pins don't move after editing symbol.
• On Mac, added code to make sure that front window is active after simulation run.
• Save circuit now saves more information for screen display and graph preferences.

Fixes in 2.1.3--- first release of Mac version!

Workshop:

• Rewrote graphing module. Much more user control of zooming and scrolling.
• Rewrote plot expression editing module.
• Added netlist document to program. Simulations can now be run directly from netlist document, and netlist can be editing directly from within B2 Spice.
• Graph settings are now persistent from one simulation to the next.
• Many other fixes and subtle improvements.

Parts Database:

• Added current and voltage noise sources, added discrete and continuous transfer functions, piecewise linear system, phase locked loop, 3-pin opamp, and more. All of these are parameterized macro-models, to allow easy editing of their behaviors.

Device Editor:

• fixed some minor problems.

Fixes in 2.1.2
Workshop:

Fixes in 2.1.1
Parts Database:

• Symbol & part for 3 terminal MOSFET (nmos) has bulk (substrate) tied to its drain node rather than to source. Causes incorrect behavior for nmos, especially default nmos which used this symbol. Other parts using this incorrect symbol are the level 1 through level 6, 3-terminal nmos mosfets. (e.g. mos_n_lvl3).

Device Editor:

• Editing true/false simulation model parameters didn’t work.
• Load Patch incorrectly loaded symbols into database.

Workshop

• The generic opamp, i.e. the one with the list of parameters defining it, has a bug that affects its slew rate.
• Closing the graph window while simulation data is still coming in can cause Workshop to crash.
• DAO file open bug: After running a simulation, choosing a new part causes an error message (CategoryIDtoName failed …).
• Phase delay in sinusoidal transient for sources is inactive. This will be eliminated as a parameter, because Spice doesn't recognize it.
• Run Simulation from Text file works now. Also, it closes the text file after reading it, so you can keep the text file open in a text editor.
• All errors in the simulation are now reported to the workshop, even if the simulation crashes.
• You can now specify the update time for interactive simulations.
• There had been a problem with devices modeled with subcircuits that required other subcircuits to be included. When the circuit was saved & reloaded, the dependent subcircuits were not included in the netlist when the simulation was run. This is now fixed.

Fixed in 2.1.0

Workshop

• sometimes sensitivity analysis crashes unexpectedly & abruptly when sensitivity parameters are incorrectly specified. fixed
• Zero for node numbers on Op-amp after save/load. fixed

Fixed in 2.0.5
Workshop

• Browsing parts database with a category active caused the program to crash. fixed
• Zero for node numbers on Op-amp after save/load. fixed
• controlled source bug (introduced in 2.0.4) fixed. fixed
• Editing the controlled source didn’t allow the user to change its name. Fixed.
• Current controlled switch(W), lossy transmission line (O), BJT (Q), Inductor (L), MESFET(Z), Mutual Inductor & Inductor Coupling (K), and arbitrary source (B) all had the wrong initial name. (introduced in 2.0.4) fixed
• Name checking for initial character (behavior type) was not active. (introduced in 2.0.4) fixed

Device Editor:

• Categories/ Manufacturers- modify list, accept, then choose a category… The combo-box is now empty.fixed
• Import Simulation Models: Process model format didn’t import successfully with continuation lines.fixed

Fixed in 2.0.4

Device Editor

• Some polynomial controlled sources were converted incorrectly. Some second and higher order coefficients were assigned to the wrong variable. This caused some part models to be incorrect in the database. fixed
• New Feature: Symbol Editor was embedded into the Device Editor.

Workshop

• With a non-white window background, some text fields left white ghost images behind them. fixed
• Alt-S didn’t access the Simulation Menu, in the schematic view. fixed
• File:Close sometimes crashed. fixed
• New Feature: Symbol Editor was embedded into the Workshop 2.0.4.

Graph view

• Tooltip for "View:Status Bar" says "show or hide the plot bar". Fixed

Workshop

• >From WORKSHOP -> Devices -> Choose part -> Browse, set filter to functional category TRANSISTOR and apply filter. Results: This program has performed an illegal operation and will shut down.
  Controlled source bug (introduced in 2.0.4)
  1. open controlled source dialog, click right Edit...
  2. set controlling ammeter/voltmeter name
  3. close sub dialog, close main dialog
  4. open dialog again, there is no name
  5. so controlled source doesn't work Fixed
• Current controlled switch has the wrong initial name. Fixed
• Name checking for initial character (behavior type) was not active. Fixed
• Set Fill color in symbol editor view does not work. Fixed

Setup:

• Setup installs the Workshop, Device Editor, and help file shortcuts into the "Programs" folder, and not into the "B2 Spice 2.0" folder, where the readme.txt and readme.doc files are located. I'd assume they were intended to go into the "B2 Spice 2.0" folder, since it was created and chosen during setup. Fixed

Fixed in 2.03a- Windows 3.1 version only
Workshop

• Run Simulation from Text File… didn’t work before, fixed nowFixed
• Saving the circuit after running the simulation sometimes saves an empty circuit file. Fixed

Spice 3F5

• Fixed now… Bug in simulations… circuits with models with "+" line continuations are not processed properly. This results in no simulations being performed. Fixed

Fixed in 2.0.3
Workshop

• New Feature: In memory caching of devices already used in workshop.
• End-of-line character incorrect at end of model descriptions in spice deck. Fixed
• Memory leaks in workshop. Fixed
• parameterized device models might not "load" correctly. Fixed

Device Editor

• parameterized device models might not "load" correctly. Fixed
• Problem making new BJT devices. Fixed

Fixed in 2.0.2
Symbol editor

• Draw line on Win 95, then delete the line… caused application to lock up. Fixed
• Also, cut/copy/paste & moving front/back could lock up the program. Fixed
• Copying with text fields in picture messes up copy Fixed
• Placing pin into window could cause crash (especially Windows 3.1 version) Fixed

Workshop

• Close all windows for circuit… Fixed
• When view is already closed, and no other circuits in system, this will crash the program. To correct, either only allow when circuit view is in front, or re-program it. Fixed
• Copy Graph picture… use black color for text. Fixed
• Pole - Zero analysis … change descriptions for the node g, I, j, & k’s. Fixed
• Now prints circuit over multiple pages Fixed
• Flipping device messed up its pin ordering for the Spice deck. Rotation is also suspect. This is fixed now. Fixed

Fixed in 2.0.1
New features

• Voltage/current sources: PWL. Added a button to import PWL from a text file.
• Load old Version 1.1 circuits- this is now implemented. It’s not perfect. E.g., simulation set-up specs are not imported. However, general circuit layout & device parameters are imported.

Fixes:

• Add new expressions
• fixed problems in arc tangent, derivative, & functions with more than two arguments.
• Also, fixed compound expressions.
• Close All Windows: Fixed… previously, if circuit window was closed, this would crash.
• Serious bug in drawing module… could cause seemingly random problems at seemingly random times in program. This is fixed now.

Spice
sensitivity analysis: This is fixed now for frequency sweep sensitivity.

Database

• Diode pins were backwards.
• Capacitor pins were backwards, which only matters if using initial voltage setting across capacitor for transient analysis.

Workshop

• Linearize data…. Even when "unspecified", it’s still active in the transient analysis if given. This is fixed now.
• "Given" checkbox doesn’t work in the simulation set-up. Still problems, especially when two T/F controls in row, and the user presses "enter" to proceed from one to the next.
• Save the log view (text window) was not working… it was saving the circuit. This saves a text file now.
• Marker device, when used as a probe caused problems. This works now.
• Changing database path causes problems:
• I.e., run the program with database on CD-ROM. Disconnect CD-ROM. Run again. This time, path is not found, and program crashes.
• Programming notes… look for database path before trying to open database… if path not found, empty the database path, and require user to open database.
• problem with close all windows for circuit still. Crashes if no active circuit view.