This online short course is designed to provide engineers with the essential knowledge and skills in SIMPLIS to become proficient and confident in using SIMPLIS to model switching power supplies.
This course will demonstrate how SIMPLIS performs a Periodic Operating Point (Steady-State) analysis, AC analysis and how devices are modeled using Piecewise Linear techniques -- all key differences between SIMPLIS and Spice.
This course is heavily punctuated with hands-on exercises that are central to the training experience. Users will be using the latest version of SIMetrix/SIMPLIS Elements to perform these simulation exercises.
Course Outline
| Hover over each item below to see a short description | YouTube | Amazon CloudFront | Length | |
Intro to Full Course - Intro Slide Deck This short introduction to the SIMPLIS Essentials Online Training Course summarizes the course outline and objectives as well as the mechanics of locating all the course materials, including the course documentation and example schematics. |  This short introduction to the SIMPLIS Essentials Online Training Course summarizes the course outline and objectives as well as the mechanics of locating all the course materials, including the course documentation and example schematics. |  This short introduction to the SIMPLIS Essentials Online Training Course summarizes the course outline and objectives as well as the mechanics of locating all the course materials, including the course documentation and example schematics. | 12:10 | |
| Module 1: Introduction to SIMPLIS | 1.0.1 SIMPLIS is a Time-Domain Simulator, all the Time, for Every Analysis, Period SIMPLIS is a time-domain simulator optimized for switching power converters. SIMPLIS is exclusively a time-domain simulator, even though it can present its time-domain results very accurately in frequency-domain plots. | SIMPLIS is a time-domain simulator optimized for switching power converters. SIMPLIS is exclusively a time-domain simulator, even though it can present its time-domain results very accurately in frequency-domain plots. | SIMPLIS is a time-domain simulator optimized for switching power converters. SIMPLIS is exclusively a time-domain simulator, even though it can present its time-domain results very accurately in frequency-domain plots. | 36:12 |
1.0.2 PWL Simulation and Modeling Every device model used in a SIMPLIS simulation uses Piecewise Linear (PWL) modeling techniques. This includes semiconductor devices such as MOSFETs and Diodes. In this topic you will learn how SIMPLIS models non-linear devices with PWL models. | Every device model used in a SIMPLIS simulation uses Piecewise Linear (PWL) modeling techniques. This includes semiconductor devices such as MOSFETs and Diodes. In this topic you will learn how SIMPLIS models non-linear devices with PWL models. | Every device model used in a SIMPLIS simulation uses Piecewise Linear (PWL) modeling techniques. This includes semiconductor devices such as MOSFETs and Diodes. In this topic you will learn how SIMPLIS models non-linear devices with PWL models. | 23:41 | |
The multi-level modeling concept allows models to be tailored to the application and the particular simulation objective, such that the minimum model complexity is used to achieve the required accuracy for a given simulation objective. This results in the fastest simulations while not compromising required accuracy. | The multi-level modeling concept allows models to be tailored to the application and the particular simulation objective, such that the minimum model complexity is used to achieve the required accuracy for a given simulation objective. This results in the fastest simulations while not compromising required accuracy. | The multi-level modeling concept allows models to be tailored to the application and the particular simulation objective, such that the minimum model complexity is used to achieve the required accuracy for a given simulation objective. This results in the fastest simulations while not compromising required accuracy. | 28:46 | |
In this topic, you will learn why PWL models can accurately model the behavior of switching power systems. We observe that that PWL models are accurate in both the time and frequency domains. | In this topic, you will learn why PWL models can accurately model the behavior of switching power systems. We observe that that PWL models are accurate in both the time and frequency domains. | In this topic, you will learn why PWL models can accurately model the behavior of switching power systems. We observe that that PWL models are accurate in both the time and frequency domains. | 11:41 | |
The Periodic Operating Point (POP) analysis is one of the most powerful capabilities of SIMPLIS. The POP analysis is a specialized transient analysis which quickly finds the switching steady-state operating point of a circuit. Once the steady-state operating point is found, an AC analysis at the periodic operating point can be performed on the circuit. | The Periodic Operating Point (POP) analysis is one of the most powerful capabilities of SIMPLIS. The POP analysis is a specialized transient analysis which quickly finds the switching steady-state operating point of a circuit. Once the steady-state operating point is found, an AC analysis at the periodic operating point can be performed on the circuit. | The Periodic Operating Point (POP) analysis is one of the most powerful capabilities of SIMPLIS. The POP analysis is a specialized transient analysis which quickly finds the switching steady-state operating point of a circuit. Once the steady-state operating point is found, an AC analysis at the periodic operating point can be performed on the circuit. | 37:45 | |
1.1 Introduction to DVM: What is DVM? The Design Verification Module automates the launching of simulation tests on a schematic, running multiple tests and aggregating waveforms and scalar measurements, comparing these scalar measurements to specifications and compiling all these results in human readable and machine readable HTML reports. | The Design Verification Module automates the launching of simulation tests on a schematic, running multiple tests and aggregating waveforms and scalar measurements, comparing these scalar measurements to specifications and compiling all these results in human readable and machine readable HTML reports. | The Design Verification Module automates the launching of simulation tests on a schematic, running multiple tests and aggregating waveforms and scalar measurements, comparing these scalar measurements to specifications and compiling all these results in human readable and machine readable HTML reports. | 8:59 | |
| SIMPLIS Applications | Christophe Basso - SIMPLIS Examples from his latest book: "Transfer Functions of Switching Converters" A leading author in the field a power electronics, Christophe Basso shares a number of example SIMPLIS schematics presented in his latest book. These examples present a powerful combination of the use of average converter models to calculate the desired component values of the circuit and the use of SIMPLIS to simulate the actual time domain and frequency domain behavior of the circuit. | A leading author in the field a power electronics, Christophe Basso shares a number of example SIMPLIS schematics presented in his latest book. These examples present a powerful combination of the use of average converter models to calculate the desired component values of the circuit and the use of SIMPLIS to simulate the actual time domain and frequency domain behavior of the circuit. | A leading author in the field a power electronics, Christophe Basso shares a number of example SIMPLIS schematics presented in his latest book. These examples present a powerful combination of the use of average converter models to calculate the desired component values of the circuit and the use of SIMPLIS to simulate the actual time domain and frequency domain behavior of the circuit. | 35:50 |
Jens Ejury - Amazing Examples of Advanced Multi-level Modeling An application engineer at Infineon Technologies, Jens Eury shows a powerful example of how Multi-Level Modeling can use one schematic to accomplish many different simulation objectives. | An application engineer at Infineon Technologies, Jens Eury shows a powerful example of how Multi-Level Modeling can use one schematic to accomplish many different simulation objectives. | An application engineer at Infineon Technologies, Jens Eury shows a powerful example of how Multi-Level Modeling can use one schematic to accomplish many different simulation objectives. | 9:23 | |
| Module 2: Advanced SIMPLIS | 2.0 Transient Analysis Settings Learn how to set basic and advanced transient analysis settings. SIMPLIS always targets the highest numerical accuracy, for every simulation. | Learn how to set basic and advanced transient analysis settings. SIMPLIS always targets the highest numerical accuracy, for every simulation. | Learn how to set basic and advanced transient analysis settings. SIMPLIS always targets the highest numerical accuracy, for every simulation. | 45:32 |
2.1.1 The Initial Conditions (.INIT) File SIMPLIS saves the final state of the circuit after each simulation completes to a text file called the .INIT file. Learning how to set good initial conditions in SIMPLIS will save you a great deal of time in your first SIMPLIS modeling project. | SIMPLIS saves the final state of the circuit after each simulation completes to a text file called the .INIT file. Learning how to set good initial conditions in SIMPLIS will save you a great deal of time in your first SIMPLIS modeling project. | SIMPLIS saves the final state of the circuit after each simulation completes to a text file called the .INIT file. Learning how to set good initial conditions in SIMPLIS will save you a great deal of time in your first SIMPLIS modeling project. | 28:34 | |
Understanding how the POP analysis works is critically important for extracting the maximum benefit from SIMPLIS. | ||||
2.2.1 Overview of the Periodic Operating Point (POP) Analysis An overview of the Periodic Operating Point (POP) analysis. The Core POP Process recursively refines its estimate of the set of initial conditions for the circuit that are consistent with steady-state operation. | An overview of the Periodic Operating Point (POP) analysis. The Core POP Process recursively refines its estimate of the set of initial conditions for the circuit that are consistent with steady-state operation. | An overview of the Periodic Operating Point (POP) analysis. The Core POP Process recursively refines its estimate of the set of initial conditions for the circuit that are consistent with steady-state operation. | 21:36 | |
This is one of the most valuable topics to master when using SIMPLIS. | This is one of the most valuable topics to master when using SIMPLIS. | This is one of the most valuable topics to master when using SIMPLIS. | 58:02 | |
In this topic, you will learn how to properly setup a circuit for a SIMPLIS POP analysis. You will learn about the different error messages and how to correct your circuit when you encounter them. | In this topic, you will learn how to properly setup a circuit for a SIMPLIS POP analysis. You will learn about the different error messages and how to correct your circuit when you encounter them. | In this topic, you will learn how to properly setup a circuit for a SIMPLIS POP analysis. You will learn about the different error messages and how to correct your circuit when you encounter them. | 10:51 | |
2.2.4 Circuits Which Cause POP to Fail There are numerous ways a circuit will fail a POP analysis. In this topic you will learn the most common errors, and how to correct them. This will allow you to detect and correct over 95% of the errors you encounter when running a POP analysis. | There are numerous ways a circuit will fail a POP analysis. In this topic you will learn the most common errors, and how to correct them. This will allow you to detect and correct over 95% of the errors you encounter when running a POP analysis. | There are numerous ways a circuit will fail a POP analysis. In this topic you will learn the most common errors, and how to correct them. This will allow you to detect and correct over 95% of the errors you encounter when running a POP analysis. | 47:42 | |
High frequency switching converters can generate enourmous quantities of output data. Here you will learn how to manage these data to capture the results you need and avoid filling up your hard drive. | High frequency switching converters can generate enourmous quantities of output data. Here you will learn how to manage these data to capture the results you need and avoid filling up your hard drive. | High frequency switching converters can generate enourmous quantities of output data. Here you will learn how to manage these data to capture the results you need and avoid filling up your hard drive. | 48:26 | |
| SIMPLIS Applications | Chris Swartz - Using SIMPLIS to Address Power Supply System Level Challenges As a very long-time expert SIMPLIS user, Chris Swartz has developed many power management IC controller models as well as used SIMPLIS to design many DC-DC and AC-DC converters. He also has a lot of experience helping customers solve challenging power supply system challenges, some of which he shares with us in this session. When this course was originally recorded in the Fall of 2024, Chris was a Senior Principal Engineer at Vicor Corporation. He since has joined Infineon Technologies. | As a very long-time expert SIMPLIS user, Chris Swartz has developed many power management IC controller models as well as used SIMPLIS to design many DC-DC and AC-DC converters. He also has a lot of experience helping customers solve challenging power supply system challenges, some of which he shares with us in this session. When this course was originally recorded in the Fall of 2024, Chris was a Senior Principal Engineer at Vicor Corporation. He since has joined Infineon Technologies. | As a very long-time expert SIMPLIS user, Chris Swartz has developed many power management IC controller models as well as used SIMPLIS to design many DC-DC and AC-DC converters. He also has a lot of experience helping customers solve challenging power supply system challenges, some of which he shares with us in this session. When this course was originally recorded in the Fall of 2024, Chris was a Senior Principal Engineer at Vicor Corporation. He since has joined Infineon Technologies. | 46:38 |
Instructors
- Tom Wilson, SIMPLIS Technologies
- Matthew Fortin, SIMPLIS Technologies
Round Table Participants
- Christophe Basso
- Chris Swartz
- Jens Ejury
- Ronald Wong
Prerequisites
Participants are assumed to have:
- completed the SIMPLIS Tutorial before attending this training course.
Participants must install:
- the latest version of the free SIMetrix/SIMPLIS Elements on your user machine.
Once SIMetrix/SIMPLIS Elements is installed, you must:
- perform the task of opening SIMetrix/SIMPLIS Elements and click on Help > Check for Updates...
This will make sure that all of the Training Example schematics are loaded onto your machine.
Troubleshooting
For information on how to install/update Elements, please see the SIMPLIS Essentials Support Page.
Biographies
Matthew Fortin
Matthew Fortin is an Applications Engineer at SIMPLIS Technologies, where he works on end-user-facing development, technical support, and user training. He has been a user of SIMetrix/SIMPLIS since 2012, when he was responsible for model development and public release for his former employer, Intersil (now Renesas). Since joining SIMPLIS in 2016, he has contributed to multiple aspects of SIMPLIS, including, but not limited to, the Parameter-Editing Dialog tool, the Custom MOSFET tool, and the SIMPLIS Reverse Recovery Diode Model.
Christophe Basso
Christophe Basso is a Business Development Manager at Future Electronics in France, covering EMEA for design assistance and technical support. Christophe has published nine books on power electronics, and the tenth will be published in September of this year. He holds 25 patents on power conversion and has taught many seminars in IEEE-sponsored conferences like APEC in the US.
Christophe has over 25 years of power supply industry experience. Before joining Future Electronics in 2021, Christophe was a Technical Fellow at Onsemi and an application engineer for Motorola Semiconductor in Toulouse. He holds a diplôme universitaire de technologie from Montpellier University (France) and an MSEE from the Institut National Polytechnique of Toulouse (France). He is an IEEE Senior member.
Chris Swartz
Chris R. Swartz is a Senior Member of the IEEE and has over 37 years of experience in the area of Power Electronics including analog and digital circuit design, EMI, thermal analysis and circuit simulation including web-based power system simulation, thermal simulation and model creation. When this course was originally recorded in the Fall of 2024, Chris managed the Advanced Systems Design Engineering Group at Vicor where the latest Vicor advanced technology was made to enable key customer implementations in both research and production environments. Since then Chris has joined Infineon Technologies.
Jens Ejury
Jens Ejury is currently an application engineer at Infineon Technologies, providing simulation support for customers and colleagues in the field of multiphase DC/DC power converters and TLVR designs. He also consults with coworkers on simulation and control topics. He has a lot of experience using SIMPLIS and SIMetrix to analyze converter efficiency and thermal performance as well as MOSFET SOA simulation and Digital control simulation.
Jens graduated from TU Ilmenau in Germany and has worked for various project companies in home power installation and low and medium voltage power distribution. He has made a number of paper presentations at various conferences including APEC. Jens had developed models for drivers and controllers (LLC, PMIC, POL, and multiphase buck) as well as demo and evaluation board designs for flyback, POL, and multiphase DC/DC converters.