HSPICE Language Support for VS Code

This extension provides robust syntax highlighting, code snippets, and visual tools for HSPICE netlists (.sp, .lis, .hsp). It is designed to make circuit simulation workflows faster and less error-prone.

Features

• Visual Signal Generator (New!):
  • Interactively design PULSE and SIN voltage sources.
  • Global Parameter Support: Define .param variables (e.g., tr_global) and link them to multiple signal cards for synchronized updates.
  • Smart Input Scrolling: Hover and scroll over any numeric field to increment/decrement values with intelligent decade scaling (e.g., 1u -> 900n -> 800n).
  • Real-time Visualization: See waveforms update instantly as you adjust parameters.
  • Global Time Scaling: Check signal alignment across multiple sources with a synchronized ruler.
• Visual PWL Designer:
  • Graphically draw Piece-Wise Linear (PWL) sources point-by-point.
  • Waveform generator primitives for Square, Triangle, and Sawtooth waves.
• Syntax Highlighting:
  • Case-insensitive support (e.g., .TRAN and .tran are both recognized).
  • Differentiates between Simulations (.tran, .ac), Definitions (.subckt, .param), and Options (.option).
  • Highlights engineering units (u, n, meg, k).
• Intelligent Snippets:
  • Auto-completion for complex sources (PULSE, SIN, PWL).
  • Templates for analyses (.tran, .dc, .ac) with tab-stops.

Visual Signal Generator

Design complex independent sources without memorizing the parameter order. This tool generates not just the signal lines, but also the necessary .param definitions.

Technical Workflow

1. Global Configuration

• Time Scale: Set the global simulation time (e.g., 10u) and units at the top left. All signals render relative to this window.
• Global Parameters (.param):
  1. Click the Settings (Slider) icon next to the Add button.
  2. Select a parameter type (e.g., Rise Time (tr)) and click Add.
  3. Assign a variable name (e.g., tr_glob) and a value (e.g., 1n).
  4. Click Apply. This creates a global .param block in the output code.

2. Signal Creation

• Click the (+) button to add a new card.
• Select Pulse or Sin from the dropdown.
• Variable Binding: Inside a signal card, you can enter a hardcoded number (e.g., 5n) OR reference a global parameter name (e.g., tr_glob). The waveform will automatically resolve the variable value.

3. Interactive Adjustment

• Smart Scroll: Hover your mouse over any input field (like Voltage or Period) and scroll up/down.
  • Logic: The tool uses decade-aware stepping. If you scroll down from 1.0, it steps to 0.9 (step 0.1). If you scroll down from 100, it steps to 90 (step 10).
• Visual Cursors: Hover over the graph to see exact Voltage/Time coordinates. A horizontal guide line appears on the active signal to help align levels.

4. Code Generation

• The generated code includes the Parameter block followed by the Source definitions:

  * Global Parameters
  .param tr_glob = 1n
  
  * Signals
  V_Clk V_Clk 0 PULSE(0 1.8 0 tr_glob tr_glob 5u 10u)
  

Visual PWL Designer

Stop manually typing coordinate pairs! This tool allows you to draw PWL sources spatially.

Technical Workflow

1. Launch: Run HSPICE: Open Visual PWL Designer from the command palette.
2. Draw Mode:
   • Left Click: Adds a new voltage/time point to the PWL list.
   • Right Click: Removes the last added point (Undo).
   • Drag Point: Click and hold an existing point to adjust its timing or voltage visually.
3. Primitives: Use the sidebar to generate standard shapes (Triangle, Sawtooth) which are converted into PWL coordinate pairs automatically.
4. Export: The tool generates the tedious PWL(t1 v1 t2 v2 ...) string formatted for direct insertion into your netlist.

Snippets Reference

Source Definitions

Analysis Commands

Circuit Definitions

Author

Muhammad Shofuwan Anwar

• Email: muh.shofuwan.a@mail.ugm.ac.id
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mshofuwan-anwar/