User Guide

Terms You Need to Understand 1

-11

Note

Unlike trace functions and Probe

oal functions,

PSpice Optimizer expressions are evaluated

without usin

a simulation or Probe.

Derivative

A derivative defines mathematically how a

specification value changes with a small change in parameter

value.

For a given design, the PSpice Optimizer calculates derivatives

for each specification with respect to each parameter. Within an

applicable range, the optimizer uses the derivatives to estimate

new values for the goals and constraints.

Table 1-2

Valid Operators and Functions for PSpice

Optimizer Expressions

Operator Meanin

+ addition

- subtraction

* multiplication

/ division

** exponentiation

exp e

log ln(x)

log10 log

(x)

sin sine

cos cosine

tan tangent

atan arctangent

See Derivatives on page 4-10 for

a detailed discussion.