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open a project’s schematic, then tools >> PDN analyzer
dc net identification
when the analyzer is initially opened, it will attempt to identify all dc power networks from the design’s net data based on common power network nomenclature
if not all potential power nets have been identified, deselect appropriate qualifiers filter options or see all nets and select enable all nets for filtering option
use the select check boxes and choose the power nets available to the analyzer. enter suitable voltage levels in the nominal voltage fields and click add selected
specify the power and ground nets
double click ‘power net’ and ‘ground net’ elements in the gui network graphic to open ‘choose net’ dialog. this offers the choice of power nets that have been identified
you can use the dialog’s qualifier/filter options to restrict or expand the listed nets
a source or load element can now be added between the power and ground networks (this is the same process for both load and source)
*you can hover the cursor over any element in the network to see additional informationright click in the network graphic space and select ‘add source’ / ‘add load’ to open device properties
to add a voltage source, select voltage source from the device type menu
the analyzer will attempt to choose the correct net connections - use the ‘Refdes’ menu to specify the component connection points of the source voltage
the source parameters specify the attributes of the voltage source simulation
the max source current and pin current are left at the default settings
if the limits are set to specific current values, it will flag a violation of the simulation results exceed those values
to view the results
go to the analyzer’s visual tab and set the visual options to display ‘voltage’ for layers
the view of the selected path voltage drop is rendered with a colour gradient that corresponds to the voltage scale at the bottom of the view (red is max level and blue in minimum)
to display the current analysis, select the visual tab’s current density option
the colour levels in the board’s network path relate to the percentage of current density variation (red max calculated current density and blue minimum)
to display and analyze power integrity results in the ground path, deselect the voltage/power network in the net list and select gnd network
display and control options
you can clear the analysis results from the editor display which reverts to the graphics rendering to the standard board layout
the overlay option enables the board layout view - useful for confirming where a point of interest in the analysis is located
working with loads