Spice-based automated software network analyzer

Analyzing switched-mode power supply's control characteristics is challenging due to the high nonlinearity, and various new topologies are introduced. The mathematical complexity is a burden and is prone to error and oversimplification. Tradition approach includes finding the DC operating point and applying the small-signal linearization process. In this paper, a test bench method is developed to extract frequency response using "as is" circuit via time domain simulation. Advanced features in SPICE are used to automate over 80% of the process for finding frequency response in transient domain in the proposed simulation platform, similar to how the network analyzer is actually used. Beside constructing the circuit diagram, only some simulation setup is required. Although a long simulation time is needed, we can see several benefits including: 1) the method will work with any circuit topology, 2) it allows theoretical evaluation before any hardware become available, and 3) since the frequency response is found in transient mode, we can incorporate all circuit parameters and avoid simplified modeling assumptions. Fundamental frequency components are extracted out of the converter time-domain responses that are usually simulated in a variable time-step mode. The Fourier series are calculated inside SPICE via continuous-time behavioral models. Simulation platform is applied to study the "input voltage regulation (IVR)" of the maximum power point tracking control when the input voltage regulation is active with modeling of peak-current mode converter. Further an advanced programming language is used to extract data from output data file.