The Cross Probing feature allows the user to select a net, component, or component pin within your schematic editor. DR. SPICE will then respond to the selection with a user determined action.
If you intend to use the Cross Probing feature every time you bring up DR. SPICE, then set the Cross Probing preference in the Commands=>Preferences dialog box.
When you select Cross Probing, DR. SPICE will check to see if the schematic editor is running. If the schematic editor is not running, DR. SPICE will start it.
Features that are standard in Cross Probing include:
| Button | Description |
| Apply | Applies the current operation to the selected net, device, or pin. |
| Close | Closes the Schematic Drive dialog box. To open it again, use
"Command=>Cross Probing" menu command. |
| Help | Brings up this help text. |
All schematic capture selections are placed in the Schematic Drive dialog box’s selection list, independent of the mode of operation. The mode of operation determines how DR. SPICE will act on those selections.
| Option | Description |
| Full Auto | DR. SPICE will respond to the selections immediately. |
| Auto | DR. SPICE will respond to the selections when it comes to the foreground. |
| Manual | DR. SPICE will respond to the selections when the Apply button is pressed |
The following two options only apply to displaying waveforms:
| Option | Description |
| MultiPane | Display the selected waveform within a new pane within the most recently opened plot window. |
| MultiWindow | Display the selected waveform within a new plot window. |
The following are the operations DR. SPICE can perform against a schematic capture selection.
| Net and Device Operation | Description |
| Plot | Display a plot of the selected item. For a net, this is the voltage waveform on the net. For a device, this is the current(s) through the device. |
| Plot Power | Plot the power of the selected device. |
| Op Info | For a net, this prints the voltage on the net. For a device, a minimum of the current(s) through the device is printed. For more complicated devices such a MOSFET, more detailed information will be printed. |
| Model Parameters | The model parameters input into a device are printed. |
| Sweep | Allows the user to perform a Sweep analysis using the selected device. |
| .IC Value | Allows the user to add an initial condition to the selected net. |
| .NodeSet Value | Allows the user to create a nodeset statement for the selected net. |
| Alter | Allows the user to perform an Alter analysis using the selected device. |
Trouble shooting:
Should you encounter any problem during cross probing, first check the following list before contacting technical support:
1. Does selecting "Command=>Cross Probing" help?
2. Have you run at least one successful simulation? If not, then you need to.
3. Displaying Operating point information on a node requires one of the following analyses be performed: .OP, .TRAN or .AC.
4. Displaying Operating point information on a device requires one of the following analyses be performed: .OP or .AC.
5. If there is more than one circuit file open within DR. SPICE, make sure that the most recent simulation matches the contents of the schematic.
6. When you create the SPICE netlist in schematic capture, you must select the use net names option.
7. Plotting power requires the user to add the option power=on to the circuit file.
8. When trying to plot a hierarchical net voltage or device current, make sure the DR. SPICE Edit=>Preferences, Save Subcircuit Nodes is checked.
9. When trying to plot a hierarchical net voltage or device current, make sure the SPICE netlist was created hierarchically (e.g. it contains .SUBCKT/.ENDS).