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Simulation Lockup

Thread Summary

The user encountered simulation lockups and singular matrix errors with LTspice 24.1.9, particularly when using the AD8274 differential amplifier model. The issue was resolved by replacing the AD8274 model with a discrete op-amp and resistor implementation, specifically using the ADA4511 op-amp. The motor model was also identified as a potential source of instability, but the project now simulates successfully without it.
AI Generated Content
Category: Software
Product Number: LTspice 24.1.9, LTspice
Software Version: 24.1.9

First, please consider making the data values in the bottom-screen display have a fixed number of places so the display does not jitter back and forth a character or two as the simulation runs.

My project runs successfully on 24.0.12 and is clean enough to run with the Normal Solver.

The same project always causes 24.1.9 to lockup at some random time usually between 20ms to 80ms into the sim.

For example:

LTspice 24.1.9 for Windows
Start Time: Mon Jun 9 18:30:10 2025
Options: gminsteps=0 noopiter NoMarch PlotWinSize=0 trtol=7 abstol=1e-7 vntol=1e-3 chgtol=1e-8 debugtran
solver = Normal
Maximum thread count: 16
tnom = 27
temp = 25
method = modified trap
abstol = 1e-07
chgtol = 1e-08
trtol = 7
volttol = 0.001
noOpIter = true
Direct Newton iteration for .op point skipped.
Gmin stepping method for .op point skipped.
Starting source stepping with srcstepmethod=0
Source Step = 3.0303%
Source Step = 33.3333%
Source Step = 63.6364%
Source Step = 93.9394%Source stepping succeeded in finding the operating point.
The first Warning: Simulation tolerance relaxed to achieve convergence from 7.3743666701653693e-02 to 7.3743666701653790e-02 seconds.
The 229,640th Warning: Simulation tolerance relaxed to achieve convergence from 7.3743666723961862e-02 to 7.3743666723961959e-02 seconds.

The entire time that the 229,640 warnings were being written to the log, the "Simulation Speed" display was absent from the screen.

The display stopped at "Simulation Time" 73.7437ms.

While the 229,640 warnings were being written to the log, only 22.308266ps of simulation time elapsed.

22ps was not enough elapsed time to cause the "Simulation Time" 73.7437ms data to advance 100ns to 73.7438ms.

Therefore I cannot determine if the entire bottom-screen display was locked up, or just had no new data to display.

The "Simulation Speed" display was not locked up, it was absent from the display.

I'm sorry but I cannot share my project. It is proprietary.

I will try my project on other versions with all settings unchanged from above.

LTspice 24.0.12 for Windows
Source stepping succeeded in finding the operating point.
Total elapsed time: 961.454 seconds.

LTspice 24.1.1 for Windows
Won't run. Aborts due to syntax errors.

LTspice 24.1.2 for Windows
Source stepping succeeded in finding the operating point.
Total elapsed time: 2469.579 seconds.

LTspice 24.1.4 for Windows
Source stepping succeeded in finding the operating point.
Total elapsed time: 1959.656 seconds.

LTspice 24.1.5 for Windows
Source stepping succeeded in finding the operating point.
Total elapsed time: 1822.458 seconds.

LTspice 24.1.6 for Windows
Source stepping succeeded in finding the operating point.
Total elapsed time: 917.384 seconds.

LTspice 24.1.7 for Windows
Source stepping succeeded in finding the operating point.
Warning: Simulation tolerance relaxed to achieve convergence from 6.7770050541269333e-02 to 6.7770050541269430e-02 seconds.
...
Warning: Simulation tolerance relaxed to achieve convergence from 6.7770050541874641e-02 to 6.7770050541874641e-02 seconds.
Simulation stopped by user.
Total elapsed time: 415.293 seconds.

LTspice 24.1.8 for Windows
Source stepping succeeded in finding the operating point.
Warning: Simulation tolerance relaxed to achieve convergence from 6.7252842460874707e-02 to 6.7252842460874804e-02 seconds.
...
Warning: Simulation tolerance relaxed to achieve convergence from 6.7252842461048887e-02 to 6.7252842461048887e-02 seconds.
Simulation stopped by user.
Total elapsed time: 316.645 seconds.

LTspice 24.1.9 for Windows
Source stepping succeeded in finding the operating point.
Warning: Simulation tolerance relaxed to achieve convergence from 6.7252842460874707e-02 to 6.7252842460874804e-02 seconds.
...
Warning: Simulation tolerance relaxed to achieve convergence from 6.7252842460986326e-02 to 6.7252842460986326e-02 seconds.
Simulation stopped by user.
Total elapsed time: 298.007 seconds.

I see now that the issue appeared with the release of 24.1.7.

In each case 24.1.7, 24.1.8 and 24.1.9, the "Simulation Speed" display disappears when the lockup starts.

I have closely analyzed the goings-on during the 60ms to 80ms period using 24.0.12 and nothing interesting is happening.

At 67ms power supplies are coming up to regulation and that's it. No other operation.

At around 91ms, power is good, the 2.5V logic is released and the device goes into full operation.

24.1.9 does not make it that far into the simulation.

All for now

Parents
  • I am pleased to write that 26.0.1 simulates my project without flaw.
    It is quite precise in the amount of time required to perform the simulation.
    I can easily see the effect of altered or additional components/models by watching the time-processed/second display.
    I have tested 26.0.1 for several weeks now and find no flaw.
    Bad models cause noticeable slow downs and, worse models cause singular matrix failures.
    Good models work as expected and keep my simulation processing at better than 100us/s.
    I believe that to be a pretty good pace to process a sim with more than a dozen IC models and some 850 other elements.

    24.0.12 was the last version capable of processing my project.
    All 24.1.x versions and the 26.0.0 would not.

    I tip my hat to the folks at ADI.
    Excellent work on version 26.0.1.

    All for now

Reply
  • I am pleased to write that 26.0.1 simulates my project without flaw.
    It is quite precise in the amount of time required to perform the simulation.
    I can easily see the effect of altered or additional components/models by watching the time-processed/second display.
    I have tested 26.0.1 for several weeks now and find no flaw.
    Bad models cause noticeable slow downs and, worse models cause singular matrix failures.
    Good models work as expected and keep my simulation processing at better than 100us/s.
    I believe that to be a pretty good pace to process a sim with more than a dozen IC models and some 850 other elements.

    24.0.12 was the last version capable of processing my project.
    All 24.1.x versions and the 26.0.0 would not.

    I tip my hat to the folks at ADI.
    Excellent work on version 26.0.1.

    All for now

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