OptiSystem

User’s Reference
Optical Communication System Design Software

Version 7.0
for Windows® XP/Vista
OptiSystem
User’s Reference
Optical Communication System Design Software

Copyright © 2008 Optiwave

All rights reserved.

All OptiSystem documents, including this one, and the information contained therein, is copyright material.

No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever,
including recording, photocopying, faxing, etc., without prior written approval of Optiwave.

Disclaimer
Optiwave makes no representation or warranty with respect to the adequacy of this documentation or the programs which it
describes for any particular purpose or with respect to its adequacy to produce any particular result. In no event shall Optiwave, its
employees, its contractors, or the authors of this documentation be liable for special, direct, indirect, or consequential damages,
losses, costs, charges, claims, demands, or claim for lost profits, fees, or expenses of any nature or kind.
Technical support

If you purchased Optiwave software from a distributor that is not listed here, please send technical
questions to your distributor.

Optiwave Canada/US
Tel (613) 224-4700 E-mail support@optiwave.com
Fax (613) 224-4706 URL www.optiwave.com

Cybernet Systems Co., Ltd. Japan

Tel +81 (03) 5978-5414 E-mail owtech@cybernet.co.jp
Fax +81 (03) 5978-6082 URL www.cybernet.co.jp

Optiwave Europe Europe

Tel +33 (0) 494 08 27 97 E-mail support@optiwave.com
Fax +33 (0) 494 33 65 76 URL www.optiwave.eu
Table of contents
Installing OptiSystem .................................................................................................1

Hardware and software requirements ...................................................................................1

Protection key..........................................................................................................................1

OptiSystem directory ..............................................................................................................2

Installation ...............................................................................................................................2

Technical support ...................................................................................................................2

Project structure overview .........................................................................................3

Sweep iterations......................................................................................................................3

Optimizations...........................................................................................................................3

OptiSystem GUI...........................................................................................................5

Main parts of the GUI ..............................................................................................................6

Toolbars .................................................................................................................................10

OptiSystem menus and buttons ..............................................................................11

File menu................................................................................................................................11

Edit menu ...............................................................................................................................12

View menu..............................................................................................................................13

Layout menu ..........................................................................................................................15

Tools menu ............................................................................................................................15

Report menu ..........................................................................................................................17

 Script menu............................................................................................................................17

Add-Ins menu ........................................................................................................................17

Window menu ........................................................................................................................17

Help menu ..............................................................................................................................18

Application layout .....................................................................................................19

Display properties.....................................................................................................23

General ...................................................................................................................................24

Grid .........................................................................................................................................26

Workspace .............................................................................................................................27

Folder Setting ........................................................................................................................28

Project layout ............................................................................................................29

Project layout window ..........................................................................................................29

Project layout context menu ................................................................................................33

Main layout.............................................................................................................................35

Auto connect feature ............................................................................................................38

Layout properties ..................................................................................................................39

Layout depth order................................................................................................................65

Subsystems ...............................................................................................................69

Subsystem input and output port tools ..............................................................................76

Subsystem port properties...................................................................................................77

Add-Ins.......................................................................................................................87

Exporting an OptiPerformer project file..................................................................91

Info tab ...................................................................................................................................93

Parameters tab ......................................................................................................................96

 Attachments tab ....................................................................................................................97

Library Management .................................................................................................99

Library Management tool......................................................................................................99

Dockers ....................................................................................................................105

Component Library .............................................................................................................105

Project Browser...................................................................................................................110

Graphs..................................................................................................................................113

Results .................................................................................................................................118

Description...........................................................................................................................123

Bill of Materials........................................................................................................125

Report.......................................................................................................................127

Report options.....................................................................................................................129

Project Script...........................................................................................................137

Script tab..............................................................................................................................139

Component Script ...................................................................................................141

Script menu..........................................................................................................................142

Data Monitor ............................................................................................................145

Path Tool..................................................................................................................151

Trace Paths tool ..................................................................................................................154

Parameter Sweeps ..................................................................................................157

Changing the Parameter values.........................................................................................159

Nested parameter sweeps ..................................................................................................169

Calculations.............................................................................................................175

Calculations dialog box ......................................................................................................176

Calculations dialog box buttons........................................................................................178

Multi-parameter multi-target optimizations (MPO)...............................................185

Nonlinear Least Square (LSQ) Optimization.....................................................................186

Example: Gain Flattening ...................................................................................................187

Setting up the optimization ................................................................................................190

References:..........................................................................................................................196

Single-parameter optimization (SPO)....................................................................197

Minimization.........................................................................................................................197

Maximization........................................................................................................................197

Goal Attaining......................................................................................................................197

Parameters...........................................................................................................................197

Setting up the optimization ................................................................................................198

Gain flattening filter optimization (Gain FFr)........................................................205

Parameters...........................................................................................................................205

Setting up the optimization ................................................................................................206

Appendix A—Opti2D Graph Control .....................................................................211

User interface features .......................................................................................................212

Graph Properties dialog .....................................................................................................223

Installing OptiSystem

Before installing OptiSystem, ensure the system requirements described below are
available.

Hardware and software requirements

OptiSystem requires the following minimum system configuration:
• PC with Pentium 3 processor or equivalent
• Microsoft Windows XP or Vista. 32-bit or 64-bit.
• 400 MB free hard disk space
• 1024 x 768 graphic resolution, minimum 65536 colors
• 128 MB of RAM (recommended)
• Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher
• DirectX 8.1 or higher

Protection key
A hardware protection key is supplied with the software.

Note: Please ensure that the hardware protection key is NOT connected during
the installation of OptiSystem.

To ensure that OptiSystem operates properly, verify the following:

• The protection key is properly connected to the parallel/USB port of the computer.
• If you use more than one protection key, ensure that there is no conflict between
the OptiSystem protection key and the other keys.

Note: Use a switch box to prevent protection key conflicts. Ensure that the cable
between the switch box and the computer is a maximum of one meter long.

1
INSTALLING OPTISYSTEM

OptiSystem directory
By default, the OptiSystem installer creates an OptiSystem directory on your hard
disk. The OptiSystem directory contains the following subdirectories:
• \bin — executable files, dynamic linked libraries, and help files
• \components — OptiSystem component parameters from vendors
• \doc — OptiSystem support documentation
• \libraries — OptiSystem component libraries
• \samples — OptiSystem example files
• \toolbox — MATLAB related files

Installation
OptiSystem can be installed on Windows XP or Vista. We recommend that you exit
all Windows programs before running the setup program.

Windows XP or Vista installation

To install OptiSystem on Windows XP or Vista, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Log on as the Administrator, or log onto an account with Administrator
privileges.
2 Insert the OptiSystem CD into your CD ROM drive.
3 On the Taskbar, click Start and select Run.
The Run dialog box appears.
4 In the Run dialog box, type F:\setup.exe, where F is your CD ROM drive.
5 Click OK and follow the screen instructions and prompts.
6 When the installation is complete, reboot your computer.

Technical support

Phone (613) 224-4700—Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern

Standard Time
Fax (613) 224-4706
E-Mail support@optiwave.com
URL www.optiwave.com

2
Project structure overview
The OptiSystem project consists of a maximum of fifteen layouts. Within the same
project file you can have multiple layouts with different components and component
properties (see Figure 1).

Sweep iterations
Each layout can have certain component parameters assigned to be in sweep mode.
You can define the number of sweep iterations to be performed on the selected
parameters. The parameter value changes through each sweep iteration; this
produces a series of different calculation results based on the changing parameter
values.

The parameter sweep dependent elements of a layout are: Parameters and Results.

Optimizations
Each layout has optimizations. Use optimizations to change the values of certain
parameters during calculation so your system can reach the desired state.
Optimizations are independent of parameter sweeps, but can be performed for each
individual parameter sweep iteration.

3
PROJECT STRUCTURE OVERVIEW

Figure 1 Project structure

4
 OPTISYSTEM GUI

OptiSystem GUI
When you open OptiSystem, the application looks like Figure 1.

Figure 1 OptiSystem graphical user interface (GUI)

5
OPTISYSTEM GUI

Main parts of the GUI

The OptiSystem GUI contains the following main windows:
• Project layout
• Dockers
— Component Library
— Project Browser
— Description
• Status bar

Project layout
The main working area where you insert components into the layout, edit
components, and create connections between components (see Figure 2).

Figure 2 Project layout window

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 OPTISYSTEM GUI

Dockers
Use dockers, located in the main layout, to display information about the active
(current) project:
— Component Library
— Project Browser
— Description

Component Library
Access components to create the system design (see Figure 3).

Figure 3 Component Library window

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OPTISYSTEM GUI

Project Browser
Organize the project to achieve results more efficiently, and navigate through the
current project (see Figure 4).
Figure 4 Project Browser window

Description
Display detailed information about the current project (see Figure 5).

Figure 5 Description window

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 OPTISYSTEM GUI

Status bar
Displays useful hints about using OptiSystem. Located below the Project layout
window.

Figure 6 Status bar

Menu bar
Contains the menus that are available in OptiSystem (see Figure 8). Many of these
menu items are also available as buttons on the toolbars or from other lists.

Figure 7 Menu bar

Pan Window
Display window which displays a scaled view of the layout (see Figure 8).

Figure 8 Pan Window

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OPTISYSTEM GUI

Toolbars
You can select the toolbars that you want to have available in the main layout window.
The toolbar options include:

Contains the buttons to perform all

typical windows application
Standard actions, in addition to project
calculation options.

Layout
A
dd, delete, duplicate layouts in a project, set sweep iterations, and customize the layout.

Enable or disable dockers in the main layout.

Docker

Move, connect, and modify components, add and remove monitors from
components, draw input and output ports on components, and draw a
Layout Tools path.

Draw rectangles, circles, lines, text, or import bitmap images in the

layout.
Draw Objects

Click the addition and subtraction buttons to zoom into or

Layout out of the project, or zoom to window. Enable or disable
Operations the autoconnect features, and control the layout display.

Run, generate, save, and load script files.

Script

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 OPTISYSTEM MENUS AND BUTTONS

OptiSystem menus and buttons

This section describes the menus and buttons available in OptiSystem.

File menu
File menu item Toolbar Description
button
Create a new project.
New (Ctrl+N)

Open an existing project. Select the project from the Open dialog box.
Open (Ctrl+O)

Close Close the active (current) project. You are prompted to save changes.

Save the active (current) project under the current name in the default location.
Save (Ctrl+S)

Save the active (current) project with a different name and in a location that you
select.
Save As
The Save As dialog box contains a special feature that allows you to save monitor
data as part of the project.

Print the active (current) project.

Print (Ctrl+P)

Print Setup Set up the printer, page size, orientation, and other printing options.

Calculate the active (current) project.

Calculate (Ctrl+F5)

Calculate Calculate the visualizer components in the active (current) layout.

Visualizers

Import Import external component libraries/components into OptiSystem.

Export
Export Selected Save a selected component in a separate component library file that can be used in
Components another project/application.

OptiPerformer
Opens the OptiPerformer Export Settings dialog box. Allows you to attach files,
Settings import logos or other graphics, and select global parameters to export to an
OptiPerformer project file.

Exports the OptiPerformer project file to a selected location. Uses the Save As
Export
dialog box.

To Excel Export a list of components, parameter and results to an Excel file

Exports compressed files that contain the current project file to a selected location.
Compressed file
Uses the Save As dialog box.

Recent files List the most recent files that you worked on.

Exit Close OptiSystem. You are prompted to save changes to the project.

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OPTISYSTEM MENUS AND BUTTONS

Edit menu
Edit menu item Toolbar Description
button
Layout Tools
Move components around the layout, place components in the layout, connect
Layout components, and perform other layout operations.

Create and remove monitors from the layout.

Monitor

Draw an input port tool on a subsystem. Only active in a subsystem.

Draw - Input Port

Draw an output port on a subsystem. Only active in a subsystem.

Draw - Output Port

Create Path Create a path that can be used with signal tracing.

Draw a rectangle in the layout.

Draw Rectangle

Draw a circle in the layout.

Draw Circle

Draw a line/arrow in the layout.

Draw - Line

Put text in the layout.

Draw - Text Label

Place a bitmap in the layout (insert a bitmap file).

Draw - Bitmap

Component
Create a subsystem in the layout.
Create Subsystem

Open a new layout showing the components in the subsystem.

Look Inside

Close the current subsystem in the layout.

Close Subsystem

Move the component or subsystem one layer back in the layout.

Back One

Move the component or subsystem one layer forward in the layout.

Forward One

Move the component or subsystem to the front of the layout.

To Front

Move the component or subsystem to the back of the layout.

To Back

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 OPTISYSTEM MENUS AND BUTTONS

Edit menu item Toolbar Description

button
Properties Open the properties dialog box for the selected component or subsystem.
(Alt+Enter)
Results Open the results dialog box for the selected component or subsystem.

Script Open the script dialog box for the selected component or subsystem.

View Open the view dialog box for the selected component or subsystem.

Disable Graphs Disable all the graphs for the selected components.

Enable Graphs Enable all the graphs for the selected components.

Undo the last change made in the active (current) layout. You can undo all actions
Undo (Ctrl+Z) until the last saved operation.

Redo the last change made in the active (current) layout. You can redo an action
Redo (Ctrl+Y) immediately after you undo an action to reverse the effect of the undo action.

Remove all selected objects and place them on the clipboard.

Cut (Ctrl+X)

Copy selected objects to the clipboard. The selected objects remain in the active
Copy (Ctrl+C) project.

Copy objects from the clipboard and paste them in a user-defined location—the
Paste (Ctrl+V) same layout, a new subsystem, or a new layout.

Use to duplicate a selected component, subsystem, or layout within the active

Duplicate
(current) layout.

Allows you to delete selected objects in the active (current) layout.

Delete

Delete All Links Delete all links attached to a selected component.

Select All Selects all components in the active (current) layout.

Flip (Ctrl+F) Flip the selected object(s) horizontally.

View menu
View menu item Toolbar Description
button
Toolbars
Standard Select to display the Standard toolbar in the main layout.

Dockers Select to display the Dockers toolbar in the main layout.

Layout Select to display the Layout toolbar in the main layout.

Layout Tools Select to display the Layout Tools toolbar in the main layout.

Draw Objects Select to display the Draw Objects toolbar in the main layout.

Layout Operations Select to display the Layout Operations toolbar in the main layout.

Script Select to display the Script toolbar in the main layout.

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OPTISYSTEM MENUS AND BUTTONS

View menu item Toolbar Description

button

Component Select to display the Component Library docker in the main layout.
Library (Ctrl+1)

Select to display the Project Browser docker in the main layout.

Project Browser

Select to display the Description docker in the main layout.

Description

Status Bar Select to display the Status Bar in the main layout.

Zoom Percent Select the zoom percentage: 10, 50, 75, 100, 150. 200, 400, or 800.

Zoom in on the active (current) layout.

Zoom In

Zoom out on the active (current) layout.

Zoom Out

Zoom to the active (current) layout window.

Zoom to Window

Return the active (current) layout to default size with no zoom.

Zoom 1:1

Display Properties
Select to display calculated port signal data in the active (current) layout.
View Signal Data

Select to display calculated component parameter data in the active (current) layout.
View Parameters

Select to display calculated component results data in the active (current) layout.
View Results

Autoconnect
Select to automatically create connections from the input port of a component to the
Autoconnect on output port of another component (the closest one in the layout) when placing
Drop
components in the active (current) layout.

Select to automatically create connections from the input port of a component to the
Autoconnect on output port of another component (the closest one in the layout) when moving
Move
components around in the layout.

Refresh Layout Update displayed port/component data on the active (current) layout.
(Ctrl+W)

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 OPTISYSTEM MENUS AND BUTTONS

Layout menu
Layout menu Toolbar Description
item button
Create a new blank project layout in the active (current) project.
Add Layout
Note: The new layout is added to the list of project layouts in the Project Browser.

Create a copy of the active (current) project layout, including all components,
parameters, views, and results.
Duplicate Layout
Note: The new layout is added to the list of project layouts in the Project Browser.

Delete the active (current) layout from the project.

Delete Layout
Note: This operation cannot be undone.

Set Current Sweep Change the parameter sweep iteration displayed in the active (current) project
Iteration layout.

Set Total Sweep Add or remove sweep iterations to the active (current) layout.
Iterations
(Ctrl+Home)
Previous Sweep Display the sweep iteration prior to the active (current) iteration.
Iteration
(Ctrl+Page Up)
Next Sweep Display the sweep iteration after the active (current) iteration.
Iteration
(Ctrl+Page Down)
Open the Parameter Sweeps dialog box.
Parameter sweeps

Parameter Groups Open the Parameter Group dialog box.

Open the Layout Size dialog box for the active (current) layout.
Layout Size

Open the parameter dialog box for the active (current) layout.
Parameters

Open the Layout Properties dialog box for the active (current) layout.
Properties

Bill of Materials Open the Bill of Materials dialog box for the active (current) layout.

Tools menu
Tools menu item Toolbar Description
button
Optimizations Open the Optimization dialog box.

Calculation Open the Calculation Scheduler dialog box.

Schedulers
Search Engines Open the Search Engine dialog box.

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OPTISYSTEM MENUS AND BUTTONS

Tools menu item Toolbar Description

button
Open the Library Management dialog box.
Library
Management Note: The Library Management dialog box can only be accessed when there are
no projects open in OptiSystem.

Customize Open the Customize dialog box.

Options Open the Options dialog box.

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 OPTISYSTEM MENUS AND BUTTONS

Report menu
Window menu Toolbar Description
item button
Add Report Arranges all open project layouts in a cascading format.
(Ctrl+Shift + A)
Remove Report Arranges all open project layouts in a tile format.
(Ctrl+Shift + R)
Report Options Open the Report option dialog box.

Script menu
Add-Ins menu Toolbar Description
item button
Runs the current script.
Run

Generates script, overwrites existing script.

Generate

Opens Save As dialog box, to save script in a text file.

Save

Loads an existing script text file into active (current) project file.
Load

Add-Ins menu
Add-Ins menu Toolbar Description
item button
Add-In Manager Open the Add-In Manager dialog box.

Window menu
Window menu Toolbar Description
item button
Cascade Arranges all open project layouts in a cascading format.

Tile Arranges all open project layouts in a tile format.

(List of) Open List of all open OptiSystem project files.

OptiSystem files

17
OPTISYSTEM MENUS AND BUTTONS

Help menu
Help menu item Toolbar Description
button
Help topics Displays help topic information about OptiSystem.

Provides information about Optiwave—mailing address, telephone and fax numbers,

About OptiSystem
E-mail address, and URL.

18
 APPLICATION LAYOUT

Application layout
In OptiSystem, the layout and visibility of the toolbars and dockers can be changed.
You can create customized toolbars, and add or remove different commands on the
toolbars.

Note: Create a customized toolbar with a selection of components or commands

that you use often.

Customizing toolbars
To customize toolbars, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 From the Tools menu, select Customize.
The Customize dialog box appears (see Figure 9).
2 Make selections and click Reset.
The selected toolbars are modified.
Note: You can modify toolbars on the Main layout. To add components or
commands, hold down the Alt key, select the button to be added, and drag the
button onto the toolbar. To remove buttons from the toolbar, hold down the Alt
key, select the button to be removed, and drag the button away from the toolbar.

Figure 9 Customize dialog box—Toolbars tab

19
APPLICATION LAYOUT

Creating a new toolbar

To create a toolbar, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 From the Tools menu, select Customize.
The Customize dialog box appears (see Figure 9).
2 Click New.
The New Toolbar dialog box appears.
3 Type the new toolbar name (in this example, My toolbar) in the
Toolbar name field (see Figure 10).

Figure 10 New Toolbar dialog box

4 Click OK.
The new toolbar (in this example, My Toolbar) appears in the list of available
toolbars in the Customize dialog box (see Figure 11) and as a new toolbar
on the current project layout.

20
 APPLICATION LAYOUT

Figure 11 Customize dialog box with new toolbar

5 To add commands to the new toolbar, select My Toolbar in the Toolbar list
(see Figure 11), and click the Commands tab in the Customize dialog box.
6 Select the type of tool in the Categories list, select the desired button, and
drag the button onto the toolbar (see Figure 12).
The button appears in the customized toolbar.

Note: Selections can be made from more than one category.

7 Click OK.
8 To place the new toolbar on the OptiSystem main layout, click and drag the
toolbar to the desired location.

21
APPLICATION LAYOUT

Figure 12 Dragging button into customized toolbar

22
 DISPLAY PROPERTIES

Display properties
The display properties of the OptiSystem application can be changed.

Note: The options made available for you to change the display properties is
based on the specific application (OptiSystem) and the specific logged-on user
(based on the Windows logon name).

There are four different categories:

• General
• Grid
• Workspace
• Folder Setting

Changing the application properties

To change application properties, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select Tools > Options.
The Options dialog box appears (see Figure 13).
2 Select the General, Grid, Workspace, or Folder Setting tab, make your
changes, and click OK.
The Options dialog box closes and any changes are applied.

23
DISPLAY PROPERTIES

General
Use the General tab to change the global attributes of OptiSystem.

Figure 13 Options—General tab

Tracker Style: available options include Solid Line, Dotted Line, Hatched or
Hatched Border. The default tracker style is Dotted Line.
Undo: determines the number of ‘undo’ operations allowed in the application.
• Infinite: allows an infinite number of ‘undo’ operations
• Limited to: specify the number of ‘undo’ operations
Purge Undo: allows you to clear the ‘undo’ stack.
Zoom factor: changes the zoom factor. The default value is 120%. This affects the
amount of zoom activated by the plus and minus zoom factor buttons. The percentage
of zoom must be between 100 and 150%.
Note: If the Zoom Factor is set to 100%, nothing changes when the plus and
minus zoom buttons are pressed because, in effect, you are asking to see the
layout at 100% of normal size.

24
 DISPLAY PROPERTIES

Workbook mode: determines whether the tabs available along the bottom of the
project layout window appear. The tabs are used to switch between projects. You can
can still move between projects by selecting the project from the Customizing
toolbars menu if the tabs are not visible. The default Workbook mode is selected.
Save Monitor Data: saves generated monitor data when OptiSystem is closed.
Save Report Page Data saves generated report data when OptiSystem is closed.
Backup files: saves a backup copy of the current project to the ‘Local settings’
folder: Documents and Settings\ Username\ Local Settings\ Temp
\OptiSystemTempDir.
Number of backup files: determines the maximum number of backup files.

25
DISPLAY PROPERTIES

Grid
Use the Grid tab to change the properties of the grid in the project layout.

Figure 14 Options—Grid tab

Show grid: determines whether the grid is visible or not. The default is selected.
Snap objects to grid: determines whether the components in the layout are forced
to conform to the squares of the grid. If Snap to Grid is not selected, the drawn
components are free to rest over the grid in any position. The default is selected.
Horizontal/Vertical spacing: determines the size of the squares in the grid. The
number must be between 1 and 100. The default values are 10.

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 DISPLAY PROPERTIES

Workspace
Use the Workspace tab for editing the properties of the workspace.

Figure 15 Options— Workspace tab

Save workspace on exit: determines whether the layout of the workspace is

automatically saved. The default is selected.
Load workspace at startup: determines whether the last saved workspace layout
is loaded on startup. This includes any changes made to the toolbars. The default is
selected.
Save Workspace: saves the (active) current layout (including toolbar placement and
tools in the toolbars).

27
DISPLAY PROPERTIES

Folder Setting
Use the Folder Setting tab for editing the properties of the workspace.

Figure 16 Options— Folder Setting tab

Use window default temp folder: uses the default folder location for
saving/locating data folders. The default is selected.
Select your own folder: allows you to select an alternative folder location for
saving/locating data folders. Click the Browse button to open the determines whether
the last saved workspace layout is loaded on startup. This includes any changes
made to the toolbars. The default is selected.

28
 PROJECT LAYOUT

Project layout
Project layout window
The Project layout window is the largest area in the OptiSystem application
(see Figure 1). When you open OptiSystem, the Project layout window area is
empty. Once you create a new project or you open an existing project, the Project
layout window area displays the contents of that project (see Figure 2 for an example
of a newly opened project).

Figure 1 OptiSystem GUI

29
PROJECT LAYOUT

Figure 2 Project layout window

30
 PROJECT LAYOUT

Project layout window tabs

When you open a new project, several sub-tabs become visible at the bottom of the
work area (see Figure 3).

Figure 3 Project layout — sub-tabs

Project tab
The first level of tabs displays the name of the project. In Figure 4, there is only one
project open, called Project 1.

When more than one project is open at the same time, you can use the tabs to switch
between them. In Figure 4, there are three projects, Project 1, Project 2, and
Project 3. Project 3 is currently selected.

Figure 4 Main Layout — Multiple project tabs

Project window tabs

In the project window, there are three tabs:
Layout: displays the current project layout.

Report: displays the report editing window.

Script: displays the script editing window.

Layout tab
The Layout tab shows all of the components that are in the project. The Layout tab
itself has several sub-tabs located directly above it, including the Main Layout tab
and any tabs for subsystems that have been created and opened (see Figure 5).

31
PROJECT LAYOUT

Figure 5 Layout tab

Main Layout tab: displays the top level of the project in the Project Layout window
(see Figure 6).

Note: You must select the Layout tab before you can select the Main Layout
tab.

Figure 6 Main Layout tab

Report tab
The Report tab displays the report editing window and all associated report sub-tabs
(see Figure 7).

Figure 7 Report tab

Script tab
The Script tab displays the script editing window (see Figure 8).

Figure 8 Script tab

32
 PROJECT LAYOUT

Project layout context menu

The Project layout context menu lists available actions for the active project in the
Project layout window, and actions also found in the Edit menu.

Note: The items available in the menu are dependent on the current status of the
project, component, or layout. For example, if a component in the Project layout
is selected, options are available relevant to components, in addition to the
general items listed.

Figure 9 Project layout context menu example

Edit menu items

The following items are defined in the OptiSystem menus and buttons section:
— Cut (Ctrl+X)
— Copy (Ctrl+C)

33
PROJECT LAYOUT

— Paste (Ctrl+V)
— Duplicate
— Delete
— Delete All Links
— Select All
— Create Subsystem
— Look Inside
— Close Subsystem
— Port Properties
— Component Properties (Alt+Enter)
— Component Results
— Component Script
— View
— Layout Properties
— Bill of Materials
— Back One
— Forward One
— To Front
— To Back
— Disable Graphs
— Enable Graphs
— Update Visualizer(s)

Port Properties
Opens the Port properties dialog box for the selected port in the Project layout.

Component Properties
Opens the Component properties dialog box for the selected component in the
Project layout.

Layout Properties
Opens the Layout properties dialog box for the active project layout in the Project
layout window.

Update Visualizer(s)
Update project browser for selected components and visualizers.

34
 PROJECT LAYOUT

Main layout
Layout size
The Main layout work area is initially set to 3000 X 2000 units. This is not a fixed size
and can be changed to suit the needs of different systems projects. There are several
ways to change the size of the layout.

Figure 10 Layout size

Changing the size of the layout

To change the size of the layout, perform the following procedure.

Action
1 On the Layout toolbar, Select the Layout Size tool.
The Layout Size dialog box appears (see Figure 12).
2 Change Width and/or Height to desired sizes.
3 Click OK.

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PROJECT LAYOUT

OR

Step Action
1 On the Menu toolbar, select Layout > Layout Size (see Figure 11).
The Layout Size dialog box appears (see Figure 12).
2 Change Width and/or Height to desired sizes.
3 Click OK.

Figure 11 Layout menu

Figure 12 Layout Size dialog box

Or

Step Action
1 On the Layout Tools toolbar, select the Layout tool.
2 Press and hold the Shift and Ctrl keys.
3 Click in the layout work area.
4 Drag the mouse in different directions to manipulate the size of the work area.
Note: You can use the same methods to change the size of the work area in
a subsystem.

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Placing components in the Main layout

To place components into the Main layout, perform the following action.

Action
• Drag the component from the Component Library to the Main layout (see
Figure 13).

Figure 13 Placing components in the Main layout

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Auto connect feature

By default, the Auto Connect on Drop feature is active. There are two ways that
components can auto connect:
• Auto Connect on Drop: When you place a component from the Component
Library in the Main layout, the input port of the component connects
automatically to the nearest output port of another component.
• Auto Connect on Move: When you move a component in the Main layout, the
input port of the component connects automatically to the nearest output port of
another component.

Turning the Auto connect feature off and on

To turn the Auto connect feature off and on, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 To turn the Auto connect feature off, click the active Auto Connect on Drop
button and the Auto Connect on Move button on the Layout Operations
toolbar.
The buttons are inactive (see Figure 14) and the components no longer
connect automatically to each other.

Figure 14 Inactive Auto connect buttons

2 To turn the auto connect feature back on, click the inactive Auto Connect on
Drop button and the Auto Connect on Move button on the Layout
Operations toolbar.
The buttons are active (see Figure 15) and the components connect
automatically to each other.

Figure 15 Active Auto connect buttons

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Layout properties

Accessing the layout properties

You can access the project layout properties by several methods:

Step Action
1 In the Project Browser, right-click on the layout name (see Figure 16).
The Project Browser context menu appears.
2 Select Properties.
The Layout Properties dialog appears (see Figure 19).

Figure 16 Project Browser - Layout name > Properties selection

Or

Step Action
1 Right-click on the Main layout view.
2 Select Layout Properties (see Figure 17).
The Layout Properties dialog box appears (see Figure 19).

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Figure 17 Context menu — Layout Properties selection

40
 PROJECT LAYOUT

Or

Action
• From the Menu toolbar, select Layout > Properties (see Figure 18).
The Layout Properties dialog box appears (see Figure 19).

Figure 18 Menu bar — Layout > Properties selection

Figure 19 Layout Properties dialog box

Name: displays the name of the layout.

Note: You can input the name of the scripted layout here.

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Author: displays the name of the person who created and/or modified the layout.

Date: displays the date that the layout was created/modified. Use the arrow buttons
on the right to change the date. The large arrow button opens up a drop down
calendar.

Description: allows you to enter a more elaborate description of the current layout.

Layout properties header

The layout properties can also be seen in the header at the top of the Main layout
view.

Note: Layout properties cannot be edited here.

Figure 20 Layout properties header

The current sweep iteration and the total number of sweep iterations for the layout are
displayed at the far right side of the Layout properties header.

Layout parameters
In addition to the generic properties, you can assign specific parameters to a project
layout.

Accessing the layout parameters

To access the layout parameters, perform one of the following actions.

Action
• Double-click in the Main layout view.
The Layout Parameters dialog box appears (see Figure 21).

Or

Action
• On the Menu toolbar, select Layout > Parameters.
The Layout Parameters dialog box appears (see Figure 21).

The Layout Parameters dialog box is similar to the Component Parameters dialog
box. The parameters are grouped into different categories for easy reference.

You can switch between the categories by selecting the category tabs. Within these
categories, there are several different but related layout parameters.

Figure 21 shows the layout called Layout 1 with five different parameter categories:
• Simulation
• Signals

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

• Spatial effects
• Noise
• Signal tracing

Figure 21 Layout Parameters dialog box

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Layout Parameters dialog box

Table 1 shows describes the information found in the Layout Parameters dialog box.

Table 1 Description of columns in the Layout Parameters dialog box

Column Description
Displays the layout's parameter names. This is a read-only column and
Name cannot be changed.

Displays the value of the parameters. You can edit the value of the
Value parameters from this column.

Units Displays the units available for each parameter.

Indicates what mode the parameter is in. The Mode option is limited in the
Layout Parameters window since these settings are created by the
system. For this reason, you cannot change the Mode of the parameters.
Mode
You can choose between Normal and Sweep when you create a new layout
parameter.

Changing the value of a parameter

To change the value of a parameter, complete the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Click in the Value column beside the parameter that you want to change.
2 Enter the new value.
3 Click OK.
Note: If you enter an invalid value, the Value column beside the parameter
that you are changing turns red when you click OK. The status box indicates
that the value is invalid, and a range of possible valid values appears.

Changing the unit of a parameter

To change the unit of a parameter, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Click in the Unit column beside the parameter that you want to change.
If there are other units available, they will be shown in a drop-down menu.
2 To select a unit, click on the unit name in the drop-down menu.
3 Press Enter.
After you press Enter, the number in the Value column recalculates
automatically to display the appropriate value.
Note: The available units vary according to the parameter. If there is only one
unit available for a parameter, you will not see any options when you click in
the Unit column.

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Adding new parameters to the layout

OptiSystem allows you to enter additional project layout parameters in the Layout
Parameters dialog box (see Figure 22).

Once you add a new parameter to the layout, it becomes a top-level parameter. You
can then use it for scripting by any of the components within the layout.

You can add new parameters under any of the Layout Parameter categories. As an
option, you can also add a category tab for new parameters. Table 2 describes the
Layout Parameter categories.

Figure 22 Add Parameter dialog box

Table 2 Layout Parameter categories

Category Description

Name The name of the parameter.

You can select from the following parameter types.

• floating (e.g. 3.21)
• integer (e.g. 8)
Type • boolean (e.g. ON/OFF)
• string-filename (e.g. “c:\myfile.txt”)
• string-regular (e.g. “Hello”)
• choice

Category Allows you to choose from Simulation, Signals and Noise.

Minimum value The minimum value of the parameter.

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Category Description
The maximum value of the parameter.
Maximum value
Note: OptiSystem will not allow you to set either the Minimum or
Maximum values outside the valid range of the parameter.

The default value of the parameter. The Current value must fall between
Current value the Minimum and Maximum values.

User-created parameters can only have one unit. OptiSystem does not
allow changing between different units for user-created parameters.
Units
Note: OptiSystem does not allow you to edit the system
parameters.

Choice list Displays a list of choices.

Accessing a new layout parameter for scripting

To access a new layout parameter for scripting, perform the following procedure.

Note: The new layout parameter created for this example is called
NewLayoutParameter. The component used is the CW Laser Measured, and
the parameter is Convert noise bins.

Step Action
1 Double-click on the CW Laser Measured component in the Main layout.
2 Select Script from the Mode column of the parameter you want to change.
3 Press Enter.
4 Click the button in the Value column of the Convert noise bins
parameter.
5 Select Insert Layout Parameter.
The drop-down menu of available layout parameters appears.
6 Select NewLayoutParameter.
NewLayoutParameter appears in the VBScriptExpression field
(see Figure 21).
7 Click Evaluate.
The results of the script evaluation appears in the Output box in the
Parameter Script Editor dialog (see Figure 23).

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Figure 23 Parameter Script Editor dialog box

8 Click OK.
The Component Properties dialog appears.
9 Click Evaluate Script.
The value of the new parameter displays at the bottom of the Component
Properties window (see Figure 24).

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Figure 24 Scripted parameter—Component dialog

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Removing new parameters from the layout

To remove new parameters that you have created in the Layout Parameters dialog
box, perform the following procedure.

Note: You cannot remove system parameters.

Step Action
1 In the Layout Parameters dialog box, click in the Value column beside the
parameter that you want to change.
2 Click Remove Par.
The parameter is removed.

Editing existing parameters in the layout

To edit the parameters that you create in the Layout Parameters dialog box, perform
the following procedure.

Step Action
1 In the Layout Parameters dialog box, click in the Value column beside the
parameter that you want to change.
2 Click Edit Param.
The Edit Parameters dialog appears.

Note: For more information about the parameter categories, see “Layout
Parameter categories” on page 45.

Figure 25 Edit Parameter dialog box

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Note: The OptiSystem system parameters cannot be edited. If you attempt to do

so, the Edit Parameter dialog box will appear with all fields read-only (see
Figure 26).

Figure 26 Edit system parameters dialog box

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Adding a project layout

To create a new blank project layout, perform the following action.

Action
• Click the Add Layout button on the Layout toolbar.
A new blank layout is created. The new layout is added to the list of layouts
in the projects shown in the Project Browser (see Figure 27).

Figure 27 Project browser— added layout

Deleting a project layout

To delete a project layout, one of the following actions.

Note: There must be at least one layout in a project; you cannot delete all the
layouts in a project. This operation cannot be undone.

Step Action
1 In the Project Browser, select the layout and click the Delete Layout button
on the Layout toolbar.
A warning dialog appears (see Figure 29).
2 Click Yes.
The selected layout is deleted. The layout is removed from the list of layouts
in the projects shown in the Project Browser.

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PROJECT LAYOUT

OR

Step Action
1 Right-click on the Project Browser.
2 Select Delete Layout (see Figure 28).
A warning dialog appears (see Figure 29).
3 Click Yes.
The selected layout is deleted. The layout is removed from the list of layouts
in the projects shown in the Project Browser.

Figure 28 Project Browser context menu

Figure 29 Delete Current Layout — warning dialog

Duplicating a layout
To duplicate a project layout, perform the following action.

Action
• In the Project Browser, select the project layout, then click the Duplicate
Layout button on the Layout toolbar.
The selected layout is duplicated. The new layout is added to the list of
layouts in the projects shown in the Project Browser (see Figure 31).
Note: The new layout is a copy of all components, parameters, views, and
results from the selected layout.

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

OR

Step Action
1 Right-click on the Project Browser.
2 Select Duplicate Layout (see Figure 30).
The selected layout is duplicated. The new layout is added to the list of
layouts in the projects shown in the Project Browser (see Figure 31).
Note: The new layout is a copy of all components, parameters, views, and
results from the selected layout.

Figure 30 Project Browser context menu

Figure 31 Layout tab — duplicated layout

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Selecting multiple components

To select multiple components, perform the following procedure.
3 Click on a component.
The component is highlighted.
4 Press the Shift key, hold it, and select another component.
The components are linked together in a selection box (see Figure 32).
5 To release the selection, click outside the selection box in the Main layout.

Or

Step Action
1 Click in the Main layout.
2 Drag the rubber band selection over all the desired components.
3 Release the mouse.
All the components within the band are linked together in a selection box
(see Figure 32).
4 To release the selection, click outside the selection box in the Main layout.

Figure 32 Selecting multiple components

Duplicating components
To duplicate components using the layout tool, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Press Ctrl and click on a component.
2 Drag the component to another position in the layout.
The duplicated component contains all the same properties as the initial
component.

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Connecting components manually

The only connectable ports are those which have the same type of signal being
transferred between them.

The exception to this rule is the ports that can be added to a sub-system and certain
components in the library that have ports, which support any type of signal (for
example, Forks).

Note: You can only connect output to input ports and vice versa.

Figure 33 Rubber Band cursor

The rubber band cursor appears when you place the cursor over a port.

To connect components using the layout tool, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Place the cursor over the initial port.
The cursor changes to the rubber band cursor (chain link) (see Figure 33).
A tool tip appears that indicates the type of signal that is available on this port
(see Figure 34).
2 Click and drag to the port to be connected.
The ports are connected.

Figure 34 Connecting components symbol

Figure 35 Connecting ports

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Selecting links
To select a link between components, perform the following procedure.

Action
• Click on the link in the layout.
The link changes from its existing color to a red solid line (see Figure 36).

Note: There can only be one link selected at a time.

Figure 36 Selecting links

Deleting links
To delete a link between components, perform the following procedure.

Action
• Right-click on the link in the layout and press Delete.
The link is deleted.

Non-compatible connections
If you try to link two non-compatible ports, a special icon appears, and no operation
is performed (see Figure 37).

Figure 37 Non-compatible ports icon

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Multiple visualizers connected to a port

Normally, multiple connections cannot be made from the same port to different
components. However, if a monitor has been installed on a port, multiple connections
can be made to visualizers (see Figure 38).

If you try to delete a monitor that has visualizers connected to it, a warning is
displayed (see Figure 39).

Figure 38 Port with multiple visualizers

Figure 39 Visualizer disconnection dialog box

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Modifying port properties

To modify the properties of a port, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the Layout tool, move the tool over the port and right-click.
The Layout context menu appears.
2 Select Port Properties.
The Port Properties dialog box appears (see Figure 40).
3 Modify the port properties.
4 Click OK.

Figure 40 Port Properties dialog box

Signal
Indicates the type of signal port.
Location
Top: positions the port at the top of the layout.

Edge: Left, Right, Bottom positions the port on the edge of the layout you select.
Position: type or use the slide bar to specify the exact location position of the port.
Label enter a customized port label.

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Drawing a Rectangle in the layout

The component selection feature is more effective when used in collaboration with the
rectangle tool.

To select components in a layout using the rectangle tool, perform the following
procedure.

Step Action
1 On the Draw Objects toolbar, select the rectangle tool.
2 Draw a rectangle over the components you wish to select (see Figure 41).

Figure 41 Rectangle Tool — selected components

3 Select the Layout tool on the Layout Tools toolbar.

4 Click on the rectangle outline
The rectangle is highlighted (see Figure 42).

Figure 42 Rectangle Tool — highlighted components

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PROJECT LAYOUT

5 Double-click inside the rectangle

The Rectangle Properties dialog box appears (see Figure 43).

Figure 43 Rectangle properties dialog box

6 Click on the Change color button (see Figure 43).

The Color properties dialog box appears.
7 Select a color, and click OK.
The Color properties dialog box closes.
8 Select Fill rectangle.
9 Click OK.
The rectangle is highlighted and colored, and the components are not visible.
10 Select the rectangle in the layout and right-click.
The Layout context menu appears.
11 Select To Back.
The components become visible inside the highlighted rectangle (see
Figure 44).

Figure 44 Layout Order — highlighted

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Drawing a circle in the layout

To draw a circle in the layout, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 On the Draw Objects toolbar, select the Circle tool.
The cursor changes to a cross.
2 Move the cursor into the layout and draw a circle of the desired size.

Figure 45 Layout — circle

3 Select the Layout tool on the Layout Tools toolbar.

4 Double-click inside the circle.
The Circle Properties dialog box appears (see Figure 46).

Figure 46 Circle Properties dialog box

Note: In this box, you can change the properties as well as the fill color of the
circle.

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Drawing a line in the layout

To draw a line in the layout, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 On the Draw Objects toolbar, select the Line Arrow tool.
2 Click in the layout and draw a line.
The line is created with an arrow head (see Figure 47).

Figure 47 Layout — line

3 Select the Layout tool on the Layout Tools toolbar.

4 Double-click on the line.
The Line Properties dialog box appears (see Figure 48).

Figure 48 Line Properties dialog box

5 If you do not want an arrow head on the line, clear the Draw Arrow Head
checkbox.
The arrow head is removed from the line.

Adding text to the layout

To add text to the layout, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 On the Draw Objects toolbar, select the Draw Text Label tool.
The cursor becomes a cross.
2 Click in the layout.
The Label Properties dialog appears (see Figure 49).
3 Type any text to be displayed on the layout.
4 Click OK.
The text appears in the layout.

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Figure 49 Label Properties dialog box

Modifying the text in the layout

To modify the text in the layout, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 On the Layout Tools toolbar, select the Layout tool.
2 Double-click on the text in the layout.
The Label Properties dialog box appears.
3 Click Font.
The Font dialog box appears (see Figure 50).
4 Make font choices and click OK.
The font is changed in the layout.

Figure 50 Font dialog

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Drawing a Bitmap in the layout

To draw a bitmap in the layout, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the Draw Bitmap tool on the Draw Objects toolbar.
2 Draw a rectangle in the layout where you want to insert the bitmap.
The Open dialog box appears (see Figure 51).
3 Select the file to insert (Jpeg, Windows Bitmap, PC Exchange).
4 Click Open.

Figure 51 BitMap Image - Open dialog

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Layout depth order

Sometimes, components are placed in the same position in the Main layout work
area, a situation that can become quite confusing if it is a particularly complicated
layout.

Figure 52 Layout Depth Order

Choosing the layout depth order position

There are several methods available to determine the layout depth order position.

To choose the layout depth order position, perform one of the following procedures.

Step Action
1 Select the component you wish move.
The component is highlighted.
2 Right-click on the component.
The layout context menu appears (see Figure 53).
3 Select Back One or Forward One to move the component or subsystem one
layer only in the layout. Select To Back or To Forward to move the
component or subsystem to the back or front of the layout.

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Figure 53 Layout Depth Order—component context menu

Or

Step Action
1 Select Edit > Component (see Figure 54).
2 Select Back One or Forward One to move the component or subsystem one
layer only in the layout. Select To Back or To Forward to move the
component or subsystem to the back or front of the layout.

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 PROJECT LAYOUT

Figure 54 Layout Depth Order — main menu access

Or

Step Action
1 On the Project Browser docker, select Layout.
2 Select the component or subsystem in the project layout list and right-click.
The layout context menu appears.
3 Select Back One or Forward One to move the component or subsystem one
layer only in the layout. Select To Back or To Forward to move the
component or subsystem to the back or front of the layout.

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PROJECT LAYOUT

Figure 55 Layout Depth Order—Project Browser access

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 SUBSYSTEMS

Subsystems
A subsystem simplifies the layout of the components. A designated amount of
components can be in the layout, but by grouping certain ones into subsystems, you
get a better overview of their functionality within the system.

Creating a subsystem
To create a subsytem perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the component(s) in the Main layout view.
2 Right-click inside the selection box around the components.
The layout context menu appears (see Figure 56).
3 Select Create Subsystem from the menu.

Figure 56 Layout context menu

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SUBSYSTEMS

Creating an empty subsystem

To create an empty subsystem, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Right-click in the Main layout view.
2 Select Create Subsystem from the menu.
A glass box subsystem icon appears in the Main layout.
3 Select the subsystem icon and right-click.
The Layout context menu appears.
4 Select Look Inside.
The subsystem opens in the layout and the Subsystem tab appears.

Or

Step Action
1 Select Edit > Component > Create Subsystem.
A glass box subsystem icon appears in the Main layout.
2 Select the subsystem icon and right-click.
The Layout context menu appears.
3 Select Look Inside.
The subsystem opens in the layout and the Subsystem tab appears.

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 SUBSYSTEMS

Figure 57 Subsystem Properties dialog box

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SUBSYSTEMS

Label

Displays the name of the subsystem.

Image tab

Subsystem Representation

GlassBox Image: Allows you to see the components that are in the subsystem and
how they are connected (see Figure 58).

Figure 58 Subsystem—GlassBox Image

User Image: Allows you to select any image as your subsystem icon (see
Figure 59). The User Image does not display the components or the connections in
the subsystem.

Figure 59 Subsystem — User Image

To select a User Image, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Double-click on the subsystem.
The Subsystem Properties dialog box appears (see Figure 57).
2 Click the Value cell beside Subsystem Representation.
A drop-down list appears.
3 Select User Image.
4 In the Value cell beside Image Filename, click

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 SUBSYSTEMS

5 Select the image that you want to use, and click Open.
The name of the image you selected appears in the Value cell.
6 Click OK.
The image you selected appears as the subsystem icon.

Default Icon: Default setting. Allows you to select the standard OptiSystem
subsystem Default Icon (see Figure 60). The Default Icon does not display the
components or the connections in the subsystem.

Figure 60 Subsystem — Default Icon

To select the Default Icon, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Double-click on the subsystem.
The Subsystem Properties dialog box appears (see Figure 57).
2 Click the Value cell beside Subsystem Representation.
A drop-down list appears.
3 Select Default Icon, and click OK.
The Default Icon appears as the subsystem icon.

Image Filename

Displays the name of the file displayed as the subsystem icon.

Stretch Image

Allows you to stretch the subsystem image in the layout.

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SUBSYSTEMS

Opening a subsystem layout

After you create a subsystem in the project, you can open the subsystem to view and
work with the components inside it. To open a subsystem layout, perform the
following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the subsystem in the Main layout.
The subsystem is highlighted.
2 Select Edit > Component > Look Inside.

Or

Step Action
1 Select the subsystem in the Main layout.
The subsystem is highlighted.
2 Right-click on the subsystem.
The Layout context menu appears.
3 Select Look Inside.
The subsystem opens.
Once you open the subsystem, a Subsystem tab automatically appears beside the
Main layout tab at the bottom of the window (see Figure 61). Each subsystem has its
own tab.

Figure 61 Subsystem tab

Note: You must select the Layout tab before you can access the Subsystem
tabs.

Closing a subsystem layout

You do not delete a subsystem when you close it. Closing a subsystem closes the
subsystem work area and removes the Subsystem tab from beside the Main layout
tab. The subsystem itself remains in the Main layout window.

To close a subsystem layout, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Right-click in the subsystem work area.
The Layout context menu appears.
2 Select Close Subsystem.

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 SUBSYSTEMS

Or

Step Action
1 Right-click in the subsystem work area.
The Layout context menu appears.
2 Select Edit > Component > Close Subsystem from the Menu toolbar.

Placing components in subsystems

Once you create a subsystem, you can add components to it. Perform the following
procedure to place a component in a subsystem.

Step Action
1 Select the subsystem tab in the Project Layout window.
The subsystem work area opens.
2 Select a component from the Component Library and drag the component
to the Main layout window.
Note: The Subsystem tab is only visible in the Main layout window if the
subsystem is open.

Closing a subsystem window

To close a subsystem window (and therefore eliminate the tab at the bottom of the
work area), perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the Subsystem tab.
2 Right click in an open section of the Subsystem layout work area.
The Layout context menu appears.
3 Select Close Subsystem.
You return to the Main layout view.

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SUBSYSTEMS

Subsystem input and output port tools

When you work in the Subsystem window, two tools become active on the Layout
toolbar—the Input and Output Port tools. These two draw tools allow you to insert
input and output ports into subsystems.

Assigning an input or output port to a subsystem

To assign an input or output port to a subsystem, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the subsystem in the Main layout.
The subsystem is highlighted.
2 Right click on the subsystem.
The Layout context menu appears.
3 Select Look Inside.
Note: If this option disables the menu, the subsystem is already open.
Click on the Subsystem tab in the Main layout view if this is the case.
4 Click on either the Draw - Input Port Tool or Draw - Output Port Tool on
the Layout Tools toolbar.
5 Move your cursor over to the edge of the subsystem work area.
The cursor changes to either the word "Out" or "In".
6 Click to place the port.
Note: A component inside of the subsystem must have an output port if you
want the subsystem to have an output port. Likewise, a component inside the
subsystem must have an input port if you want the subsystem itself to have
an input port.

Figure 62 Subsystem Input and Output ports

7 Click on the Layout tool in the Layout Tools toolbar.

8 Click on the component's output/input port and drag it to the subsystem's new
output/input port.
The connection is created.

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 SUBSYSTEMS

Figure 63 Subsystem Input and Output ports—created links

Subsystem port properties

Modifying subsystem port properties

Once a port has been added to a subsystem, you can change its properties. To
change the subsystem port properties, perform one of the following procedures.

Action
• Double-click on the subsystem port.
The Port Properties dialog box appears.

Or

Step Action
1 Right-click on the subsystem port.
The Layout context menu appears.
2 Select Port Properties.
The Port Properties dialog box appears.

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SUBSYSTEMS

Figure 64 Output Port Properties dialog box

Signal: displays the type of signal at the port.

Edge allows you to set the port on either the top, bottom, left, or right edge of the
subsystem icon.
Position allows you to set at what point on the chosen edge the port will be. 0.0 is
one corner, 0.5 is the halfway point and 1.0 is the far corner.
Label: allows you to change the name of the port. The new name appears when you
move the mouse over the port in the layout (see Figure 65).

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 SUBSYSTEMS

Figure 65 Renamed port

In Figure 65, the output port has been renamed Relabelled Output Port.

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SUBSYSTEMS

Subsystem properties
Subsystem properties are very similar to layout parameters and component
properties.

Viewing subsystem properties

To view subsystem properties, perform the following procedure.

Action
• Double-click on the subsystem icon in the Main layout.
The Subsystem Properties dialog box appears.

Or

Step Action
1 Select the subsystem in the Main layout.
The subsystem is highlighted.
2 Right click on the subsystem.
The Layout context menu appears.
3 Select Component Properties.
The Subsystem Properties dialog box appears.

Or

Step Action
1 On the Project Browser docker, select the subsystem in the project layout
list and right-click.
The Layout context menu appears.
2 Select Component Properties.
The Subsystem Properties dialog box appears.

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 SUBSYSTEMS

Figure 66 Subsystem properties dialog box

Table 3 shows describes the information in the Subsystem Layout Properties dialog
box.

Table 3 Description of columns in the Subsystem Layout Properties dialog box

Column Description

Disp Checkbox that determines whether the value of a parameter is

displayed in the layout.

Name Displays the subsystem parameter names.

Note: This is a read-only column and cannot be changed.

Value Displays the value of the parameters. You can edit the value of the
parameters from this column.

Units Displays the units available for each parameter.

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SUBSYSTEMS

Column Description

Mode Indicates what mode the parameter is in. The Mode option is limited
in the Layout Parameters window since these settings are created
by the system. For this reason, you cannot change the Mode of the
parameters.

You can choose between Normal and Sweep when you create a
new subsystem parameter.

Changing the value of a subsystem parameter

To change the value of a parameter, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Click in the Value column beside the parameter you wish to change.
2 Enter the new value.
3 Click OK.
Note: If the value that you enter is invalid, the Value column turns red when
you click OK. In addition, the status box indicate that the entered value is
invalid and displays the correct value range.

Changing the subsystem parameter unit

To change the unit for the parameter, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Click in the Unit column beside the parameter you wish to change.
If there are other units available, a drop-down menu appears to make a
selection from.
2 Press Enter.
The number in the Value column automatically recalculates to show the
appropriate value.
Note: The units available vary from parameter to parameter.

Adding new parameters to a subsystem

OptiSystem allows you to enter additional parameters into the Subsystem
Properties window.

To add additional parameters to a subsystem, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Click in the Value column beside the parameter you wish to change.
2 Select Add Param.
The Add Parameter dialog box appears (see Figure 67).

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 SUBSYSTEMS

Figure 67 Add Parameter window

Table 4 Subsystem Layout Parameter categories

Category Description

Name The name of the parameter.

Type You can select from the following parameter types.

• floating (e.g. 3.21)
• integer (e.g. 8)
• boolean (e.g. ON/OFF)
• string-filename (e.g. “c:\myfile.txt”)
• string-regular (e.g. “Hello”)
• choice

Category Allows you to choose from Simulation, Signals and Noise.

Minimum value The minimum value of the parameter.

Maximum value The maximum value of the parameter.

Note: OptiSystem will not allow you to set either the Minimum or
Maximum values outside the valid range of the parameter.

Current value The default value of the parameter. The Current value must fall
between the Minimum and Maximum values.

Units User-created parameters can only have one unit. OptiSystem does
not allow changing between different units for user-created
parameters.

Note: OptiSystem does not allow you to edit the system

parameters.

Choice list Displays a list of subsystem parameter choices.

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SUBSYSTEMS

Removing a new subsystem layout parameter

You can remove parameters that you have created in the Subsystem Properties
dialog box.

To remove a new subsystem layout parameter, perform the following procedure.

Note: You cannot remove system parameters.

Step Action
1 Click in the Value column beside the parameter you wish to change.
2 Select Remove Par.
A dialog appears prompting you to respond (see Figure 68).

Figure 68 Delete parameter message

Editing new parameters in the subsystem

To edit the new parameters that you create in the Subsystem Properties window,
perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Click in the Value column beside the parameter you wish to change.
2 Select Edit Param
The Edit Parameter dialog box appears.

Note: For more information about the parameter categories, see “Subsystem
Layout Parameter categories” on page 83.

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 SUBSYSTEMS

Figure 69 Edit parameter dialog box

Note: The OptiSystem system parameters cannot be edited. If you attempt to do

so, the Edit Parameter dialog box will appear with all fields read-only (see
Figure 70).

Figure 70 Edit system parameters dialog box

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SUBSYSTEMS

Notes:

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 ADD-INS

Add-Ins
OptiSystem has incorporated Add-Ins, which extend the functionality of the system
without rebuilding or restarting. They can be enabled or disabled while using
OptiSystem.

There are two types of add-ins:

• Background: operate with OptiSystem and perform actions dependent on what
is occurring within the program. These add-ins generate a toolbar on the main
layout window when they are activated.
• Command: perform a single function, and are not interactive with OptiSystem.
You cannot perform operations in OptiSystem while running a Command add-in.

OptiSystem add-ins are divided into categories. Each category can have both
Background and Command add-ins.

Installing an Add-In
To install an Add-In feature, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select Add-Ins > Add-In Manager.
The Add-In Manager dialog box appears. (see Figure 71).
2 Select the Background or Command tab.
3 Select Install.
The Open file dialog box appears (see Figure 73).
4 Select the Add-In from the list.
5 Click Open.
The Add-In is activated in OptiSystem.

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ADD-INS

Uninstalling an Add-In
To uninstall an Add-In feature, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select Add-Ins > Add-In Manager.
The Add-In Manager dialog box appears (see Figure 71).
2 Select the Background or Command tab.
3 Select the Add-In from the list.
4 Select Uninstall.
The Add-In is uninstalled.

Figure 71 Add-In Manager dialog box— Background tab

Note: The Background add-ins include information about whether they are
currently running in OptiSystem, and the startup time. If you select the Show
empty category names box, categories without any add-ins will be displayed in
the list.

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 ADD-INS

Figure 72 Add-In Manager dialog box—Command tab

Figure 73 Open dialog box

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ADD-INS

Notes:

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 EXPORTING AN OPTIPERFORMER PROJECT FILE

Exporting an OptiPerformer project file

After the project file is built in OptiSystem, it must be exported to OptiPerformer.

To export an OptiSystem project file to OptiPerformer, perform the following

procedure (with the project file open in OptiSystem).

Step Action
1 From the File menu, select Export > OptiPerformer > Export.
A warning dialog appears.
2 If you wish to save the full OptiSystem file along with saving the
OptiPerformer file, click Yes.

The Save As dialog box appears (see Figure 2).

Figure 1 Save As dialog box

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EXPORTING AN OPTIPERFORMER PROJECT FILE

3 Select the company logo image file, type business contact information, and
provide any other pertinent project details in the Info tab fields (see Figure 2).
4 Click Preview to see a preview of the OptiPerformer About dialog box (see
Figure 3).
5 Select global parameters to export with the OptiPerformer project file using
the Parameters tab (see Figure 4).
6 Select files to attach to the OptiPerformer file using the Attachments tab.
7 Click OK.
The OptiPerformer Settings dialog box closes.

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 EXPORTING AN OPTIPERFORMER PROJECT FILE

Info tab
Image
Load an image file to generate the company logo in the About The Design dialog
box. Click Browse to navigate to the image file and import the path into the Image
field.

Preview
Click to preview the About The Design dialog box with the loaded image.

Contact Info
Type company contact information into the fields within the Contact Info panel.
Includes:
• Primary E-Mail
• Secondary E-Mail
• Web Address
• Phone Number
• Fax Number
• Address

Additional Info
Type any additional information regarding the company, business, and other relevant
details.

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EXPORTING AN OPTIPERFORMER PROJECT FILE

Figure 2 OptiPerformer Settings dialog box—Info tab

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 EXPORTING AN OPTIPERFORMER PROJECT FILE

Figure 3 About The Design dialog box

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EXPORTING AN OPTIPERFORMER PROJECT FILE

Parameters tab
The global parameters created in OptiSystem can be exported into the
OptiPerformer project file.

Figure 4 OptiPerformer Settings dialog box—Parameters tab

Select/deselect the global parameters to export in the Parameter Selection panel.

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 EXPORTING AN OPTIPERFORMER PROJECT FILE

Attachments tab
You can attach relevant files to the OptiPerformer project file by adding them in the
Attachments tab.

Note: You must have the necessary program installed to access any file you
attach to the OptiPerformer project file.

Figure 5 OptiPerformer Settings dialog box—Attachments tab

To attach a file, click Add. The Open dialog box appears. Navigate to the file you want
to attach and click Open. The file path appears in the Attachment List.

To remove an attachment, select the file in the Attachment List, and click Remove.

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EXPORTING AN OPTIPERFORMER PROJECT FILE

Notes:

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 LIBRARY MANAGEMENT

Library Management
A key feature of OptiSystem is management of the component library. The library
management:
• allows you to enable/disable user-selected component libraries while using the
software, thereby maximizing your memory resources
• allows you to install/uninstall libraries from your system, also maximizing your
memory resources
• supplies an expanded view of the component library in the Library Management
window.

Library Management tool

Using the Library Management tool
To access and use the Library Management tool, perform the following procedure:
Step Action
1 Select Tools > Library Management.
The Library Management dialog box appears (see Figure 6).
Figure 6 Library Management dialog

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LIBRARY MANAGEMENT

In the Registered Libraries window, a list of the Component and Signal libraries,
Schedulers, and Optimizations is displayed.
Note: You can only access the Library Management tool when no projects are
open.

Disabling libraries
To disable libraries in OptiSystem, perform the following action.

Action
• Clear the check box beside the library to be disabled.
A dialog box appears stating that the selected library is disabled.

Enabling libraries
To enable libraries in OptiSystem, perform the following action.

Action
• Select the check box beside the library to be enabled.
A dialog box appears stating that the selected library is enabled.

Installing libraries
To install libraries in OptiSystem, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 In the Library Registration window, click Install.
The Open dialog appears (see Figure 7).
Note: You can select signal, component, optimizer, or scheduler libraries.
2 Select the library you want to install.
The library is highlighted.
3 Click Open.
The Loaded Successfully dialog appears (see Figure 8).
4 Click OK.
The library appears in the list of libraries in the Library Management dialog.
5 Click Close.
The system settings and dialog view are updated. The Library Management
dialog box closes.

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 LIBRARY MANAGEMENT

Figure 7 Open dialog

Figure 8 Library Loaded Successfully dialog box

Uninstalling libraries
To uninstall libraries in OptiSystem, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the library you wish to uninstall.
The library is highlighted.
2 In the Library Registration window, click Uninstall.
The Unloaded Successfully dialog appears (see Figure 9).
3 Click OK.
The library is removed from the list of libraries in the Library Management
dialog.
4 Click Close.
The system settings and dialog view are updated. The Library Management
dialog box closes.

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LIBRARY MANAGEMENT

Figure 9 Library Unloaded Successfully dialog box

Viewing component details

To view details about components in the libraries, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the library that contains the component.
The library is highlighted.
2 Select the component from the list to the right of the list of libraries.
The component is highlighted.
Note: The detailed information about the selected component is found in the
area below the component list. This information is read-only.

Figure 10 Component details in Library Management dialog box

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 LIBRARY MANAGEMENT

Author: author of the component library.

Copyright: owner of the copyright for the component library.
Name: name of the component library.
Version: version number of the component library.
Folder: name of the folder that contains the component.
Description: description of the component.
Icon: component icon.

For more information about the Library Management dialog, look in the Legend
window at the bottom of the dialog box.

Note: OptiSystem is updated automatically when you click Close to exit the
Library Management dialog box.

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LIBRARY MANAGEMENT

Notes:

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 DOCKERS

Dockers
There are three dockers available in OptiSystem. They are:
• Component Library
• Project Browser
• Description

Component Library
OptiSystem provides a component library with hundreds of components available to
build your projects. You can import single components or entire component libraries
into OptiSystem, and use the search feature to look for components in the library.

There are several component library categories:

• Default: displays the default component libraries and components
• Custom: used to create and include user-defined custom components and
libraries
• Favorites: used to include your most often used components for easy access
• Recently Used: displays the ten most recently used components.

There are two views available for the Component Library, one uses icons, and the
other uses a list.

Using the Component Library

To use the Component Library, perform the following action:

Action
• Double-click on the Default Library icon (see Figure 11).
The Component Library icons appear (see Figure 12).

Or
• Click in the library description bar (found underneath the window title bar).
The Component Library list appears (see Figure 13).
Note: The library description bar is circled in the color of the folder, for
example, red for the Default library (see Figure 12).

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DOCKERS

Figure 11 Component Library

Figure 12 Component Library icons.

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 DOCKERS

Figure 13 Component Library list

Moving (down) through the Component Library

Action
• Double-click the file folder icon until you reach the component you are
searching for (see Figure 12).

Or
• Click the expansion icon until you reach the component you are searching for
(see Figure 13).

Moving (up) through the Component Library

Action
• Double-click the up arrow file folder icon until you reach the level you are
searching for (see Figure 14).

Figure 14 Component Library up arrow

Or
• Click the item in the component library list (see Figure 13).

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DOCKERS

Component Library context menu

If you right-click in the Component Library docker, the context menu shown in
Figure 15 appears.

Note: You access the context menu when the component library is in icon mode
(see Figure 12), not list mode (see Figure 13).

Figure 15 Component Library context menu

Browse: takes you to the component library in tree format to browse the available
components.
Find Component: opens the component search dialog, and allows you to search for
a specific component.
Add Folder: allows you to add a customized folder to the component library. To add
a custom folder, double-click on the Custom library icon. The New Folder dialog
appears and allows you to type the name of the folder (see Figure 16).

Note: This is only active when using the Custom category.

Delete: allows you to delete a customized folder. Select the folder, right-click to
access the context menu, and select Delete.

Note: You cannot delete any folders other than user-created ones in the Custom
library.
Add Bar: allows you to add a new bar to the component library docker, so you can
access frequently used library locations without using the normal method to browse
through the libraries. To create a bar, select the library/component and click Add Bar.
Delete Current Bar: allows you to delete a customized library bar from the
Component Library docker.
Large Icons: displays large icons in the Component Library docker.
Small Icons: displays small icons in the Component Library docker
(see Figure 17).
Add to Favorites: allows you to select a component and add it to your list of
favorites. This makes it easier to access commonly used components.

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Figure 16 New folder dialog

Figure 17 Component Library — small icons

For information about managing the Component Library, see “Exporting an

OptiPerformer project file” on page 91.

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DOCKERS

Project Browser
The Project Browser lists information about the project. Use the Project Browser to
customize the view of the project, as it allows you to select what information is visible,
calculated, used in reports, and plotted in graphs.

Figure 18 shows the Project Browser in Default view.

The components in the list are synchronized with the project layout window. When
you click a component in the Project Browser, the component is highlighted in the
layout. This also works in reverse, from the project layout to the Project Browser.
To expand the components, click the plus sign to the left of the component name. The
ports, parameters, results, and graphs items related to the component appear in the
list. To expand on any of these items, click the plus sign to the left of the name.

Figure 18 Project Browser—Default view

The following items are available in the default Project Browser view
(see Figure 18):

Name column

Layout: displays all project layout names in the current project.

Global: displays parameters and sweeps for each layout of the current project.
Component: displays the component names for each layout of the current project.

The component has four possible details items:

• Ports: displays a list of ports on the component.
• Parameters: displays a list of component parameters.
• Results: displays a list of the available numerical results of a calculation.

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 DOCKERS

• Graphs: displays a list of available graphical results of a calculation.

Value column

Layout: displays the current iteration number for each project layout listed.
Component: displays the component type for each component listed.
Subsystem: displays the number of components for each subsystem listed.

Figure 19 Project Browser View dialog box—Default view

Name

Displays the name of the current view in the Project Browser.

Display Items

Select/deselect items to view in the Project Browser. Includes:

Project: select to display all layouts in the current project.
Current Layout: select to display items for the current layout only.
Components: select/clear items for viewing. Includes Ports, Graphs, Parameters,
and Results.
Paths: select to view paths in the current layout or project.

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DOCKERS

Display Second Column

Select to display the second column in the Project Browser.

Layout: select item to display in the second column about layout Size, Current
(sweep) Iteration, Number of Components in the layout, or the Total Cost of the
layout.
Component: select item to display in the second column about component Cost or
Type.
Subsystem: select item to display in the second column about subsystem Number
of Components, Cost, or Size.

Sorting

Determines how the items are sorted for display in the Project Browser.
Sorting Order: select to sort the items in the Project Browser by Layout Order or
Name.
Sorting type: select to sort the items in the Project Browser in Ascending or
Descending order.

Modifying the Project Browser view

In order to modify the available information in the Project Browser, use the Project
Browser View dialog box.

To modify the Project Browser view, perform one of the following actions.

Action
• In the Project Browser, click the menu button and select Define Views
(see Figure 20).
The Project Browser Views dialog box appears (see Figure 19).

OR

Action
• In the Project Browser, click the Project Browser view button (circled
in Figure 20).
The Project Browser Views dialog box appears (see Figure 19).

Figure 20 Project Browser view menu

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 DOCKERS

Graphs
The Graphs item in the Project Browser allows you to display graphical
representations of calculated data. Graphs are generated by components, although
not all components generate graphs.
Note: A graphic icon appears to the left of the graphs that can be viewed, with
the style of icon indicating what type of graph is available:
2D graph

3D graph

Figure 21 Project Browser — Expanded Graphs item

You can view a graph using four methods:

• Quick View
• Component View
• Report

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DOCKERS

Quick View
Use to generate a temporary view of the graph results in a dialog box.

Placing graphs in Quick View

Step Action
1 In the Project Browser, expand the Graph item under the component.
2 Select the graph name in the list, right-click, and select Quick View.
The Quick View dialog box appears with the graph (see Figure 22).
Note: Saving memory: You can enable and disable graphs from the project
browser as well. Simply select a graph, right-click and select Enable. You can
also disable all the graphs by selecting the component name, right-click, and
select Disable graphs.

Figure 22 Quick View graph

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 DOCKERS

Component View
Use to generate a permanent view of graph results in a dialog box.

Accessing graphs in Component View

Step Action
1 In the Layout or Project Browser, select the component you want to access
the graphs.
2 Select a component in the list, right-click, and select Component View.
3 In the Component view dialog box, select the 2D Graphs tab and expand the
graph item from the list.
The Component View dialog box appears with the graph (see Figure 23).
Note: Component view allows you to display multiple graphs. You can also
select between the two displays in order to combine graphs with different
vertical scales. Component view assumes that the graphs share the same
horizontal axis.

Figure 23 Component View - graph

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DOCKERS

Report
Use to generate graph results and include them in a Report.You can combine graphs
from same components, different components, or even different layouts.

Placing graphs in Report view

To place graphs in the Report view, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Click the Report tab in the main project layout view.
2 In the Project Browser, expand the Graph item under the component.
3 Select the graph name in the list, then click and drag the graph view into the
report layout.
The graph view appears in the report window.

Figure 24 Graph in Report window

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 DOCKERS

Multi-graph views
If you select a component that has more than one sweep iteration, the results are
combined into the single graph view. Each view created has a different colour,
indicating that the graph view includes several different graphs (see Figure 25).

Figure 25 Multi-Graph view

One view will always display as many curves per graph as there are sweep iterations.

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DOCKERS

Results
The Results item in the Project Browser allows you to display values representing
calculated data. Results are generated by components, although not all components
generate results.

Figure 26 Project Browser — Expanded Results item

You can view a list of results using four methods:

• Results View
• Component View
• Report

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 DOCKERS

Results View
Use to generate a temporary view of the list of results in a dialog box.

Viewing results from the Project Browser

Step Action
1 In the Project Browser, expand the Result item under the component.
2 Select any result name in the list, right-click, and select Properties.
The Result View dialog box appears with the list (see Figure 28).

Figure 27 Results view

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DOCKERS

Displaying results in the layout

Step Action
1 In the Project Browser, expand the Result item under the component.
2 Select any result name in the list, right-click, and select Properties.
The Result View dialog box appears with the list (see Figure 28).
3 Select the check box (disp column) in order to display the result in the layout
and press OK.
The selected result will be displayed in the layout (see Figure 28).
Note: Make sure View Component Results in the Layout Operations
toolbar is enabled.
Note: You can also enter a range for the result using the minimum and
maximum value columns. If the alarm is set to enable and the result is
outside of the defined range, the result will be displayed in red.

Figure 28 Displaying results in the layout

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 DOCKERS

Component View
Use to generate a permanent view of the list of results in a dialog box.

Accessing results in Component View

Step Action
1 In the Layout or Project Browser, select the component you want to access
the results.
2 Select a component in the list, right-click, and select Component View.
3 In the Component view dialog box, select the Results tab.
The Component View dialog box appears with the list of results (see
Figure 29).

Figure 29 Component View - results

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DOCKERS

Report
Use to generate results and include them in a Report.You can combine results from
same components, different components, or even different layouts.

Placing results in Report view

To place results in the Report view, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Click the Report tab in the main project layout view.
2 In the Project Browser, expand the Result item under the component.
3 Select the result name in the list, then click and drag the result into the report
layout.
The table appears in the report window.

Figure 30 Result in Report window

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 DOCKERS

Description
The Description docker allows you to develop a detailed description of the project
and components, including detailed technical information, for others to see when they
open the project file and use OptiSystem.

Figure 31 Description docker

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DOCKERS

Notes:

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 BILL OF MATERIALS

Bill of Materials
The Bill of Materials dialog box lists all components and layouts in an active project,
their associated costs, and the total cost of the project (see Figure 32).

You can export the Bill of Materials to a text file, and use it as a spreadsheet.

Figure 32 Bill of Materials dialog box

Export to Text File

Opens the Save As dialog box and allows you to export the Bill of Materials to a text
file (see Figure 33) for external cost spreadsheet creation.

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BILL OF MATERIALS

Figure 33 Bill of Materials—Save As dialog box

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 REPORT

Report
The Report toolbar contains the buttons to perform all typical windows application
actions, in addition to report generation options.

Figure 34 Report toolbar

Menu item Toolbar Description

button
Open Layout Open an existing report layout file. Select the report layout file from the Open dialog
(Ctrl L) box.

Save Layout Save the active (current) report layout under the current name in the default location.
(Ctrl S)

Open Report Open an existing report layout template. Select the report layout template from the
Layout Template Open dialog box.

Save Report Save the active (current) report layout template under the current name in the default
Layout Template location.

Print the active (current) report layout.

Print

See a preview of the active (current) report layout.

Print Preview

Opens the Report properties dialog box.

Report Properties

Remove all selected objects and place them on the clipboard.

Cut (Ctrl+X)

Copy selected objects to the clipboard. The selected objects remain in the active
Copy (Ctrl+C) report layout.

Copy objects from the clipboard and paste them in a user-defined location—the
Paste (Ctrl+V) same report layout or a new report layout.

Allows you to delete selected objects in the active (current) report layout.
Delete

Zoom Percent Select the zoom percentage: 10, 50, 75, 100, 150. 200, 400, or 800.

Zoom in on the active (current) report layout.

Zoom In

Zoom out on the active (current) report layout.

Zoom Out

Scroll through active (current) report page.

Scroll document

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REPORT

Menu item Toolbar Description

button
Save a selected component in a separate component library file that can be used in
Select another project/application.

Inserts a 3D graph template in the Report window with data plotted for the selected
3D Graph report item.

Inserts a grid in the Report window that contains data for the selected report item.
Grid

Inserts a 2D graph template in the Report window with data plotted for the selected
Opti2D Graph report item.

Inserts a text box to add details to the active (current) report.

Text

Figure 35 Report options

3D GRID

TEXT
Opti2D GRAPH

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 REPORT

Report options
To access report options, you use the Report options dialog box.

Report options dialog box

To open the Report options dialog box, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the Report tab in the Project layout window.
The Report window appears (see Figure 36).
2 Right-click in the Report window.
The Report options dialog box appears (see Figure 37).

Figure 36 Report window

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REPORT

Figure 37 Report options dialog box

Default control tab

The Structure list contains all possible types of information that can be incorporated
into a report. In the Control column, a drop-down menu lists all possible display
control options for each structure.

Name of Structure Control options

3DGraph 3DGraph
Grid
Text

Graph 3DGraph
Grid
Opti2DGraph
Text

Path 3DGraph
Opti2DGraph
Text

Parameter Grid
Opti2DGraph
Text

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 REPORT

Name of Structure Control options

Port Grid
Opti2DGraph
Text

Result Grid
Opti2DGraph
Text

ExternalGraph Opti2DGraph

Drop options tab

The Structure list contains all possible types of information that can be incorporated
into a report. In the Control column, a drop-down menu lists all possible display
control options for each structure. The Property list view is dependent on the selected
Structure. The Value list view is dependent on the selected Control.

Figure 38 Report options—Drop options tab

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REPORT

Structure Control Property Values

3DGraph 3DGraph Iterations All iterations, Current
iteration, 1
Grid Iterations See above
X values Display/Hide
Y values Display/Hide
Z values Display/Hide
Layout name in header Display/Hide
Component name in header Display/Hide
Opti2DGraph n/a n/a
Text Layout name Display/Hide
Component name Display/Hide
Graph’s name Display/Hide
Axis labels Display/Hide

Graph 3DGraph Layout name in graph’s title Display/Hide

Component name in graph’s Display/Hide
title
Grid Iterations All iterations/Current
iteration, 1
X coordinate Display/Hide
Y coordinate Display/Hide
Layout name in header Display/Hide
Component name in header Display/Hide
Opti2DGraph Iterations See above
Layout name in graph’s title Display/Hide
Component name in graph’s Display/Hide
title
Text Layout name Display/Hide
Component name Display/Hide
Graph’s name Display/Hide
Axis labels Display’/Hide

Path 3DGraph Z axis Power/Noise/OSNR

Type Discrete/Distance
Layout name in graph title Display/Hide
Grid n/a n/a
Opti2DGraph Iterations All iterations/Current
iteration, 1
Power Display/Hide
Noise Display/Hide
OSNR Display/Hide
Type Discrete/Distance
Layout name in graph’s title Display’Hide
Text Layout name Display/Hide
Path name Display/Hide

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 REPORT

Structure Control Property Values

Parameter 3DGraph n/a n/a
Grid Iterations All iterations/Current
iteration, 1
Layout name in header Display/Hide
Component name in header Display/Hide
Opti2DGraph n/a n/a
Text Layout name Display/Hide
Path name Display/Hide

Port 3DGraph n/a n/a

Grid Iterations All iterations/Current
iteration, 1
Layout name in header Display/Hide
Component name in header Display/Hide
Opti2DGraph Power Display/Hide
Noise Display/Hide
OSNR Display/Hide
Layout name in graph’s title Display/Hide
Component name in graph’s Display/Hide
title
Text Layout name Display/Hide
Component name Display/Hide
Port name Display/Hide
Lite monitor data Display/Hide

Result 3DGraph n/a n/a

Grid Iterations All iterations/Current
iteration, 1
Layout name in header Display/Hide
Component name in header Display/Hide
Opti2DGraph n/a n/a
Text Layout name Display/Hide
Component name Display/Hide
Result name Display/Hide
Result value Display/Hide

ExternalGraph 3DGraph n/a n/a

Grid n/a n/a
Opti2DGraph Layout name in graph’s title Display/Hide
Component name in graph’s Display/Hide
title
Text n/a n/a

Save settings as default

Select to use active report settings as the default report view.

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REPORT

Figure 39 Report options—Events tab

Update report content when layout is modified

Select to update the content of the report when modifications are made to the project
layout.

Update report content when calculation is done

Select to update the content of the report when project calculations are made.

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 REPORT

Figure 40 Report options—Results in three formats

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REPORT

Plotting parameters vs. results

When a project includes sweep iterations, you can plot parameters on results graphs.

To plot parameters with results, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Run the simulation.
2 Select the Report tab in the Project layout window.
The Report window appears
3 Click the 2D Graph button on the Report toolbar.
The 2D graph appears in the Report window.
4 Select the parameter you wish to plot in the Project Browser, and drag it to
the Report window.
The graph appears in the Report window.
5 Select the result you wish to plot in the Project Browser, and drag it into the
graph.
The result is plotted in the graph (see Figure 41).

Note: When you drag the result into the graph, a grey triangle appears
(see Figure 41). This indicates the axis that the result is plotted on. You can plot
the result on the X-axis or the Y-axis. Move the cursor until the grey triangle is
positioned on the axis you want to plot the result on.

Figure 41 Parameter plotted with Results

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 PROJECT SCRIPT

Project Script
The script function allows you to view or change global, layout, and component
parameter values of the current project.

Note: In order to Run a script, you must Generate or create the script first.

Generating scripts
To generate the script, perform one of the following actions in the current project.

Step Action
1 Select Script > Generate on the Menu bar.
A warning dialog appears (see Figure 42).
2 Click OK.
The Script window appears in the Project layout window (Script tab is
selected) with the generated script (see Figure 43).
OR

Step Action
1 Click the Generate Script button on the Script toolbar.
A warning dialog appears (see Figure 42).
2 Click OK.
The Script window appears in the Project layout window (Script tab is
selected) with the generated script (see Figure 43).

Figure 42 Generate Script warning dialog box

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PROJECT SCRIPT

Figure 43 Script window

After the script is generated, you have several choices:

Run: run the generated script
Save: save the generated script in a text file for future use
Load: load a script text file from an external source

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 PROJECT SCRIPT

Script tab
Use the Script tab in the Project layout window to view or change a script.

To view or change a script, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the Script tab in the Project layout window.
The Script window appears.
2 Right-click in the Script window.
A context menu appears (see Figure 44).

Figure 44 Script tab context menu

Undo
Reverses an action taken in the Script window (cut, paste, delete).

Cut
Cuts selected script in the Script window.

Copy
Copies selected script in the Script window.

Paste
Pastes text into Script window from Clipboard.

Delete
Deletes selected script in the Script window.

Select All
Selects all text in the Script window.

Load
Opens the Open dialog box to load a .txt file into the Script window.

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PROJECT SCRIPT

Save As
Opens the Save As dialog box to save the script in the Script window as a .txt file.

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 COMPONENT SCRIPT

Component Script
The script function allows you to view or change parameter values, graphs and results
of a selected component.

Note: In order to run a script, you must enable and modify the default script using
the component Script Editor.

Accessing the component script

To open the component Script Editor, perform one of the following actions in the
current project.

Step Action
1 Select a component in the layout, or select a component in the Project
Browser
2 Select Edit > Component> Script on the Menu bar.
The Component Script Editor appears (see Figure 45).
OR

Step Action
1 Select a component in the layout, or select a component in the Project
Browser
2 Right-click on it and from the popup menu select Component Script.
The Component Script Editor appears (see Figure 45).

Figure 45 Component Script Editor

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COMPONENT SCRIPT

After the Script Editor is opened, you have several choices:

Enable Script: Enable the current script. This option will enable the component to
run the script. There are two options to run the script:
• Run after each sweep iteration. This option will run the script at the end of each
sweep iteration.
Note: Use this option if you want to change or update values for each sweep iteration.
• Run at the end of the calculation. This option will run the script once after running
all sweep iterations.
Note: Use this option if you want to calculate average values that will use all the previously
calculated parameter results.
Evaluate Script: Evaluate the current script. Script errors will be shown in the Output
panel.
Save to File: save the script in a text file for future use.
Load from File: load a script text file from an external source.

Script menu
Use the Script menu in the Script Editor window to load, save, change a script, etc.

File menu

File menu item Description

Load Open an existing script.

Save Save the script with a different name and in a location that you select.

Edit menu

Edit menu item Description

Undo Reverses an action taken in the Script editor (cut, paste, delete).

Cut Cuts selected script in the Script Editor.

Copy Copies selected script in the Script Editor.

Paste Pastes text into Script Editor from Clipboard.

Delete Deletes selected script in the Script Editor.

Select All Selects the entire text Script Editor.

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 COMPONENT SCRIPT

Insert menu

Insert menu item Description

Layout Parameters Inserts a global parameter name in the current script.

Component Parameters Inserts a component parameter name in the current script.

Component Results Inserts a component result name in the current script.

Component Graphs Inserts a component graph name in the current script.

Function Inserts a function in the current script.

Tools menu

Tools menu item Description

Evaluate Script Evaluates the current script.

Script Engine Info Provides the version of the script engine.

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COMPONENT SCRIPT

Notes:

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 DATA MONITOR

Data Monitor
In OptiSystem, the data that passes through the ports are arrays with very large
amounts of data. It would be impractical for a program to store data for every port,
because of the excessive memory requirements.

Note: You can also disable the data monitors in order to save memory for the
calculations. Refer to Disable Monitors.
Instead, OptiSystem incorporates a flexible way of viewing data in which you select
the ports you want to view calculated data for, connect visualizers to the ports, and
view the calculation results using a monitor. A monitor is a module placed on the port
of a component that records the data that passes through a port during calculations.

The OptiSystem Signal Tracer stores signal data after projects are calculated. You
can view the calculated port signal data of the project temporarily, or as a global
parameter on the project layout.

The Signal Tracer can be enabled and disabled using the global parameter dialog
box. When the Signal Tracer is disabled, signal data calculation results are not
stored.

Displaying signal data on the layout

To display the calculation results on the layout, perform one of the following
procedures.

Step Action
1 Select View > Display Properties > View Signal Data.
2 Calculate the project.
The port signal data appears on the layout when the calculations are
complete (see Figure 46).

OR

Step Action
1 On the Layout Operations toolbar, select the View Port Signal Data tool.
The View Port Signal Data tool is enabled.
2 Calculate the project.
The port signal data appears on the layout when the calculations are
complete (see Figure 46).

Disabling signal data on the layout

To disable the signal data on the layout, perform one of the following procedures.

Step Action
1 On the Layout Operations toolbar, disable the View Port Signal Data tool.

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DATA MONITOR

2 Calculate the project.

The port signal data does not display on the layout.

OR

Step Action
1 Select View > Display Properties.
2 Click on View Signal Data if it is selected.
3 Calculate the project.
The port signal data does not display on the layout.

Viewing signal port data when not displayed in the layout

To view signal port data when it is not displayed in the layout, perform the following
procedure.

Step Action
1 Calculate the project.
2 Move the cursor over an output port.
The list of signal port data appears temporarily until you move the cursor
away from the port (see Figure 47).

Figure 46 Port signal data layout display with View Port Signal Data enabled

Figure 47 Port signal data layout display with View Port Signal Data disabled

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 DATA MONITOR

Selecting port information for display

To select the signal port data for display in the project layout, perform the following
procedure.

Step Action
1 Double-click on the port in the active (current) project layout.
The Port Properties dialog box appears.
2 Select the Signal Data tab (see Figure 48).
3 Select the Disp check box for each port parameter to display.
4 Click OK.
The selected port parameters will display in the project layout (see
Figure 49).

Figure 48 Port Property dialog box—Signal Data tab

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DATA MONITOR

Figure 49 Port properties displayed in project layout

Adding a monitor to a port

To add a monitor to a port, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the Monitor tool on the Layout Tools toolbar.
The cursor changes to a square. If the square is placed directly over the port,
the frame changes from a solid black square to an empty white square. This
indicates that the monitor tool is ready.
2 Click on the port.
The monitor is created over the port (see Figure 50).

Figure 50 Port with monitor

To indicate that there is a monitor in the port, a small box appears around the port.

If you move the monitor tool over ports that already have a monitor, the cursor will
change to a box with an X inside (see Figure 51).

Figure 51 Port with monitor — cursor change

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 DATA MONITOR

Removing a monitor from a port

Action
• Click on the port that has a monitor.
The monitor is removed from the port.

Enabling the Signal Tracer

To enable the Signal Tracer, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Double-click in the Main layout.
The parameter dialog box for the layout appears.
2 Click the Signal tracing tab (see Figure 52).
3 Select the Calculate signal tracing check box.

Disabling the Signal Tracer

To disable the Signal Tracer, perform the following procedure.
Step Action
1 Double-click in the Main layout.
The parameter dialog box for the layout appears (see Figure 52).
2 Click the Signal tracing tab.
3 Clear the Calculate signal tracing check box.
Figure 52 Calculate signal tracing parameter

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DATA MONITOR

Notes:

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 PATH TOOL

Path Tool
OptiSystem allows you to trace paths within your project. You can access the Path
Tool using the main toolbar, or through the Trace Paths tool.

Using the Path Tool

To use the Path Tool, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 On the Tools toolbar, select the Draw Path tool.
The Path Tool dialog box appears (see Figure 53).

Figure 53 Path Tool dialog

2 Move the cursor to the start component in your path on the layout.
The cursor changes to a hand (see Figure 54).

Figure 54 Path Manager selection cursor

3 Click on the component to select it.

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PATH TOOL

4 Move the cursor to the next component in the path.

5 Click on the component to select it.
The path between the two selected components is highlighted
(see Figure 55).
Note: If you select the Detail button in the Path Tool dialog, each selected
component in the path is listed (see Figure 56).
6 If you wish to add another component to the path, move the cursor to the
component in the path.
7 Click on the component to select it.

Figure 55 Selected path between components

Figure 56 Path Tool dialog

8 When you have selected all components in the path, click Accept in the Path
Tool dialog box (see Figure 56).
The Path Name dialog box appears (see Figure 57).

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 PATH TOOL

Figure 57 Path Name dialog

9 Enter the name of the path in the Path Name dialog and click OK.
The Path Tool dialog box closes. The path is listed in the Project Browser
(see Figure 58).
Note: If you click OK without entering a path name, the system creates a
default name, for example, Path 1.
Note: If there are multiple paths that follow the same route, one of the paths
increases in thickness, to allow you to see that there is more than one path
through the components (see Figure 59).

Figure 58 Project Browser with listed Path

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PATH TOOL

Figure 59 Thick paths connecting components

Trace Paths tool

You use the Trace Paths tool to trace signals through paths to see how their values
change over the path.

Note: The path must have been created using the Path Tool.

You can view two different types of path information:

• Distance: displays information about the signals over distances in the path.
• Discrete: displays information about the signals between ports.

Tracing a path
In order to have signal values to trace, the layout has to be calculated. To trace a path,
perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the path in the Project Browser.
2 Right-click on the path and select Preview.
The Trace Docker dialog box appears.
3 Select Distance or Discrete.
The Trace Display axes values change according to the choice.
4 Select the check box of the signal values you want to display in the Trace
Display.
Each selected signal value displays in the Trace Display. For Distance
Trace Display, see Figure 60, and for Discrete Trace Display, see
Figure 61. The color of the display corresponds to the color of the path.

Note: In order to display more than one path in the Trace Docker window, press
and hold Ctrl and select the paths in the Project Browser that you want to
display (the path names are highlighted). To place the selected paths in the
window, right-click and select Preview.

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 PATH TOOL

Figure 60 Trace Docker — Distance

Figure 61 Trace Docker — Discrete

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PATH TOOL

Notes:

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 PARAMETER SWEEPS

Parameter Sweeps
When a parameter is in sweep mode, the value of the parameter changes through
sweep iterations. You can select the parameter sweep version for display in the
project layout.

In order to change a parameter value across sweep interations, you need to define
the number of sweep iterations, and define the parameter value.

Setting/Changing the Total Parameter Sweep Iterations

To set the total number of sweep iterations, perform the following procedure:

Step Action
1 Click the Set Total Sweep Iterations button on the Layout toolbar.
The Total Parameter Sweep Iterations dialog appears displaying the
current values (see Figure 62).
2 Enter the total number of sweep iterations.
3 Click OK.
Note: When using Nested parameter sweeps, the total number of sweep
iterations is calculated automatically.

Figure 62 Total Parameter Iterations dialog

Or

Step Action
1 Select Layout > Set Total Sweeps Iteration on the Menu toolbar (see
Figure 63).
The Total Parameter Sweep Iterations dialog appears displaying the
current values (See Figure 62).
2 Enter the total number of sweep iterations.
3 Click OK.

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PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 63 Layout access - Set Total Sweep Iterations

Setting the current sweep iteration

To change the sweep iteration displayed in the layout (after calculations), perform the
following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select Layout > Set Current Sweep Interation on the Menu toolbar.
The Set Current Sweep Iteration dialog box appears (see Figure 64).
2 Enter the number of the sweep iteration you want to display in the layout.
3 Click OK.
The displayed parameter values change to reflect the selected parameter
sweep iteration.

Figure 64 Current Parameter Sweep Iteration dialog box

Or

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 PARAMETER SWEEPS

Action
• Use the Previous Sweep Iteration or Next Sweep Iteration buttons on the
Layout toolbar.

Or

Action
• Select the sweep iteration from the Set Current Iteration drop-down box
(see Figure 65).

Figure 65 Set Current Iteration drop-down box

Changing the Parameter values

After you select the number of parameter sweep iterations, you can enter the
parameter values to sweep. The parameter must be changed to Sweep mode.

Selecting the Sweep mode

To select the Sweep mode for a component parameter, perform the following
procedure.

Note: In the following procedures, we use the CW Laser component as an

example.

Step Action
1 Select Layout > Parameter Sweeps on the Menu toolbar.
The component parameter dialog box appears (see Figure 67).
2 In the Mode column, select the Sweep mode (see Figure 66).
The color of the parameter becomes RED. This indicates that the parameter
is in sweep mode.
The Parameter 2D graph and the Parameter Sweeps dialog buttons appear
in the Value column of the parameter in sweep mode (see Figure 67).

Figure 66 Sweep mode

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PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 67 Component properties — Parameter Sweep mode

3 Click on the Parameter Sweep button in the Value column of Power.

The Parameter Sweeps dialog box appears (see Figure 68).

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 PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 68 Component Parameter Sweep Values

The twenty values in the Power (dBm) column represent the power
parameters of the CW Laser across the twenty sweep iterations.

Editing the parameter sweep iteration values

To edit the parameter sweep iteration values, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select Layout > Parameter Sweeps on the Menu toolbar.
The component parameter dialog box appears.
2 Click on the Parameter Sweep button in the Value column of the parameter.
The Parameter Sweeps dialog box appears.
3 Enter data into each field manually, or use the Spread Tools to calculate the
values.

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Assigning sweep iteration values

To assign parameter sweep iteration values, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select Layout > Parameter Sweeps.
The Parameter Sweeps dialog appears.
2 Click in the Power value cell (see).
3 Click Assign Values.
The Parameter Iteration Assign Values dialog box appears (see
Figure 69).
4 Type the number in Value and click OK.
The Parameter Iteration Assign Values dialog box closes and the assigned
value appears in the Power column.

Figure 69 Parameter Iteration Assign Values dialog box

Generating sweep iteration values

To generate sweep iteration values, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Select the Power column (highlights all twenty parameter sweeps).
2 Click the Linear button in the Spread Tools window.
The Parameter Iteration Spread dialog box appears.
3 Enter 0 in Start Value and -40 in End Value.
4 Click OK.
The values in the Power column change to reflect the Linear sweep values
you entered (see Figure 70).

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 PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 70 Parameter Sweeps— Generating Linear values

Note: More than one parameter can be set to perform sweep iterations. Nested
parameter sweeps require more than one parameter.

Spread tools
There are several methods available to generate sweep iteration values.

Table 5 Spread Tools

Tool Name Description

Linear Generates a linear spread of values based on the start and end
values entered in the Parameter Iteration Spread dialog box.

Exp Generates an exponential spread of values based on the start and

end values entered in the Parameter Iteration Spread dialog box.

Log Generates a logarithmic spread of values based on the start and

end values entered in the Parameter Iteration Spread dialog box.

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Tool Name Description

Formula Generates a spread of values based on the values and script

entered in the Parameter Sweep Script Editor dialog box.

Gaussian Generates a Gaussian spread of values based on the values

entered in the Gaussian sweep iteration dialog box.

LogNormal Generates a logarithmic spread of values based on the values

entered in the LogNormal sweep iteration dialog box.

Uniform Generates a uniform spread of values based on the values entered

in the Uniform sweep iteration dialog box.

Discrete Generates a spread of values based on the values entered in the

Discrete sweep iteration dialog box.

Figure 71 Parameter Iteration Spread dialog box

Start value: displays the first value for the iteration spread calculation.

End value: displays the last value for the iteration spread calculation.

Figure 72 Parameter Sweep Script Editor dialog box

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 PARAMETER SWEEPS

Input

Use sweeps iteration number as input: determines if the value in the selected
iteration number is used as input for sweep calculations.

Get input from range: determines if the values for the sweep calculations are set
by the range specified by Minimum and Maximum.

Note: Minimum and Maximum only become active if Get input from range is
selected.

Script: displays the script for the sweep calculations. Includes Input variable.

Figure 73 Gaussian sweep iteration dialog box

Random seed index

Displays the random seed index value for use in the sweep calculations.

Format for Std. Dev.

Determines whether the absolute value or a percentage value is used in the sweep
calculations.

Nominal Value
Displays the nominal value for use in the sweep calculations.

Std. Dev.
Displays the standard development value for use in the sweep calculations.

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PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 74 LogNormal sweep iteration dialog box

Random seed index

Displays the random seed index value for use in the sweep calculations.

Format for Std. Dev

Determines whether the absolute value or a percentage value is used in the sweep
calculations.

Nominal Value
Displays the nominal value for use in the sweep calculations.

Std. Dev.
Displays the standard development value for use in the sweep calculations.

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 PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 75 Uniform sweep iteration dialog box

Random seed index

Displays the random seed index value for use in the sweep calculations.

Format for delta

Determines whether the absolute value, a percentage value, or a range of values is
used in the sweep calculations.

Note: Minimum and Maximum become active when you select min/max.

Nominal Value
Displays the nominal value for use in the sweep calculations.

Delta
Displays the delta value for use in the sweep calculations.

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PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 76 Discrete sweep iteration dialog box

Random seed index

Displays the random seed index value for use in the sweep calculations.

Minimum

Displays the minimum value for use in the sweep calculations.

Maximum

Displays the maximum value for use in the sweep calculations.

Delta
Displays the delta value for use in the sweep calculations.

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 PARAMETER SWEEPS

Nested parameter sweeps

If you set more than one parameter to sweep mode, you can create nested parameter
sweeps.

Note: In the following procedures, use the CW Laser component as an example

and set the mode of parameters Power and Frequency to Sweep. We are
assuming the number of sweep iterations is 20.

Using nested parameter sweeps

To generate nested sweep iteration values, perform the following procedure.

Step Action
1 Click the Nested Parameters button in the Parameter Sweeps window.
The Nested Parameters dialog box appears (see Figure 77).
2 Select Nested Levels folder, right-click and select Add Level.
A folder named Level 2 is created under the folder Level 1 (see Figure 78).
3 Drag the parameter Frequency from the folder Level 1 to the folder Level 2.
A two level nested parameter appears. The fist level has Power parameter
and the second level has Frequency parameter (see Figure 79).
4 Right-click on the folder Level 2 and select Set number of nested iterations.
The Number of nested iterations dialog box appears (see Figure 80).
5 Set the Nested iterations to 10 and press OK.
The number of iterations for Frequency is set to 10 (see Figure 81).
6 Select the Frequency column and using the Linear Spread Tool, set Start
value to 1500 nm and End value to 1600 nm.
Frequency ranging 1500 nm to 1600 nm appears. (see Figure 82).
7 Press OK in the Nested Parameters dialog box
Iterations for Power and Frequency are generated. A total size of 200
iterations was created by the Nested Parameters tool (20 x 10). (see
Figure 83).
8 Press OK in the Parameter Sweeps dialog box.
Note: Make sure to use Combination parameter feature of OptiSystem
in order to allow the Report page to recognize nested parameter sweeps
when creating graphs and tables.

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PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 77 Nested Parameter Sweeps

Figure 78 Adding levels to nested parameter sweeps

170
 PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 79 Adding levels to nested parameter sweeps

Figure 80 Setting the number of nested iterations

Figure 81 Level 2 with 10 iterations (Frequency parameter)

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PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 82 Frequency ranging from 1500nm to 1600 nm.

Figure 83 Parameter sweeps after using Nested Parameters tool.

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 PARAMETER SWEEPS

Using combinations for nested parameter sweeps

To allow the report page to recognize nested parameter sweeps when creating
graphs you must use Combinations. Report page automatically detects retracing and
parameter dependencies for combinations, allowing you to create complex 2D and 3D
graphs of nested parameters and results.

Step Action
1 On the Project Browser docker, select Sweeps folder under the Global
folder in the project layout list.
The list of parameter sweeps appears.
2 Select both parameters (Frequency and Power) and right-click.
The Combination context menu appears.
3 Select Combine.
The Combination dialog box appears (see Figure 86).
Note: In the Combination dialog box, The Sequence setup allows you to
define the main (first) parameter and the dependent (second) parameter.
When using the report page for 2D graphs, the main parameter is used for
the graph and the dependent parameter is used to estimate the graph
retracing (see Figure 85).
4 In the Combination dialog box, press OK.
The Combination is created under the folder Sweeps (see Figure 86).
Note: In the Report page, you can use a parameter Combination as a regular
parameter sweep. Simply drag and drop the Combination into tables, 2D and
3D graphs.

Figure 84 Combining two parameters.

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PARAMETER SWEEPS

Figure 85 Parameter Combination Sequence Setup affecting the way graphs are built.The first graph
(above) shows the Result Gain 1 as a function of Power. The 10 different curves refer to different values of
Frequency. The second graph (bellow) shows the Results Gain 1 as a function of Frequency. The 20 different
curves refer to different values of Power..

Figure 86 Parameter combination.

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 CALCULATIONS

Calculations
Performing calculations
To perform calculations, perform one of the following actions.

Action
• Click the Calculate button.
The project calculation dialog box appears (see Figure 87).

OR

Action
• From the Menu bar, select File > Calculate.
The project calculation dialog box appears (see Figure 87).

In the project calculations dialog box, you can:

• calculate the whole project
• calculate all sweep iterations in the active layout
• calculate the current sweep iteration
Note: When running a simulation, data monitors, graphs and results will be created for
each sweep. If the layout has a large number of visualizers, the number of graphs from the
visualizers will use a large amount of memory that can limit the maximum number of
sweeps in the simulation. In order to save memory and speed up the calculation, you
should use the Disable monitors option combined with component Disable graphs
option.

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CALCULATIONS

Calculations dialog box

Calc. output tab

Figure 87 Project calculations dialog box—Calc. output tab

Calculate the whole project

calculates all the layouts and all the sweep iterations within each layout.

Calculate all sweep iterations in the active layout

calculates all the sweep iterations within the current active layout only.

Calculate current sweep iteration

calculates only the selected sweep iteration in the current layout.

Disable Monitors
disables and cleans the signal buffers at the end of the calculation. This options allows
the user to run a large number of sweeps.

Note: This option limits the capabilities of the visualizers. OptiSystem visualizers
can recalculate the graphs and results using the data from the monitors. If the
monitors are set to disable, you will have to recalculate the layout in order to
update visualizer graphs and results.

Optimizations
Opens the Optimizations dialog box.

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 CALCULATIONS

Schedulers
Opens the Schedulers dialog box (see Figure 88).

Run all optimizations

If selected, all optimizations are run during the project calculations.

Stop on warning
If OptiSystem encounters a calculation error, (e.g. an invalid signal type entered in the
components) the calculations are stopped, and a warning message appears in the
Calc. Output window. If this option is not selected, the system continues the
calculations regardless of the reported error.

Display Messages
Displays calculation output messages.

Note: Users can also disable all messages from the calculation scheduler,
allowing for faster time-driven simulations. Open the Schedulers dialog box,
select CIDF Scheduler > Setup (see Figure 88) and choose the display options
for the progress dialog box.

Figure 88 Calculation scheduler — setup dialog box

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CALCULATIONS

Calculations dialog box buttons

Calculation Calculation Description
function button
Click to run the calculation (button changes to Pause). When calculation is running,
Run
click again to pause the calculation (button changes to Resume).

Click to pause the calculation (button changes to Resume). When calculation is

Pause
paused, click again to resume.

Cancels the calculations, but does not close Calculations dialog box.
Cancel

Resumes paused calculations.

Resume

Stops the calculations and closes the Calculations dialog box.

Stop

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 CALCULATIONS

Optimization tab
While a calculation is in progress, if there are any selected optimizations, the results
are displayed on the Optimization tab.

Figure 89 Project calculations dialog box—Optimization tab

Information regarding the progress of the calculation appears above the optimization
details window in the Calculations dialog box.

The optimization details window contains two lists:

Parameter
The Parameter list displays each parameter and the corresponding value as the
optimization is calculated.

Result
The Result list displays the name of each result and the corresponding value as the
optimization is calculated.

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CALCULATIONS

Calc. schedulers tab

While a calculation is in progress, if there are any active calculation Schedulers, the
results are displayed on the Calc. schedulers tab.

Figure 90 Project calculations dialog box—Calc. schedulers tab

Information regarding the progress of the calculation appears above the scheduler
details window in the Calculations dialog box.

The calculation scheduler details window contains the following:

Scheduler name
Displays the name of the scheduler.

Total:
Displays a progress bar showing the current scheduler progress.

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 CALCULATIONS

Task progress bar

Displays a progress bar that shows the progress of the current task in the progress
list.

Progress list
Displays a list of each calculation item activated in the scheduler.

Component list
Displays a list of each component as it is utilized by the scheduler during the
calculations.

Cancelling calculations
To cancel calculations before they are started, perform the following action.

Action
• Click the Close button.
The OptiSystem calculation dialog box closes. No calculations are
performed.

Optimizations
Optimizations allows for the modification of parameters in a layout in order to achieve
a desired goal.
OptiSystem provides a flexible method of defining optimizations in a project.

Setting optimizations
To access the Optimizations dialog box and set optimizations, perform one of the
following actions.
Action
• Select the Optimizations button in the project calculation dialog box
(see Figure 87).
The Optimizations dialog box appears (see Figure 91).
OR
Action
• Select Tools > Optimizations from the menu.
The Optimizations dialog box appears (see Figure 91).

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CALCULATIONS

Figure 91 Optimizations dialog box

Layout Optimizations
Displays the list of optimizations active in the current project layout. Use the dropdown
list to select the active layout.
Properties: opens the Optimizations dialog box for the optimization selected in the
displayed list.
Delete: deletes the selected optimization.
Up/Down arrows: selects optimizations up or down the displayed list.

Calculation
Run button: starts the calculations.
Stop button: stops the calculations.
Output button: displays the results of the selected optimization output at the bottom
of the Optimizations dialog box.

Installed Optimizations
Displays the list of optimizations installed in OptiSystem.

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 CALCULATIONS

Insert button: inserts the selected optimization into the list of active optimizations in
the selected project layout.

Description
Displays a full description of the selected optimization.

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CALCULATIONS

Notes:

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Multi-parameter multi-target optimizations
(MPO)
To enhance the capacity of an optical system, the optimization of the signal
parameters and system components is an critical task. In a real system, there are
many parameters that can be adjusted to achieve the desired performance levels,
however, this requires implementation of time-consuming procedures. For example,
optimizing the pump powers of a Raman fiber amplifier for a target gain and best gain
flatness requires a large number of iterations which cannot be implemented manually.
Being familiar with the component or system behavior would decrease the number of
iterations, but it is not always easy to estimate the optimum parameters. A flexible and
powerful optimization tool would automate the optimization process and result in the
best system performance.

Figure 1 Schematic of optimization

OptiSystem provides a powerful multi-parameter multi-target optimization tool.

Figure 1 is a schematic of the tool. The optimization is performed by simulating the
optical system or sub-system within OptiSystem. In general, the optimization tool
adjusts one or more signal or component parameters before each run, based on
previous results obtained using the optimization algorithm. Optimization procedures
are based on a customized version of Matlab's* widely accepted and well-proven
optimization technology. It can also force several user-defined constraints on selected
parameters. This is specially important when for example a selected parameter or
several parameters is needed to be kept between certain values.

Goal Attainment optimization based on a nonlinear least-squares implementation is

currently available. Goal Attainment tries to attain multiple result goals by changing

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 MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

multiple parameters defined by the user. The current optimization tool also allows
setting up multiple multi-parameter optimizations and running them in sequence.

If proper parameters are selected optimization procedure can find the optimum
parameters after reasonable number of iterations. Number of iterations depends on
number of parameters selected, number of target values, degree of sensitivity,
starting values of parameters, complexity of the system, etc. For example optimizing
length of DCF to maximize the Q factor may take a couple of iteration, while flattening
the gain of a multi-pumped Raman amplifier may require more than fifty iterations.
However, as all optimization procedures, the selected procedure may give a local
minima or maxima instead of a global one. In that respect, you may get two different
results depending on your initial parameter values. Fortunately, this is not a problem
most of the times, since the parameter range is well known. Furthermore, you can
give good starting values to optimizer since you already have an idea about the
behavior of the component or system.

Nonlinear Least Square (LSQ) Optimization

This type of optimization minimizes the sum of squares of the results by varying one
or more parameters within the user defined range starting from an initial guess. This
procedure is schematically shown in Figure 3. Measuring device can be any type of
visualizer as well as any result calculated by any component.

A trust region method based on interior-reflective Levenberg-Marquardt method with

line-search [6]. Large-Scale Optimization requires that the number of results be at
least as great as the number of parameters.

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 MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

Figure 2 Schematic of LSQ type of optimization

Example: Gain Flattening

A schematic of gain flattening is shown in Figure 3. It tries to get a gain for each
channel as close as to the target gain and at the same time tries to keep the gain
flatness under a given value. This is done by optimization procedure, depending on
your parameter selection, either adjusting the amplifier parameters or pump
parameters. You can also select parameters of some other component in the layout
to optimize. For example, for a gain flattening filter design, parameters of a series of
gratings can be optimized. Depending on your design, you can select as much
parameters as you wish. You can also select output signal power of each channel and
ask optimizer to target specified output channel powers. Measuring device can be, for
example, Dual Port WDM Analyzer, or the internal analyzer of a Raman amplifier.

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MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

Figure 3 Schematic of a standard gain flattening procedure

If you want to optimize a Raman amplifier by using multi-pump configuration, you

need to consider that the required pump power for a certain Raman gain is affected
by several factors, such as Raman gain coefficient, polarization effect, fiber length,
fiber loss at pump wavelength, pump depletion and so on. In the case of a multi-
wavelength pumping scheme, the wavelength dependence of these factors is one of
principal parameters to determine the pump power allocation. For example, the
Raman gain coefficient at shorter wavelength is larger than at longer, while fiber loss
is generally larger at shorter wavelength due to Rayleigh scattering. Another
important effect is pump-to-pump Raman interaction. It increases the required
pumping power at shorter wavelength, because a longer wavelength pump absorbs
the energy of shorter one.

This requires a self-consistent solution, which seriously complicates the design

problem. From the numerical standpoint, the problem is further complicated by the
fact that there are a very large number of channels in the system, and interaction
between every pair of these channels should be taken into account. Therefore it is
very important to give good estimated initial values, especially for pump wavelengths,
to the optimizer. For example, a general guideline to estimate the pump channel
locations is given in [6]. It is based on the fact that the gain profile of a multi-
wavelength pumped Raman amplifier can be expressed as a logarithmic
superposition of the gain profiles caused by respective pumping wavelengths with the
assumption that magnitude of Raman gain is only determined by the corresponding
pump power and wavelength. Even though, this is not correct, it will give a rough
estimate for the pump channel locations. The predicted gain profile is sure to be
realized by an appropriate pump power level unless it is beyond the limit. When a
good estimation is provided, the optimization procedure can find the optimum pump
powers and wavelengths by adjusting the pump powers and refining the pump

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 MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

wavelengths. Most of the times you may even do not need to select the pump
wavelengths as parameters to be optimized. Only optimizing the pump powers may
give sufficient gain flatness. For this reason, for a better optimizer performance, you
need to place the pump powers at the top of the list in Parameters Tab of the
optimization tool. Optimization procedure gives priority to the parameters and results
on the top of the list. It might be also useful to provide an extra constraint to optimizer.
For example putting min/max constraint to total pump power will make sure that the
gain is as close as required gain. Otherwise, the optimization may end up with a set
of optimum parameters that gives a good enough flatness but a lower average gain.

Parameters in each tab are described in the following tables. They also give a
summary of the meaning of each parameter with value ranges and default values.

Note: The parameter and result names and result values in italics are the first
parameter and result from the Selected Parameters and Selected Results tables.

Main

Name/Description Default value Value range

Maximum number of passes 50 [1, INF]
Maximum number of iterations allowed.

Scaling factor 1e-009 [0, INF]

Scale that minimizes the error estimate.

Error termination tolerance 1e-015 [0, INF]

Termination tolerance on the result values.

Gradient error termination tolerance 1e-020 [0, INF]

Termination tolerance on the conjugate gradient
iteration.

Minimum change for calculation step 1e-015 [0, INF]

Minimum change in variables for calculation.

Minimum change for finite differencing 1e-006 [0, INF]

Minimum change in variables for finite
differencing.

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MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

Parameters

Name/Description Default value Value range

Minimum Parameter Value Current value in layout [-INF, INF]

Lower limit of selected parameter. Acts as
constraint on parameter.

Maximum Parameter Value Current value in layout [-INF, INF]

Starting Parameter Value Current value in layout [-INF, INF]

User selected value. A close guess gives faster
results.

Result

Name/Description Default value Value range

Target Value 0 [-INF,INF]

The result target value

Tolerance 0.1 [0,INF]

The result tolerance. If any tolerance or target
value is set to 0, the optimizer treats goals like
hard constraints.

Number of Goals to Achieve Exactly Number of Goals [0, Number of Goals]

Defines the number of goals to “just” achieve (not
over- or under-achieve). To achieve target result,
set this parameter to number of results and put
the results to the top of the selected results list.

Setting up the optimization

The main optimization window is shown in Figure 4. You can add as many multi-
parameter, multi-result optimizations from the table as you like. You can activate or
deactivate them one by one or altogether.

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 MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

Figure 4 Optimizations dialog box

Adding a new optimization

To add a new optimization to your project, perform the following procedures.

Adding general information

Step Action
1 Selecting Tools > Optimizations from the Main menu.
2 Select the optimization you want to add from the list in the Installed
Optimizations window and click Insert.
3 To change the optimization options or parameters/results, click Properties.
The Optimization Setup dialog box appears (see Figure 5).

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MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

You can either type a name for the optimization, or click Generate to have the name
generated automatically. The name is generated based on the Optimization Type as
follows:

Optimize Power, … to attain Q Factor of 6, …

The parameter and result names and result values in italics are the first parameters
and results from the Selected parameters and Selected results tables.
4 If you want to set a maximum number of passes, modify the Maximum
Number of Passes parameter.
Note: you can also change the Error termination tolerance.

Figure 5 MPO Setup dialog box—Main tab

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 MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

Modifying parameter information

Step Action
1 Select the Parameters tab.
2 To optimize parameters, move the parameters into the Selected parameters
list by following these steps:
a. Select the parameter to be optimized in the Layout list.
b. Click Add to insert the parameter in the Selected list.
c. Modify the Minimum, Maximum, and Starting parameter values, if
required.
d. Click Get to retrieve the values from the active (current) design layout.

Repeat this for all parameters to be optimized.

Note: You can change the order of parameters in the Selected parameters list by
selecting the parameter and using the up and down arrow buttons.

Figure 6 MPO Setup dialog box—Parameters tab

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MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

Modifying result information

Step Action
1 Select the Results tab.
2 To include results in the optimization, move the results into the Selected
results table by following these steps:
a. Select the result in the Layout list.
b. Click Add to insert the result in the Selected list.
c. Modify the Target Value and Tolerance values.
d. Click Get to retrieve the values from the active (current) design layout.

Repeat this procedure for all results to be included.

Note: You can change the order of results in the Selected results list by selecting
the result and using the up and down arrow buttons.

The Number of Goals to Achieve Exactly parameter increases as you add new
results to the Selected list. You modify this parameter after adding all the results you
require to the Selected list. This parameter defines the number of goals to "just"
achieve—do not try to over- or under-achieve. To make a set of results as near as
possible to the target value, set this parameter to the minimum number of results, and
put these results at the top of the Selected results list.

Figure 7 MPO Setup dialog box—Results tab

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 MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

Running the optimization

To run the optimization, perform one of the following procedures.

Step Action
1 From the File menu, select Calculate.
The OptiSystem Calculations dialog box appears.
2 Select Run all optimizations, and click the Run button.
The simulation runs.

Step Action
1 Select Tools > Optimizations.
The Optimizations dialog box appears.
2 Select the optimization you want to run from the Layout Optimizations list.
3 If you want to see the optimization progress, click Output in the Calculation
window.
The Output window appears.
4 Click the Run button in the Calculation window.
The simulation runs.

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MULTI-PARAMETER MULTI-TARGET OPTIMIZATIONS (MPO)

References:
[1] Emori, Y. et al., "Broadband flat-gain and low-noise Raman amplifiers pumped by wavelength-
multiplexed high power laser diodes", Opt. Fib. Tech. 8, 107 (2002).

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Single-parameter optimization (SPO)
Single-parameter optimization is a simplified version of MPO (Multiple-parameter
optimization). It runs faster than MPO and it is easier to setup. However, the user is
limited to optimize one parameter and one result.

Technical details of the optimization types are given in the following sections.

Minimization
This type of optimization minimizes a user-defined result by varying one parameter
within the user defined range starting from an initial guess.

Only one result can be minimized.

Maximization
This type of optimization maximizes a user-defined result by varying one or more
parameters within the user defined range starting from an initial guess.

Only one result can be minimized.

Internally, result you want to maximize is reversed and the minimization procedure is
applied to get the maximum.

Goal Attaining
This type of optimization tries to attain an objective goal by varying one parameter
within the user defined range starting from an initial guess.

This type of optimization uses section search method.

Goal Attainment type of optimization is typically used for parameter extraction. One
example to this is extracting the thermal noise of a PIN to obtain a given receiver
sensitivity.

Parameters
Parameters in each tab are described in the following tables. They also give a
summary of the meaning of each parameter with value ranges and default values.

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 SINGLE-PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION (SPO)

Note: The parameter and result names and result values in italics are the first
parameter and result from the Parameters and Results tables.

Main

Name/Description Default value Value range

Optimization Name Minimize

User defines the name, or OptiSystem generates Optimize Power for minimum Q factor
name.
Maximize
Optimize Power for maximum Q factor
Goal Attaining
Optimize Power to attain Q factor of 6

Optimization Type Goal Attaining Minimize, Maximize,

Goal Attaining

Maximum number of passes 50 [1, INF]

Result Tolerance 0.5 [-INF,+INF]

Parameters

Name/Description Default value Value range

Minimum Parameter Value Current value in layout [-INF, INF]

Lower limit of selected parameter. Acts as
constraint on parameter.

Maximum Parameter Value Current value in layout [-INF, INF]

Upper limit of selected parameter. Acts as

constraint on parameter.

Result

Name/Description Default value Value range

Target Value 0 [-INF,INF]

Valid only for Goal Attainment.

Setting up the optimization

The main optimization window is shown in Figure 8. You can add as many single-
parameter optimizations from the table as you like. You can activate or deactivate
them one by one or altogether.

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 SINGLE-PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION (SPO)

Figure 8 Optimizations dialog box

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SINGLE-PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION (SPO)

Adding a new optimization

To add a new optimization to your project, perform the following procedures.

Adding general information

Step Action
1 Selecting Tools > Optimizations from the Main menu.
2 Select the optimization you want to add from the list in the Installed
Optimizations window and click Insert.
3 To change the optimization options or parameters/results, click Properties.
The Optimization Setup dialog box appears (see Figure 9).

You can either type a name for the optimization, or click Generate to have the name
generated automatically. The name is generated based on the Optimization Type as
follows:
• If Minimize is selected:

Optimize Power, … for minimum Q Factor

• If Maximize is selected:

Optimize Power, … for maximum Q Factor

• If Goal Attain is selected:

Optimize Power, … to attain Q Factor of 6, …

The parameter and result names and result values in italics are the first parameters
and results from the parameters and results tables.
4 Select the Optimization Type.
Note: If you selected Goal Attain type of optimization, you will also need to
select Target Value (Result tab).
5 If you want to change the maximum number of passes, modify the Maximum
Number of Passes parameter.

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 SINGLE-PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION (SPO)

Figure 9 SPO Setup dialog box—Main tab

Modifying parameter information

Step Action
1 Select the Parameters tab.
2 To optimize parameters, move the parameters into the parameter list by
following these steps:
a. Select the parameter to be optimized in the Layout list.
b. Click Add to insert the parameter in the list.
c. Modify the Minimum and Maximum parameter values.
d. Click Get if you want to retrieve the values from the active (current)
design layout.

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SINGLE-PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION (SPO)

Figure 10 SPO Setup dialog box—Parameters tab

Modifying result information

Step Action
1 Select the Results tab.
2 To include results in the optimization, move the results into the result table by
following these steps:
a. Select the result in the Layout list.
b. Click Add to insert the result in the list.
c. Modify the Target Value, if required.
d. Click Get if you want to retrieve the values from the active (current)
design layout.

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 SINGLE-PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION (SPO)

Figure 11 SPO Setup dialog box—Results tab

Figure 12

Running the optimization

To run the optimization, perform one of the following procedures.

Step Action
1 From the File menu, select Calculate.
The OptiSystem Calculations dialog box appears.
2 Select Run all optimizations, and click the Run button.
The simulation runs.

Step Action
1 Select Tools > Optimizations.
The Optimizations dialog box appears.
2 Select the optimization you want to run from the Layout Optimizations list.
3 If you want to see the optimization progress, click Output in the Calculation
window.
The Output window appears.
4 Click the Run button in the Calculation window.
The simulation runs.
[2]

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SINGLE-PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION (SPO)

Notes:

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Gain flattening filter optimization (Gain FFr)
This optimization is an advanced optimization tool that can estimate the transmission
values of a gain flattening filter. EDFAs have a wavelength-dependent gain; i.e., some
wavelengths are amplified more than others. A gain-flattening filter restores all
wavelengths to approximately the same intensity. OptiSystem use optimization
capabilities to design a gain-flattening filter which will flatten (or equalize) the output
of the EDFA so that it is flat with a user defined tolerance or ripple.

There optimization requires a Gain Flattening Filter component and a Dual Port
WDM Analyzer.

Parameters
Parameters in each tab are described in the following tables. They also give a
summary of the meaning of each parameter with value ranges and default values.

Main

Name/Description Default value Value range

Optimization Name Optimize Gain Flattening Filter based on

User defines the name, or OptiSystem generates Dual Port WDM Analyzer
name.

Maximum number of steps 10 [1, INF]

Number of times OptiSystem will calculate the
current layout until the tolerance is attained.

Minimum transmission value -40 [-INF, 0]

The minimum value allowed for the filter
transmission

Maximum transmission value -0.1 [-INF, 0]

The maximum value allowed for the filter

transmission. It is also the value outside the
wavelength range

Wavelength from 1500 [100, 2000]

The lower wavelength limit for the optimization

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 GAIN FLATTENING FILTER OPTIMIZATION (GAIN FFR)

Name/Description Default value Value range

Wavelength to 1600 [100, 2000]

The upper wavelength limit for the optimization

Tolerance 0.1 [0,+INF]

The maximum filter ripple

Setting up the optimization

The main optimization window is shown in Figure 13. You can add as many single-
parameter optimizations from the table as you like. You can activate or deactivate
them one by one or altogether.

Figure 13 Optimizations dialog box

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 GAIN FLATTENING FILTER OPTIMIZATION (GAIN FFR)

Adding a new optimization

To add a new optimization to your project, perform the following procedures.

Adding general information

Step Action
1 Selecting Tools > Optimizations from the Main menu.
2 Select the optimization you want to add from the list in the Installed
Optimizations window and click Insert.
3 To change the optimization options or parameters/results, click Properties.
The Optimization Setup dialog box appears (see Figure 14).

You can either type a name for the optimization, or click Generate to have the name
generated automatically. The name is generated based on the Optimization Type as
follows:

Optimize Gain Flattening Filter based on Dual Port WDM Analyzer.

4 If you want to change the maximum number of steps, modify the Maximum
number of steps parameter.
5 Set the Minimum and Maximum transmission value parameters
6 Set the Wavelength range for the optimization.
7 Set the Tolerance, or the gain ripple for the optimized filter.

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GAIN FLATTENING FILTER OPTIMIZATION (GAIN FFR)

Figure 14 Gain FFr Setup dialog box—Main tab

Modifying parameter information

Step Action
1 Select the Components tab.
2 To optimize a filter, move the filter into the component list by following these
steps:
Note: You must select one Gain Flattening Filter component from the list.
a. Select the filter to be optimized in the Layout list.
b. Click Add to insert the component in the list.

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 GAIN FLATTENING FILTER OPTIMIZATION (GAIN FFR)

Figure 15 SPO Setup dialog box—Parameters tab

Modifying result information

Step Action
1 Select the Visualizers tab.
2 To include Visualizers in the optimization, move the visualizer into the
visualizer table by following these steps:
Note: You must select one Dual Port Dual Port WDM Analyzer
visualizer from the list
a. Select the visualizer in the Layout list.
b. Click Add to insert the visualizer in the list.

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GAIN FLATTENING FILTER OPTIMIZATION (GAIN FFR)

Figure 16 SPO Setup dialog box—Results tab

Figure 17

Running the optimization

To run the optimization, perform one of the following procedures.

Step Action
1 From the File menu, select Calculate.
The OptiSystem Calculations dialog box appears.
2 Select Run all optimizations, and click the Run button.
The simulation runs.

Step Action
1 Select Tools > Optimizations.
The Optimizations dialog box appears.
2 Select the optimization you want to run from the Layout Optimizations list.
3 If you want to see the optimization progress, click Output in the Calculation
window.
The Output window appears.
4 Click the Run button in the Calculation window.
The simulation runs.

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 APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Appendix A—Opti2D Graph Control

The Graph control is a versatile and powerful tool for observing data. It is also quite
simple to use. The following section of this document gives a brief description of
some of the features and an explanation of how to use them.

Figure 18 Opti2D Graph Control

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APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

User interface features

Feature Description

Large data handling Opti2D Graph Control is capable of handling millions of

capabilities points.

Optimized drawing Even with a large number of data points, Opti2D Graph
Control is optimized to allow for smooth tracing and panning
of graphs.

Moveable information Moveable information windows allows for placement of the

windows windows in the most convenient location in the graph
window.

Graph toolbox The popup Graph toolbox allows easier access to the
viewing/organizing/editing capabilities of the Opti2D Graph
tool.

Graph menu button The Graph menu button allows you to access a full list of
functionality associated with the graphs and their data.

Information windows
There are two main windows visible on the main display:
• Info-window
• Legend

Both can be launched using the Graph menu or Graph tools.

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 APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Info-window

Figure 19 Info-window

When you access the Info-Window, it displays in the work area of the graph view. By
default, it displays the current position (in data-based coordinates) of the cursor.
When you add marker, tracers, and regions, the Info-Window expands to show the
details of these components.

When you use the Select tool, if you double click in the window, the Info-Window
properties dialog displays (see Figure 19).

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APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Figure 20 Info-Window settings dialog

Legend
You can switch the Legend on and off using the Legend tool in the Graph toolbox,
or the Graph menu. The Legend displays a list of all the curves displayed in the graph
with the corresponding line color that is used to display those curves. See Figure 21.
Use the Minimize/Maximize button to change the display of the Legend, or close the
Legend by using the Close button.

Figure 21 Legend

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 APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Graph toolbox

Figure 22 Popup Graph toolbox

To access the Graph toolbox, right-click in the graph view. Most graph
editing/viewing/organizing capabilities are accessible using the toolbox.

Graph tools
Select
Allows you to manipulate and move most of the objects on the graph.

Note: To edit the properties of an object, double click on the object in the graph
view.

Zoom
Zoom in: You can
select a rectangular
region, or click in the graph
view for proportional zoom
in.

Extra features:
• Zoom out: Hold Ctrl and click to perform a zoom out.
• Reset Zoom Level: Double-click in the graph view to return to the default
Zoom level.

Pan
Allows you to pan from side to side in the graph display to see parts of the
graph that may not be visible at the existing Zoom level or resolution.

To pan, click to grab the display, and move the cursor from side to side.

Extra features:
• If you press Ctrl while panning the graph display, accelerated pan is
engaged, which makes the pan much faster. This feature is useful when
you work under a high zoom factor.

Grid
Allows you to turn the grid lines on/off. Click on the Grid tool to toggle the grid
lines.

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APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Tracer
Allows you to select a curve and trace over it while viewing the exact positional
values on the curve in the Info-Window. To select a different curve, double
click in the graph view.

Extra features:
• You can freeze the tracer by pressing Ctrl. Click to place a marker on the
curve at that position.
• Press Shift and drag the cursor to put the tracer into a high-resolution
trace that iterates through each element in the source data array. This
allows for a very detailed scan of the data and to find peaks that the
standard trace may omit.
Trace
Allows you to select a curve and trace over it while viewing the exact positional
values on the curve in the Info-Window.
Note: The Difference Tracer differs from the Tracer tool because it allows
you to create a second tracer to compare values on either the same curve or
on different curves. To select the next curve, double-click on the curve in the
graph view.
Extra features:
• By pressing Ctrl, the tracer will freeze in its present position. Then, by
pressing the left mouse button a marker will be placed on that position on
the curve.
• By pressing Shift and dragging the mouse, the tracer jumps into a high-
resolution trace that iterates through each element in the source data
array. This allows for a very detailed scan of the data and to find peaks
that the standard trace may omit.

Marker
Allows you to place markers in the active graph view. The markers can be
horizontal, vertical or both.
The position of the markers is displayed in the Info-Window.

Region
Allows you to select a horizontal, vertical or rectangular region in the active
graph view.

The coordinates of the selection are displayed in the Info-Window.

Label
Allows you to place customized labels in the active graph view.

Legend
Allows you to toggle the Legend on and off within the active graph view.

Info
Allows you to toggle the Info-Window on and off within the active graph view.

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 APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Layout
Allows you to reset the layout and place all windows in their default positions.

Graph menu
You launch the Graph menu by clicking on the blue icon in the top left corner of the
Graph view.

Figure 23 Graph menu

Graph Menu button

The Graph Menu button is in the top left corner of the graph view.

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APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Tools
The tools available from the Graph menu include:
• Select
• Zoom
• Pan
• Grid
• Tracer
• Difference Tracer
• Marker
• Region
• Label

Windows
The information windows available in the Graph Menu include:
• Legend
• Info Window
• Reset Layout

Printing and exporting files

Print
Launches a print dialog and allows you to print an image of the active graph view.

Figure 24 Print dialog

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 APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Print to BMP file

Exports an image of the active graph view to a file in .bmp format using the Save As
dialog.

Figure 25 Print to BMP file

Print to EMF file

Exports an image of the active graph view to a file in .emf format using the Save As
dialog.

Figure 26 Print to EMF file

Copy image to clipboard

Copies an image of the active graph view to the clipboard.

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APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Utilities
Tool setup
Allows you to modify the properties of some of the tools.

Note: The tool property dialog only launches if the active tool allows settings to
be changed.

Set Active Display

Allows you to select the active display. For more information see “Displays” on page
222.

Properties
Allows you to launch the graph Properties dialog. For more information see “Graph
Properties dialog” on page 223.

Export Data
Launches the Data Export dialog box that displays a list of all the curves on the graph
control and displays the data coordinates of those curves. It also allows you to export
the data points to a text file (Export Display or Export Curve). The format of the data
is either Single Pair or Table (see Figure 27).

The file is in the format below.

X1 (tab) Y1 (Single Pair)

or

X1 (tab) Y1

X2 (tab) Y2

Etc… (Table)

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 APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Figure 27 Data Export dialog

Import Curve
Allows you to import a curve from a text file. The file must be in the format below.

X1 (tab) Y1

X2 (tab) Y2

Etc…

Ex:

// (Beginning of file) (this line should not be in the file)

123.23 123.45

123.24 124.55

123.25 555.5

123.26 222.22

//(End of file) (this line should not be in the file)

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APPENDIX A—OPTI2D GRAPH CONTROL

Help
Launches a help dialog box specifically related to the Opti2D Graph Control.

Displays
The graph is made up of layered displays. Each display has a pair of axes. By default,
the control contains one display with Axis X on the bottom of the display and Axis Y
on the left. In the case of complex graphs that require more than one pair of axes,
more than one display exists. See Figure 28.

Figure 28 Active Display dialog box

Any objects that you place on the graph (such as markers) are placed on the active
graph view. Therefore, if you place a marker on the graph and Display 1 is active, the
new marker is based on the coordinate system of Display 1. If you want to add a
marker on Display 2, you must select the main menu in the Graph menu. This
launches the Graph Display dialog, which permits you to select a different display. In
complex graphs, the displays are layered one on top of the other.

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Figure 29 Graph displays

Graph Properties dialog

The graph Properties dialog allows you to manage properties of the graph.

The graph Properties dialog tabs include:

• General
• Axis X
• Axis Y
• Curve
• Fonts
• Grid
• Legend
• Labels

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General
Allows you to change the titles of the graph, and the titles of the axes (see Figure 30).

Figure 30 General tab

Axis X
Allows you to set properties of the X-axis (see Figure 31).

Figure 31 Axis-X tab

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Axis Color:
Select a color for the X-axis, and select whether the axis is Visible and the
Crosspoint is visible.

The values in Scale Type can be:

• Linear
• Logarithmic
• DB
The values in Format can be:
• Decimal: simple decimal values (1000.0, 2000.0, 3000.0)
• Exponential: exponential notation (1.0-e3, 2.0-e3, 3.0-e3)
• Engineering: engineering notation (1k, 2k, 3k)
• Scientific: scientific notation (1.0 x 103,2.0 x 103, 3.0 x 103)
Prefix: You can place a prefix string before each of the scale values.

Suffix: You can place a suffix string after each of the scale values (e.g. 1000.0 nm)

Automatic Range, Min Value, Max Value: You can check Automatic Range, which
sets the range according to the curves in the displays, or force the axis range to
certain values.

Tickmarks: You can set the number of major and minor tick marks on the Axis.

Axis Y
Allows you to set properties of the Y-axis (see Figure 32).

To see descriptions of the Axis Y dialog fields, see “Axis X” on page 224.

Figure 32 Axis Y tab

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Curve
Allows you to set various properties of the curves that are added to the control
(see Figure 33).

Figure 33 Curves tab

Curve List: Displays all of the curves on the active display.

Curve Properties

Color: Allows you to choose the color of the selected curve.

Line Style: Allows you to select the line style of the selected curve.

Plot Style: Allows you to select the plot style.

The values in Plot Style can be:

• Point
• Line
• Segment Left
• Segment Right
• Segment Center
• Step Left
• Step Right
• Drop Line

Line Thickness: Allows you to select the thickness of the currently plotted curve line.
Values range from 1 to 8.

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Point Style: Allows you to select the style in which each point on the curve will be
drawn.

The values in Point Style can be:

• None
• Circle
• Square
• Diamond
• Cross

Fonts
Allows you to select the fonts used for displaying titles and axis values
(see Figure 34).

Figure 34 Fonts tab dialog

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Grid
Allows you to select which of the grid lines on the display are visible, and what color
they are to be displayed in (see Figure 35), and whether you only show the active
display grid (Show active display grid only).

Figure 35 Grid tab

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Labels
The Labels tab allows you to remove and edit labels on the graph (see Figure 36). To
add a label, you use the Label tool in the Graph toolbox (see Graph tools).

Note: For removing a large number of labels or labels that may have been
positioned at coordinates that are not in the viewable area, it is easier to remove
or edit them using the Labels tab, because of the multiple selection feature.

Use the Label Properties dialog to edit the name or coordinates of the selected label,
or delete the label (see Figure 37).

Figure 36 Labels tab

Figure 37 Labels tab—Label Properties dialog

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Legend
Allows you to toggle the graph legend to be Visible or invisible.

Figure 38 Legend tab dialog

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