Batch mode is a short cut which allows you to rapidly perform an optimization study for a particular configuration (PRM file). Rather than creating a series of PRM files, you only need to create one, and then specify which parameters should be varied.
To do a batch run, click the ‘Batch’ button on the toolbar (the icon shows many people running).
Parameters can be chosen from the drop-down lists. There’s a description of the parameter at the bottom of the dialog box. For input parameters, you need to specify the range to be varied over, the number of different values, and if they should be varied logarithmically or linearly.
When you’ve finished, press OK. The table will appear at the bottom of the parameter view. Results parameters will appear as question marks.
Run the simulation as normal. As each result is calculated, it will appear in the table, replacing the question mark. The number of simulations performed so far will be displayed in the title bar.
Examining the results
Use the Copy button to copy the results into the clipboard. From there, they can be pasted into other programs. For example, the results could be pasted into a spreadsheet and graphed.
If you’re interested in how a particular graph varies, select it in Interactive Graph View before running the batch. After the batch has finished, use the PageUp and PageDown keys to see how the graphs varied for different parameter values. (You can keep the axes constant while doing this by selecting ‘retain zoom’ in the Graph menu. You can reset the graphs using ‘reset history graphs’ in the same menu).
Note: Any parameter that is disabled in the PRM file will have no effect on batch results. For example, the front texture angle is irrelevant if texturing is disabled.
Advanced feature: Permute
If you vary multiple parameters, they can be varied together, or you can solve for all combinations. Click the ‘Permute’ check box to do all permutations of that input parameter. If permute is off, the parameter will be tied to the parameter above it.
External Batch Files
If you find the ‘QuickBatch’ method is too restrictive, you can also use an external batch file. This file should contain only the parameters that vary between simulations, and the results that are desired. For example, a batch file for a solar cell could contain a list of background doping values, and Voc, Isc and Pmax as desired results. To perform a batch run, do the following steps:
From a spreadsheet (e.g. Microsoft Excel), enter the parameters in tabular form. Place input parameters on the left hand side of the table, and results parameters on the right. The parameters can be chosen from a list of about 150. (See below for the list).
There is no intrinsic limit to the length of a batch file. Previously, batch files were limited to 100 lines. The maximum number of lines now depends on the operating system you are using. In Windows 95, batch files are limited to a few hundred lines (more if smaller font sizes are used in Parameter View). This limitation doesn’t apply to Windows NT.
Batch files can have 30 fields across (although only the first 12 will print on A4 paper, unless you select a very small font size or copy the results into a spreadsheet program).
Save the table in “Tabbed Text” format. The file should end in “.txt”.
From PC1D, open your PRM file. Using the Compute:Batch menu, select the text file that you created with your spreadsheet.
Note: Shortcuts to files on network drives are not supported. You must select the batch file directly.
Example
There is a sample batch file included with PC1D called BatchExample.txt, which may be useful for first-time users of the batch capability.
Batch Parameters
The parameters which can be specified are:
Several abbreviations are used in batch parameter titles:
Fr = Front, Rr = Rear
Tx=Texture
Refl = Reflection, BroadRef=Broadband reflection
Bkgnd=Background
Dop=Doping
Pos=Position
Pri=Primary, Sec=Secondary
Insy=Intensity
Mono=Monochrome wavelength
Coll=Collector
SS=Steady-state value, TR1=Initial transient value, TR2=final transient value