Starts or steps forward the simulator. If the simulation is not already started (that is, the simulator view is not open), then the simulation startup procedure is initiated. The first step in the startup procedure is to check whether the simulation settings have been set. If not, you are prompted to do so, and if you accept, the Project Settings dialog is opened with the Simulation page in front. Refer to the Simulation Settings section for a description of available settings. If you don't accept to set up simulation settings, or if you click Cancel in the Project Settings dialog, simulation is aborted.
Next, all modified source files are compiled as necessary, and then a thorough semantic analysis is performed on the whole model. If errors are found, they will be output to the message view. Some error messages include a link that can be clicked to have the failing element selected in the source file. Refer to the Compiler Errors section for information about error messages.
If no errors are found, simulation is started at cycle 0 and the simulator view is opened. Refer to the The Simulator chapter for information on how to use the simulator view.
If the simulation was already started when the Simulate command is invoked, it is first checked whether any source file or the project settings have been modified since the simulation was started. If so, and you accept to restart the simulation in the dialog that appears, the simulation is reset as described in the Reset Simulator section. Otherwise, the existing simulation is stepped forward with the amount of time specified in the simulation time box in the toolbar. The simulation time box is located to the right of the Simulate toolbar button. Simulation time can be specified as number of cycles or, if appended with the time units "s", "ms" or "us", as real time. For example, entering 10 in the simulation time box will make the simulation step forward by 10 cycles each time the Simulate command is invoked, while entering 10 ms will make it step forward by 10 milliseconds. The real time corresponding to one cycle can be set up in the Simulation Settings.
F9
Available if there is at least one source file in the project.