How To Use NI Multisim Measurement Instruments

NI Multisim provides a number of measurement instruments that you can use to interactively measure the behavior of circuits.

These instruments behave like their real-world equivalents as you set, use and read the simulated measurements.

Using measurement instruments provides an easy way to examine a circuit’s behavior through the simulation results.

Introduction

In this article we provide a number of different circuit files that can be downloaded and used to understand how to use the measurement instruments available in the NI Multisim environment.

These examples have been created specifically for all Multisim users to quickly understand how to use these instruments and begin using them as a part of their design process.

Note: You will find details regarding how to use that particular instrument in these downloadable examples by viewing the circuit description box (access this description box by accessing View > Circuit Description Box in the NI Multisim environment).

 

Key Features

All the measurement instruments in the NI Multisim environment share some common features, including:

• Changing settings while the simulation is running
• Re-wiring terminals while simulation is running
• Using multiple instances of the same instrument in one circuit
• Saving instrument settings and displaying data with the circuit file
• Populating data displayed in the measurement instruments in the Grapher View also
• Resizing the measurement instrument panel to account for screen resolution or presentation mode
• Easily exporting displayed data to DAT, TXT, LVM and TDM format

In the Downloads and Requirements section of this arcticle you will find more than 30 new examples for a "How to ..." approach to NI Multisim's virtual instruments. The examples are kept simple in order to focus on a particular instrument feature. Examples for the RF and LabVIEW based Instruments can be found in the section Additional Resources section of this article.

 

Categories of Virtual Instruments

NI Multisim’s virtual instruments can be grouped into six categories:

AC and DC Instruments

You can download example files on how to use the various AC and DC instruments by clicking here .

• Function Generator
• Multimeter
• 2-Channel Oscilloscope
• 4- Channel Oscilloscope
• Wattmeter
• IV Analyzer
• Frequency Counter
• Bode Plotter
• Distortion Analyzer

 

Logic Instruments

You can download example files on how to use the various logic instruments by clicking here .

• Logic Analyzer
• Logic Converter
• Word Generator

 

RF Instruments

To understand more about the RF instruments, you will find extensive resources in specially created courseware entitled Understanding RF with NI Multisim.

• Spectrum Analyzer
• Network Analyzer

 

Simulated Vendor Instruments

The simulated vendor instruments, allow those still training to understand their design environment (students, technicians in training) to learn how to also use real-world benchtop instruments such as: 

• Agilent Waveform Generator Type: 33120A
• Agilent DMM Type: 34401A
• Agilent Oscilloscope Type: 54622D
• Tektronix Oscilloscope Type: TDS 2024

 

 

Measurement Probes

You can download example files on how to use the measurement probes by clicking here .

• Dynamic Probe
• Referenced Probe
• Current Probe

 

NI LabVIEW Based Instruments

There are a number of resources available to help understand how to use the cusom LabVIEW based instruments, including example files available as shipping files (available in the NI Multisim at File > Open Samples) and specially created resources such as How To Create a LabVIEW Based Virtual Instrument For Multisim.

• LabVIEW Microphone
• LabVIEW Speaker
• LabVIEW Signal Analyzer
• LabVIEW Signal Generator
• Custom LabVIEW based instruments

 

Additional Resources

Consult the following documents and articles for additional information:

• Overview of NI Multisim's Virtual Instruments
• Download Courseware - Understanding RF with NI Multisim
• View Tutorial on "How To Create a LabVIEW Based Virtual Instrument For Multisim"
• Download the NI Multisim User Manual for a detailed description of the instruments functionality and behavior

 

Requirements

Filename: multism_ac_and_dc_instr.zip

Software Requirements

Application Software: Multisim Base Edition 10.0

Filename: multisim_probes.zip

Software Requirements

Application Software: Multisim Base Edition 10.0

Filename: multisim_logic_instr.zip

Software Requirements

Application Software: Multisim Base Edition 10.0

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Multisim Convergence Assistant Log Step 1: Verifying Error Scenario ...could not reproduce the error
- anon20423938 - Jul 9, 2011