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Publish Date: Aug 27, 2008

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SPICE Simulation Fundamentals

109 ratings | 3.89 out of 5
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Table of Contents

  1. Overview
  2. SPICE Simulation Overview
  3. SPICE Simulation History
  4. SPICE Simulation Models
  5. Basic SPICE Simulation Model Parameters
  6. Advanced SPICE Simulation Model Parameters
  7. SPICE Simulation Options
  8. SPICE Simulation Control Statements
  9. SPICE Simulation Source Type and Parameters
  10. SPICE Simulation Course on Connexions
  11. SPICE Simulation User Guide

Overview

The National Instruments SPICE Simulation Fundamentals Series is your free resource on the Internet for learning about circuit simulation. The series is a set of tutorials and information on SPICE simulation, OrCAD pSPICE simulation, SPICE modeling, and other concepts in circuit simulation.

The series is divided among a number of in-depth detailed articles that offer HOW TO information on the important concepts and details of SPICE simulation.

Circuit simulation is an important part of any design process. By simulating your circuits, you can detect errors early in the process, and avoid costly and time-consuming prototype reworking. You can also easily swap components to evaluate designs with varying bills of materials (BOMs). 

NI Multisim is an example of an easy-to-use, powerful, and flexible SPICE simulation environment that allows educators to teach circuit theory, and engineers to quickly design topologies.

 

SPICE Simulation Overview

 

SPICE Simulation Overview
The basics of SPICE simulation. What is SPICE simulation? Learn about netlists, SPICE models, and speed versus accuracy in SPICE simulation.
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SPICE Simulation History

 

SPICE Simulation History
SPICE simulation has been available for more than 30 years. Learn more about the history of SPICE in its earlier forms, and what it has evolved into today.
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SPICE Simulation Models

 

SPICE Simulation Models
One of the most fundamental facets of SPICE simulation is a set of accurate models of the components used in any given circuit. There are literally millions of different SPICE models available. Learn about the basics of a SPICE model, model makers, and where to look for vendor-specific models of components.
Learn more >>

 

Basic SPICE Simulation Model Parameters

 

Basic SPICE Simulation Model Parameters
Intrinsic to SPICE is the ability to model basic and more advanced single element real and ideal components. Read this tutorial to learn the basics about the various models that are available in SPICE.
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Advanced SPICE Simulation Model Parameters

 

Advanced SPICE Simulation Model Parameters
The native SPICE models have a number of very specific parameters that control how the simulation model will behave under varying circumstances. For example, you can change the temperature coefficients for a resistor to make your simulation more closely match a vendor’s component. This article lists the names and descriptions for the hundreds of parameters available in SPICE.
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SPICE Simulation Options

 

SPICE Simulation Options
Simulations can be accurate because of the quality of the SPICE models used and the simulation options. Parameters such as relative tolerance (RELTOL) and timestep can have a drastic affect on the results produced by the SPICE simulator. This article gives you detailed information on a number of the many options available and what effect changing them will produce.
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SPICE Simulation Control Statements

 

SPICE Simulation Control Statements
At the heart of every industry standard SPICE simulator is a text-based core. Power users of SPICE simulation take advantage of their knowledge to achieve the greatest control over exactly how simulations proceed. This article gives an overview of the control statements that engage the SPICE engine.
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SPICE Simulation Source Type and Parameters

 

SPICE Simulation Source Type and Parameters
Proper SPICE simulation will always require some type of stimulus or source. Native to SPICE are a number of basic and more complex sources such as Pulse voltages, Exponential voltages, Sine waves, and Piece-wise linear sources. This article gives detailed information on the syntax of these source elements in SPICE.
Learn more >>

 

SPICE Simulation Course on Connexions

 

Introduction to Multisim Schematic Capture and SPICE Simulation
This course introduces Multisim through instructional modules and hands-on exercises. The entire course is available free online, and will walk you through the basics of capture and simulation using Multisim.
Learn more >>

 

SPICE Simulation User Guide

 

SPICE Simulation User Guide
The SPICE User Guide is an essential compendium of knowledge on the syntax and details of SPICE simulation. Use this link to access your copy of the SPICE User Guide.
Learn more >>

 

 

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Legal
This tutorial (this "tutorial") was developed by National Instruments ("NI"). Although technical support of this tutorial may be made available by National Instruments, the content in this tutorial may not be completely tested and verified, and NI does not guarantee its quality in any way or that NI will continue to support this content with each new revision of related products and drivers. THIS TUTORIAL IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND AND SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN NI.COM'S TERMS OF USE (http://ni.com/legal/termsofuse/unitedstates/us/).