National Instruments Circuit Design Technical Library

Concepts & Fundamentals

Learn about simulation and design

User Solutions & Success Stories

Browse customer success stories

Schematic Capture & Simulation

Discover how to capture and simulate

Prototype Layout & Routing

Access tutorials circuit layout

Advanced Simulation & Test

Advanced design and simulation

User Guides & Product Info

Up-to-date manuals and user guides

Reference Designs & Tutorials

Explore reference designs

Support & Services

Contact support or join our community

Concepts & Fundamentals

Learn about key concepts in SPICE simulation, PCB layout and the fundamentals of circuit design. Resources include an introduction to SPICE simulation fundamentals.

Featured Link: Simulation Fundamentals: Cosimulation in NI Multisim

• SPICE Simulation Fundamentals
• SPICE Simulation Options 
• Former PSPICE User? Transition to Multisim Tutorial
• Simulation Fundamentals: Simulation in NI Multisim
• Simulation Fundamentals: Cosimulation in NI Multisim

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User Solutions & Success Stories

Learn how other customers are using NI Multisim, NI Ultiboard and other NI hardware to simulate better, prototype faster, and validate easier.

Featured Link: Designing a Solar Powered, Rechargeable Lantern for Developing Nations

• Designing a Solar Powered, Rechargeable Lantern for Developing Nations with NI Multisim and NI Ultiboard
• Studying Human Locomotion of Amputees Using Prostheses with NI Multisim
• Creating an Innovative Medical Instrument Using NI Products
• High-Performance Electronics for a Formula Race Car
• Rapid Design of a Military Communications System Using NI Technologies
• National Lab Application: Using Multisim, LabVIEW and PXI to Improve Validation
• Making the Connection to Mechanical CAD: Exporting a Ultiboard Design to Solidworks
• DeVry University Teaches Electronics and Circuits Courses Using NI Multisim
• Georgia Institute of Technology Simplifies Teaching Circuit Design with NI Multisim
• German User Solution: LetteVerein Use of NI Multisim, NI Ultiboard and PXI

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Schematic Capture & Simulation

Looking to learn how to design with Multisim?  Browse these resources to learn how to capture, simulation and analyze your circuits.

Featured Link: Learn how to Capture and Simulate in Less than 30 Minutes

Schematic Capture: 

• Schematic Capture Glossary
• Former PSPICE User? Transition to Multisim Tutorial
• Interactive Tutorial: Multisim iDemo [Learn how to Capture and Simulate Online]
• Webcast: Multisim 101 [Introduction to the Multisim Environment]
• Best Practices in Printed Circuit Board Design
• NI Multisim: Advanced Capture and Design
• Repeating Common Circuits in NI Multisim: Hierarchical Blocks
• Autoconnect Passives in NI Multisim
• Creating Bus Vectors in NI Multisim
• How to Use the Filter Wizard in NI Multisim
• NI Fundamental Circuits Series: Seven chapters of detailed circuit design examples

SPICE Simulation

• Webcast: Simuate Better with NI Multisim
• Learn how to Capture and Simulate in Less than 30 Minutes
• Learning about SPICE Models
• NI Multisim: Advanced Interactive Simulation & SPICE Analyses
• Entering Expressions in NI Multisim
• Customizing SPICE Simulation Options in NI Multisim
• The Analog Behavior Model Source in NI Multisim
• Overview of NI Multisim Virtual Instruments
• How to Use NI Multisim Simulation Driven Instruments
• Using the Multisim Grapher with Interactive Instruments
• Advanced Analysis Techniques: Saving Simulation Data During Analysis
• Multisim Integration with LabVIEW: Natively Read and Write Data to LVM
• The Arbitrary SPICE Block Component
• Pausing Simulation with the Measurement Probe in NI Multisim
• Component Creation Part 1: Creating a Custom Component in NI Multisim
• Webcast: Introduction to the NI Multisim MCU Functionality
• The NI Multisim MCU Module: Interactive Debugging Environment
• Microcontroller Unit Co-Simulation for SPICE-based Circuits

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Prototype Layout & Routing

Find detailed tutorials and resources on how to prototype, layout, route and export PCBs for fabrication.

Featured Link: Best Practices for Printed Circuit Board Routing

Layout & Routing

• PCB Design Fundamentals
• Webcast: Prototype Faster with Multisim
• Best Practices for Printed Circuit Board Routing
• How to Forward Annotate from NI Multisim to NI Ultiboard
• How to Back Annotate from NI Ultiboard to NI Multisim
• Cross-Probing Between Multisim & Ultiboard
• Export to Mentor Graphics PADS Layout
• Repeating Common Circuits in NI Ultiboard
• Viewing a PCB Design in 3D
• Determining SMD Pad Count
• Component Creation Part 2: Creating a Custom Component in NI Ultiboard
• Component Creation Part 3: Accelerate Landpattern Design with Ultiboard and LP Wizard
• Exporting Gerber Files from NI Ultiboard
• Making the Connection to Mechanical CAD: Exporting a Ultiboard Design to Solidworks
• Completing the Design with Multisim and Ultiboard: Annotation Fundamentals
• Finalizing Design for Fabrication

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Advanced Simulation & Test

Multisim combines with LabVIEW for a unique platform for advanced simulation. Using LabVIEW integrate real measurements into design, develop custom analyses and improve simulation.

Featured Link:  Download the LabVIEW Multisim Connectivity Toolkit

Advanced Simulation with Real Measurements

• Webcast: Improve Design Productivity with the LabVIEW Multisim Connectivity Toolkit
• Exporting Simulation Data to NI LabVIEW
• The Virtual Prototype; An Advanced Reality Check in the Iterative Simulation Process
• Introduction to the LabVIEW Multisim Connectivity Toolkit
• National Lab Application: Using Multisim, LabVIEW and PXI to Improve Validation
• Reference Design: Automating Simulation in LabVIEW
• Reference Design: Using the Cycle-Accurate ARM Microcontroller Simulator with NI Multisim
• Download the LabVIEW Multisim Connectivity Toolkit for Free at ni.com/labs

Custom Multisim Simulation Driven Instruments & Analyses for Download

• How to Create a LabVIEW Based Virtual Instruments for NI Multisim
• Assure compatibility of NI LabVIEW based Instruments across different NI Multisim versions
• Digital Waveform Generator: Using the NI6551 Instrument in NI Multisim
• Biomedical Application: Multisim Simulation with an ECG Amplifier
• LED Array Intensity Grid
• Using a Comparison Display To Show The Difference Of Two SPICE Based Signals
• Using An Elevator Display With NI Multisim Simulations
• Using A Phasor Diagram With NI Multisim Simulations
• Input Signals From Any GPIB Device To Drive Your SPICE Based Circuit
• Using An Expression Source To Drive Your SPICE Based Circuit
• Outputting Signals from a NI Multisim Simulation to a NI DAQ Device
• Multisim PXI Instruments [Oscilloscope, DMM, Arbitrary Waveform Generator, Multimeter, Digital Waveform Generator]

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User Guides & Product Information

Quickly find online resources such as user guides, manuals and release notes to find product information on what features are available and how to use them.

Featured Link: Getting Started with NI Circuit Design Suite

User Guides and Manuals

• Getting Started with NI Circuit Design Suite
• NI Multisim User Guide

Product Information

• NI Multisim Version Comparison Chart [version 5 to version 11.0]
• NI Multisim and NI Ultiboard 11.0 Release Information
• NI Multisim and NI Ultiboard Product Features
• NI Multisim and NI Ultiboard Academic Features
• NI Multisim Components

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Reference Designs & Tutorials

View reference designs on how to design custom hardware for NI platforms such as M Series DAQ, CompactRIO and Single-Board RIO

Featured Link: Single-Board RIO Custom Daughter Card Design

• Creating a Custom R-Series to M-Series Connector Board with Multisim and Ultiboard
• Using Multisim to Design a Custom CompactRIO Module
• Templates for CompactRIO I/O Module Design
• Customization of a CompactRIO Platform: Breakout Board Design with Multisim and Ultiboard
• Reference Design: Defining a Custom C-Series Counter Module
• Introduction to Single-Board RIO Daughter Card Design
• Single-Board RIO Custom Daughter Card Design

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Support & Services

For customers with SSP contact National Instruments Support or join our free design community for assistance with your questions.

Featured Link: Multisim Support

Contact Support

• NI Multisim Support
• NI Ultiboard Support
• NI Multisim Discussion Forum
• Circuit Design Community
• Circuit Design Training Options

Online Knowledge Base

• Search the NI Multisim Knowledge Base (FAQ)
• Search the NI Ultiboard Knowlege Base (FAQ)

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