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Overview
National Instruments Multisim schematic capture and simulation environment, and National Instruments Ultiboard layout and routing are available in different packages to ensure you have the professional tools, models, components and functionality to efficiently complete your design. The charts below showcase the various features available in each package.
NI Multisim is available in Base, Full and Power Pro Editions.
NI Ultiboard is available in Full and Power Pro Editions.
NI Multisim - Capture Features
The following chart investigates the schematic capture features of NI Multisim.
| Feature |
Base |
Full |
Power Pro |
|
|
|
previously MultiCap Pro |
previously Multisim Pro |
previously Multisim Power Pro |
|
|
Customizable GUI |
• |
• |
• |
|
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Modeless part placement and wiring |
• |
• |
• |
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Fast retrieval parts bins |
• |
• |
• |
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User defined fields |
• |
• |
• |
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Advanced symbol editor |
• |
• |
• |
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Auto and manual wiring |
• |
• |
• |
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Virtual wiring by node name |
• |
• |
• |
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Fast auto-connect passives |
• |
• |
• |
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Rubber banding on part move |
• |
• |
• |
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Replace multiple components at once |
• |
• |
• |
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Bus-vector connect |
• |
• |
• |
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Project manager |
• |
• |
• |
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Hierarchical design |
• |
• |
• |
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Multisheet design |
• |
• |
• |
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Circuit annotations |
• |
• |
• |
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Comments on schematic |
• |
• |
• |
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Electrical rules check |
• |
• |
• |
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Title block editor |
• |
• |
• |
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Forward/back annotation |
• |
• |
• |
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Export to Mentor PADS layout |
• |
• |
• |
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Advanced search |
• |
• |
• |
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Variant support |
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|
• |
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Spreadsheet view |
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• |
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Design constraints |
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• |
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Zoom to selected part |
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Pin and gate swap |
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• |
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Customizable BOM |
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• |
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Advanced reports |
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• |
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Cross-probing with NI Ultiboard |
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• |
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ERC scope setting |
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Mark no-connect pins |
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• |
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Database import/export |
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• |
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Component database* |
Partial |
Partial |
Complete |
|
*To view the components available in each package click here.
NI Multisim - Simulation Features
The following chart investigates the simulation features of NI Multisim.
|
Feature |
Base |
Full |
Power Pro |
|
|
|
previously MultiCap Pro |
previously Multsim Pro |
previously Multisim Power Pro |
|
|
Interactive simulator |
• |
• |
• |
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Fully mixed-mode A/D simulation |
• |
• |
• |
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Standard SPICE 3X5/XSPICE |
• |
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Enhanced model support |
• |
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PSPICE model simulation* |
• |
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Speed/accuracy tradeoffs |
• |
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Simulation Advisor |
• |
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Convergence Assistant |
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Virtual, interactive, animated parts |
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Mouse-click support for interactive parts |
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Measurement probes |
• |
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Component Wizard |
• |
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NI measurement data file sources |
• |
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NI measurement data file export |
• |
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NI LabVIEW VIs as instruments and sources |
|
• |
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Simulation profiles |
|
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Postprocessor |
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Expressions in analyses |
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Add traces to Grapher, post analysis |
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Rated components |
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Insert faults into components |
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Op-Amp Wizard |
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555 Timer Wizard |
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Filter Wizard |
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CE Amplifier Wizard |
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Model makers |
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Switch mode power supply simulation models |
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RF Design Module |
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Nested sweeps |
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C-Code modeling |
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| Virtual Instruments ** | ||||
| Analyses ** | ||||
|
Multisim MCU module *** |
||||
| ** To learn more about the virtual instruments and analyses available in the professional tiers of NI Multisim click here. |
| *** To learn more about the features of NI Multisim MCU Module click here. |
NI Ultiboard - Layout Features
The following chart investigates the layout features of NI Ultiboard.
|
Feature |
Full | Power Pro | ||
|
|
previously Ultiboard Pro |
previously Ultiboard Power Pro |
||
|
Gridless follow-me placement |
• |
• |
||
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Push and shove part placement |
• |
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Push and shove trace placement |
• |
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Real-time & from copper ratsnest |
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Auto-alignment |
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Real-time polygon update with voiding |
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Keep-in/keep-out areas |
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Forward/backward annotation |
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Real-time DRC |
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Jump to error |
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64 layers and 1 nanometer resolution |
|
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Polar grids |
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Customizable layer viewing |
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Split power-planes |
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Comprehensive Footprint Wizard |
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Enhanced 3D visualization with print |
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Full screen mode |
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Gerber, DXF, IPC-D-356A, SVG output |
• |
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Dimensions on PCB and landpatterns |
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Dimensions in Database Manager |
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User annotations |
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Net bridges |
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3D visualization inside circuit board |
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Turn off ratsnest for selected nets |
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Load and save technology files |
|
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Cross-probing with NI Multisim |
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Variant support |
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Component Placement Sequencer |
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Place components in array |
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Unplace all components |
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Ruler bar alignments and measurements |
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Save PCB design as a component |
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Permanent grouping |
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Pin & gate swapping |
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Gridless Connection Machine |
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High-speed constraint-driven layout |
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Multiple clearances |
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Net topology choices |
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Equispace trace support |
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Differential Impedance Calculator |
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Transmission Line Calculator |
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Microvias |
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Test point insertion |
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Automatic tear-dropping |
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Pin necked trace support |
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Automatic jumper insertion |
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Copy route & replica place functions |
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In-place footprint editor |
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Mechanical CAD |
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Export 3D info in 3D IGES, DXF formats |
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Copper amount report |
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Test point report |
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Number of pins supported |
1,400 |
Unlimited |
||
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Spreadsheet view |
Limited |
Complete |
||
NI Ultiboard - Routing Features
The following chart investigates the routing features of NI Ultiboard. The previous Ultiroute software is now a standard feature of both Ultiboard Full and Ultiboard Power Pro.
|
Feature |
Full |
Power Pro |
||
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previously Ultiboard Pro |
previously Ultiboard Power Pro |
|||
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Autoplacement |
• |
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Pin & gate swapping |
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Fully customizable cost factors |
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Progressive routing |
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Interactive autorouting |
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Constraint driven routing |
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Follows keep-in/keep-out criteria |
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Manual pre-placement: components, vias, traces |
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Auto block capacitor recognition |
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SMD mirroring |
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Net shielding |
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Automatic testpoint insertion |
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Trace rubberbanding |
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Advanced BGA fan-out |
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Topology: shortest, daisy chain, star |
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Prioritize routing order |
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Route an individual net |
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Automatic bus routing |
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Differential pair routing |
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Group autoplace |
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Group autoroute |
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Optimization |
|
• |
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Pin number limit |
1,400 |
Unlimited |
||
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Maximum number of layers |
4 |
64 |
||
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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/).