Circuit Design and Simulation: Educator and Classroom Resources

Software Simulations and Examples

The following list of circuits and virtual instruments demonstrate complex circuit behavior in the easy-to-use environments of NI Multisim and NI LabVIEW.

RLC Circuits

These example circuits created in NI Multisim 10 investigate a number of basic electronics laws and passive component designs with interactive SPICE simulation.

Diodes

These example circuits created in NI Multisim 10 investigate a number of diode and Zener diode circuits. Topics covered include half and full rectifier circuits as well as voltage regulation.

Transistors

These example circuits created in NI Multisim 10 focusses on transistor based circuit, and investigates various PNP and NPN biased transistors

Amplifiers

These example circuits created in NI Multisim 10 investigate various amplifier designs with interactive SPICE simulation and analyses. The amplifier examples include both single and two stage designs.

Operational Amplifiers

These example circuits created in NI Multisim 10 focus on operational amplifier circuits with interactive SPICE simulation. Topics include inverting and non-inverting designs, as well as peak detectors.

Filters

These example circuits created in NI Multisim 10 focusses on filter designs with interactive SPICE simulation and analyses. Topics include low-pass, high-pass, butterworth and notch filters.

Phasor Diagram - Custom Multisim Virtual Instrument

This custom LabVIEW virtual instrument for NI Multisim uses a phasor diagram representation of AC voltage rather than a Bode plot. This instrument has an oscilloscope projection of the phasors, including phase measurements.

Expression Source - Custom Multisim Virtual Instrument

This LabVIEW based expression source allows engineers to create custom signalforms based on mathematical expressions. This instrument enables students and educators to extend the source capabilities of SPICE and NI Multisim by applying more complex signals to their circuits.

Elevator Display - Custom Multisim Virtual Instrument

Visualize simulation data in applications investigating analog, digital, MCU and controls simulation with this custom LabVIEW instrument for NI Multisim.

PIC16F84 Microcontroller Up-Down Counter

This NI Multisim MCU Module based example utilizes a PIC16F84 from Microchip to demonstrate a simple up and down counter.

Hardware Labs and Exercises

Practical Teaching Ideas

NI ELVIS Courseware

This courseware contains ten separate experiments that utilize the many features of NI ELVIS. The experiments are designed to introduce those who are new to the NI ELVIS platform to the many features and possibilities that exist in both hardware and software.

View Lab

Understanding RF Circuits Teaching Resource

The Understanding RF Circuits Teaching Resource, contains radio frequency (RF) applications to be used with NI Multisim. Twenty-one specially designed electronic communication experiments are provided for use with this computer controlled environment. These experiments are meant to supplement the theory students normally obtain in lectures.

Conducting Experiments Using the NI Electronics Education Platform

The NI Electronics Education Platform is an integrated tool-chain designed to meet the needs of students and educators. This platform consists of an ideal mix of hardware and software that guides students through the engineering and design process. The purpose of a laboratory experiment is to familiarize students with the engineering process, and equip them with the tools of an engineer

NI Electronics Education Courseware

This courseware is a resource to connect professors and educators with courseware, curricula, example labs and tutorials covering the various elements of the NI Electronics Education Platform.

Introduction to Multisim Schematic Capture and Simulation

This course introduces National Instruments Multisim through instructional modules and hands-on exercises. Multisim is an interactive, graphical schematic capture tool and SPICE simulator that allows you to build circuits, simulate, and instrument them in a virtual environment. Multisim has many enhanced features that enhance the teaching of circuits and electronics concepts.

Textbooks and Applicable Courses

Textbooks

	Microelectronic Circuits, 5th Edition Adel S. Sedra and Kenneth C. Smith Oxford University Press ISBN10: 0195142519 ISBN13: 9780195142518 Download Multisim example files direct from Microelectronics Circuits

	Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices and Applications, 7th Edition Thomas L. Floyd Prentice Hall ISBN-10: 013219709X ISBN-13: 9780132197090

	Electric Circuits, 7th Edition James W. Nilsson, Iowa State University Susan Riedel, Marquette University Prentice Hall ISBN-10: 0131329723 ISBN-13: 9780131329720

Case Studies and Conference Papers

Add Some SPICE to Distance Learning: In this case study, we utilize the SPICE simulator NI Multisim and the graphical programming environment NI LabVIEW to build a remote lab.
The NI Electronics Education Platform: A Case Study: This case study into a typical implementation of the electronics education platform showcases how an educator can use an integrated laboratory to enhance their electronics courses.
Integration of Virtual Instrumentation into a Compressed Electricity and Electronic Curriculum: This paper elaborates on the efforts of improving the quality of electricity and electronics education with the help of simulation, virtual instrumentation tools and the NI ELVIS (Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite)
Use of LabVIEW Software to Create a Virtual Electrical Power Systems Lab: This paper discusses the creation of a Virtual Electrical Power Systems Laboratory for the University of Houston–Downtown in Houston, Texas. NI LabVIEW software has been used to create a cost effective user-friendly electrical power systems virtual laboratory.
Using Signal Express to Automate Analog Electronics Experiments: Many analog electronics experiments can be very time consuming. National Instruments SignalExpress is an environment dedicated to test and measurement where the individual can usehigh-level signal sourcing and measurement blocks to build an automated measurement system that will collect and present data in a graphical form. SignalExpress has a very short learning curve so students can rapidly program their own tests.

Videos and Webcasts

	Discover the new features in NI Multisim 10.1 for Education by viewing the What's New in Multisim 10.1? For Education webcast.

	Explore the Multisim environment through the NI Multisim 10.1 Interactive Demonstration and learn how to get started with Multisim by performing basic capture, simulation and analysis.

	Watch this step-by-step guided tour to see the NI ELVIS II hardware in detail and learn the areas where it can be applied

Software Licensing Options

	NI Academic Site License Unlimited seats of NI software for your department, college or campus Comprehensive suite of LabVIEW and other circuit sofware Automatic bi-annual updates with new and upgraded software

	Student Install Option Allow your students to install software on their personal laptops and PCs Affordable price for your entire student body Access to all software available in the Academic Site License

Recommended Lab Configurations

	Circuit Design Bundle Fully integrated design, simulation, test, and prototyping platform for circuit experiments Intuitive schematic capture and interactive SPICE simulator with Multisim Integrated USB NI ELVIS II hardware for prototyping, test, and measurements Compare simulated data and real-world signals with NI ELVIS II instruments inside Multisim Express VIs for point-and-click configuration in LabVIEW and LabVIEW SignalExpress

	NI Multisim Education Students can create "what if" scenarios with intuitive schematic capture and interactive simulation Advanced SPICE analyses such as Monte Carlo and worst case help students develop their intuition A database with thousands of models ensures that most laboratory circuits can be realized virtually Teach instrumentation fundamentals with virtual instruments such as oscilloscopes and current probes

	NI ELVIS Complete integration into NI Multisim Design and prototyping platform for engineering education Integrated USB Plug-and-play for easy setup and maintenance Virtual instrumentation suite with 12 integrated instruments

	NI LabVIEW Tight integration with hardware (data acquisition, instrument control, motion control) Automatic code generation using DAQ Assistant and Instrument I/O Assistant Highly productive graphical programming Measurement analysis and digital signal processing

	NI Circuit Design Suite for Education Easily capture schematics and interactively simulate designs with NI Multisim Co-simulate C-code or assembly-based microcontroller designs with the NI Multisim MCU Module Transfer designs with the click of a button to NI Ultiboard for PCB layout and routing Includes software made with education in mind - Multisim, Multisim MCU Module, and Ultiboard

	NI Circuit Design Suite for Students Capture, simulate, and analyze circuits for homework and prelab assignments Breadboard in 3D at home before going to lab sessions Includes NI Multisim, the NI Multisim MCU Module and NI Ultiboard Up to 50 components in designs with nearly 4000 components to choose from