Introduction to PSpiceIntroduction to PSpice

Simulation SoftwareSimulation Software

The Origins of SPICEThe Origins of SPICE

• In the 1960’s, simulation software begins– CANCER

• Computer Analysis of Nonlinear Circuits, Excluding Radiation

• Developed at the University of California, Berkley• Funded by United States public funds

The Origins of SPICEThe Origins of SPICE

• From CANCER to SPICE– SPICE developed in the 1970’s

• Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis

– Developed to save money• Simulation of circuits, not physically building• Transistor sizes

– Microprocessors vs. 2N2222

The Origins of SPICEThe Origins of SPICE

• From SPICE to SPICE2– SPICE 2 was in response to the wonderful

acceptance of SPICE• Comments, questions, and complaints found their

way back to UC-Berkley

– SPICE 2 was released into the public domain• This means its free to use in the United States

– Commercial versions that offer much more support and features

That Was ThenThat Was Then

• The original way of entering circuit information– A text file with syntax specific to the simulator

• Easy to remember commands and syntax– R – Resistor– C – Capacitor– L – Inductor– {Element} {node1} {node2} {value}

• Entered into any text editor with proper syntax

That Was ThenThat Was Then

• The circuit above is shown in the text file to the right

That Was ThenThat Was Then

This Is NowThis Is Now

• New user interface• Graphical circuit

diagrams• Variation of simulation

parameters with a few clicks

First Look at CaptureFirst Look at Capture

• First window you will see when you open Capture

• Create a new Project– File New Project

• This will open a new window

• Select a project name– PSpice Lab Simulation

• Select a project location– C:\PSpice\{YourName}

• Select what type of project– Analog or Mixed A/D

• Click OK

New Project WindowNew Project Window

Create PSpice ProjectCreate PSpice Project

• This window will open• Select the bottom

option– Create a blank project

• Click OK

The Project WindowsThe Project Windows

• The Main Project Window

• Two other information windows– Session Log Window– Project File Window

• Our main window– Schematic 1: Page 1

Place PartsPlace Parts

• Place the 5 resistors– Using Place Part– Type ‘R’ in Part Field

• Place the Voltage Source– Using Place Part– Type ‘Vdc’ in Part

Field

• Right click and choose “End Mode”

Rotate and Move ResistorsRotate and Move Resistors

• Click on the resistor– Use ‘Ctrl+R’ to rotate– Repeat for 4 resistors

• Move and place the resistors in parallel

• Change the values– Double Click on the

‘1k’ and enter ‘4k’ of the parallel resistors

Change the Voltage and WireChange the Voltage and Wire

• Change DC Voltage– Double Click on ‘0Vdc’

and enter ’16Vdc’

• Now wire the circuit– Using Place Wire– Click on one node, and

‘draw’ to the other and click again

• Right click and select “End Mode”

Placing the GroundPlacing the Ground

• Every PSpice circuit must have a ground

• Use the icons on the right– 9th icon down

• This opens the “Place Ground” window

• Select the ‘0/Source’• Click OK

The Completed CircuitThe Completed Circuit

Simulation ProfileSimulation Profile

• Need to create a simulation profile– PSpice New

Simulation Profile

• Name the profile– DC Solution

• Click OK

Edit the Simulation ProfileEdit the Simulation Profile

• Go to the Analysis Tab

• Under the Analysis type, choose Bias Point– This is to find the DC

solution

• Click OK• Ready to Simulate

Running the SimulationRunning the Simulation

• The last step is to RUN the simulation– Do this by selecting PSpice Run

• After running the simulation a new window will open– Close this window and return to the

Schematic 1: Page 1 window

• Use the “V” and “I” (and maybe “W”) icons on the top of the screen – For finding voltages and currents (and power)

Now You KnowNow You Know

• With this basic underlying knowledge– Can change

• Resistor values• Voltage supply values• Resistor configuration

– Can learn• More simulation parameters• More components for simulation

• Time for Lab – Good Luck