SPICE Analysis Fundamentals

Overview

Multisim features a comprehensive suite of SPICE analyses for examining circuit behavior. These analyses range from the basic to sophisticated. Each analysis helps you to obtain valuable information such as the effects of component tolerances and sensitivities. For each analysis you need to set settings that will inform Multisim exactly what to analyze, and how.

Multisim simplifies the procedure for an advanced analysis by providing a configuration window. This abstracts away the complexities associated with SPICE syntax and configuration of an analysis. With this window you merely need to specify the parameter values and output nodes of interest.

The National Instruments SPICE Analysis Fundamentals Series is a free resource that provides you with step-by-step tutorials on how to configure and run the different SPICE analyses available in Multisim.

Contents

DC Operating Point Analysis

DC Operating Point Analysis calculates the behavior of a circuit when a DC voltage or current is applied to it. The result of this analysis is generally referred as the bias point or quiescent point, Q-point. In most cases, the results of the DC Operating Point Analysis are intermediate values for further analysis.

Colpitts oscillator circuit

Settings for the DC Operating Point Analysis

Grapher View results for the DC Operating Point Analysis

DC Sweep Analysis

DC Sweep Analysis is used to calculate a circuits’ bias point over a range of values. This procedure allows you to simulate a circuit many times, sweeping the DC values within a predetermined range. You can control the source values by choosing the start and stop values and the increment for the DC range. The bias point of the circuit is calculated for each value of the sweep.  

Zener regulatorAnalysis parameters for the DC Sweep AnalysisDC Sweep Analysis results

 

Transient Analysis

In Transient Analysis Multisim computes the circuit’s response as a function of time. This analysis divides the time into segments and calculates the voltage and current levels for each given interval. Finally, the results, voltage versus time, are presented in the Grapher View.

Series RLC circuit

Analysis parameters for the Transient Analysis

Transient Analysis results

AC Analysis

AC Analysis is used  to calculate the small-signal response of a circuit. In AC Analysis, the DC operating point is first calculated to obtain linear, small-signal models for all nonlinear components. Then, the equivalent circuit is analyzed from a start to a stop frequency. The result of an AC Analysis is displayed in two parts: gain versus frequency and phase versus frequency.

Butterworth low-pass filter

Frequency parameters for the AC Analysis

AC Analysis results

 

Temperature Sweep Analysis

Using Temperature Sweep Analysis you can quickly verify the operation of your circuit by simulating it at different temperatures. The effect is the same as simulating the circuit several times, once for each temperature. You control the temperature values by choosing start, stop and increment values.

Common-emitter amplifier

Analysis parameters for the Temperature Sweep Analysis

Temperature Sweep Analysis results

 

Fourier Analysis

Fourier Analysis is a method of analyzing complex periodic waveforms. It permits any nonsinusoidal period  function to be resolved into sine or cosine waves, possibly an infinite number, and a DC component. This permits further analysis and allows you to determine the effect of combining the waveform with other signals.

Triangle-wave generator

Analysis Parameters for the Fourier Analysis

Fourier Analysis results

 

Worst Case Analysis

Worst Case Analysis is a statistical technique that uses a “what if” approach to provide a practical result and its primary purpose is to identify the most critical components of a circuit. This analysis helps you answer the question: What will be the worst possible effects of variations in component parameters?     

Wien-bridge oscillator circuit

Model tolerance list

Worst Case Analysis results

 

Noise Analysis

Noise Analysis calculates the noise contribution from each resistor and semiconductor device at the specified output node. Multisim creates a noise model of the circuit using noise models of each resistor and semiconductor devices and then performs AC-like analysis. It calculates the noise contribution of each component and propagates it to the output of the circuit sweeping through the frequency range specified. 

Inverting amplifier circuit

Output variables for the Noise Analysis

Noise spectral density curves

 

Noise Figure Analysis

Noise Figure Analysis is used to specify exactly how noisy a device is. For a transistor, noise figure is simply a measure of how much noise the transistor adds to the signal during the amplification process. In a circuit network, the noise figure is used as a figure of merit to compare the noise in a network with the noise in an ideal or noiseless network. It is a measure of the degradation in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) between the input and output ports of a network.

RF amplifier circuit

Analysis parameters

Noise Figure Analysis result

 

Parameter Sweep Analysis

With Parameter Sweep Analysis you can verify the operation of a circuit by simulation across a range of values for a component parameter. The effect is the same as simulating the circuit several times, once for each value. You control the parameter values by choosing a start value, end value, type of sweep that you wish to simulate and the desired increment value.

Series RLC circuit

Analysis parameters for the Parameter Sweep Analysis

Parameter Sweep Analysis results