Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 1

Reading Assignment: Chapters 1 & 2 in Schematic Capture with Cadence

PSPICE by Herniter

Reference: (see course web site)

Sample PSPICE Report
PSPICE Example: DC Circuit - Determining Node Voltages
(File: DC Circuit.opj)
PSPICE Example: DC Circuit - Using voltage and current printers
(File: DCPrint.opj)
PSPICE Example: Analyzing Circuits with Dependent Sources
(File: DependentSources.opj)
PSPICE Assignment #1
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 2

ORCAD Capture (PSPICE)

The software is referred to by the generic name PSPICE. It was originally
owned by MicroSim and then by ORCAD. It is currently owned by Cadence,
but has kept the ORCAD name. Either of the following two versions can be
used in this course (both are available for download on the course web site):
ORCAD 10.5 (best choice if using Windows XP)
Cadence Capture 16.5 (best choice if using Windows 7)
See the examples on the course web site. The examples contain numerous
comments. A classroom demonstration will provide further examples.
It is recommended that you create a new folder for
each PSPICE problem. The software will generate
a large number of files within this folder.
Run the software by selecting Start - Programs
Cadence ORCAD Capture
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis
Comparison - Evaluation Version versus Full Version
Evaluation Version
Limit of 64 nodes
Limit of 1 page schematic
Standard libraries for sources and
basic components are available
EVAL library (eval.slb) contains a
couple hundred models of
components, such as transistors,
diodes, 7400 series ICs, etc.
Cost: Free
Some advanced features not
included (such as printed circuit
board layout)
3
Full Version
Unlimited number of nodes
Unlimited number of pages
Standard libraries for sources and
basic components are available
Libraries for most commercially-
available components available (tens
of thousands of models).
Cost: Thousands of dollars (depends
on the platform and the types of
features needed)
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 4

Basic steps in creating and analyzing a circuit using PSPICE

(See examples on class web site for details and illustrations):
1) Create a project
A) Select File New Project from the main menu
B) When the New Project box appears, specify the following:
Assign the project a Name (any name is fine)
Create project using Analog or Mixed Analog/Digital
Pick the Location (select Browse and then select Create Dir to
make a new folder for your project)
C) If asked to create based
on an existing project or
create a blank project,
select create a blank
project.
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 5

Basic steps in creating and analyzing a circuit using PSPICE

2) Draw the schematic
A) Select Place Part a list of libraries and parts
should appear (as shown to the right)
B) If no libraries appear, select Add Libraries
and select all libraries listed in the PSPICE
folder as shown below.
C) Select the desired part (such as R in the
Analog library or Vsource in the Source
library).
D) Use Ctrl+R to rotate the part as you place it
on the schematic. Once it has been placed, it
can be rotated, flipped, or mirrored by right-
clicking on the part.
E) Continue clicking on the schematic to place
multiple parts (such as several resistor) and
then right click and select End Mode to stop.
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 6

Basic steps in creating and analyzing a circuit using PSPICE

2) Draw the schematic
F) Select Place Wire and add wires to connect the
parts.
G) Analysis of circuits in PSPICE is based on nodal
analysis, so each circuit must contain a ground
symbol. The ground symbol named 0 must be
used. If this is omitted, a floating nodes error
will occur during analysis. The ground is added
using Place Ground. If the 0 ground is not
available, select Add Library and you should
find it in the PSPICE SOURCE library.
H) Use the Net Alias tool to label each node (N1
button in version 10.5 or abc button in version
16.5 as shown to the right).
I) Double-click on the values next to each
component to change their value.
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 7

Basic steps in creating and analyzing a circuit using PSPICE

3) Create a simulation profile (select PSPICE New
Simulation Profile from the main menu)
A) If the PSPICE menu doesnt appear, you may
not have selected Schematic instead of Analog
or Mixed Analog/Digital as required, so start
over.
B) Any name is OK for the Simulation Profile
C) Select the type of analysis to be performed
(see examples for more details). There are 4
types of analysis in PSPICE:
Bias Point (find node voltages and place
voltages, currents, and power on the
schematic)
DC Sweep (vary a source or component)
AC Sweep (vary frequency)
Transient (vary time)
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 8

Basic steps in creating and analyzing a circuit using PSPICE

4) Analyze the circuit (select PSPICE Run from the main menu)
5) View the results. Different types of results are available, including:
Output File - Select PSPICE View Output File from the main
menu
Graphical results
Bias Points on the schematic (with a Bias Point Analysis) see below
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 9

Component Values in PSPICE

PSPICE is not case-sensitive
Allowable prefixes are shown in the table below

* Note that m or M are used for milli. Use MEG for mega, not M.
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 10

Component Values in PSPICE

When PSPICE reads a component value:
No space is allowed between the value and the prefix or unit name
PSPICE essentially only looks at the first letter after the value to see if it is a
valid prefix. All other letters are ignored, so unit names can be entered in a
variety of ways. Several examples of specifying a 100 k resistor are shown
below:
R2 R2 R2 R2 R2

1k 1K 1kOhm 1kiloOhm 1k

Invalid resistor
Valid resistor values value (no space
allowed)
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 11

Dependent sources in PSPICE

Located in the analog library (analog.olb)
Use E, F, G, and H (not EPOLY, FPOLY, GPOLY, and HPOLY)
Each source has a round symbol that can be thought of as the source.
The other terminals are for the control variable.
Double click on the source to set the GAIN property (default value = 1).
Be sure to change the property settings so that the GAIN is displayed.
Textbook symbols:
+ +
_ 1.5V2 _ 4I6 3V1 20I4

Voltage-controlled Curre nt-controlled Voltage-controlled Curre nt-controlled

voltage source voltage source current source current source
(VCVS) (ICVS) (VCIS) (ICIS)
PSPICE symbols:
E1 H1 G1 F1
+ + +
+
- - -
-
E H G F
GAIN = 1.5 GAIN = 4 GAIN = 3 GAIN = 20
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 12

PSPICE Demonstration
If time allows and computers are available to the class, the instructor will lead
the class in creating and analyzing circuits using PSPICE.
Demonstration topics:
Launching the software and creating a project
Creating and analyzing schematics
Labeling nodes
Using dependent sources
Using voltage and current printers
Changing and displaying properties. In general, display any property that
you set or change.
Adding text to a schematic: Select Place Text from the main menu
Viewing results
Using Bias Points with a Bias Point analysis
Using the .OUT file with a DC sweep
Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 13

PSPICE Demonstration (continued)

Two types of analysis will be demonstrated. Both types are required in
PSPICE Assignment #1.
Bias Point Analysis
Automatically finds all node voltages and places the results in the .OUT file.
Current, voltage, and power values for each component can also be printed on
the schematic by selecting the following from the menu:
PSPICE - Bias Points - Enable
DC Sweep Analysis
Add voltage and current printers. Be sure to set their DC property to YES or
they will not work.
No spaces allowed between value and unit for starting & ending value in
sweep (similar to specifying values of components)
If the starting and ending values are the same, use an Increment of 1
If the starting and ending values are different, a table of outputs will appear in
the .OUT file for each printer used.
 Chapter 3 EGR 260 Circuit Analysis 14

PSPICE Demonstration (continued)

Voltage printers & current printers
use their (DC =) property and display it
use a DC sweep (analysis type) or the printer is ignored!
Insert current printers like an ammeter (break the circuit and place in series)
Insert voltage printers like a voltmeter (across the component (in parallel))
Look for the negative sign on the printer for correct polarity
Forms for voltage: V(R2), V(A), V(A,B), Yes
The results are printed in the .OUT file DC = V(R5)
DC = I(R4)
IPRINT

R4 R5 R4 R5

1k 1k 1k 1k

V2 V2
15V 1k R6 1k R7 15V 1k R6 1k R7

Add a current printer in series with R4

Suppose that the current through R4 and a voltage printer in parallel with R5.
and the voltage across R5 are needed. Also set their DC properties.