MICROCAP 9 BASIC – ANALOG SIMULATION SUMMARY

VERSION 9.0.1.0

August 27 , 2007

COMPATIBLE WITH:

• WINDOWS XP and Vista

• MC 6, 7, and 8 CIRCUIT FILES

Tom Dragon
 TOPICS RELATED TO THIS SUMMARY
PURPOSE OF SUMMARY:
To expose students to the power of Electrical Circuit Simulation S/W and make the
learning effort rather minimal
This summary does not cover all the features of the program but does cover the basics
as well as selected advanced features. It is a limited consolidation of the 600+ page
Reference Manual and 200+ page User’s Manual.
WHY MICROCAP ?
The primary reason Microcap was chosen is that the program is intuitive and user
friendly. Secondly, every version from Version 4 to the current Version 9 yielded a noticeable
improvement to the user. This is a good track record which most probably will continue.
Finally, this is a Professional S/W Simulation Package in that major Companies use
this program to simulate their Electrical Designs. Who knows, the student’s first Company
just might use this program as their Simulation Package.
DEMO LIMITATIONS:
The Professional Microcap Program costs about $4000. The Demo version which is
free certainly cannot equal the fully featured program. The Demo Version is the same
program as the Professional Version but is crippled to limit the size of the circuit being
simulated and the amount of component models available. Also some of the advanced
features are not functional on the Demo S/W.
These limitations will not detract from the students learning and using the Program in
our environment.
STRUCTURE OF THE SUMMARY:
The summary is written is such a form that the student can go thru the topics by
themselves. Load the Program and go through the summary line by line on the PC. When
topics are not clear they can be tagged and resolved later with the help of a peer or an
Instructor.
The summary focuses on the Analog Capabilities of the Simulation S/W, since this
was developed for the Circuits and Electronic Classes. Microcap is very capable of simulating
Digital Circuits as well. With the basics learned from the summary, the digital simulation
would be relatively easy to pick up.
MORE HELP:
The Help feature goes thru several topics. It would be advisable to go thru the Help
topics GENERAL DEMO, ANALYSIS DEMO, AND TRANSFER FUNCTION DEMO. The
pause key is the letter p …. pressing any key resumes.
Might try the ANALOG AND DIGITAL DEMO …… shows an impressive simulation of
a circuit with Analog and Digital circuits together. PROBE DEMO is also a good digital
related demo.
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 MICROCAP 9 BASIC – ANALOG SIMULATION SUMMARY
INSTALL THE FREE MICROCAP DEMO PROGRAM:
• Get to site www.spectrum – soft.com
• Double click on Download the free evaluation version
• Enter your e-mail address then click on submit
• Creates an e-mail that has a link to download the program

INITIAL DISPLAY:

Upon opening the Program, the panel option may be invoked. This displays a listing of
all the available components, sources and libraries in tabular form. Since this tutorial will use
Icons to perform the necessary functions, the panel should be turned off.
Click on OPTIONS then uncheck PANELS.
LOADING A FILE:

• Click on FILE then OPEN or Click on

h Select Directory (DATA) and desired file then OPEN ….... select DIFFAMP.cir
TIP 1: Hold down the right button to move the schematic on the screen
SAVING A FILE:
• Click on FILE then SAVE , CTRL+S ..……………......... saves file with same name

• Click on FILE then SAVE AS ........ type the new file name and/or directory then OK

PRINTING: ......................................................... Commences a printout of the desired screen

h Position the desired display on the screen i.e. Schematic or Waveform
h Click on FILE – PRINT or CTRL+P then OK
UNLOADING A FILE:
h Click on FILE - CLOSE or CTRL+F4 …………. OR
h Open another file ....................................................... replaces the current active file

CREATE A CIRCUIT FILE:

h Click on FILE then NEW or CTRL+N then SCHEMATIC then OK
QUIT MICRO-CAP 9:
• Click on FILE then EXIT or ALT+F4 then YES

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TO STRUCTURE THE DISPLAYED TOOLBAR AND ESTABLISH DEFAULT FONTS:
• Click OPTIONS - PREFERENCES
Click on General, Analysis, and Circuits under Options and select the indicated parameters
GENERAL ANALYSIS CIRCUIT
* Sound * Floating Nodes Check * Node snap
* Show Full Paths * DC path to ground check * Node highlight
* File list size 10 * Convergence Assistance * Component cursor
* Warning Time 3 * Add DC Path to Ground * Rubberbanding
* Component List Size 10 * Analysis Progress Bar * Element Info
* Select Mode * Automatically add
* Select Curve Color op amp power supplies
* Select Mode

Click Format ………………………………….…… change all to 2 digit engineering format

Click Status Bar …………… select Arial – 12 – bold then select time and deselect track
Click Main Tool Bar
• Click on All off ………………… deselects all buttons and removes checkmarks
• Click on File under Tool Bar
• Check ( √ ) the “ buttons” for the listed tool bars below where an “X” appears.. this
selects the icons to be displayed on the Main Tool Bar

FILE EDIT COMPONENT WINDOWS OPTIONS ANALYSIS

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After completing the selections, click OK …… 23 Icons displayed on the Main Tool Bar (top)

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Continue structuring the displayed tool bar buttons
• Click OPTIONS – Default Properties For New Circuits – Schematics – Tool Bar
• Click on All off ………………..… deselects all buttons and removes checkmarks
• Click on File under Tool Bar
• For selection, check (÷) the “ buttons” per the listed tool bars were an “X” appears
No selections in FILE, OPTIONS, ANALYSIS or BOX
EDIT WINDOWS MODE VIEW

⊗ ⊗ ⊗⊗
⊗ ⊗ ⊗
⊗ ⊗
⊗ ⊗⊗
⊗ ⊗
⊗ ⊗
⊗ ⊗⊗
• Click Analysis Plots – Tool Bar
• Click on All off ………………… deselects all buttons and removes checkmarks
• Click on Edit under Tool Bar
• Check ( √ ) the “show button” per listed tool bars were an “X” appears ….…… this
selects the Analysis Icons for new circuits.
EDIT WINDOWS ANALYSIS MODE SCOPE CURSOR

⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗ ⊗
⊗ ⊗ ⊗
⊗
⊗
⊗ ⊗
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After completing the selections, click OK
Click on FILE – NEW –SCHEMATIC then OK …………..………… icons selected are
displayed
As a verification, there should be 23 icons on the top row and 19 icons on the bottom
row of the toolbar.
The icons selected will be displayed on the tool bar and saved with all new circuits created.
Tip 2: To move groupings of the toolbar, press and hold the left button at the bottom left edge
of the tool bar grouping and drag to the desired location.

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 CONTINUING SETTING DEFAULT PARAMETERS FOR NEW CIRCUITS:

• Click on OPTIONS – Default Properties For NEW Circuits

• Click on Schematics – Color/Font
Select the following defaults under Objects:
• Default Grid Text (text entered using the T icon) …………. select Arial -12- bold – blue
• Component ……………………………………………………….……….……… select blue
• Default Attribute Text (component text i.e. R1, 5K ) ..… select Arial -12- regular –black
• Wire …………………………………………………………………...………….. select black
• Node number …………………………………………… select Arial – 10 – regular - black
• Node voltage ……………………………………………………………….……… select red
• Current (shows current value and direction) …….…… select Arial -10 - regular – blue
• Power/Condition (power dissipation/On/Off state) ….…select Arial – 10 – regular - red
• Digital 0 ……………………………………………………………………..……….select red
• Digital 1 ………………………………………………………………………….. select black
• Digital Z ……………………………………………………………………..…….. select blue
• Click OK ……………………..….. the above are the defaults for any new circuit created
CHANGING DEFAULT PARAMETERS FOR EXISTING CIRCUITS:

• Use DIFFAMP as the example ……………… open DIFFAMP.cir in the DATA Directory
• Press F10 ……………………………………….……… Color / Font dialog box displayed
• Under Objects click on Default Grid Text ...… select Comic Sans MS – 14 - bold –
blue
• Click on Node Number .………………………….………… select Arial – 14 – bold – blue
• Click OK …………………………………….……….. these new defaults are now in effect
• The fonts of existing text will not change. New text added uses the new defaults

• Click on the icon then click on the schematic

• Type “ This is new text using the new default” then OK ………..…uses new default font
• Click on the icon ............. displays the Node Numbers using the new default font
h Click on FILE – CLOSE – NO to save changes ……………………. clears the screen

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 SCHEMATIC EDITING
Use DIFFAMP as the example ..... Open DIFFAMP.cir in the DATA Directory
IDENTIFY NODES: ..................................................... ........ identifies nodes on the schematic

• Click on the icon ........................................... toggles the Node Numbers on / off

MOVE COMPONENTS/WIRES:

• Click on desired component / wire to be moved ..................................... click on R3

The selected component / wire will be highlighted
• Hold down LEFT button and move the component/wire to the new desired position
• Release the LEFT button
• Move the cursor away from the component / wire and click LEFT button to restore

DELETE COMPONENTS/LINES:

• Click on desired component / wire to be deleted .................................... click on R6

The selected component / wire will be highlighted
• Press the DELETE key ................................................. component / wire is deleted

UNDO COMMAND: ......................................................................... cancels the last command

• Click on the icon .......................................... last deletion (R6) is highlighted
• Click LEFT button ..................................................................... completely restored
CHANGE COMPONENT/SOURCE ORIENTATION: ...........….. can be orientated in 4 ways

• Click on desired component (or source).................................................. choose R6

• Press and HOLD the LEFT button after the cursor is located on R6
• Continuously click the RIGHT button ......................... note the orientation changes
• Release the LEFT button ............................. component in the selected orientation
• Click anywhere on the screen ...……....................................... component restored
ADDING TEXT: ............................................................................. add notes to the schematic
• Click on the icon
• Click at the desired location on the screen for the text
• Type the desired text, ( THIS IS MY TEXT) click on FONT - 12 - BOLD then OK
• Click anywhere on the screen ……………………………….…….. the text appears
• Click on the text …………………………….………………… the text is highlighted
• Click on the icon .................................. displays the color options

• Select the color (GREEN) then OK then click on the screen ….….. text is green

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TO EDIT TEXT:
• Double click on the THIS IS MY TEXT
• Click on Text Tab …………………………………… edit by adding MODIFIED then OK
• Click anywhere on the screen …………………………………..… modified text appears
TO CHANGE VALUE OR PARAMETER OF A COMPONENT/ SOURCE:

• Double Click on a component ....................................................................... choose

R8
• Change 2K to 5K then OK
• Click anywhere on the screen …………………………………………….… changed to
5K
• Double click on V3 …… change from 6V to 10V then OK
• Click anywhere on the screen …………………………………………….. changed to
10V
UNLOAD DIFFAMP.CIR:

• Click FILE - NEW or click on then SCHEMATIC then OK ........... clears screen

CREATING A NEW DIRECTORY:

The numerous circuit files of Microcap are all contained in the DATA Directory. It would
be advantageous and less confusing to create a new directory for your circuits.
• Click on FILE then OPEN ……….. the look in: directory is DATA
• Click on the “up one level” icon … MC9DEMO must be displayed in the look in box
• Click on the “create a new folder” icon ……………………………. new folder displayed
• Type in ELECTRONICS …………………………..………………. name of new directory
• Press ENTER then click on cancel … new directory called ELECTRONICS is created
• Click File then Open
• Click on the “up one level icon” … note the ELECTRONIC directory has been created
• Click on Cancel

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 BUILDING A SCHEMATIC
The Schematic to be built:

TIP 3: To move text, components, or wires hold the left button down over the subject and
drag to the desired location.

TIP 4: To duplicate a component or source, hold down the CTRL key then drag the desired
component / source using the left mouse
TIP 5 : To help align / space components /sources and wires click on to display a grid

DC CURRENT SOURCE:
• Per TIP 5, click on and select "Grid Bold 6" ........ height of a component / source

• Click COMPONENT - ANALOG PRIMITIVES - WAVEFORM SOURCES - ISOURCE

• Hold down LEFT button and rotate with the RIGHT button for proper orientation
• Release LEFT button when desired position and orientation is achieved
• Enter 10ma in the VALUE box then OK ……….… then click anywhere on the screen
• Double click on the current source to return to the model statement
• Highlight VALUE = 10ma, then click on the show box which creates a “÷” in the box
• Click OK …………………………….…. the I1 and 10ma is displayed on the schematic
• Double click on the current source
• Highlight PART = I1 then click on the show box ……………………. “ √ “ is removed
• Click on OK ……………………………………………. only the 10ma value is displayed
This method of displaying schematic information applies to all components/sources
TO ESTABLISH DEFAULT COMPONENT DISPLAY ON THE SCHEMATIC:
• Click on WINDOWS – COMPONENT EDITOR
• Resistors, capacitors, and diodes are under Passive Components on the right side.
• Open the Passive Component Directory (right side) then choose the resistor
• Deselect Display PART attribute and select Display RESISTANCE attribute.
• Click on the X (window close) then YES to save changes.
• Future selected resistors will display only the value on the schematic.
• This procedure can be repeated for all listed components and sources.

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 BATTERIES: .......................................................................... applies DC voltage to the circuit
• Click on icon ......... will display a battery. The LONG line is the + terminal
• Hold down the LEFT button and rotate with the RIGHT button for propper orientation
• Release the LEFT button when the desired position and orientation is achieved
• Enter 15V in the VALUE box then OK
RESISTORS:

• Click on icon ...................................................................... will display a resistor

•Hold down LEFT button and rotate with the RIGHT button for proper orientation
•Release LEFT button when desired position and orientation is achieved
•Enter 5K in the VALUE box then OK
•Per TIP 4, select the 5K resistor with the left button and hold down the CTRL key.
Move the duplicated resistor to the desired position.
• Hold down LEFT button and rotate with the RIGHT button for proper orientation
• Release LEFT button when desired position and orientation is achieved
• Double click on the resistor and enter 2K in the value box then OK
TIP 6: Pressing the Spacebar reverts back to the previously selected mode. This makes
schematic generation much easier ……. especially the wiring

WIRING: …...the schematic prior to wiring is as shown below :

In the preferences, Node Snap was selected. This feature eases the wiring of the circuit

• Click on icon .......................................................................... will display a wire

h Place the mouse at any large dot point and drag the wire to the desired end point. If
the mouse button is released one small division before the end point, the wire will
“snap” to the end point.
h “Wire-up” the circuit per the schematic …. use the SPACEBAR to switch modes
h The Node Snap feature can be toggled on/off using the hot keys CTRL+ALT+N

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GROUND: …………………….…..………….. all circuits must have a ground in the circuit

• Click on icon ................................................... insert the ground on the schematic

• Click on icon .................................................................. node numbers displayed

TIP 7: GROUND MUST NEVER HAVE A NODE NUMBER ASSIGNED

RUBBERBANDING:

In the preferences, Rubberbanding was selected. Using this feature can move components and
sources to help create a more presentable schematic.
• The is the icon for rubberbanding .... it should already be selected via the preferences

h Hold down the left mouse button on the 5K resistor. Drag the resistor (left/right) to center the
resistor. Also, drag the resistor (up/down) to obtain desired spacing.

h Experiment with the rubberbanding feature for the other components in the circuit.

LABELING AND SAVING:

• Click on icon then click below the schematic

h Type: THIS IS A DC TEST CIRCUIT then click OK

h Center the text under the schematic

h Click on FILE – SAVE AS …… save the file in the ELECTRONICS directory as TESTDC

SELECTING OTHER COMPONENTS AND SOURCES:

• To select other components and sources not on the toolbar, Press CTRL-1. This
displays a listing that is a toggle i.e. pressing CTRL-1 again removes the listing.°
• Press CTRL-1 to display the components. Select NPN and move the cursor to the
screen
• Click on the NPN transistor then select the 2N2222 model then OK.
• Pressing CTRL-2, CTRL-3, and CTRL-4 displays other components two of which are
related to digital use. Pressing CTRL -1,CTRL-2, CTRL-3, and CTRL-4 removes the
component displays.
h Click on the NPN transistor then press delete….. transistor is deleted from the screen

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 ANALYSIS
SHORT CUTS: Pressing F3 returns to the Schematic
Pressing F9 returns from the Waveform to the Analysis Limits Screen
• Click on icon and select "No Grids" ............................... removes the grid pattern

• Click on ANALYSIS - TRANSIENT or ALT+1

• This is a DC circuit, Time range, Max time step, number of points are not applicable
• Select Auto Scale Ranges ............. this automatically selects the scale on the plots

A B C D P X EXPRESSION Y EXPRESSION

1 T I(I1)

2 T V(3)

More rows for additional voltage/current expressions are added by clicking on

ADD
A column ........................... toggles the linear/log scale for the x axis ..... choose linear
B column ........................... toggles the linear/log scale for the y axis ..... choose linear
C column .......................... determines the color of plot on the waveform
Click the left mouse button on the column C button and select the desired color
Choose: 1ST row - red and 2ND row - blue
D column ..…..... places the waveform in a numeric output file
(If Number of Points box is gray it is not selected)
Page Column is left blank
P column ..................................... determines the display where the variable will be
plotted
Choose: 1ST row - 1 and 2ND row - 2 ...... splits the screen
X expression ............this is the time axis ………………………................ enter T for both
Y expression ........................................... selected waveforms or values to be displayed
The X and Y ranges are automatically selected when the AUTO SCALE RANGES box is
checked

Example Y expressions: Entries for the Y expression

V(3) …..……….................. voltage at node # 3
V(1,3) ............. voltage between node #1 and #3 I(I1) in row 1
V(R1) .................................... voltage across R1 V(2) in row 2
I(I1) ............. current flow of the current source

• Press F2 or click on RUN ………………….. note I(I1) = 10 ma and V(2) = 5V

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WAVEFORM ENHANCEMENTS:

• Double click on either waveform

• Click on Colors, Fonts, and Lines Tab
• Click on I(I1) then change Width from 1 to 2
• Click on V(2) then change Width from 1 to 2
• Click on OK ………………………………..……………….. the waveform is enhanced
CURSOR MEASUREMENTS ON THE WAVEFORM:
• Click on the I(I1) screen ……………... selects I1 waveform and I(I1) is underlined

• Click on icon or press F8 ..... enables cursor feature and displays value of I (I1)
• Click on the V(2) screen ….. selects V2 waveform and displays value of V2 = 5V
Note: When in the cursor mode, holding down the left button and dragging the marker
gives the value and time on the screen. The same affect occurs with the right button.

VOLTAGE CURRENT AND POWER MEASUREMENTS:

• Press F3 …… returns to the schematic

• Click on icon ................. displays the voltage at each node

• Click on icon ................. displays the current flowing

• Click on icon ................. displays the power dissipation in each component /source

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IMPORTING COMPONENTS INTO THE MAIN LIBRARY:

• Click on FILE - NEW – Binary LIBRARY File (lbr) then OK

Using the drop down menu, select the following components:

NPN TRANSISTOR:
• Select NPN then ADD
• Make desired changes i.e. BF = 50 …………. BF is the transistor current gain
• Create a name in the NAME box i.e. QN
PNP TRANSISTOR:
• Select PNP then ADD
• Make desired changes i.e. BF = 50
• Create a name in the NAME box i.e. QP
DIODE:
• Select DIODE then ADD
• Make desired changes
- Change BV to 100 ............................................................... 100 volt breakdown
- Change IBV to 10n ..................……........................................ 10 nanoamp
leakage
• Create a name in the NAME box i.e. D
OPAMP:
• Select Opamp then ADD
• Change model level to 2
Note: level 3 Opamp uses more nodes ................ max of 3 Opamps at level 3 allowed
• Create a name in the NAME box i.e. OP
CREATE UNIQUE LIBRARY:
• Click on FILE - SAVE AS
• Enter file name of file: mylib1.lbr
• Click on SAVE …………………… mylib1.lbr is now contained in the Library Directory
• Click on FILE – CLOSE
• Click on FILE – OPEN then get to the Library Directory (look in: Library)
• In Files of type: select All Files (*.*)
• Click on nom.lib then OPEN ……….…... this is the main component/source library
• Type: .lib “mylib1.lbr” in the last line …………… be sure to follow the syntax !!!
• Click on FILE - SAVE ................ mylib1.lbr has been included into the main library
• Click on FILE - CLOSE

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TEST FOR IMPORTED COMPONENTS IN THE LIBRARY
When the components are on the screen, practice orienting them by holding down the left
mouse button and rotating the orientation by clicking the right mouse button.
• Click on FILE - NEW - SCHEMATIC then OK
• Press CTRL-1 ........................................... displays component/source selection chart
• Click NPN on the selection chart then move cursor to the Draw area
• Click again and the model dialog box is shown
• Scroll down and select QN. Check show box to show QN on the schematic then OK
• Click PNP on the selection chart then move cursor to the Draw area
• Click again and the model dialog box is shown
• Scroll down and select QP. Check show box to show QP on the schematic then OK
• Click DIODE on the selection chart then move cursor to the Draw area
• Click again and the model dialog box is shown
• Scroll down and select D. Check the show box to show D on the schematic then OK
• Click Opamp on the selection chart then move cursor to the Draw area
• Click again and the model dialog box is shown
• Scroll down and select OP. Check show box to show OP on the schematic then OK
• Press CRTL-1 ................................................ removes the component selection chart

CHANGING COMPONENT PARAMETERS:

• Double click on the NPN transistor (QN)
• Change the BF from 50 to 75 then OK … this changes the current gain from 50 to 75

The change made will not change the library model.

The change made will be in effect for the circuit in which the changes were made

• Click FILE - NEW - SCHEMATIC or click on then OK ................ clears the screen

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 CREATE VARIOUS TYPES OF DYNAMIC VOLTAGE SOURCES
SINE WAVE:

• Click on the voltage source icon then click anywhere on the screen.
• Click on the sin (sine wave) tab
- VO is the offset voltage …………………………..…………… set to zero
- VA is the zero to peak voltage ………………………….……. set to 1 (V)
- FO is the frequency ………………………………………set to 1000 (HZ)
- TD, DF, and PH parameters to be set to zero
h Click on the Save Settings button and then select typical
h Enter SIN 1-1000 in the Enter Button Name box then OK …. SIN 1-1000 is displayed
h Click OK….. a sine wave having a 1V o/p amplitude with a frequency of 1000 HZ
has been created and is now available for use as a sine wave voltage source.

PULSE:
• Click on the voltage source icon then click anywhere on the screen.
• Click on Pulse (next to the sin button)
• The pulse structure is as follows:

• Click on the Save Settings button and then select typical.

• Enter 05 PULSE in the Enter Button Name box then OK ….. 05 PULSE is
displayed

• Click OK….. a pulse having a 0 to 5 volt amplitude with a 1 usec pulse width and a
frequency of 200 KHz ( 5 usec period) has been created and is now available for
use as a pulse source voltage.

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SQUARE WAVE:

• Click on the voltage source icon then click anywhere on the screen.
• Click on Pulse (next to the none button) then click on SQUARE
• The square wave structure is as follows:

hClick on the Save Settings button and then select square.

h Enter the name SQUARE in the Name box then OK
h Click OK….. a square wave having a -5V to 5V amplitude with a frequency of 1000 Hz
( 1 msec period) has been created.

TRIANGULAR WAVE:

I
• Click on the voltage source ○ icon then click anywhere on the screen
I
• Click on Pulse (next to the none button) then click on TRIANGLE.
• The triangular wave structure is as follows :

h Click on the Save Settings button and then select triangle.

h Enter the name TRIANGLE in the Name box then OK
h Click OK….. a triangular wave having a 0V to 10V amplitude with a frequency of 500
Hz ( 2 msec period) has been created.

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 TRANSIENT ANALYSIS
Transient Analysis is the simulation of circuit performance in the time domain
HOTKEYS: ………………………..…………short cut keys for the Transient Analysis Operation

• ALT +1 ……..………….………. displays the Transient Analysis Limits Window

• F2 ……….…. commences the simulation and displays the resulting waveform
• F3 …………...………………………………………...… returns to the schematic
• F9 ……,,….. returns from the waveform display to the Analysis Limits Window
BUILD THE SCHEMATIC FOR ANALYSIS: …. Click on FILE – NEW – SCHEMATIC then OK

I
• Click on the voltage source ○ icon then click anywhere on the screen.
I
• Click sin then sin1-1000 then OK...... selects the 1volt o/p sine wave with a frequency of 1Khz
• Click on value then check the show box then OK
• After building the circuit, click on icon and position the cursor under the schematic
• Type : THIS IS A TEST CIRCUIT FOR AC then OK

LABEL NODES:

• Click on icon and position the cursor at top of capacitor

• Type OUT then OK .............. a connection dot must appear at the top of the capacitor
• Click on icon and position the cursor at top of the sine wave source
•• Type
Click IN
onthen OK ......................
icon a connection dot must displays
.................................................... appear atthe
thenode
top ofnumbers
the source

hClick on FILE then SAVE AS . save in the ELECTRONICS directory as TESTAC

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 The input voltage source for this circuit (SIN 1-1000) is a 1V o/p sIne wave having a
frequency of 1Khz that has been installed into the main library. The parameters of this sine
wave can readily be changed for a specific circuit.

In this case, SIN 1-1000 shall be changed to have an amplitude of 2V o/p and a
frequency of 2Khz. This change will only be valid for this circuit and will not change the
sine wave parameters in the library.

• Double click on the sine wave source

• Change Va to 2 and FO to 2000 then OK …changed to 2V o/p and frequency of 2Khz
• Click on ANALYSIS – TRANSIENT or ALT-1 .......................... displays the limit screen
1. Time Range: this is the time over which the simulation will be run
Range format: 1usec,0 …… 0 is default if not entered
Enter 1m ……………..…. will display two cycles of the sine wave
2. Maximum Time Step: ………………………………... 0 is the default if left blank
Enter 1u …………..… smaller value yield higher quality
waveform
3. Number of points: ….. default is 100 ..… only valid if numeric output is selected
4. Temperature: Enter 27 …………………. runs the simulation at 27° Centigrade
A column ….. toggles between linear/log scale for the x axis …. choose linear
B column ….. toggles between linear/log scale for the x axis …. choose linear
C column ……………………... determines the color of the plot on the waveform
Choose: 1ST row – red, 2ND row – blue, 3RD row – black
Page ……………………………………………………………………….…leave blank
D column ....................................... places the waveform in a numeric output file
Do not select .. Number of Points row is grey

P column ....... determines the waveform display location Choose: 1 for all
rows
X expression ............................………. the time axis ................ enter T for all rows
Y expression ............................................... specifies the expression for the Y axis
Example displays: V(1) .................... voltage at node #1 Enter:
V(1,2) ….. voltage between node #1 and #2 V(IN)
V(R1) .………..... voltage across R1 V(OUT)
I(R1) .................. current flow in R1 V(3)
X range ................................................... usually matches the TIME RANGE limit
Format: High, low .......low default is zero for no entry
Y range ................................................ scales the voltage, current, power display

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AUTO SCALE RANGES: ................. when selected, automatically establishes the X and Y
scale to utilize the entire screen. Select this feature

• Press F2 or click on RUN to initiate the simulation ……..……. 3 waveforms displayed

• Click on to establish the zero volt baseline on the waveform

• Press F9 ……………….…………………. back to the Transient Analysis Limit window

• Click on column D of the first row …. selects numeric output for V(IN). (Number of
Points block goes white)

• Press F2 or click on RUN ……………………………….………. 3 waveforms displayed

• Click on the icon ..................displays tabulated numeric output of V(IN) data points
• Scroll down with the mouse or arrow keys to view the waveform value for each step
• Each step value = Time Range (1000us)/ number of Points (100) = 10 usec
• Press F2 or click on RUN …..………………………………………3 waveforms displayed
• Press F9 ..................................……......... back to the Transient Analysis Limit window
• Type a 2 (replace 1) in the first row under the P column ................ will split the display
• Press F2 or click on RUN...........................waveforms V(IN) split from V(OUT) and V(3)
• Press F9 . back to the Transient Analysis Limit window - change Time Range to 5m
• Press F2 or click on RUN ….............................. ten cycles of the waveform displayed
• Press F9 ................................................... back to the Transient Analysis Limit Window
• Change Time Range to 1m then press F2 …...… two cycles of the waveform displayed

ADDING TEXT TO WAVEFORM:

• Click on icon and position the cursor to the desired location on the screen
• Type "THIS IS MY WAVEFORM"
• Click on Font Tab and select Arial - 12 - bold then OK ............... text on waveform
• Drag text to desired location

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TO CHANGE COLOR OF TEXT:
• Click on text ............................................................................................. text gets red
• Click on icon and select the desired color (PINK) then OK
• Click the left button away from the text ............................................. text color is pink
TO DELETE TEXT:
• Click on text, then Press delete …………………………………………..…..text deleted
USING THE CURSOR MODE:
• Click the desired waveform i.e. V(IN) ......................... will be underlined after selection
• Click on icon or press F8.........................................enables the cursor feature
• Press/Hold the left button and move the cursor to the desired position on the
waveform
- The marker will be on the selected waveform and measurements displayed
• Release the left button
• Press/Hold the right button and move the cursor to the desired position
• Release the right button
- The amplitude and time values as well as the differences (DELTA) between
the selected cursor position will be displayed for all three waveforms.
• Another waveform [V(OUT) or V(3)] can be selected and the cursors moved to the
desired points on the waveform to display the voltage/time measurements of the
selected waveform.

USING THE CURSOR MODE FOR TWO DIFFERENT WAVEFORMS:

• Note the display , V(OUT) V and , V(3) V that appear below the waveform. The
selected waveform will have a B in the block.

• Clicking in the open box will create a R or L to appear indicating the right or left
mouse button is active for the selected waveform.

• The result is that the cursor is on both waveforms and the numeric displays show the
voltage/time values and delta between the two waveforms. Move the right and left
cursors and note the time/amplitude changes.

• Press F2 to restore the waveforms without the cursors

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MAGNIFICATION OF THE WAVEFORM:

• Click on the V(OUT) / V(3) screen

• Click on icon ....................... ... permits viewing voltage/time of the magnified area
• Hold down the left button and form a block around the waveform to be magnified
• Release of the left button displays the selected portion of the waveform magnified
• Click on icon or press F8 ........ permits viewing voltage/time of the magnified area
• Press F2 .................... cancels the magnification and restores to the original waveform
SPLIT SCREEN OPTION:
• With the waveform displayed
• Click on icon .................splits screen vertically showing Waveform and Schematic
• Center schematic (if necessary) by pressing the right button and moving the mouse
• To restore to a single display, choose the waveform or schematic .... choose waveform
• Click on icon .........................................................................single screen displayed

MEASURING PEAK VALUES OF A WAVEFORM:

• Click on V (OUT) at bottom of waveform display .................. V(OUT) will be underlined
• Click on icon ................................................................... enables the cursor mode

• Click on icon ............................positive peak value and time of V(OUT) displayed

• Click the right mouse button
• Click on icon ...........................negative and positive peak values / time displayed
• Click on V(3) at bottom of waveform display .............................. V(3) will be inderlined
• Click the left mouse button
• Click on icon ................................positive peak value and time of V(3) displayed
• Click on right mouse button
• Click on icon ........................ negative and positive peak values / time displayed
• Press F2 ............................................................................... cancels the cursor mode

• Click on icon ...................................................................... single step operation initiated

• Select "Wait for key press" then OK
• Click on icon ................................................... displays the waveform and the schematic
• Press F2 ...............................................................................................waveform screen blank
• Hold down the CTRL key and hold down the SPACEBAR to increment the waveform
• To terminate single step, click on icon then select "Don't wait" then OK
• Click on icon ..... .....................................................................displays the waveform screen
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SINGLE STEP OPTION:

SOURCE STEPPING OPTION: ................….........................step the sine wave as an example

• Click on icon or press F11...................................... initiates the stepping feature

Display: Step What Click on down arrow and select V1 (sine wave input)

Click on the next down arrow and select sin va (amplitude)

From 0.2
To 1.0
Steps 0.2 .......... results in 5 steps with each amplitude changing by 0.20V/step
Step It YES …………….. all other selections are defaults for the DEMO program
• Click OK
• Press F2 .......................................................…. results in 5 steps for V(3) and V(OUT)
• Click on V(OUT) ……………………………….………………. V(OUT) will be underlined
• Click on icon or press F8 .......................................... enables the cursor feature
• Move the left cursor near the peak then release the button
• Move marker with up/down keys
• The values of V(OUT), V(IN), and V(3) are displayed at each position
• Press F11 ...................………………………………….. change step It to NO then OK
• Press F2 ....................……………………………………... single waveforms displayed

SAVE THE FILE:

• Click on F3 …………………………………………………… returns to the schematic

• Click on FILE then SAVE …………………………..……………………. saves the file

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PROBE OPTION:

• Click on icon ........................................................... displays the node numbers

• Click ANALYSIS - PROBE TRANSIENT

• Click on if the screen is not split

• Center the schematic if necessary using the right mouse button

• Click on PROBE
• Click on ONE CURVE ………………………. will display only one waveform at a time
• Clicking on a schematic node displays the voltage waveform at that node
• Clicking on a component displays the voltage waveform across the component

Click on PROBE - MANY CURVES

• Clicking on nodes/components displays all traces since many curves was selected
• Press F3 ......................…………..... exits the probe mode and displays the schematic
• Click on FILE – NEW – SCHEMATIC then OK ……………….…. clears the screen

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 AC ANALYSIS

AC Analysis is the simulation of circuit performance in the Frequency Domain

HOTKEYS: ...................................................... Keys appropriate for the AC Analysis Operation

• F2 ...............….......................... commences the simulation and displays the waveform

• F3 ....................….................................................................... returns to the Schematic
• F9 .................….….... returns from the waveform display to the Analysis Limits display
• Open TESTAC.CIR for use as an example then click on ANALYSIS – AC or ALT+2

AC ANALYSIS LIMITS SCREEN:

1. Frequency Range: This is the frequency range over which the simulation will be run.
- Format: 10KHz,10 ... displays response from 10 Hz to 10 KHz
- Format: 10KHz ............................ displays response at 10 KHz
Enter: 20KHz,10
2. Frequency Range: Select log
3. Number of Points: Enter 5001 ……. will yield a fine resolution for the waveform plot
4. Temperature: 27 (°C) is the default
5. Maximum change %: only valid if auto was chosen instead of log in step 2 above
6. Select Auto Scale Ranges ………………..…automatically sets the vertical axis scale
A column ......................................................... toggles the linear/log scale for the x axis
Select: log scale for both rows
B column ......................................................... toggles the linear/log scale for the y axis
Select: linear scale for both rows
C column .................................................. determines the color of plot on the waveform
Select: 1ST row red --- 2ND row blue
D column .................….......….................... places the waveform in a numeric output file
Select: disable both rows (black color)
E column select rectangular --when selected the X expression block is white (not gray)
Leave Page column blank
P column ............................….... determines the display were the variable will be plotted
Enter 1 in both rows

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 X expression .......………………………... select F which defines the x axis as frequency
Y expression ............................................ selected waveform or values to be displayed
Example displays: db(V(1)) ................................voltage at node #1 expressed in db
db(V(2)) ............................... voltage at node #2 expressed in db
V(1) .......................….. voltage at node #1 expressed in volts
RE(V(1)) ................................. real part of V1 expressed in volts
I(R1) ............................ current flow in R1 expressed in amps
ph(V(1)) ….......................... phase of V1 expressed in degrees
Select: db(V(OUT)) ……………. 1ST row
db(V(3)) ………..…….... 2ND row

• Click on Run or press F2

• Click on icon or press F8 ............................................enables the cursor feature

• Click on icon ......enables the right / left arrow keys for fine moving of the cursor
• Click on db (V(3)) to select this frequency plot ……. db(V(3)) will be underlined
• Hold down the left mouse button and move close to 1Khz then release
• Using the right / left arrow keys precisely select 1Khz
• Hold down the right mouse button and move close to 10Khz then release
• Hold down the SHIFT key, use the right / left arrow keys to precisely select 10Khz.
• Measure gain differences (DELTA) between 1Khz and 10Khz for V(3)…........ 3.22 db
• Note V(OUT) gain differences are also displayed …....................................... -2.15 db
• Press F9 …......................................................................... back to AC Analysis Limits
• In the Y expression change db(V(OUT)) to ph(V(OUT)) and db(V(3)) to ph(V(3))
• Press F2 or click on RUN ……………...……… phases of V(OUT) and V3 displayed

• Click on icon or press F8.......................................... enables the cursor feature

• Click on ph (V(3)) to select this phase plot ……………… ph(V(3)) will be underlined
• Hold down the left mouse button and move close to 1Khz then release
• Using the right / left arrow keys precisely select 1Khz
• Hold down the right mouse button and move close to 10Khz then release
• Hold down the SHIFT key, use the right/left arrow keys to precisely select 10 KHz
• Phase difference (DELTA) between 1Khz and 10Khz for V(3) ….….... -40.6 degrees
• Note V(OUT) phase differences are also displayed ………………….. 8.20 degrees
• Click on F3 then click on FILE – CLOSE

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ADVANCED FUNCTIONS OF MICROCAP

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CREATING SINE WAVE AND PULSE CURRENT SOURCES:
SINE WAVE:

• Click on Component Analog Primitives – Waveform Sources – Current Source

• Click anywhere on the screen
• Click on sin (sine wave) button then typical
• Select the following:
IA = 1ma ……………………………………..……….. zero to peak current amplitude
Fo = 1000 …………………………………………………. frequency of the sine wave
All other parameters set to zero
hClick on OK ………………..… a 2ma p/p sine wave current source has been created
h Add the two resistors to the schematic as shown and “wire it up”

Example: Using the 2ma p/p sine wave

− − 1 ma
-−-−- -−-2
− V2V

−1 ma
-1 ma - - -− − −
−2V − − − −

To observe the input / output display:

• Click on Analysis – Transient

• Select the following:
- Time range ……………..…… 1m
- Maximum Time Step ……….. 1u
- Select “Auto Scale Ranges”
- First row under P enter a 1
- Second row under P enter a 2
- Enter T for both X expressions
- First row under the Y expression enter I(I1)
- Second row under the Y expression enter V(2)
- Press F2 or Click on RUN ……….… the waveforms displayed are as above
- Press F3 …………………………….. returns to the schematic

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PULSE:

• Click on File – New – Schematic – then OK

• Click on Component – Analog Primitives – Waveform Sources – Current Source
• Click anywhere on the screen
• Click on Pulse then typical
• Select the following:
I1 = -1ma
I2 = 1ma
TD = 0 (delay time)
TR = 10 n (rise time of 10 nanoseconds)
TF = 10 n (fall time of 10 nanoseconds)
PW = 0.50 m (pulse width of 0.50 milliseconds)
PER = 1m (period of 1 ms)
All other parameter are zero
hClick on OK ………………… a 2 ma p/p square wave current source has been created
hAdd the two resistors and “wire it up”

Example: Using the 2ma p/p square wave

To observe the input / output display:

• Click on Analysis – Transient

• Select the following:
- Time range ……………..…… 1ms
- Maximum Time Step ……….. 1us
- Select “Auto Scale Ranges”
- First row under P enter a 1
- Enter T for both X expressions
- Second row under P enter a 2
- First row under the Y expression enter I(I1)
- Second row under the Y expression enter V(2)
- Press F2 or click on RUN …….…… the waveforms displayed are as above
- Press F3

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 TO VIEW A WAVEFORM THAT SUPPRESSES
THE INITIAL TRANSIENT BUILDUP
Circuits that contain storage type components (Capacitors and Inductors) have an initial
transient build up that eventually settle to a steady state response. The time it takes to reach
this steady state response depends upon the input waveform and the time constant of the
circuit. Many times it is desirable to view only the steady state response.
This is a procedure on the circuit below which will allow displaying of the steady state
response, while suppressing the initial transient buildup from the displayed waveform.
\
• Click on Analysis then Transient
Settings in Transient Analysis Limits Window :
• Time Range ..........16 ms *
• Max time step ...... 1us
• Select Auto Scale range
• Select 1 for both in the P column
• Enter T in both X expressions
• Enter V(IN) in row1 and V(OUT) in row2
• Press F2 or click on Run

The resulting waveforms are per Figure 1 ……...… note the transient buildup for approx 8 ms
*This time must be long enough for the steady state condition to be established.
With this example the Time Range selected must be > 8 ms

The following is the procedure for suppressing the transient condition i.e the first 8 ms
h The desired waveform for showing the transient buildup must be displayed
h Click on Transient then State Variable Editor or Press F12
h Click on write then click on save
h Click on close then press F9 …………… Transient Analysis Window displayed
h Operating point deselected
h State Variable …………………………….. choose read then click on RUN
The resulting waveforms are per Figure 2 …note the suppression of the initial transient buildup
After the suppression, the time range in the Transient Analysis Limits Window can be changed
to any value and the initial transient buildup will remained suppressed.
To terminate the Initial Transient suppression, press F9 then change the State Variables in the
Transient Analysis Limits Window to zero. Then click on Run …. Figure 1 will be displayed
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Output waveform without transient suppression

VIN
↓

← VO

Figure 1 Output waveform with the initial transient present

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 Output waveform with transient suppression

VIN
↓

← VO

Figure 2 Output waveform with the initial transient suppressed

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 PROCEDURE FOR PRINTING SCHEMATICS
AND WAVEFORMS ON ONE SHEET

• Get to a waveform on the screen

• Double click anywhere in the waveform screen
• Click on Colors, Fonts, and Lines Tab
• Change the width to 2 for all waveforms ………………….… must select each waveform
• Change curve line and curve text colors to create better contrast between lines
- Black and blue waveform line colors do not contrast well
• Click on OK to exit ……………………………………………… back to waveform display
• Click on File then Print Review …………………………… the waveforms are displayed
• Click on setup the select Portrait then OK
• Click on xxx.cir: located above the waveform ……….….. both the transient analysis and the
schematic must be highlighted (blue)

• Select Auto Tile ……… splits & displays the schematic and waveform on the same sheet
• Click on Print
• Click on close to get back to the waveform

When the schematic and waveforms are on the same sheet , and the schematic has the node
numbers or (better) signal names displayed, the presentation of the Microcap simulation is
complete and concise.

The next page is a sample print illustrating the effect of the above procedures.

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