Introduction to PSPICE

PSPICE is a circuit analysis tool that allows the user to simulate a circuit and extract key
voltages and currents. Information is entered into PSPICE via one of two methods; they are a
typed ‘Net List’ or by designing a visual a schematic which is transformed into a netlist. In
this class we will look at both the net list and the schematics. However, to to fully utilize the
schematics we must first understand and become familiar with designing the net list.

Net List Format

The first line of the net list is the title line. This should contain pertinent information to the
circuit and your name. The next lines are for circuit parameters – as many as needed. The
next section is for output control statements. These will be discussed later. The file is closed
with a <.END> statement. Below is the syntax for various elements. Each parameter name
starts with a specific letter followed by a user-defined name (ie. R1, Cnew, Vout). The [] and
the <> are not actually typed – they are for visual purposes only. Parameter components must
be separated by spaces or tabs.

Parameter Syntax

Resistor:
R<name> [+ node] [- node] [value]
Capacitor:
C<name> [+ node] [- node] [value] [IC = <initial value>, optional]
Inductor
L<name> [+ node] [- node] [value] [IC = <initial value>, optional]
Independent Sources
I<name> [- node] [+ node] [value] [type] [transient spec] ;Passive Load Convention!
V<name> [+ node] [- node] [value] [type] [transient spec]
Dependant Sources
VCVS: E<name> [+ node] [- node] [+controlling node] [-controlling node] [gain]
CCCS: F<name> [+ node] [- node] [Vbranch] [gain]
VCCS: G<name> [+ node] [- node] [+controlling node] [-controlling node] [gain]
CCVS: H<name> [+ node] [- node] [Vbranch] [gain]

Example

Name - Lab # – Circuit Number (Header Line)

R1 0 1 1k ; 1000 ohm resistor named R1 from ground to node 1
V1 1 0 DC 0 ; Zero volt DC source from node 1 to ground
.END ; Required formal end statement

Line code after ‘ ; ’ ignored by compiler and treated as a comment

 Parameter Suffixes

Tera ‘T’ 1012

Giga ‘G’ 109
Mega ‘Meg’ 106
Kilo ‘K’ 103
Milli ‘M’ 10-3
Micro ‘U’ 10-6
Nano ‘N’ 10-9
Pico ‘P’ 10-12
Femto ‘F’ 10-15

Writing a PSPICE Netlist Statement

Label every node on the circuit diagram. Start with ground ( Labeled ‘0’ by convention ) and
work clockwise around the circuit.

Open PSPICE AD Student

Goto File -> New -> Text File or

Click on the New Icon and then New
Text File

Write your PSPICE circuit using above example and explanation or additional
resources from textbooks or the internet. Make sure to have a label with a title, include
all circuit elements and include a .END statement
Goto File -> Save As and save the file with a .cir circuit extension

Goto Simulation -> Run Filename

If the option is not available you may need to close the file and reopen it.

Once the program has run the output file may appear. If it doesn’t you can go to
View -> Output File or click on the Output File Icon on the left sidebar.

Writing a PSPICE Schematic

Open PSPICE Schematics

To place a part enter the name into
the text box in the top button bar or
Click on the ‘Get New Part’ button .

Select the desired part from the list.

Common Parts
GND_EARTH Ground
R Resistors
C Capacitors
L Inductors
VDC DC Power Source
VAC AC Power Source

Place Parts by left clicking the mouse

button. Remove the part that trails the
mouse pointer by right clicking.

Rotate Parts by pressing ‘Ctrl-R’ or

double-right clicking.

Change Attribute Values such as voltage or resistance by double clicking the

appropriate value on the placed part.

Connect Parts by Clicking on the ‘Draw Wire’ Button to the left of the ‘Get New Part’
Button. Make sure not to forget to include ground.

Set the Analysis Setup by going to Analysis -> Setup… For basic DC circuit analysis make
sure ‘Bias Point Detail’ is checked.

Save the File as a schematic - filename.sch

Simulate by pressing F11 or clicking Analysis -> Simulate

The PSPICE AD Student Window should appear. View the output as done previously when
creating a netlist.
Steps to use OrCAD capture and PSPICE A/D:
A project in PSPICE A/D generally refers to the collection of design file ,
part libraries , report files , part libraries , report files and other associated materials
that exist as a set.
OrCAD capture is the front end schematic entry tool and PSPICE A/D is the
analog and mixed circuit simulator
From the windows start menu → programs → OrCAD 16.2 → OrCAD capture to
start OrCAD capture window
To create a project with the project wizard:
The OrCAD capture window will be started.

a. File menu → choose new →click on project command new project dialog box
appears
b. give the name to the projecting the name text box
c. use the browse button to select a new directory .
d. select analog or mixed signal simulation .
e. click the ok button.
f. select create a blank project to start a new project.
g. Now OrCAD capture windows schematic page is displayed where we pick and
place our components, wire the components ,set the values of component and
voltage/current source.
PSpice toolbars in capture:

NAME DESCRIPTION

New simulation profile Opens the new simulation profile dialog box

equivalent to the new simulation profile

command on the PSpice menu.

Edit simulation settings Opens the simulation profile dialog box

equivalent to the edit simulation profile

command on the PSpice menu.

Run Runs the simulation equivalent to the Run

command on the PSpice menu.

View simulation results Opens the simulation window equivalent to

the view simulation results command on the

PSpice menu.

Voltage level marker Places a voltage level marker on the

schematic page equivalent to the voltage level

command on the markers menu.

Current into pin marker Places a current into pin marker on the
 schematic page equivalent to the current into

pin command on the markers menu.

Voltage differential marker Places a voltage differential marker on the

schematic page equivalent to the voltage

differential command on the markers menu

Device summary REF DES Example

Bipolar transistor Q Type transistor no. in the

place part dialog box.

Ex:BC107

Capacitor C Non polarized=C

Polarized=C-elect

We can edit the value of

capacitance on the schematic

 page.

Inductor L L

We can edit the value of

inductance on the schematic

page.

Resistor R R

We can edit the value of

resistance on the schematic

page.

Diode D Type diode no. in the place

part dialog box.

Ex: DIN4007.
To place the voltage sources:

In capture , switch to the schematic page editor .

From the place menu , choose part to display the place part dialog box.
Add the library for the parts you need to place.
(a) click the add library button.
(b) select the source OLB and click open in the part text box type VSIN and click
ok move the pointer to the correct position on the schematic page and click to
place the first part.
To place the part:
From the place menu , choose part to display the place part dialog box.
Add the library for the parts you need to place.
(a) click the add library button select all the PSPICE libraries (from the inst-
dir/OrCAD/OrCAD 16.2/tools/capture/library/PSPICE folder)
(b)click open.
(c) in the part text box , type BC107 to display a list of transistor library .
(d) select BC107 from the part list and click ok.
(e) press R to rotate the BC107 , if you to the correct orientation .
(f) right click and choose end mode to stop placing parts .
(i) repeating the same procedure to place all other from component from the
library.
To place the zero ground part:

To place the ground parts (0) , click the GND button on the tool palette.

Add the library for the parts you need to place ,

(a) click the add library button.
(b) select SOURCE.OLB (from the Pspice library) and click open.
place the zero ground part from SOURCE.OLB
you must use the zero ground part from the SOURCE.OLB part library you can
use any other ground part only if you change its mate to 0(zero).
To correct the parts:

• In capture you can establish connectivity either with virus or aliases.

From the place menu , choose wire to begin wiring parts the pointer changes to a
crosshair.
Click the connection point of the pin on the VSIN to the resistor do it as shown in
fig above to stop wiring right click and choose end wire.
The pointer changes to the default arrow .
Clicking on any valid connection point ends a wire a valid connection point is
shown as a box
If you make a mistake when placing or connecting components from the edit menu
, choose undo or click .
They form a “T” intersection , either by dragging on object or placing a wire

A junction is placed where they cross . if they simply cross at 90 , they are not
electrically connected unless you manually place a junction at the intersection you
can also we an alias to connect a single from one area of your schematic page to
another
For e.g : suppose you have placed a part of your schematic page and you want to
connect it to another part at the opposite corner of the schematic page. instead of
drawing wire from the first part to the second part. You can assign a single net
alias to a wire connected to both parts you can connect to crossing nets, after they
have been placed, by placing a junction where they cross.
To assign names (labels) to the nets:

• From the place menu choose net alias to display the place net alias dialog
box

• If the name text book , type out

• Click ok
• Place it as shown in figure:
• Right click and choose end mode to quit the net alias function.

To change the values of the parts:

• Double click the voltage label (or) on v2 or v3to display the display
properties dialog box
• In the value text book , type 15V
 • Click ok
Continue changing the part value properties of the parts until all The parts are
defined as in the figure
Set the VSIN with the same values shown in the figure
To place voltage current and differential probes:
(a) From the PSPICE menu → markers → voltage level marker to display voltage
at nodes with respect to ground.
(b) from PSPICE menu → markers → current in to pin marker to display current
flowing through the component pin
(c) from the PSPICE menu → markers → voltage differential marker to display
voltage between two nodes .

To save your design :

From the file menu , choose save.
To simulate the circuit from the computer:
1)to setup the simulation choose PSPICE , new simulation profile or click the new
simulation profile button.
2) from capture PSPICE menu , choose new simulation profile .
3)the new simulation dialog box appears in the name text box , type the name of
analysis such as transient DC sweep or AC sweep or bias point.
4)from the inherit list select none , then click create.
5) new simulation settings window will popup .
6)Go to analysis tab and in the analysis type select the type of analysis and click
ok.

7) from the PSPICE menu , choose RUN or from PSPICE toolbar click run.
8) PSPICE will simulate the circuit and display the output in PSPICE A/D
window.

9)to edit the simulation settings from PSPICE menu → edit simulation profile or
from PSPICE toolbar click edit simulation profile