There is seldom a straight path which takes a project from design to PCB implementation. Between these two points is the process of experimentation and refinement (Figure 1) where components are tweaked and performance is optimized. This process, which has long been a laborious and lengthy procedure for even the most seasoned engineer, includes the fabrication of numerous prototype boards.

Figure 1.  The Product Design Flow

Simulation has become established as a modern tool that provides an experimental canvas where designers and engineers can capture their circuits and harness the power of a standard PC to virtually analyze and understand their designs before going on to the costly prototyping stage.

Most circuit simulation is done using SPICE. However, SPICE can be a complicated language requiring a substantial time investment, and an understanding of difficult syntax. With critical deadlines and a constant push for the evolution of their products, few professionals have the luxury of time to become experts with this powerful tool. This has caused many engineers to avoid simulation all together. A study by Electronics Workbench shows that 80% of engineers see the advantages of simulating within the design process, yet only 20% actually do so. The reason for this disparity is clear: traditional SPICE simulation needs to evolve into a more easy-to-use tool.

Multisim
Electronics Workbench’s Multisim is a leader in schematic capture and circuit simulation software. Multisim uses a powerful and robust SPICE simulator contained in an easy-to-use and effective user interface that allows circuit analysis with the click of a button, with no need for the entry of lines of code and constant reference to a SPICE manual.
Read full article.

Company and Product News
Elektronik Names Electronics Workbench Software Suite Among 2005 Top Products
Electronics Workbench Corporation, a National Instruments company, today announced that DesignSuite 9 is one of the top three products of 2005, according to readers of Elektronik magazine, one of Germany’s premier electronics publications. The circuit design software suite, which was competing against 10 other products, received second place in the 2005 Product of the Year CAD/CAE category.

“One of the most striking features of DesignSuite is its seamless integration of circuit simulation with test and measurement capabilities via NI LabVIEW. This attribute offers a unique, added value that other CAD packages cannot offer today,” said Harry Schubert, technical editor of Elektronik.
Read full press release.

Development Resources

Multisim: Entering Expressions into Analyses
New to Multisim 9 is the ability to add expressions into analyses. The analysis tools in Multisim provide a sophisticated manner in which to study the characteristics of a circuit. In the dialog box displayed in Figure 1, the output tab displays variables describing node voltages and branch currents in the circuit. These can all be outputted to the Grapher during the simulation and analysis process.

Figure 1. The Analysis Dialog Box

There are times, however, when an engineer will want to take these variables and combine them into expressions, such as power, to evaluate important characteristics of the circuit. In Multisim this is done easily through the analysis options. In the linked example we will perform the simple steps needed to create an expression while performing transient analysis on a RF Amplifier circuit.
Read full application note.

Ultiboard: Pattern-Filled Copper Areas
When creating printed circuit boards, designers must account for the effects of fabrication on the durability and reliability of those boards. Prolonged operation at high temperatures or the heat of wave-soldering machines can warp a board when there are large discrepancies in the consistency of the copper throughout the board. For this reason, it is common practice for designers to use copper fills to create balance. Using copper fills of varying patterns provides a way of adjusting the percentage of copper in a given fill to match that of traces on other layers.

Ultiboard provides an easy way to create copper fills and assign them one of 6 different patterns. Additionally, the style of each individual pattern can be customized (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Available Copper Fill Patterns

Read full application note.

Request a New Component for Multisim
To keep the Multisim component library as up-to-date as possible with relevant new models, we would like to hear from you which models you would like to have.  Share your component needs with our R&D team through the link below. 
Request a new component.

Academic Resources

Learn More about Education-Specific Technology in Multisim
Electronics Workbench Multisim Education contains a wide variety of features specifically designed to help you teach electronics theory to your students, in addition to a full range of professional circuit design tools.     This education-specific technology helps increase student comprehension and brings the theory to life. 
Learn more about the education-specific design tools in Multisim Education.

Educational Licensing Options and Software Discounts
Electronics Workbench offers multiple, cost-effective licensing options to suit your needs as an educator.   
Learn more about educational licensing.