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SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) is a general-purpose, open-source analog electronic circuit simulator. It is used to verify circuit designs and predict circuit behaviour. SPICE source files are commonly referred to as netlists or decks, with each line in the file called a card. SPICE only understands netlists, which are created by typing instructions line-by-line using a word processor or text editor. Text editors are preferred over word processors as they produce pure ASCII text with no special embedded codes. SPICE is an interpreted language, and its input and output formats are plain text, which is easy to edit and display. Electric VLSI Design System can be used to produce input decks for Spice simulation, and it also allows users to set a specific Spice model for components like transistors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | SPICE is a general-purpose analog circuit simulator used to verify circuit designs and predict circuit behavior. |
| History | SPICE was developed at the University of California, Berkeley, by Laurence Nagel in 1975. |
| Input and Output | SPICE uses plain text for both input and output, making it universal and easy to edit. |
| Simulation Capabilities | SPICE can perform several types of circuit analyses, including non-linear DC analysis, non-linear transient analysis, and operational amplifier simulation. |
| Compatibility | SPICE is compatible with various technologies, such as PSpice for PCs and HSpice for workstations and larger computers. |
| Code Structure | SPICE code consists of netlists or decks, with each line called a "card." The code is interpreted, and the instructions are processed by a compiler or interpreter. |
| Applications | SPICE is used for integrated circuits and board-level design, predicting circuit behavior under different conditions, and simulating beyond the electrical realm, such as thermal and electro-mechanical systems. |
| Limitations | SPICE cannot simulate photonics and electronics together in a photonic circuit simulator and is not suitable for breadboarding integrated circuits. |
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What You'll Learn
- SPICE is a general-purpose, open-source analog electronic circuit simulator
- SPICE source files are commonly referred to as netlists and are created by typing instructions line-by-line
- SPICE can be used to simulate the electronics part of a motor drive
- SPICE is an interpreted language, so a computer must have the SPICE program installed to understand the instructions
- SPICE can be used to model an operational amplifier in different ways, including using resistors, capacitors, and dependent sources
SPICE is a general-purpose, open-source analog electronic circuit simulator
SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) is a general-purpose, open-source analog electronic circuit simulator. It is a powerful program used in integrated circuit and board-level design to check the integrity of circuit designs and predict circuit behaviour. SPICE is an interpreted language, and the source files are referred to as "netlists" or "decks", with each line in the file called a "card". Netlists are created by typing instructions line-by-line using a word processor or text editor, with the latter being preferred for programming as they produce pure ASCII text with no special embedded codes.
SPICE is used to model circuits with nonlinear elements, and it can be applied beyond the electrical realm, such as in thermal simulations. SPICE takes a text netlist describing the circuit elements and their connections and translates this description into nonlinear differential algebraic equations to be solved. SPICE can be used to simulate digital circuits as well as a combination of analog and digital circuits, known as mixed-signal circuits. The output of a SPICE simulation is typically in the form of graphs of currents, voltages, and other electrical quantities or is saved as a data file.
There are various SPICE simulators available, including SIMetrix Spice, XSPICE, CIDER, WRspice, QUCS, and ngspice. These simulators can be used to predict the behaviour of integrated circuits under different operating conditions, such as voltage and current levels, temperature variations, and noise. SPICE is the industry-standard way to verify circuit operation at the transistor level before committing to manufacturing an integrated circuit.
To write SPICE code, one must identify the available energy sources and choose a technology capable of effectively capturing and converting this energy into usable electrical power. The energy density and power output of each potential source should be assessed to determine if it meets the application's requirements. Environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes and humidity, should also be considered to choose a suitable technology.
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SPICE source files are commonly referred to as netlists and are created by typing instructions line-by-line
SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) is a circuit simulation program that uses plain text input and output formats. SPICE source files, or "netlists", are created by typing instructions line-by-line using a word processor or text editor. Text editors are preferred over word processors as they produce pure ASCII text with no special embedded codes for text highlighting, which interpreter and compiler software cannot interpret.
A netlist is a list of components and the nets (or nodes) that connect them together. Each line of the source file represents a different component. For example, in the netlist "v1 1 0 dc 15 r1 1 0 2.2kr r2 1 2 3.3k r3 2 0 150 .end", "v1" represents the battery (voltage source 1), with a positive terminal numbered 1 and a negative terminal numbered 0, and a DC voltage output of 15 volts. "r1" represents resistor R1 in the diagram, which is connected between points 1 and 0 and has a value of 2.2 kΩ.
To simulate an ideal operational amplifier in SPICE, a voltage-dependent voltage source is used as a differential amplifier with extremely high gain. The “e” card sets up the dependent voltage source with four nodes, 3 and 0 for voltage output, and 1 and 0 for voltage input. No power supply is needed for the dependent voltage source, unlike a real operational amplifier.
SPICE is an interpreted language, meaning that the computer must have the SPICE program (interpreter) installed to understand the instructions. SPICE is capable of performing both AC (frequency) Analysis and Transient (time) Analysis, as well as a number of other analyses like DC, Sensitivity, Noise and Distortion.
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SPICE can be used to simulate the electronics part of a motor drive
SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) is a general-purpose, open-source analog electronic circuit simulator. It is a program used in integrated circuit and board-level design to check the integrity of circuit designs and predict circuit behaviour. SPICE is used to predict the behaviour of low- to mid-frequency (DC to around 100MHz) circuits. It can simulate basic passive elements such as resistors and capacitors, as well as more complex semiconductor devices such as MESFETs and MOSFETs.
SPICE is a widely used simulation tool in electronics design, particularly for PCB design, integrated circuit design, and other electrical systems. It is an interpreted language, which means that a computer must have the SPICE program (interpreter) installed to understand the instructions. SPICE source files are commonly referred to as "netlists", with each line in the file called a "card". Netlists are created by typing instructions line-by-line using a word processor or text editor, with text editors being preferred for programming as they produce pure ASCII text.
SPICE simulations can be run on Electric VLSI Design System software. Electric can produce input decks for Spice simulation with the "Write Spice Deck" command. After the Spice deck has been written, Spice must be run externally to produce a simulation output file. The output can then be plotted using the "Plot Simulation Output" command in Electric.
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SPICE is an interpreted language, so a computer must have the SPICE program installed to understand the instructions
SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) is a general-purpose, open-source analog electronic circuit simulator. It is a program used in integrated circuit and board-level design to check the integrity of circuit designs and predict circuit behaviour. SPICE is an interpreted language, and a computer must have the SPICE program installed to understand the instructions.
SPICE source files are commonly referred to as "netlists", although they are sometimes known as "decks", with each line in the file being called a "card". Netlists are created by typing instructions line-by-line using a word processor or text editor. Text editors are much preferred over word processors for any type of computer programming, as they produce pure ASCII text with no special embedded codes for text highlighting (like italic or boldface fonts), which are uninterpretable by interpreter and compiler software.
Programming a circuit simulation with SPICE is much like programming in any other computer language. You must type the commands as text in a file, save that file to the computer's hard drive, and then process the contents of that file with a program (compiler or interpreter) that understands such commands. In an interpreted computer language, the computer holds a special program called an interpreter that translates the program you wrote (the so-called source file) into the computer's own language, on the fly, as it is being executed. In a compiled computer language, the program you wrote is translated all at once into the computer's own language by a special program called a compiler. After the program you've written has been "compiled", the resulting executable file needs no further translation to be understood directly by the computer.
There are a few basic analyses that can be performed in typical SPICE simulation applications. These tasks include DC sweep, transient analysis, frequency sweep, and parameter sweep.
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SPICE can be used to model an operational amplifier in different ways, including using resistors, capacitors, and dependent sources
SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) is a circuit simulation program that can be used to model an operational amplifier in various ways. SPICE uses plain text for both input and output, making it easy to edit and display on any computer. SPICE source files are commonly referred to as "netlists" or "decks", with each line in the file called a "card".
When using SPICE to model an operational amplifier, resistors, capacitors, and dependent sources can be utilised in different ways. A SPICE resistor model does not account for stray capacitance or the effects of surrounding layers. However, in certain scenarios, a more intricate model may be necessary. For instance, the frequency and phase response of large-value resistors (50 kΩ and above) can lead to oscillation in a feedback path. Voltage dependence can also introduce errors, particularly with ion-implanted resistors.
SPICE can be employed to simulate both open-loop and closed-loop amplifier configurations. An op amp's versatility is determined by the connection of each pin, with various resulting circuit configurations. The op amp functions as a voltage-controlled voltage source, detecting the difference in voltage applied at the input (the plus and minus terminals or pins). The output is then calculated by multiplying the difference by a value, known as the open-loop gain.
Moreover, SPICE can be used to model instrumentation amplifiers, which combine inverting and non-inverting amplifiers. The addition of capacitors and inductors introduces more specialised mathematics, focusing on impedance rather than resistance. SPICE can also simulate difference amplifiers, which respond to the variation between two input signals while disregarding common signals. Voltage follower configurations can be used as unity-gain buffer amplifiers to prevent loading effects on the driving circuit.
To model an operational amplifier using SPICE, users can employ the Write Spice Deck command in the Tools/Simulation (Spice) menu. However, it is important to note that the Electric distribution does not include a Spice simulator, so it must be obtained separately. After running Spice, the Plot Simulation Output command can be used to read the Spice output and plot waveforms.
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Frequently asked questions
SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) is a general-purpose, open-source analog electronic circuit simulator. It is used to verify circuit designs and predict circuit behaviour.
A SPICE source file is commonly referred to as a "netlist", although it is sometimes known as a "deck" with each line in the file being called a "card".
Electric can produce input decks for SPICE simulation with the Write Spice Deck command (in menu Tools / Simulation (Spice)). Since there are many formats of SPICE output, you must first set the "Spice Engine" field of the Spice/CDL Preferences (in menu File / Preferences..., "Tools" section, "Spice/CDL" tab).
After SPICE has finished running, use the Plot Simulation Output, Guess File command (in menu Tools / Simulation (Spice)) to read the SPICE output and plot the waveforms. If the file cannot be guessed from the cell name, you can use Plot Simulation Output, Choose File..., to select the desired SPICE output file.
