2

Multisim Extensions
Objective
The objective of this exercise is to become more familiar with the Multisim electrical circuit
simulation package in order to use more generalized simulations via the Grapher Window.

Procedure
In previous work we have examined the basic functionality of Multisim, namely basic schematic
capture functions such as component selection, placement, and parameter editing, along with
simple simulations using virtual instruments such as a Digital Multimeter (DMM) to measure
DC voltage. While virtual instruments are quick and easy to use, and offer some amount of
familiarity, they are necessarily limited in other aspects. Some of the issues with virtual
instruments include:
1. Limited measurements per unit, for example a single measurement for a DMM, requiring
multiple units for multiple measurements.
2. The need to rewire the instruments (and hence the schematic) in order to take different
readings.
3. Excessive amount of workspace area obscured by the instrument(s) with accompanying
clutter.
4. No convenient way of storing and recalling prior simulations.
5. No convenient means of exporting simulated measurement data to other programs.

Multisim Extensions

To address these issues Multisim allows non-instrument simulations through the use of the
Grapher window. The Grapher is a single, general purpose window that presents simulation data
in both text and graphical form, as appropriate. Large amounts of data may be displayed
simultaneously. The display itself is highly customizable (titles, axis ranges, colors, fonts, etc.).
Each simulation is given its own sheet or tab and these may be saved for future reference. To top
it off, nothing needs to be wired into the existing schematic and the Grapher may be minimized
for greatest access to the schematic. The Grapher may be used for both DC and AC simulations,
and includes interactive measurement tools for certain simulation types.
Because nothing is wired to the schematic, some means of identifying the measurement points is
required. Multisim, like virtually all other simulation programs, does this through the use of
numbered nodes. A node is simply a connection point in the circuit. Ground is always node
number 0. The numbers increase as connections are made. Consequently, if the same circuit is
entered by two different people who wire the components in a different order, the node numbers
will not be the same between the two circuits. This is generally not a problem. As a side note,
Multisim will not backfill nodes that have been deleted. For example, if a circuit has been wired
up to node ten and then node five is deleted, the next node to be wired will be numbered eleven,
not five. Node number five will simply remain unused. Again, this is not a problem. It is
important to note that, internally, Multisim always refers to connections via their node numbers,
whether you use them or not.
When using virtual instruments, node numbers can add a certain amount of clutter to the
schematic, consequently they are not shown by default. To show node numbers, select Sheet
Properties from the Options menu. The dialog box of Figure 2-1 opens. This dialog box should
be familiar as it was used in the prior exercise to set schematic colors and the like.
If the dialog box looks a little different from Figure 2-1, make sure that the Circuit tab is selected
(leftmost tab). The center area is labeled Net Names. This controls whether or not node numbers
will be visible on the schematic. To make node numbers visible, select Show All. Select OK to
close the dialog box. We will now proceed to create a simple schematic.

Exercise 2

Figure 2-1
Using virtual components, drag a DC voltage source, an earth ground and two resistors onto the
workspace. Connect them in a series loop and edit the component values to 20 volts for the
source and 4000 and 6000 Ohms for the two resistors. Once completed, the circuit should look
something like Figure 2-2.
Note that ground is node zero. This is always the case. If the components were wired from left to
right, the other two nodes will be one and two as shown. If the wiring steps were reversed, the
node numbers will be reversed.

Figure 2-2

Multisim Extensions

We shall perform a simulation to inspect a few DC voltages. Instead of wiring in some virtual
DMMs, we shall use the Analyses item under the Simulation menu (see Figure 2-3).

Figure 2-3
There are well over a dozen analyses available. To find DC voltages or currents in our circuit,
select DC Operating Point from the Analyses submenu. A dialog box will open which contains
two list areas. On the left will be a listing of available node voltages along with branch currents.
The right side contains those items currently chosen for analysis. Node voltages will be shown
with a dollar sign ($) prefixed to the node number while branch currents will use a #branch
suffix.
Select both nodes one and two on the input list with the mouse. To transfer them to the output
list, select the Add button between the two lists. For now, this is all we need to concern ourselves
with but it is worth mentioning that it is possible to create mathematical expressions of variables
as well. For example, one node voltage could be subtracted from another in order to find the
voltage across a single component or a group of components. Further, a node voltage could be
squared and divided by a circuit resistance to determine the power dissipation.
Select the Simulate button at the bottom of the dialog to start the simulation. Note that the
power rocker switch normally found in the upper right corner of Multisim is not used for these
simulations. That switch only needs to be activated when virtual instruments are being used.

Exercise 2

Figure 2-4
After a moment, the Grapher window will appear. See Figure 2-5. For this simulation, the
Grapher simply lists the node number and the corresponding voltage in two adjacent columns.
This is a nice, compact display, much nicer than the individual DMM windows, especially if a
large number of voltages are needed.

Figure 2-5

Multisim Extensions

Along the top of the Grapher window is a toolbar area for saving, cutting, customizing, and so
forth. As useful as this is, the Grapher comes into its own when used with AC simulations.
Close the Grapher and modify the circuit to replace the DC source with an AC signal source as
shown in Figure 2-6. Make sure that the new source is set to 20 volts with a frequency of 1000
Hz (1 kHz).

Figure 2-6
We are going to examine the node voltages once again, however, this time the voltages will vary
over time. If we were to use virtual instruments for this wed choose once of the virtual
oscilloscopes. In this case, however, we shall choose Transient Analysis from the Analyses
submenu under the Simulation menu. A dialog box will open like that of Figure 2-7.

Figure 2-7

Exercise 2

The first thing we need to do is select the range of times we wish to see. Set the Start time to 0
and the End time to two milliseconds (0.002 seconds). Now select the Output tab. This is the
same tab you saw back in Figure 2-4. Make sure that nodes one and two are in the output
analysis (right side) list. Now select Simulate. The Grapher will reopen with a display similar to
that of Figure 2-8.

Figure 2-8
The red and blue traces graph the voltages at nodes one and two as they change through time.
Note that there are many ways to customize this display. For example, selecting the white/black
double square toward the middle of the toolbar will toggle the background color and labels
between black and white. The grid pattern will overlay a measurement grid and the set of
horizontal lines will bring up a color-node number legend. You can also click on the labels and
axes to change them.
One of the more useful items is the pair of interactive cursors. The button for this is between the
Legend and the Magnify buttons. Selecting this will bring up a pair of vertical cursors which
may be grabbed and moved with the mouse. A separate cursor window will open. This will list
the coordinates of the cursors on the plot lines along with the differences between the points (that
is, how far apart the points are in time and in voltage). It will also list maxima and minima along
with other useful data. An example of the Grapher with many of these settings in place is shown
in Figure 2-9.

Multisim Extensions

Figure 2-9
Finally, note that the original DC Operating Point tab is still there. That is, you can quickly recall
the original DC analysis by just selecting this tab. It should be clear by now that while the
Grapher takes a little more to set up, it is far more flexible and useful than simple virtual
instruments.

Assignment
Recreate the transistor amplifier schematic shown in Figure 2-10. Try to make it as close to this
drawing as possible. All parameters must be the same. Device designators must also be the same
(after all, these will be cross referenced to the PCB layout and bill of materials). The only items
to change are the date (use todays date) and the Designed by entry (insert your name).

Exercise 2

Figure 2-10

Multisim Extensions