School of Engineering and Technology

An Introductory Guide to
Circuit Simulation using
NI Multisim 12

This booklet belongs to:

This document provides a brief overview and introductory tutorial for
circuit simulation using NI Multisim Version 12 and later. Multisim is
currently installed on all the PCs in labs D411 & D421, Projects Lab,
C406 and elsewhere but may not be available in the LRC.
The National Instruments website contains full details of Multisim
http://www.ni.com/multisim/
A student version can be purchased (version 13).
http://www.ni.com/multisim/try/

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University of Hertfordshire

An Introductory guide to Multisim

Contents
page

OVERVIEW

Introduction

1.2
Circuit Simulation
1.2.1 DC Analysis
1.2.2 AC Analysis
1.2.3 Transient Analysis
1.2.4 Network Topology
1.2.5 Branches & Nodes
1.2.6 Active Devices

3
3
3
4
4
4
4

1.1

MULTISIM TUTORIAL

2.1

Getting Started

2.2

Circuit Analysis

2.3

Using the Cursors

2.4

Transient Analysis

2.5

Further investigations

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University of Hertfordshire

An Introductory guide to Multisim

Overview

This guide introduces some of the main features of the Multisim analogue and digital simulation
software which is currently installed on PCs in the School of Engineering and Technology. This
initial chapter provides a basic overview of circuit simulation. Chapter 2 describes an introductory
tutorial to Multisim.

1.1

Introduction

Multisim is an analogue and digital circuit simulator that has similarities with Altium Designer,
TINA and PSpice. These programs all calculate the voltages and currents of a circuit under a
variety of different conditions. The first analogue simulation program SPICE was developed at the
University of California at Berkeley in the early 1970s and has become a de facto standard in the
area of analogue simulation. Multisim uses 'SPICE-like' models to describe the behaviour of all
network elements.
Computer-based circuit analysis is a powerful alternative to 'bread-boarding' and extensive circuit
measurements. The circuit under test can be modified on the computer to obtain revised response
predictions. Once optimised, the circuit may be built and tested against these predicted results with
a considerable reduction in design cost overheads.
Multisim includes a schematic capture 'front-end', which means that you can 'draw' a circuit
diagram on-screen and then perform your analyses directly from this 'captured' schematic. You may
also copy files and images into other Windows compatible programs (e.g. Microsoft Word).
The various analysis tools provide the 'number crunching' part of the package and will compute all
nodal voltages and branch currents for a wide range of DC, AC and transient conditions. All these
results are then used to plot waveforms which are displayed in a separate Diagram Window or
viewer which works interactively with the results of an analysis. If you think of Multisim as a
'software breadboard' then think of Diagram Window as the 'software oscilloscope', although that
analogy is only a very small part of the tools Multisim provides you with.

1.2

Circuit Simulation

Three main classes of analysis exist;

1.
2.
3.
1.2.1

DC or steady-state
AC or frequency domain
TRANSIENT or time-domain

DC Analysis

D.C. Analysis is used to determine d.c. steady-state conditions, with all inductances shorted and
capacitances open circuit. It is particularly valuable in non-linear circuits or when making repetitive
calculations with variable components. Since temperature affects semiconductor devices, this can
also be taken into account.
The sensitivity of bias conditions to component changes is of great interest to circuit designers
when considering the effect of value spreads on production runs. Multisim provides a range of
analyses, optimization, transfer and temperature to list a few, to aid the designer.
1.2.2

AC Analysis

This is mainly used for frequency response and all components are assumed to be linear. Active
devices are replaced by small-signal models. The parameters of the model are calculated at the
operating point, so a d.c. analysis must be carried out first. The program knows that small-signal
parameters vary with the d.c. conditions. The analysis follows the same pattern as linear d.c.
analysis with the extra complication of complex numbers. The output from an a.c. analysis is
conveniently a graph, perhaps a Bode diagram of gain & phase.

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1.2.3

An Introductory guide to Multisim

Transient Analysis

This is the most complicated type of analysis, because it involves reactive components, non-linear
components, and time variation. The CPU time consumed is therefore greater than in d.c. or a.c.
analysis. Usually, a d.c. analysis is necessary to establish the initial conditions in a non-linear
circuit. The output indicates the time variation of a circuit response, probably in graph form.
The circuit excitation must also be specified. This may be an algebraic function, or a piecewiselinear function such as a ramp or square wave. The simple 'step' function is the most used example.
The non-linear distortion in a transistor amplifier is determined by exciting the circuit with a sinewave. The Fourier coefficients of the resultant output may also be calculated.
The behaviour of the circuit in the time domain is plotted by moving forward in iteration steps and
at each step calculating the change in capacitor charge and inductor current. Thus every step
requires a new non-linear iterative analysis. The process may become so slow that the
determination of a suitable iteration step is of prime concern.
Warning; poorly specified analysis commands can cause excessively long computational runs often
producing misleading results. Always consider your analysis carefully, are the predictions what
you would expect?
1.2.4

Network Topology

In order to calculate all the currents in a simple resistance network it is necessary to define
equations based on Kirchhoff's Laws and then solve them. This is done by the use of topological
matrices and matrix-handling routines which are easy to use in computer programs, but would be
daunting on paper! The matrices which define the topology of the network are derived easily from
the input data. The results of the calculations are held in vectors, and those requested by the user
are printed out.
1.2.5

Branches & Nodes

A branch is either a single circuit element, or a simple group of elements having a node at each
end. Branch currents and branch voltages are important variables in network analysis.
A node is a point where branches join. Generally, one node is designated 'ground' and is numbered
'0'. Your circuit should always include a ground node using the earth symbol. SPICE based
analysis programs such as Multisim will probably generate an error message if there is no ground
node. Node voltages are measured relative to ground and are of most use to the designer.
The topology of a network is a line drawing of the nodes and branches. The nodes and branches are
given arbitrary numbers, but the direction of a branch is clearly of importance. The network must
be 'continuous', i.e. there must be a path from every node to ground. There are never more 'live'
nodes than branches.
1.2.6

Active Devices

Three terminal devices such as transistors are always replaced in the program by equivalent circuits
which consist of controlled sources and passive or non-linear elements. The particular model
chosen depends on the type of analysis.
Where semiconductor and other non-linear devices are involved, the amount of computing effort is
greatly increased. The characteristic of the device has to be defined by the user, part of the process
of 'modelling'. It is generally satisfactory to model diodes and BJTs by their exponential (EbersMoll) equations and similar equations exist for FETs.
Where a large and complex device such as a monolithic circuit (i.e. an operational amplifier) is
concerned, it is usual to use a macro-model, that is a circuit which has the same characteristics as
the real device but which has far fewer components. The components of the macro-model are
idealised, and could not exist as hardware.

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An Introductory guide to Multisim

2 Multisim Tutorial
This tutorial introduces you to the three key steps to creating analogue circuit simulations;

creating a circuit diagram and selecting analysis options using the schematic editor,
selecting a range of analysis options to simulate circuit performance,
displaying the results within the "Grapher" Window.

You will begin by investigating some simple passive circuits which may then be edited to create
more complex networks. These exercises may be carried out using any computer in rooms D411,
D421 or C460 (projects lab).
It has been assumed that you are familiar with the Windows 7 Operating System environment. You
are expected to have your own USB memory stick for backups. You can also use your student
network U: Drive
Note: the 'enter' or 'return' key is represented in these notes using the '' symbol.

2.1

Getting Started

Switch on the computer and login to the network. Once the Windows 7 desktop appears, launch
Multisim from the start menu using:
Start > All Programs > National Instruments > Circuit Design Suite 12.0 > Multisim 12.0
(You may see a later version). Alternatively, Start > Search programs and files and type Multisim
The Multisim User Interface window should now open as shown in figure 1 below.
Before going any further, save your work to an appropriately named file such as RC_1.ms12 Note
exactly where you are saving the file so that you can retrieve it later. Save to your student network
U: Drive if possible or a USB stick. These simple .ms12 files are quite small.

Figure 1

Figure 2

The first circuit you will learn how to simulate is a simple R-C filter network. In the Design
Window, place four circuit elements into your schematic as shown in figure 2. You are selecting a
resistor, capacitor, AC voltage generator and ground (or earth) symbol.
1.

Move the mouse along the component toolbar and find pop-up text Place Source and Place
Basic (These are the "earth symbol" and "resistor" buttons on the toolbar, not the top menu)
Place Source > POWER_SOURCES > GROUND > OK
Place the ground symbol then
Place Source > SIGNAL_VOLTAGE_SOURCES > AC_VOLTAGE > OK
Place the AC voltage source then close the "Select a component" window.
Place Basic > RESISTOR > 1.0k > OK
Place the resistor then
Place Basic > CAPACITOR > 1 > OK
Place the capacitor then close the "Select a component" window.

2.

Select each component and position it on the screen in the order shown in figure 3 below. To
move component symbols around, hold down the left mouse button whilst you move the
component. Note that a blue dashed box appears around the component when it is selected.
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C1 should be placed fairly low down as shown, leaving space

above to add a probe.
Note also that the capacitor C1 in Fig 3 has been rotated
through 90. Select the component with the right mouse
button then select rotate 90 degrees clockwise. The
component rotates but the component identification does not
rotate. A text box has also been added. From the Multisim
main menu select Place > Text or type with your keyboard
Ctrl+Alt+A.
3.

Now you need to wire all the components together as

illustrated in figure 4. The auto wire tool starts as soon as you
move the mouse over any component node. Click the mouse
to start a wire then move to another node and click again to
end the wire. With a little practice you can easily join
components together but always do a final click when you get
to the node at which you need to stop wiring. You can cancel
an unwanted wire with the Esc key.

4.

The components have default values that may need to be

changed. Double click the resistor symbol to open a dialog
box. On the Value tab, the value should be 1k. This is the
default value so there is no need to change it. The resistor
should be labelled R1. If not, then change the RefDes
Figure 4
(Reference Designator) on the Label tab. Click OK to exit the
dialogue box.
For the capacitor, change the value to 20 nF and check that the RefDes is C1.
The component properties should look like figure 5(a) and 5(b) below.

Figure 5(a) R setup

Figure 3

Figure 5(b) C setup

5.

Finally, double click on the AC voltage generator

symbol to open the AC_VOLTAGE dialog box,
as in figure 6 below. Check that
Voltage (pk): 1 volt, Frequency (F): 1 kHz.
These are the default values so you don't need to
change them at the moment.

6.

Extensive HELP files are accessible from the "?"

icon in the Multisim window. Investigate the
Help menu before continuing with the next part of
this tutorial.

Figure 6

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2.2

An Introductory guide to Multisim

Circuit Analysis

We start by using the Analysis simulation mode in Multisim, not the virtual instruments. First, we
need to add suitable probes. These gather information about the voltage, current or phase of the
signals at the nodes they are connected to. This data can then be used to generate graphical plots.
1.

Figure 7 shows our first-order RC low pass filter circuit

complete with a 1 volt peak sinusoidal AC source. An
AC voltage probe has been added to the node where R1
joins C1. To do this on your schematic, first find the
on the right hand edge of the screen
yellow button
that has a pop-up label Measurement Prob.
If you do not see the button, click on the double down
arrow More buttons button. Then select
More Buttons > Measurement Probe > AC voltage

Figure 7

2.

Place the measurement probe on the corner of the wire

that joins R1 to C1 and click the mouse to connect the probe to the wire.

3.

A frequency domain simulation provides data about the frequency response of the circuit.
First the analysis options must be set, so start from the Multisim main menu and select
Simulate > Analyses > AC Analysis > Frequency parameters
This should open a dialog box as shown in figure 8.
Set Start frequency: 100 Hz, Stop frequency 1 MHz, sweep type Decade, number of
points per decade: 10, Vertical scale: Decibel as shown. Then click on the Output tab of
the same dialog box as shown in Figure 9.

Figure 8

4.

The Output tab lists

node
voltages,
component currents and
phases. We need the
voltage at Probe1. Find
V(probe1) in the list of
all variables on the left.
Click V(probe1) to
select it then > Add > to
move it to the list on the
right. When you have
done this, it should look
like Figure 9.

Figure 9
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5.

An Introductory guide to Multisim

Click Simulate (If you have closed the dialog box, click the Grapher button
from
Multisim toolbar). The analysis runs and a "Grapher View" window opens automatically to
show a frequency and phase response or Bode Plot, figure 10. Use the appropriate buttons
to change the black background to white and to turn on grid lines for both
graphs.

Figure 10: "Grapher" View Bode Plot

2.3

Using the Cursors

In order to read accurate 'X' and 'Y' values from a trace, it is necessary to use the cursors. By
placing a cursor on a trace, you can move it along the trace and read off the 'X' and 'Y' values at
any point. Explore the menu items in the Grapher Window, especially Cursor. From the initial
display (figure 10) lets add cursors as shown in Figure 11 below.
1.

Select the top trace (frequency response curve) then Cursor > Show Cursors. Two cursors
appear on top of each other at the lowest frequency. Slide one of these to the right. Cursor 1
is red and Cursor 2 is blue; you can use either one.
A pop-up window shows "X" and "Y" values. If you are using the Cursor 2 (blue) then you
need to read the x2 and y2 values.
At what frequency is the -3 dB point, i,e, where the frequency the magnitude is 3 dB
less than the low frequency gain? Record your result.

Figure 11: Using the cursors

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2.

An Introductory guide to Multisim

Select the lower trace (phase response curve) then Cursor > Show Cursors.
Now move a cursor along the lower trace and note which box shows the data for the lower
cursor.
Find the phase shift at the same frequency as the -3dB point on the upper trace. What
is the phase shift in degrees at this frequency?

Before you continue ensure that you have recorded the following results from the Bode Plot:
The Low Frequency (LF) gain on dB (the y1 value when x1=100 Hz).
The -3 dB corner frequency.
The phase response at the -3 dB point.
Note that the "Grapher" view has a "Copy Graph" button that allows you to insert a graph into a
Word document.

2.4

Transient Analysis

Now lets continue the investigation of the RC

network with an analysis of its transient, or time
domain, behaviour. The transient analysis produces
a waveform like you would see on an oscilloscope.
You can run a transient analysis with a sine wave
source or any other waveform but in this case, we
shall use a pulse waveform. This show the
exponential rise and fall of the output waveform.
Use File > Save As to save your RC_1.ms12 file
with a new name such as RC_2.ms12 Then make
changes to RC_2.ms12 file and keep the original
RC_1.ms12 file unchanged.
1.

First we need to change the type of source

and add a second probe.
In the Design window, keep the same values
for R1 and C1 (1k and 20nF) but delete the
sine wave source. Replace it with a pulse
source using Place Source (use the "earth
symbol" button on the toolbar, not Place
from the top menu) Then
Figure 12
Place Source >
SIGNAL_VOLTAGE_SOURCES >
PULSE_VOLTAGE > OK
Place the pulse voltage source then close the "Select a component" window.

2.

Double-click on the pulse voltage source and set the values as shown in Figure 12.
Initial value: 0 V
Pulsed value: 1 V
Delay time: 10 us
Pulse width: 0.1 ms
Period: 1 ms
Check that rise time, fall time are the default
value of 1 ns (note ns for nanosecond not ms for
millisecond)

3.

Connect the wires to the pulse voltage source

and add another AC voltage probe (Probe2) to
the point where the voltage source joins R1. Use
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An Introductory guide to Multisim

More Buttons > Measurement

Probe > AC voltage. Your schematic
should now look like Figure 13.
4.

You now need to set up the Transient

Analysis, using: Simulate > Analyses
> Transient Analysis.

5.

Set the Transient Analysis Parameters

as shown in Figure 14(a) below, i.e.:
Start Time (TSTART): 0 s
Stop time (TSTOP): 0.00025 s
Tick the box for
Maximum time step settings:
(TMax)
then set Minimum number of time
points: 100
Note that the stop time is 250 s but
you need to enter it in seconds as
0.00025 s.
Alternatively, you can enter the time
in scientific notation, e.g.
250e-6 for 250 s or 1e-3 for 1 ms.

Figure 14(a) Transient Analysis Start/Stop time

Set the Transient Analysis Output as

shown in Figure 14(b) below, i.e.:
Selected variables for analysis
V(Probe1), V(Probe2)

Figure 14(b) Transient Analysis output settings

6.

7.

Click Simulate. The analysis runs and a "Grapher View" window opens automatically to
show a transient response, see figure 15. Use the appropriate buttons to change the black
background to white and to turn on grid lines.

Figure 15 Pulse Response.

8.

What does the resulting transient analysis, figure 15, tell you about the behaviour of the
R-C circuit when driven by a pulse waveform?
What is the significance of the 100s pulse width chosen, relative to the C1R1 time
constant?

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2.5

An Introductory guide to Multisim

Further investigations

Modify your initial circuit schematic to create other simple component combinations, for example:
a)

a high-pass filter (interchange the positions of R1 and C1)

b)

a band-pass filter (cascade a low pass and a high pass filter).

Refer to the lecture on Frequency Characteristics of AC Circuits of 4ENT1026 EE Theory for

information on filters.

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