Sheffield Hallam University Engineering

General introduction to Cadence OrCAD Capture & PSpice (pages 1- 5),

with common PSpice library component parts (pages 6 - 8).

Student name:_________________________________________Date:______________

Read through general instructions before starting work, e.g. whilst logging on.
OrCAD uses Capture for schematic circuit entry (drawing a circuit diagram) and for defining the
PSpice simulation required.
PSpice simulation uses sophisticated theoretical models of typical component characteristic
behaviour. It is used to predict the likely results of practical laboratory (lab) experiments and the
typical performance of prototype designs.
Use simulations to help you understand circuit theory, as part of your preparation for practical work
and to compare with simple/ideal theory and with your practical results for lab reports. Check the
tolerances and manufacturer's specifications for the parts used experimentally, to help evaluate
practical results.

We start with some simple circuit simulations - this software can be used for many more
sophisticated circuit analysis applications.

A DC sweep can be used to check the effect of different dc inputs.

For voltage against time (as you will see on scopes in specialist practical labs) - we use a Time
Domain (Transient) analysis.

An AC sweep can be used to plot frequency responses, such as voltage or decibel gain or phase
shift against frequency (frequency domain).

Sheaf Level 3 labs should have a full version of this software (select any version).

Cadence's OrCAD Capture & PSpice functional demo 'lite' versions should also be available in
Adsetts and most open access computer rooms, via Start, search…OrCAD…

Named components, such as uA741, are held in the EVAL library, or use the Part Search in
C:\Cadence\SPB_17.2\tools\capture\library\pspice to find them within Place Part.

Our local distributors, Parallel Systems, provide some training videos etc – so please explore
http://parallel-systems.co.uk/

Some reminders/hints & book lists etc are available via the self-enrol "Electronic Resources"
Blackboard Organisation (jojelec).
We are currently using OrCAD version 17.2 at SHU, some of the examples show screen shots etc from
previous (similar) versions. The 'lite' version of this software can be found via
http://www.orcad.com/buy/try-orcad-for-free The demo 'lite' versions are fully functional, but limited to
relatively small circuits (≤ 64 nodes/connections), so complex circuits would need to be simulated as
several smaller blocks, then combined at SHU in Sheaf Level 3 labs using the full version.

Note: OrCAD is not case sensitive for part or simulation values, so “M” would be
interpreted as “milli”, or “m”, so use “Meg” for MΩ, and use “u” for µF.

Help, component models & examples can also be found online & via software toolbar. Explore the
examples and hints provided (eg File, Open, Demo Designs), though some of these appear to use
odd/unrealistic values.

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(A) Creating a new project for PSpice simulation: (these instructions use worded
selections - if you position the mouse over the various toolbar buttons you will discover
shortcuts.)

Launch OrCAD Capture. For the full version in Sheaf Level 3 labs, select any version.

(i) From the File menu in Capture’s Project Manager, point to New and select
Project...
In the Name text box, enter your choice of a simple (no spaces) project name

Select
• PSpice Analog or Mixed A/D (not Schematic)

In the Location text box, Browse to your file storage area then create a New Folder, and
give it the name of your project (avoid using spaces, keep it simple).

Navigate to & select your new project folder.

In "Create PSpice project", select

• Create a blank project, OK.

Maximise this screen showing SCHEMATIC1:PAGE1, then click on the grid.

(ii) Draw the circuit diagram required on the schematic page.

Use Place, Part... to find and select each component.

If necessary, add libraries from the PSpice folder such as ANALOG, SOURCE & SPECIAL.
There is a selection of named parts within EVAL library.
See page 6 onwards for examples

Place each part, and, if need be, add each required library, using search path
C:\Cadence\SPB_17.2\tools\capture\library\pspice:

add
libraries
eg: analog,
source

The input signal, will be from the SOURCE library, OK, then left click once on the
schematic page to place one voltage source.

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Use a right click to End Mode, OK or press keyboard Esc. If you make a mistake, click
to select entire part then press Delete.

Do not place voltage marker(s) until after you have set up your PSpice simulation.

Use View, Zoom, Area /region to drag and enlarge the view - this will make it easier to
double click on & alter component values or designations to be as shown on the circuit
diagram. If the Property Editor screen appears, minimize it: try to just select the value to
change rather than the whole part.

Leave room for wires between parts rather than connecting parts end to end. This allows
the connecting wires to be "named" later by giving them Net Aliases, which makes trace
identification and error checking simpler.

Similarly place the other components (eg: resistors, R and capacitors, C from the PSpice
ANALOG library) as on your circuit diagram.
A selected part can be rotated using R.

Wire up the circuit (Place, Wire). Be careful not to short-circuit any component or source.
Use right mouse, End Wire to finish.

Use Place, Net Alias to name wired connections as shown on the circuit diagram.

Select Place, Ground.

Add the SOURCE library from the PSpice folder if necessary.

Select 0 (or 0/SOURCE), OK then left click on the schematic page to place the ground, 0V
Save your design using File, Save. Deselect the toolbar V , if it is enabled.
0

(iii) if need be, use PSpice, Create Netlist, View Netlist (check Schematic tab or .net
output within project) to see the circuit netlist description so far (components, values and
connections/nodes etc named - using Net Alias labels - or numbered to show how each
component is interconnected).
OrCAD creates a netlist (text description of the circuit) from the diagram. Error messages
often refer to the netlist description, so you need to work out how netlists relate to circuit
diagrams. Return to the circuit diagram PAGE1 tab.
Save your design using File, Save.

(iv) To set up and start the required type of simulation, select PSpice, New Simulation
Profile. If necessary enter your project Name then select Create, then wait for the
Analysis tab to appear (you may need to activate this from the taskbar), with the Time
Domain (Transient) analysis selected initially.

Use the drop down menu to change the analysis type if needed.
Enter details required, then OK.

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Now that you have set up the type of PSpice simulation you need, use the probe shortcut
symbol or PSpice, Markers, Voltage level to place a voltage marker first at the output
(and then any other points of interest). It helps to place your output marker first, as the
cursor will automatically start with the first marker placed.

Use PSpice, Run (or click theplay button). This starts the simulation and launches a
new screen to show the results graphically. Select this screen.

Note: the graphical simulation results may need to be selected from the taskbar.

Use Trace, Cursor, Display to find circuit performance/measurements predicted by the

simulation. You can move the cursor away from the origin by dragging the mouse or by
using the keyboard ← →.

Graphical simulation results (waveforms and other plots):

Use Plot, Label, Mark for points of interest. Investigate adding plots, adding traces and Y
axes. Try making the display clearer by reducing the number of gridlines shown.
Demonstrate your marked cursor readings & note your results (rounded appropriately).
Use Tools, Options to reduce the Number of Cursor Digits displayed by selecting 3
instead of the default 5 - it is rare that more than 3 significant figures (3 sig fig) are
justifiable. Include appropriate units, when required.

Note: to move the cursor from one trace to another, click on the symbol to the left of the
desired trace name below the waveforms.

When you have simulation waveform plots and have marked appropriate cursor readings,
copy your simulation results using Window, Copy to Clipboard, as shown below.
Set a transparent background, then paste into Word (for legible cursor markings, editable
& ink-saving assignment printing).

NB: The diagram above is a 'print screen dump'.

NB Do not use a 'print screen dump' for entering waveforms into your assignments.
Within Word, use Paste to add editable transparent background plots to your work.

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Regularly Save your work. Save & close down each section and use File, Close Project
before starting a new exercise, if need be.

(B) Opening an existing project:

To re-check or modify an existing circuit which is not currently open/re-open a project use
File, Open, Project ...and navigate to where you saved your project, OK

If necessary, click on "+" to expand the hierarchy ****.dsn, SCHEMATIC1, and double
click on PAGE1 to display the circuit, then modify it as required.

Use IC1 (from SPECIAL library) to set the initial condition for simulations (such as
oscillators) which might otherwise not self start.

Use PSpice, Edit...to change the PSpice simulation profile if needed.

Add the voltage markers: when placing several markers, remembering to place the first
one at the output, so that will be first shown using cursors in the simulation results.

Run the simulation to view the waveforms/simulation results.

These circuits may also be built and tested experimentally in the electronics/power labs.

PSpice simulations use sophisticated theoretical models of typical component behaviour

and values.

Some of the calculations/theory/equivalent models we use elsewhere are relatively

simplified, assuming near to ideal behaviour.

Compare preparatory PSpice theoretical simulated results (predictions) with what actually
happens in practice for your experimental lab work/reports. Also compare these with
simple theoretical model predictions.

You could investigate other examples provided with the 'lite' or other version e.g. via
PSpice/Capture_Samples... Anasim, Digsim, Mixsim etc. Copy them to your
homespace before simulating.

Hints:
• the A2 cursor can be placed using the right hand mouse, and the A1 cursor can be
moved either using the left hand mouse, or the keyboard
• cursor point values can be marked using Plot, Label, Mark
• A different trace can be selected by clicking on the symbol to the left of the trace name,
in the key below the waveforms.
• Traces can be deleted by highlighting the selected trace name and using keyboard
Delete.
• New traces / plots / y-axes can be added, and the scales of the axes can be changed.

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Some of the commonly used OrCAD Capture PSpice library parts are shown below:-
NB: do not use 'CAPSYM' libraries for components when you need to simulate a circuit.
The CAPSYM parts give physical size and pinout information for PCB designs,
but do not include simulation models for components.

from ANALOG.OLB via Place Part:

Type of component OrCAD part name Capture circuit symbol

resistor R R1

1k
capacitor C C3

1n
(Avoid using "R_var", as this models a resistor with half the displayed value as default.)

from SOURCE.OLB via Place Part

digital clock input pulses DigClock OFFTIME = .5uSDSTM1
(hint: add a DELAY time ONTIME = .5uS CLK
equal to the OFFTIME) DELAY =
STARTVAL = 0
OPPVAL = 1
analogue square VPULSE
V1 = V1
wave/step input or pulse V2 =
TD =
TR =
TF =
PW =
PER =
input sinusoidal signal for VSIN VOFF = 0V V1
transient analysis VAMPL = 20mV
(time domain, as seen on a FREQ = 10kHz
AC = 1V
scope)
plus input sinusoidal signal (shown here with example
for AC analysis (frequency values added)
domain eg: for Bode plot
frequency responses)
dc input VDC V1
(eg: for dc power rails)
+9Vdc

VCC_CIRCLE
Within Place Power there's other options, such as from a CAPSYM library,
which could alternatively be used for DC power rails.
+ IC= 1V

Use IC1, from SPECIAL library to set the initial condition for simulations (such
as oscillators) which might otherwise not self start.

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Some named parts are in EVAL.OLB - alternatively use Part Search, setting the search
path as C:\Cadence\SPB_17.2\tools\capture\library\pspice & using a *wild card if need
be, eg: *D1N4148* or *555B*, via Place Part

components OrCAD named examples

diode, 1N4148 D7

D1N4148
Zener diode, 1N750 D8

D1N750
bipolar npn transistor, Q2
2N2222

Q2N2222
n-channel enhancement M3
mode MOSFET

IRF150
op-amp 4
3 V+ U4A
The LM324 can be used +
on low voltage dc supplies 1
OUT
2 V-
-
LM324 11
741 op-amp 7
U5
3 V+ 5
(WARNING, inverting pin 2 + OS2
shown below non-inverting 6
OUT
pin 3 for input signals) 2
- V- OS1 1

uA741 4
digital gates U6A
from 7400 and onwards 1
(eg: see overleaf) 3
2

7400
8

555 integrated circuit (ic) X1

VCC

2
4 TRIGGER 3
5 RESET OUTPUT
6 CONTROL
7 THRESHOLD
GND

DISCHARGE

555D
1

1aOrcadintro2017general.doc page 7
7414: buffer,

1 1
1 2 3 3
2 2
7404
NOT AND 7408 NAND 7400

1 3 2
1
2 3
7432 NOR 7402
OR

1 3
Exclusive-OR,
2
7486 Ex-OR

PRE
PRE J Q
D Q
CLK
CLK Q
CLR K Q
7474 CLR
7476

D type positive edge triggered and JK type negative edge triggered flip-flops
(note the old 7476 is not strictly edge triggered,
but behaves similarly, hence the symbol used)

0V, ground and digital sources are found in SOURCE.OLB via Place Ground or Place
Power

0V (ground, earth)
0
$D_HI (eg: for +5V, logic 1) HI

$D_LO (eg: for 0V, logic 0) LO

There are behavioural models, such as multipliers, in the ABM.OLB.

1aOrcadintro2017general.doc page 8