National Instruments 371889A-01 - Manual

Multicap 9 User Guide i 1. Installing Multicap 1.1 Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 1.2 Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3...

iv Electronics Workbench 4.6 Manually Adding a Junction (Connector) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-29 4.7 Rotating/Flipping Placed Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-30 4.8 Finding Components in Your Circuit . . . . ....

Multicap 9 User Guide v 5.2 The Spreadsheet View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-75.2.1 Spreadsheet View Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7 5.2.2 Spreadsheet View Nets Tab . . . . . . . ....

Multicap 9 User Guide ix Appendix A A.1 Multicap Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1A.1.1 File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1 A.1.1.1 File/...

Multicap 9 User Guide 1-1 Chapter 1 Installing Multicap This chapter contains Multicap installation instructions. It also includes documentation on the Support and Upgrade Utility (SUU) and the Network License Server (NLS). Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your ...

Installing Multicap 1-2 Electronics Workbench 1.1 Installation Requirements To successfully install Multicap 9, you may need up to 150 MB of hard disk space, depending on which edition you have purchased. Your system also requires the following: Uninstalling SUU 1-16 Uninstalling a Site Version Unin...

Installation Overview Multicap 9 User Guide 1-3 1.2 Installation Overview Multicap 9 has three types of installation: Single User Edition, Network Edition, and Multi-Station Standalone Edition. Single User Edition – The Single User Edition is only licensed on the computer on which you install it. If...

Installing Multicap 1-4 Electronics Workbench 2. Copy the entire \database folder to a location that you will remember later (for example, C:\Temp). 3. Your database is now safely backed-up. Note You will require Administrator privileges to install Electronics Workbench software and to enter release...

Installing Multicap 9 Multicap 9 User Guide 1-5 Electronics Workbench recommends that you obtain your Release Code as soon as possible after you have installed Multicap 9. To enter the Release Code: 1. Click on the Enter Release Code button at the start-up splash screen. 2. If you have received your...

Installing Multicap 9 Multicap 9 User Guide 1-7 3. Insert the Multicap 9 CD into your CD-ROM drive. When the splashscreen appears, click on Multicap 9 to begin the installation. 4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. 1.3.4.2 Entering the Release Code for the Network Edition Af...

Installing Multicap 1-10 Electronics Workbench 1.3.5 Changing Server Name and/or Port Number After Client Installation If after having installed Multicap 9 on workstations and/or file servers it becomes necessary to change the server name or port number, it is possible to do this without re-installi...

Network License Server Multicap 9 User Guide 1-11 7. When network seats are being used, the dialog will appear similar to the following: 1.4.2 Administering Fixed Seat Licenses This section gives additional information needed for the administration of Fixed Seat Licenses. To add (authorize) a seat s...

Installing Multicap 1-12 Electronics Workbench Authorized and Available Seats 1.4.3 Reviewing License Server Events The Network License Server records all client connections or attempted connections in the system event log. To access the event log, go to the Windows Control Panel , select Administra...

Installing Multicap 1-14 Electronics Workbench 1.5 Support and Upgrade The Support and Upgrade program lets you call Electronics Workbench with your technical questions. The program also entitles you to no-charge upgrades to the software as new versions are released. Between major upgrade releases, ...

Support and Upgrade Multicap 9 User Guide 1-15 Installing all Updates To install all available updates: 1. From the Support and Upgrade Utility , click on Upgrade to Latest Version . Patch information appears as the download progresses. When all downloads have been made the install process begins. 2...

Installing Multicap 1-16 Electronics Workbench (For instructions on what to do if there are available updates, see “1.5.1 Checking for Updates” on page 1-14). 2. Click on the Settings button. Note The Language field applies to messages only. The sofware’s language is not affected by this setting. 3....

Uninstalling a Site Version Multicap 9 User Guide 1-17 1.8 Uninstalling a Site Version 1.8.1 Uninstalling Standalone Multi-Station Installation At each standalone workstation, perform the following procedure: 1. Ensure you have recorded the serial number. 2. Click the Windows Start button. 3. Click ...

Installing Multicap 1-18 Electronics Workbench 1.9 Uninstalling NLS To uninstall NLS: 1. Click the Windows Start button. 2. Click Control Panel . 3. Click Add or Remove Programs . The Add or Remove Programs dialog appears. 4. From the list, select EWB Network License Server and select Remove . SUU w...

Multicap 9 User Guide 2-1 Chapter 2 Multicap Tutorial This chapter contains a tutorial that introduces you to Multicap. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the ...

Multicap Tutorial 2-2 Electronics Workbench co-simulation to Multisim. Depending on your tier of Multisim, optional add-ons may be available, such as for RF simulation and extended parts libraries. Ultiboard, fed from Multicap or Multisim, is used to design printed circuit boards, perform certain ba...

Multicap 9 User Guide 3-1 Chapter 3 User Interface This chapter explains the basic operation of the Multicap 9 user interface. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer ...

Introduction to the Multicap Interface Multicap 9 User Guide 3-3 3.1 Introduction to the Multicap Interface Multicap’s user interface consists of the following basic elements: Menus are where you find commands for all functions. For details, see “A.1 Multicap Menus” on page A-1. Menu Bar Status bar ...

User Interface 3-4 Electronics Workbench The Standard toolbar contains buttons for commonly-performed functions, as described in “3.2.1 Standard Toolbar” on page 3-5. The Component toolbar contains buttons that let you select components from the Multicap databases for placement in your schematic. Se...

Toolbars Multicap 9 User Guide 3-5 3.2.1 Standard Toolbar The Standard toolbar contains buttons for commonly performed functions. The buttons in the Standard toolbar are described below: Button Description New button. Creates a new circuit file. Open button. Opens an existing circuit file. Save butt...

User Interface 3-6 Electronics Workbench 3.2.2 Main Toolbar The buttons in the Main toolbar are described below: Button Description Toggle Design Toolbox button. Switches the Design Toolbox on and off. For details, see “3.5 Design Toolbox” on page 3-32. Toggle Spreadsheet View button. Switches the S...

Toolbars Multicap 9 User Guide 3-7 3.2.3 View Toolbar The buttons in the View toolbar are described below: Button Description Toggle Full Screen button. Displays only the workspace, with no toobars or menu items. Increase Zoom button. Magnifies the active circuit. Decrease Zoom button. Decreases the...

User Interface 3-8 Electronics Workbench 3.2.4 Components Toolbar The buttons in the Component toolbar are described below. Each button will launch the place component browser ( Select a Component browser) with the group specified on the button pre-selected. For details, see “4.4.1 Using the place c...

Toolbars Multicap 9 User Guide 3-9 3.2.5 Virtual Toolbar Use the Virtual toolbar to place virtual components on your workspace. The buttons in the Virtual toolbar are described in “4.4.2 Placing Virtual Components” on page 4-9. Electromechanical button. Selects the Electromechanical component group ...

User Interface 3-10 Electronics Workbench 3.2.6 Graphic Annotation Toolbar The buttons in the Graphic Annotation toolbar are described below. For details on their use, see “4.9.6 Graphic Annotation” on page 4-43. 3.3 Using the Pop-up Menus In addition to the standard menus at the top of the screen (...

Using the Pop-up Menus Multicap 9 User Guide 3-13 3.3.2 Pop-up From a Selected Component If you right-click on a selected element , a pop-up menu of appropriate commands appears. These commands are: Paste as Subcircuit Pastes the contents of the clipboard onto the workspace as a subcircuit. Replace ...

Using the Pop-up Menus Multicap 9 User Guide 3-15 3.3.3 Pop-up From a Selected Wire If you right-click on a selected wire on the circuit window, a pop-up menu of appropriate commands appears. These commands are: 3.3.4 Pop-up From a Selected Text Block or Graphic If you right-click on a selected text...

User Interface 3-16 Electronics Workbench 3.3.5 Pop-up From a Title Block If you right-click on a selected title block in the circuit window, a pop-up menu of appropriate commands appears. These commands are: Pen Style Changes the style of the pen for a selected graphic. Is disabled if text is selec...

Using the Pop-up Menus Multicap 9 User Guide 3-17 3.3.6 Pop-up from a Comment If you right-click on a selected wire on a selected Comment , a pop-up menu of appropriate commands appears. These commands are: Move to - Top Left Places the selected title block at the top left corner of the document. Mo...

User Interface 3-18 Electronics Workbench 3.4 Setting Schematic Capture Preferences You can customize virtually any aspect of Multicap preferences, including the colors used in your circuit, page size, zoom level, auto-backup interval, symbol set (ANSI or DIN) and printer setup. Your customization s...

Setting Schematic Capture Preferences Multicap 9 User Guide 3-23 3.4.2 Using the Sheet Properties Dialog Box The Sheet Properties dialog box is used to set up the preferences for each sheet. These preferences are saved with the circuit file so that if the circuit is opened on another computer, it wi...

User Interface 3-32 Electronics Workbench 3.5 Design Toolbox The Design Toolbox is used to manage various elements in the schematic. Note For a description of the Project View tab, see “6.6 Project Management and Version Control” on page 6-47. 3.5.1 Visibility Tab The Visibility tab lets you choose ...

Design Toolbox Multicap 9 User Guide 3-33 • Pin Name — this layer contains the pin names, for example, “1Q” in a J-K flip-flop. • Pin Number — this layer contains the pin numbers. • Bus Entry Label — this layer contains the labels that appear at the point where a wire enters a bus, for example, “Ln ...

Customizing the Interface Multicap 9 User Guide 3-35 3.6 Customizing the Interface The Multicap user interface is highly customizable. Separate customizations may be applied whenever each different type of sheet becomes active. For example, the toolbars and docking windows may be re-configured as yo...

User Interface 3-36 Electronics Workbench 3.6.1 Commands tab The Commands tab in the Customize dialog box is used to add commands to menus and toolbars. To add a command to a menu or toolbar: 1. Drag it from the Commands list to the desired menu or toolbar. When a command is selected in the Command ...

Customizing the Interface Multicap 9 User Guide 3-37 3.6.2 Toolbars tab The Toolbars tab in the Customize dialog box is used to show or hide toolbars, and to add new custom toolbars. To use the features in this tab: 1. To display a toolbar, switch on the checkbox beside the desired toolbar in the To...

User Interface 3-38 Electronics Workbench 3.6.3 Keyboard tab The Keyboard tab is used to set up keyboard shortcuts. To set up keyboard shortcuts: 1. Choose a menu from the Category drop-down list and the desired command from the Commands drop-down list. If a shortcut is already assigned, it appears ...

Customizing the Interface Multicap 9 User Guide 3-39 3.6.4 Menu tab The Menu tab is used to modify the various context-sensitive menus that appear when you right-click from various locations in Multicap. To display the desired menu: 1. Select the desired menu set from the Select Context Menu drop-do...

User Interface 3-40 Electronics Workbench 3.6.5 Options tab The Options tab in the Customize dialog box is used to set up toolbar and menu options. To set up menu and toolbar options, switch the checkboxes on or off as desired. 3.6.6 Customization Pop-up Menus To customize the appearance of toolbar ...

Customizing the Interface Multicap 9 User Guide 3-41 3. When you select Button Appearance , the Button Appearance dialog box appears, where you can change the appearance of the selected toolbutton. 3.6.7 Other Customization Options The Multicap user interface is highly customizable. Separate customi...

Multicap 9 User Guide 4-1 Chapter 4 Schematic Capture - Basics This chapter describes the basic functions involved in creating a circuit in the circuit window. It explains the fundamental steps in circuit creation, but is not intended to describe all the potential aspects of circuit design. For exam...

Introduction to Schematic Capture Multicap 9 User Guide 4-3 4.1 Introduction to Schematic Capture Schematic capture is the first stage in developing your circuit. In this stage you choose the components you want to use, place them on the circuit window in the desired position and orientation, wire t...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-4 Electronics Workbench 4.4 Placing Components The component browser is used to select parts from the three databases and place them on a circuit. It is designed to make it fast and easy to find the part you are looking for amongst the more than 17,000 available. Parts a...

Placing Components Multicap 9 User Guide 4-9 4.4.1.2 Rotating/flipping a part during placement To rotate or flip a part during placement: 1. Select a part as detailed in “4.4.1 Using the place component browser” on page 4-4. 2. As you are dragging the “ghost” image of the part that you are placing, ...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-10 Electronics Workbench Note For details on the various toolbars that appear when buttons on the Virtual toolbar are pressed, see “4.4.2.1 Virtual component toolbars” on page 4-10. 2. From the toolbar that displays, click on the desired virtual component. The cursor cha...

Placing Components Multicap 9 User Guide 4-11 Voltage Source Delta; 3 Phase Voltage Source Wye; VCC Supply; VDD Supply; VEE Supply; VSS Supply. Signal Source Components The buttons (from left to right) in the Signal Source Components toolbar place the following virtual components: AC Current Source;...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-12 Electronics Workbench The buttons (from left to right) in the Transistor Components toolbar place the following virtual components: BJT NPN 4T; BJT NPN; BJT PNP 4T; BJT PNP; GaASFET N; GaASFET P; JFET N; JFET P; several enhancement and depletion mode NMOSFETs and PMOS...

Placing Components Multicap 9 User Guide 4-13 4.4.3 Using the In Use List Each time you place a component, it is added to the In Use List for easy re-use. To place another instance of any currently placed component, simply select it from the list. The copied component appears at the top of your circ...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-14 Electronics Workbench 2. Release the mouse. Tip You can select individual elements in a component like the RefDes, label and so on. To move the selection to another element of the component, use the T AB key. Setting Dragging Selection Options You can use the Selectio...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-16 Electronics Workbench 2. Drag the component to the desired location. 3. Release the mouse button when the ghost image is in the desired location. Showing/Hiding ‘Move’ Lines You can use these checkboxes in the General tab of the Preferences dialog box to show a line b...

Placing Components Multicap 9 User Guide 4-17 3. The cursor shows a “ghosted” version of the copied component. Click at the location where you want the copied component placed. Note You can also copy a component using the Windows control keys for cut (C TRL - X ), copy (C TRL - C ) and paste (C TRL ...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-18 Electronics Workbench 4.4.8 Controlling Component Color The default color used for a component and the background color of the circuit window are controlled in the Sheet Properties dialog box, as described in “3.4.2.1 Sheet Properties - Circuit Tab” on page 3-24. To c...

Wiring Components Multicap 9 User Guide 4-19 corresponds to analog ground. GND is a digital ground (as it is common for the purposes of PCB layout to wish to isolate these two ground nets). These reserved nets are most often used in conjunction with hidden symbol pins. These are pins that are not sh...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-22 Electronics Workbench Similarly, follow the steps in the example below to connect two components: Tip Use the technique illustrated in the example above to automatically connect a component to a junction. 4.5.2 Wiring Components Manually To wire two components togethe...

Wiring Components Multicap 9 User Guide 4-23 By default, Multicap “skips over” (avoids) components to which it is not connected. For example: To pass through intermediary components instead, position the wire at the desired location beside the intermediary component and press S HIFT on your keyboard...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-26 Electronics Workbench 4.5.5 Placing Wires Directly Onto Workspace For more flexibility during wiring, you can also start and end a wire in “mid-air”, that is, without attaching it to a component or starting from a previously placed junction. To place a wire using the ...

Wiring Components Multicap 9 User Guide 4-27 4.5.7 Modifying the Wire Path To alter the shape of the wire once it is placed: 1. Click on the wire. A number of drag points appear on the wire: 2. Click any of these and drag to modify the shape. Or, more commonly, Move your cursor anywhere on the wire....

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-28 Electronics Workbench 4.5.9 Moving a Wire To disconnect a wire and move it to another location in your schematic: 1. Place your cursor at the point where you wish to disconnect the wire. The cursor changes to an “x” with two parallel lines, as shown below. 2. Click on...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-30 Electronics Workbench To make a connection from a placed junction: 1. Move your cursor close to the junction, until the cursor changes to a crosshair ( ) symbol. 2. Click and drag a wire from the junction to the desired location and click to place. 4.7 Rotating/Flippi...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-32 Electronics Workbench 4.8 Finding Components in Your Circuit To quickly find a component in the workspace: 1. Choose Edit/Find . The Find Component dialog box appears. 2. Enter a string in the Find What field. Wildcards are allowed, for example: • “V1” finds only the ...

Labeling Multicap 9 User Guide 4-33 5. Optionally, select one or both of the following checkboxes in the Search Options box: Match Case — select if you wish to make the search case sensitive Match Whole Word Only — click if you wish to find only whole words that match the entered string. If not sele...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-34 Electronics Workbench • Circuit Description Box on page 4-47 • Graphic Annotation on page 4-43 • Capturing Screen Area on page 4-45 4.9.1 Modifying Component Labels and Attributes To assign a label and/or Reference Designator to a placed component: 1. Double-click on ...

Labeling Multicap 9 User Guide 4-35 4.9.2 Modifying Net Names Multicap automatically assigns a net name to each node in the circuit. You can modify and move these net names. To modify a net name: 1. Double-click on the wire. The Net dialog box appears: 2. Enter the desired settings. 3. To confirm yo...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-36 Electronics Workbench 4.9.3 Adding a Title Block A powerful title block editor allows you to create customized title blocks. If desired, a title block can be included on every page of your design. Various fields in the title block are automatically filled in depending...

Labeling Multicap 9 User Guide 4-39 Caution The width of a field as displayed in the Title Block Editor is not the same as the actual text that is placed in that field in the title block. The text in the title block will be as wide as the amount of text. It is also dependant on the font size. So if ...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-40 Electronics Workbench 4. Click elsewhere on the circuit window to stop adding text. To delete text, right-click on the text box and choose Delete from the pop-up menu that appears, or select the text and press D ELETE on your keyboard. To change the color of text, rig...

Labeling Multicap 9 User Guide 4-45 To change the size of placed graphic components, select the component and click and drag the drag points that appear. Note Placed graphics can also be manipulated using the pop-up menu. For details, see “3.3.4 Pop-up From a Selected Text Block or Graphic” on page ...

Circuit Description Box Multicap 9 User Guide 4-47 4. Click on the copy button at the top left corner of the selection frame. The image inside the selection frame is copied to the system clipboard. 5. Click on the x at the top right corner of the selection frame to close it. 4.10 Circuit Description...

Circuit Description Box Multicap 9 User Guide 4-51 To insert an object: 1. Open the Edit Description window as described in “4.10 Circuit Description Box” on page 4-47. 2. Select Insert/Object to display the Insert Object dialog box. 3. To create a new object, enable the Create New button (this is t...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-52 Electronics Workbench 4.11 Linking a Form to a Circuit You can use Multicap’s form functionality to send circuits for approval, design reviews, or anywhere feedback on a design is needed. Once the form has been completed, the circuit file, including the completed form...

Schematic Capture - Basics 4-56 Electronics Workbench 4.12 Printing the Circuit Multicap allows you to control specific aspects of your printing, including: • whether to output in color or black and white • which pages of a design to print • whether to include the background in the printed output • ...

Multicap 9 User Guide 5-1 Chapter 5 Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions This chapter describes the advanced functions involved in creating a circuit in Multicap. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the co...

Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5-2 Electronics Workbench 5.1 Placed Component Properties Each component placed on the circuit window has a set of properties that control certain aspects of it beyond those stored in the Multicap database. These properties affect only the placed component, not...

Placed Component Properties Multicap 9 User Guide 5-3 2. Click the Display tab. 3. Disable Use Schematic Global Setting . 4. Enable the identifying information you want displayed for this component, and disable the identifying information you do not want displayed for this component. 5. To cancel yo...

The Spreadsheet View Multicap 9 User Guide 5-7 5.2 The Spreadsheet View The Spreadsheet View allows fast advanced viewing and editing of parameters including component details such as footprints, Reference Designators, attributes and design constraints. The Spreadsheet View provides a global perspec...

Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5-8 Electronics Workbench 5.2.2 Spreadsheet View Nets Tab Column Description Net The net’s name. Sheet The filename of sheet on which the net is found. Color Net’s color. “Default” is based on the color scheme selected in the Circuit tab of the Sheet Properties...

The Spreadsheet View Multicap 9 User Guide 5-9 5.2.3 Spreadsheet View Components Tab Net Group Click in this field to enter a group for a net. This group can be used in Ultiboard 7 to keep nets together during the PCB layout process. Lock PCB Settings If enabled, prevents changes to parameters that ...

Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5-12 Electronics Workbench 5.2.4 Spreadsheet View PCB Layers Tab 5.2.5 Spreadsheet View Buttons The following buttons are available in the Spreadsheet View . Column Description Layer The contents of this column are set from the PCB tab of the Sheet Properties d...

Title Block Editor Multicap 9 User Guide 5-13 5.3 Title Block Editor The Title Block Editor is a specialized graphics editor that allows you to create or modify a title block. For example, you can insert and position title block data, change font properties and place or move graphic objects. The Tit...

Title Block Editor Multicap 9 User Guide 5-15 4. Select File/Exit and click Yes when prompted to save your changes. If this is a new title block, a standard Save As dialog box appears. Enter the desired filepath and filename, and click Save . If it is an existing title block the changes are saved an...

Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5-16 Electronics Workbench 5.3.2 Placing Fields Fields are placeholders for text that appears in the title block on your circuit schematic. Note The actual text that appears in these fields is entered in the Title Block dialog box, which is accessed from Multic...

Title Block Editor Multicap 9 User Guide 5-19 5.3.3 Title Block Editor Spreadsheet View The Spreadsheet View is where you find and edit various title block parameters. When you select an item on the workspace, it is highlighted in the spreadsheet, and vice versa. If you make a change to an item in t...

Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5-20 Electronics Workbench Note If objects are grouped using Edit/Group , their distinct names and properties will no longer appear in the Name column. The name for any grouped object will appear as “Group”. 5.3.4 Title Block Editor Menus The Title Block Editor...

Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5-32 Electronics Workbench 5.4 Electrical Rules Checking Electrical Rules Checking creates and displays a report detailing connection errors (such as an output pin connected to a power pin) and unconnected pins. Once you have wired your circuit, you can check t...

Electrical Rules Checking Multicap 9 User Guide 5-33 Result Pane If you select Result Pane to display your output, errors and warnings are detailed in the Results tab of the Spreadsheet View as shown below. File If you select File in the Output box, the results of the ERC are saved in the filepath a...

Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5-34 Electronics Workbench List View If you select List View , a report displays as shown below: Use the buttons detailed below as required. • Save to a Text File — click to save the data in the dialog box to a text file. A standard Windows save dialog box appe...

Electrical Rules Checking Multicap 9 User Guide 5-35 5.4.1 ERC Options Tab This section describes how to set up Electrical Rule Check (ERC) options. To run an ERC, see “5.4 Electrical Rules Checking” on page 5-32. To set up the ERC options: 1. Select Tools/Electrical Rules Check to display the Elect...

Electrical Rules Checking Multicap 9 User Guide 5-37 5.4.2 ERC Rules Tab This section describes how to set up the electrical rules used when running an Electrical Rules Check. To run an ERC, see “5.4 Electrical Rules Checking” on page 5-32. To set up the electrical rules: 1. Select Tools/Electrical ...

Electrical Rules Checking Multicap 9 User Guide 5-39 The following explains the warning and error levels available. 5.4.3 Component’s Pins Tab Before running an Electrical Rules Check (see “5.4 Electrical Rules Checking” on page 5-32), you can set which pins to exclude or include for specific compon...

Multicap 9 User Guide 6-1 Chapter 6 Working with Larger Designs Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the release notes for a list of the features in your edition...

Working with Larger Designs 6-2 Electronics Workbench 6.1 Flat Multi-sheet Design In many instances circuit designs are too large to fit all components on a single sheet or for logical reasons it’s easier to think of a circuit design if it is divided. In this case, you can use Multicap’s Flat Multi-...

Hierarchical Design Multicap 9 User Guide 6-3 6.1.1 Delete Multi-page Dialog Box To delete a page from a multi-page circuit file. 1. Select Edit/Delete Multi-Page . 2. Highlight the page that you wish to delete and click OK . 6.2 Hierarchical Design Hierarchical blocks and subcircuits are used to or...

Working with Larger Designs 6-4 Electronics Workbench 6.2.1 Nested Circuits When a circuit file is opened or created in Multicap, by definition it is the top-level circuit of the current design. All circuits may reference other, embedded (subcircuit) or linked-to (hierarchical block) nested circuits...

Hierarchical Design Multicap 9 User Guide 6-5 The assignment of RefDes to part is stored with the top-level circuit, and not with any of the nested circuits. This is because the same nested circuit may appear more than once in a design. Were the RefDes to be associated with a nested circuit, duplica...

Working with Larger Designs 6-6 Electronics Workbench reach the circuit instance. In the diagram below, 'X1.IO1' is the full name of net number IO1 in the sub-circuit referenced by the RefDes 'X1' from the top-level circuit. 6.2.4 Global Nets Certain pre-defined named nets are considered global acro...

Hierarchical Design Multicap 9 User Guide 6-7 net is renamed to be a top-level net, and joins any other nets at the top-level with the same name. For example, having a net named "power" in a sub-circuit referenced by X1 from the top-level circuit would normally re-write the name of the net t...

Hierarchical Design Multicap 9 User Guide 6-9 Note If you have already placed instances of the hierarchical block, the following dialog displays: 6.2.5.2 Replacing Components with an HB To replace a section of a schematic with a hierarchical block (HB): 1. In the workspace, select the desired compon...

Renaming Component Instances Multicap 9 User Guide 6-11 6.2.6.1 Replacing Components with a SC To replace a section of a schematic with a SC: 1. In the workspace, select the desired components and nets. 2. Select Place/Replace by Subcircuit. The Subcircuit Name dialog box appears. 3. Enter the name ...

Renaming Component Instances Multicap 9 User Guide 6-13 6.3.1 Reference Designator Prefix Setup Dialog This section uses the example of two instances of the same subcircuit. Please note that the Reference Designator Prefix Setup dialog box can be used to assign a unique numbering system for each sub...

Working with Larger Designs 6-16 Electronics Workbench 7. Click OK to accept the changes. 6.4 Buses In order to simplify wiring, buses may be used to carry multiple nets. Buses may be used within a page, across pages, and down into nested circuits (subcircuits and hierarchical blocks). Buses operate...

Working with Larger Designs 6-18 Electronics Workbench of a nested circuit may in general be connected to a different bus. If the bus in the parent circuit is empty, no dialog will be presented and the bus will be wired in the natural manner. To facilitate usage of buses, a powerful bus vector conne...

Working with Larger Designs 6-24 Electronics Workbench 6.4.3 Merging Buses To merge two buses together so that they have the same busname: 1. Highlight the two buses and select Place/Merge Bus to display the Bus Merge dialog box. Tip If you want to rename busline(s) before merging the buses, select ...

Buses Multicap 9 User Guide 6-25 Note You can also access the Bus Merge dialog box by double-clicking on a bus, and clicking the Merge button in the Bus Properties dialog box. In this case, you must select the second bus from its Name drop-down list before clicking Merge . As well, you can merge bus...

Working with Larger Designs 6-26 Electronics Workbench Note After wiring, you can re-name the net, by double-clicking on it and editing the name in the Net dialog box that appears. Note You can select a bus entry to move it with the Arrow keys, or rotate it with S HIFT -R. Note You can double-click ...

Buses Multicap 9 User Guide 6-27 Bus Resizing To resize a bus: 1. Click on the bus and drag one of the handles that appear on the bus. To add to the bus: 1. Place the cursor over the bus, and when it turns to a crosshair, click the mouse. 2. Move the cursor to the desired location and double-click t...

Buses Multicap 9 User Guide 6-31 In Net bus wiring mode To connect a device to a bus in Net bus wiring mode: 1. Place the component that you wish to connect to the bus on the workspace. 2. Place a bus on the workspace as described in “6.4.1 Placing a Bus” on page 6-18. 3. Click once on the component...

Working with Larger Designs 6-34 Electronics Workbench 9. Click OK . The connections to the bus are made as in the following example. 6.5 Variants A variant is a specific version of a circuit. As PCBs are manufactured for distribution on a global scale, some designs may require modifications dependi...

Variants Multicap 9 User Guide 6-37 To remove components that are not in any of the variants: 1. Click on Remove Components in the Variant Manager dialog box. The Components for Delete dialog box appears. 2. Click OK to remove the components from the workspace. 6.5.2 Placing Parts in Variants This s...

Working with Larger Designs 6-44 Electronics Workbench Note You can also assign the variant status in the Variant tab of the HB/SC’s properties dialog box as shown below. 6.5.2.3 Setting the Active Variant This section continues the example of the variants for the North American (NA) and European (E...

Working with Larger Designs 6-46 Electronics Workbench When EU is the active variant, the circuit appears as shown below: The dimmed components are inactive. Setting the Active Variant from the Menu To set the active variant from the menu: 1. Select Tools/Set Active Variant . The Active Variant dial...

Working with Larger Designs 6-48 Electronics Workbench 6.6.1 Setting up Projects To create a project for circuit files: 1. Choose File/New Project . The New Project dialog box appears: 2. Specify the name for your project, the folder where the project files are to be stored, and the folder where bac...

Project Management and Version Control Multicap 9 User Guide 6-49 3. The file is added to the project and its name appears in the project browser. Note A circuit file can be part of more than one project. • Schematic folder — for circuits drawn as schematics in Multisim or Multicap. May be mutiple s...

Working with Larger Designs 6-50 Electronics Workbench 1. Double-click on a circuit file in the project browser. If the file is not in use by another user, it will open. If it is in use, you are prompted to open it as read-only. Note Files in use by another user are displayed with a different color ...

Multicap 9 User Guide 7-1 Chapter 7 Components This chapter introduces you to the underlying structure and organization of the Multicap 9 component database. It also explains how to access the database for parts and how to search the database for information. Some of the features described in this c...

Components 7-2 Electronics Workbench 7.1 Structure of the Component Database The Multicap component database is designed to hold the information necessary to describe any component. It contains all the details needed for schematic capture (symbols) and PCB layout (footprints), as well as other elect...

Structure of the Component Database Multicap 9 User Guide 7-3 • the Corporate Database stores components selected and, possibly, modified or created by an individual user or company/institution; these remain available to any other selected users. • the User Database stores components modified, impor...

Components 7-4 Electronics Workbench 7.2 Locating Components in the Database You can locate components in a specific component family within a specific database by either browsing through the available data, which is the more common method, or by searching for a component that meets specific criteri...

Types of Information Stored for Components Multicap 9 User Guide 7-7 7.3.1 Pre-Defined Fields For each component, the following is stored in the Master Database : • general information • common parameters. 7.3.1.1 General Information The following fields appear on the Select a Component browser: 7.3...

Components 7-8 Electronics Workbench 7.4 Managing the Database The Database Manager dialog box lets you: • add and remove component families from the User Database or Corporate Database . You cannot add or remove families in the Master Database . • set up or modify user field titles for any database...

Managing the Database Multicap 9 User Guide 7-9 7.4.1 Filtering Displayed Components To filter the components that are displayed in the Components tab of the Database Manager dialog box: 1. Select the desired database from the Database Name drop-down list. 2. Click Filter to display the Filters dial...

Components 7-10 Electronics Workbench 7.4.2 Managing Families To add a component family to the User Database or Corporate Database database: 1. Select the Family tab in the Database Manager dialog box. 2. In the Database Family Tree area, choose either the Corporate or User Database . 3. Click Add F...

Managing the Database Multicap 9 User Guide 7-11 To delete a component family from the User Database or Corporate Database . 1. In the Family list, choose the Component Family from which you want to delete a component family. 2. Click Delete Family . You are prompted to confirm your deletion. 3. The...

Components 7-12 Electronics Workbench 7.4.4 Deleting Components To delete an existing component from a database: 1. Click the Database Manager button on the Main toolbar. Or Select Tools/Database/Database Manager . 2. Select the Components tab. 3. From the Database Name drop-down list, choose the da...

Managing the Database Multicap 9 User Guide 7-13 4. Select the components that you wish to delete. 5. Click Delete . You are prompted to confirm the action. 6. Click Yes . The components are removed from the database. 7.4.5 Copying Components To copy an existing component: 1. Click the Database Mana...

Managing the Database Multicap 9 User Guide 7-15 7.4.6 Saving Placed Components If you have made changes to a placed component (for example, changed the footprint) you can save the placed component to either the User Database or the Corporate Database . To save a placed component to the database: 1....

Components 7-16 Electronics Workbench 3. Select the components that you wish to move. 4. Click Move . The Select Destination Family Name dialog box appears. 5. Navigate to where you wish to placed the moved component(s) and click OK . 7.4.8 Displaying Database Information To review database informat...

Merging Databases Multicap 9 User Guide 7-19 3. Select the components to update as indicated in the example below. 4. Click Update to update the selected components. 7.7 Merging Databases To merge the contents of another database into your User or Corporate Database : 1. Select Tools/Database/Merge ...

Multicap 9 User Guide 8-1 Chapter 8 Component Editing This chapter explains how to create, edit, copy, or delete a component, and how to manage the Multicap 9 component database. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an ...

Component Editing 8-2 Electronics Workbench 8.1 Introduction to Component Editing You can edit components in Multicap using the following methods: • Component Wizard — used to create and edit new components. For details see “8.2 Adding Components with the Component Wizard” on page 8-3 • Component Pr...

Component Editing 8-10 Electronics Workbench 3. In step 2 of the component wizard, enter the desired footprint and number of pins. 4. In step 3 of the component wizard, click the Edit button. The Symbol Editor appears. 5. Select File/Open and open the symbol file saved earlier (C:\Temp>Bjt_new.sy...

Component Editing 8-12 Electronics Workbench You are prompted to specify the location where you want the edited component saved. Note Remember, you cannot change information in, or add to, the Master Database , so you must make your changes in either the Corporate Database or User Database . 8.4 Edi...

Editing a Component’s Symbol Multicap 9 User Guide 8-13 8.5 Editing a Component’s Symbol The Symbol tab of the Component Properties dialog box allows you to: • edit a component’s symbol • give a component the same symbol as another component • create a symbol for a component. The symbol assigned to ...

Component Editing 8-14 Electronics Workbench 8.5.1 Copying a Component’s Symbol To copy a symbol from another component: 1. From the Symbol tab of the Component Properties dialog box, click Copy from DB . The Select a Symbol dialog box appears. 2. Navigate through the Database , Group , Family and C...

Editing a Component’s Symbol Multicap 9 User Guide 8-17 8.5.2.1 Symbol Editor Spreadsheet View The Spreadsheet View is where you find and edit various symbol parameters. When you select an item on the workspace, it is highlighted in the spreadsheet, and vice versa. If you make a change to an item in...

Editing a Component’s Symbol Multicap 9 User Guide 8-19 Draw Layer Tab Note If objects are grouped using Edit/Group , their distinct names and properties will no longer appear. The name for any grouped object will appear as “Group”. Column Description Name The type of graphic element. Pen Type The a...

Component Editing 8-20 Electronics Workbench 8.5.2.2 Working with the Symbol Editor To use the Symbol Editor to create working symbols you need to be familiar with the elements required to make up a symbol in Multicap. The key elements needed for a symbol are: • shape • pins These are described in m...

Component Editing 8-22 Electronics Workbench Default Pin Options Dialog Box For details on the Pin Array Options dialog box, go to “ Pin Array Options Dialog Box” on page 8-23. To set up the default options for pins: 1. Choose Pins/Default Pin Options . 2. Set the options in the Pin Name box: • Pref...

Editing a Component’s Symbol Multicap 9 User Guide 8-23 Pin Array Options Dialog Box To place a pin array on a symbol: 1. Choose Pins/Place Pin Array . 2. Set the options in the Pin Name box: • Prefix field—appears before the pin names. A preview of the prefix appears in the Name Preview field. • In...

Editing a Component’s Symbol Multicap 9 User Guide 8-25 In the In-Place Edit Mode , you can change the graphical elements of a symbol (e.g., the shape and placed text). You cannot add or remove pins as this would affect the footprint mapping. Note The In-Place Edit Mode only changes the symbol for t...

Component Editing 8-26 Electronics Workbench Edit Menu The following selections are available under the Edit menu: Menu Use Undo Undoes the previous action. Redo Redoes the previous “undo” action. Cut Removes the selected element(s) from the workspace and places them on the clipboard. Copy Places a ...

Editing a Component’s Symbol Multicap 9 User Guide 8-27 View Menu The following selections are available under the View menu: Bring To Front Brings selected element(s) to the foreground on the workspace. Other element(s) appear behind them. Does not apply to pins. Send To Back Sends selected element...

Component Editing 8-28 Electronics Workbench Pins Menu The following selections are available under the Pins menu. For details on pin types, see “ Pins” on page 8-20. Center By Mouse When viewing the workspace at high magnifications, you can use this command to center the image on the workspace. Sel...

Editing a Component’s Symbol Multicap 9 User Guide 8-29 Graphics Menu The following selections are available under the Graphics menu: Note Graphical primitives such as lines and rectangles can only be placed inside the boundary box. If you attempt to place them outside of the boundary box, the curso...

Component Editing 8-30 Electronics Workbench Layout Menu To align two or more graphic elements, use one of the following selections from under the Layout/Align menu: Tool Menu The following selection is available under the Tool menu: Help Menu The following selections are available under the Help me...

Component Editing 8-32 Electronics Workbench Zoom Toolbar Copy As Picture button. Copies the symbol on the workspace as a metafile. Copy As Bitmap button. Copies the symbol on the workspace as a bitmap image. Undo button. Undoes the previous action. Redo button. Redoes the previous “undo” action. Pr...

Editing a Component’s Symbol Multicap 9 User Guide 8-33 Draw Tools Toolbar The buttons in the Draw Tools toolbar are described below: Button Description Select button. Use to select element(s) on the workspace by clicking and dragging the mouse. Rectangle button. Places a rectangle on the workspace....

Component Editing 8-34 Electronics Workbench Place Pin Toolbar The buttons on the Place Pin Toolbar are described below. Places a bezier curve on the workspace. Click to place the start of the curve, then move the cursor on the workspace. As you move the cursor, a dotted outline of the bezier curve ...

Editing a Component’s Symbol Multicap 9 User Guide 8-35 Note For details on pin types, see “ Pins” on page 8-20. Drawing Toolbar The buttons on the Drawing toolbar are described below: Output Wedge Pin button. Places an output wedge pin on the workspace. Zero-Length Pin button. Places a zero-length ...

Component Editing 8-38 Electronics Workbench 8.7 Editing a Component’s Footprint The Footprint tab of the Component Properties dialog box allows you to specify/modify package information for a component and map footprint and symbol pins of a component. Note A footprint in the Master Database cannot ...

Editing a Component’s Footprint Multicap 9 User Guide 8-39 8.7.1 Select a Footprint dialog box To modify or enter package information: 1. Click the Add From Database button in the Footprint tab of the Component Properties dialog box. The Select a Footprint dialog box appears. 2. Select the Database ...

Component Editing 8-44 Electronics Workbench 8.7.2 Add a Footprint dialog box To add a footprint to the User Database or Corporate Database : 1. Select either Corporate Database or User Database in the Database Name field of the Select a Footprint dialog box. For details, see “8.7.1 Select a Footpri...

Editing a Component’s Footprint Multicap 9 User Guide 8-45 As you change the values in the above two fields, the Footprint Pins values are updated as in the example shown below. Note BGA pins in Ultiboard (Electronic Workbench’s PCB layout software), are named in a matrix array starting with A1, A2…...

Editing a Component’s Footprint Multicap 9 User Guide 8-47 Mapping Pins The following example uses the Advanced Pin Mapping dialog box with the footprint pins displayed in the right pane. If you wish to display the symbol pins in the right pane, click Switch . The same mapping techniques will apply....

Editing User Fields Multicap 9 User Guide 8-49 8.8 Editing User Fields User fields can be used for any purpose you wish. For example, you might use these fields to record the cost of a component (the price you pay to the supplier or vendor), lead time for ordering, preferred supplier, stock number, ...

Multicap 9 User Guide 9-1 Chapter 9 Reports This chapter details the various reports that are available in Multicap 9. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the r...

Bill of Materials Multicap 9 User Guide 9-3 9.1.1 Using the BOM Report To create a Bill of Materials (BOM) for your circuit: 1. Have the desired circuit open in your workspace. 2. Select Reports/Bill of Materials . The Bill of Materials View dialog box displays. Note If there are multiple variants i...

Component Detail Report Multicap 9 User Guide 9-5 9.2 Component Detail Report You can produce a Component Detail Report showing all information stored in the Multicap database for a particular component. 9.2.1 Using the Component Detail Report To produce a Component Detail Report showing detailed in...

Reports 9-6 Electronics Workbench 4. Scroll through the information as necessary using the scrollbar on the right of the dialog box. 5. Use the buttons on the dialog box as required: • Save — click to save the data to a text file. A standard Windows save dialog box appears. Choose the desired filepa...

Netlist Report Multicap 9 User Guide 9-7 9.3.1 Using the Netlist Report To produce a netlist: 1. Have the desired circuit open in your workspace. 2. Select Reports/Netlist Report . The Netlist Report dialog box displays. Note If there are multiple variants in the circuit, the Variants Filter dialog ...

Spare Gates Report Multicap 9 User Guide 9-9 9.4.1 Using the Schematic Statistics Report To produce a schematic statistics report: 1. Have the desired circuit open in your workspace. 2. Select Reports/Schematic Statistics . The Schematic Statistics Report dialog box displays. Note If there are multi...

Reports 9-10 Electronics Workbench 9.5.1 Using the Spare Gates Report To produce a Spare Gates Report : 1. Have the desired circuit open in your workspace. 2. Select Reports/Spare Gates Report . The Spare Gates Report dialog box displays. Note If there are multiple variants in the circuit, the Varia...

Cross Reference Report Multicap 9 User Guide 9-11 9.6 Cross Reference Report The Cross Reference Report provides a detailed list of all components in the active circuit. 9.6.1 Using the Cross Reference Report To produce a Cross Reference report: 1. Have the desired circuit open in your workspace. 2....

Reports 9-12 Electronics Workbench • Print Preview — click to display a Print Preview dialog box. • To MS Excel App — click to open a Microsoft ® Excel spreadsheet with the data from the dialog box displayed. (You must have Excel installed to use this function). 9.7 Variants Filter Dialog Box When t...

Multicap 9 User Guide 10-1 Chapter 10 Transfer/Communication This chapter explains how to use Multicap to transfer circuit schematics (in whole or in part). Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column nex...

Exporting to PCB layout Multicap 9 User Guide 10-3 10.1.1 Transferring from Multicap to Ultiboard for PCB Layout One of the most common applications to which you may want to transfer data is a PCB layout program. Ultiboard, also from Electronics Workbench, is one of the industry’s leading PCB layout...

Transfer/Communication 10-4 Electronics Workbench 10.1.3 Multisection Components Multisection components in different subcircuits, hierarchical blocks or multipages of the same design may be placed on the same IC even though they may have different Reference Designators. 10.2 Forward Annotation Forw...

Importing Files with Other Formats Multicap 9 User Guide 10-5 10.4 Importing Files with Other Formats Files with the following formats can be opened with Multicap 9: • Multisim 7 and Multicap 7 files — these have a .ms7 extension. • Multisim 8 and Multicap 8 files — these have a .ms8 extension. • Mu...

Transfer/Communication 10-6 Electronics Workbench 4. Select the desired options in the Save to Database Options box: • Do not save imported parts — imports the Ulticap parts without saving them to any of the Multicap databases. • Save imported parts — saves the imported Ulticap parts to the selected...

Multicap 9 User Guide A-1 Appendix A This section contains brief descriptions for the commands in the Multicap 9 menus. A.1 Multicap Menus The following menus are found in Multicap. • File Menu • Edit Menu • View Menu • Place Menu • Transfer Menu • Tools Menu • Reports Menu • Options Menu • Window M...

A-6 Electronics Workbench A.1.2.11 Edit/Graphic Annotation Shows various graphic annotation options. Edit/Graphic Annotation/Pen Color Displays a palette where you can change the color of lines for graphic elements, excluding placed text. Edit/Graphic Annotation/Pen Style Displays options for the ap...

Multicap Menus Multicap 9 User Guide A-7 Edit/Title Block Position/Title Block Bottom Right Places the title block at the bottom right of the sheet. Edit/Title Block Position/Title Block Top Left Places the title block at the top left of the sheet. Edit/Title Block Position/Title Block Top Right Pla...

Multicap Menus Multicap 9 User Guide A-11 View/Toolbars/Components Select/deselect to show/hide the Component toolbar. View/Toolbars/Power Source Components Select/deselect to show/hide the Power Source Components toolbar. You can place virtual power source components from this toolbar. View/Toolbar...

Multicap Menus Multicap 9 User Guide A-15 A.1.5 Transfer Menu A.1.5.1 Transfer/Transfer to Ultiboard Displays a file browser where you choose or enter a file name for the data being transferred to Ultiboard. A netlist file for Ultiboard is created. A.1.5.2 Transfer/Transfer to Other PCB Layout Displ...

A-16 Electronics Workbench A.1.6.2 Tools/Database Tools/Database/Database Manager Lets you add component families, assign button icons to families, edit, copy and delete components, and (for some editions of Multicap) enter or modify user field titles for those component families. For details, see “...

A-18 Electronics Workbench A.1.6.15 Tools/Internet Design Sharing Use to communicate and share designs with others, either across a network or using the Internet. For details, see “10.5 Internet Design Sharing” on page 10-6. A.1.7 Reports Menu A.1.7.1 Reports/Bill of Materials Lets you print a Bill ...

Multicap Menus Multicap 9 User Guide A-19 A.1.8 Options Menu A.1.8.1 Options/Global Preferences Displays the Preferences dialog box. For details see “3.4.1 Using the Preferences Dialog Box” on page 3-18. A.1.8.2 Options/Sheet Properties Displays the Sheet Properties dialog box. For details see “3.4....

Multicap 9 User Guide i A Add a Footprint dialog 8-44 Add Buslines dialog box 6-22 Add Variant Name dialog box 6-35 adding components 8-3 administering NLS 1-10 Advanced Pin Mapping dialog 8-45 automatic wiring 4-19 B back annotation 10-4 backing up projects 6-51 Bill of Materials 9-2 bill of materi...

Technical Support and Professional Services Visit the following sections of the National Instruments Web site at ni.com for technical support and professional services: • Support —Online technical support resources at ni.com/support include the following: – Self-Help Resources —For answers and solut...