CircuitMaker
Integrated Schematic Capture
and Circuit Simulation
User Manual
®
for Windows
Revision C
CircuitMaker 6
CircuitMaker PRO
ii
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of MicroCode Engineering. The software described in this document is
furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement. The software may be used or
copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. It is against the law to copy the
software on any medium except as specifically allowed in the license or nondisclosure agreement.
The purchaser may make one copy of the software for backup purposes. No part of this manual
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval systems, for any
purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use, without the express written permission of
MicroCode Engineering.
Copyright © 1988-1998 MicroCode Engineering, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
CircuitMaker, TraxMaker and SimCode are trademarks or registered trademarks of MicroCode
Engineering, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
MicroCode Engineering, Inc.
927 West Center
Orem UT 84057 USA
Phone (801) 226-4470
FAX (801) 226-6532
www.microcode.com
License Agreement iii

code without the prior written consent of MicroCode Engineering.
•
This agreement is effective until terminated. You may terminate this agreement at any time by
destroying the program, documentation, and any the backup copy, or by returning the same
to MicroCode Engineering. The licence will terminate automatically if the terms of this
agreement are violated.
The program code is provided on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind whatsoever,
either expressed or implied. MicroCode Engineering does not warrant the software to be error
free, nor does it warrant it to meet your specific requirements.
License Agreement iv
MicroCode Engineering will, at no charge, replace defective CDs/diskettes or CDs/diskettes that
are returned within ninety (90) days of the date of purchase. MicroCode Engineering warrants
that the program will perform in substantial compliance with the enclosed documentation. If you
report a significant defect in writing to MicroCode Engineering, and MicroCode Engineering is
unable to correct it within ninety (90) days, you may return the entire software package for a
refund. Under no conditions will MicroCode Engineering’s liability exceed the purchase price of
this software.
NO LIABILITY OF ANY FORM SHALL BE ASSUMED BY MICROCODE ENGINEERING OR ITS
REPRESENTATIVES, NOR SHALL DIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHER DAMAGES BE
ASSUMED BY MICROCODE ENGINEERING, EVEN IF MICROCODE ENGINEERING HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Disclaimer
CircuitMaker is a simulation program that, in most cases, produces results very similar to a real
life circuit. It is, however, only a simulation program and is not expected to provide exactly the
same results as a real life circuit in every instance. While MicroCode Engineering, Inc. has tried
to provide a product which is suitable to a wide variety of applications, we realize that it cannot
produce satisfactory results in all applications. CircuitMaker allows you to minimize the amount
of breadboarding required to produce a functional circuit, but it must not be used as a replace-
ment for proper breadboarding.
MicroCode Engineering, Inc. reserves the right to revise the program and/or manual from time to

shall remain with MicroCode Engineering, Inc.,
(f) Use of this Software and documentation shall be limited to the facility for which it is acquired,
and
(g) If use of the Software is discontinued by the installation specified in the purchase/delivery
order and the U.S. Government desires to use it at another location, it may do so by giving prior
written notice to MicroCode Engineering, Inc., specifying the type of computer and new location
site. U.S. Governmental personnel using this Software, other than under a DOD contract or GSA
Schedule, are hereby on notice that use of this Software is subject to restrictions which are the
same or similar to those specified above.
License Agreement vi
Contents vii
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Welcome to CircuitMaker
Introduction............................................................................................1-1
Required User Background..................................................................................
1-1
Required Hardware/Software................................................................................
1-1
Installing CircuitMaker...........................................................................1-2
Installing the Hardware (HW) Keys......................................................................
1-2
Updating from a Previous Version.........................................................................
1-3
Multi-User (Project) Installations..........................................................................
1-6
Technical Support..................................................................................1-8
About the Documentation......................................................................1-9
Manual Conventions.............................................................................................
1-9
Using Online Help..............................................................................................

Shortcut Keys.....................................................................................................
2-7
Contents viii
CircuitMaker Preferences.....................................................................2-8
Changing Preferences..........................................................................................
2-8
Restoring Factory Defaults..................................................................................
2-8
Basic .CKT File Management...............................................................2-9
Starting, Saving & Closing a .CKT File.................................................................
2-9
Opening and Reopening a .CKT File..................................................................
2-10
Reverting to Previously Saved File.....................................................................
2-10
Chapter 3: Tutorials
Tutorial 1: Drawing a Schematic............................................................3-1
Using the Device Selection Dialog Box................................................................
3-1
Selecting a Transistor..........................................................................................
3-3
Selecting the Resistors........................................................................................
3-3
Selecting +V and Ground Devices.......................................................................
3-4
Changing Resistor/Transistor Label-Values..........................................................
3-5
Wiring the Circuit Together...................................................................................
3-5
Tutorial 2: Simulating a Digital Circuit....................................................3-6

4-4
Grid, Title Block and Borders.................................................................4-4
Grid .....................................................................................................................
4-4
Title Block ...........................................................................................................
4-5
Borders................................................................................................................
4-6
Listing and Selecting Devices ...............................................................4-7
The Graphical Parts Browser ...............................................................................
4-7
HotKeys ..............................................................................................................
4-9
Searching for Devices ........................................................................................
4-10
Placing Devices ..................................................................................4-12
Selecting Devices ..............................................................................................
4-12
Nudging Devices ................................................................................................
4-13
Wiring the Circuit.................................................................................4-14
Auto Routing......................................................................................................
4-14
Manual Routing..................................................................................................
4-15
Quick Connect Wiring........................................................................................
4-16
Extending, Joining, and Cutting Wires ...............................................................
4-16
Moving Devices with Connected Wires ...............................................................

Contents x
Digital................................................................................................................
4-25
Parameters........................................................................................................
4-26
Bus Data...........................................................................................................
4-26
Spice Data.........................................................................................................
4-28
Example of Using SPICE Data...........................................................................
4-30
Exclude from PCB.............................................................................................
4-31
Exclude from Bill of Materials.............................................................................
4-31
Pins...................................................................................................................
4-31
Faults................................................................................................................
4-33
Printing and Exporting Circuits............................................................4-33
Printing Circuits.................................................................................................
4-33
Exporting Circuits as Graphics..........................................................................
4-34
Chapter 5: Digital Logic Simulation
CircuitMaker's Simulation Modes..........................................................5-1
Devices and Simulation........................................................................................
5-2
Using the Digital Logic Simulator..........................................................5-2
Digital Logic Simulation Tools...............................................................5-3

CircuitMaker's Simulation Modes..........................................................6-1
Devices and Simulation........................................................................6-2
Overview of Analog Simulation..............................................................6-2
Before You Use the Analog Simulator..................................................................
6-2
Setting Up Analog Analysis.................................................................................
6-3
Selecting Analog Simulation Mode......................................................................
6-3
Analog Simulation Tools........................................................................6-3
Digital/Analog Button...........................................................................................
6-4
Reset Button.......................................................................................................
6-4
Step Button.........................................................................................................
6-4
Run/Stop Button..................................................................................................
6-4
Probe Tool...........................................................................................................
6-5
Trace Button........................................................................................................
6-6
Waveforms Button...............................................................................................
6-6
Vcc and Ground....................................................................................6-6
Working with Test Points.......................................................................6-7
Test Point Types..................................................................................................
6-8
Default Test Points...............................................................................................
6-8

Parameter Sweep Analysis................................................................................
6-26
Fourier Analysis.................................................................................................
6-29
Transfer Function Analysis................................................................................
6-30
Noise Analysis..................................................................................................
6-32
Temperature Sweep Analysis.............................................................................
6-35
Monte Carlo Analysis........................................................................................
6-36
Impedance Plot Analysis...................................................................................
6-41
Using XSpice for Windows..................................................................6-43
.NET and .RAW File Output...............................................................................
6-45
Warning Messages vs. Error Messages.............................................................
6-46
Setting Up Analog/SPICE Variables....................................................6-47
ASCIIOUTPUT Check Box.................................................................................
6-47
DVCC, DVDD and DGND...................................................................................
6-48
Integration Method.............................................................................................
6-48
Analysis Data Saved in .RAW File.....................................................................
6-48
Analog/Mixed Signal Instruments.........................................................6-49
Multimeter.........................................................................................................

7-4
Setting Up Export Options.....................................................................7-7
Exporting Waveforms as Graphics........................................................7-8
Contents xiii
Exporting Circuits as Graphics..............................................................7-8
Exporting a SPICE Netlist.....................................................................7-9
Exporting a SPICE Subcircuit................................................................7-9
Exporting a PCB Netlist......................................................................7-10
What is a Net?..................................................................................................
7-10
What is a Netlist?..............................................................................................
7-10
PCB Netlist Requirements.................................................................................
7-10
Exporting to Popular PCB Netlist Formats.........................................................
7-11
TraxMaker PCB Netlist Format..........................................................................
7-12
CircuitMaker to TraxMaker..................................................................7-13
Run TraxMaker and Load Netlist........................................................................
7-14
Create Keep-Out Layer......................................................................................
7-14
Board Size in Mils.............................................................................................
7-14
Automatically Place Components......................................................................
7-14
Chapter 8: Fault Simulation
Device Faults........................................................................................8-1
Pin(s) Stuck High................................................................................................

Fault Example...................................................................................................
8-11
Contents xiv
Chapter 9: File Menu
New......................................................................................................9-1
Open.....................................................................................................9-1
Reopen.................................................................................................9-1
Merge...................................................................................................9-1
Close....................................................................................................9-2
Save.....................................................................................................9-2
Save As................................................................................................9-2
Revert...................................................................................................9-2
Import > Simulate SPICE Netlist............................................................9-2
Export...................................................................................................9-3
Bill of Materials.....................................................................................9-3
Print Setup............................................................................................9-3
Fit to Page...........................................................................................................
9-4
Print Circuit...........................................................................................9-4
Print Waveforms....................................................................................9-4
Preferences..........................................................................................9-4
Exit.....................................................................................................9-10
Chapter 10: Edit Menu
Undo...................................................................................................10-1
Cut......................................................................................................10-1
Copy...................................................................................................10-1
Paste..................................................................................................10-1
Move...................................................................................................10-1
Delete Items........................................................................................10-2
Duplicate............................................................................................10-2

Edit Input/Output...............................................................................................
10-9
Edit Data Sequencer..........................................................................................
10-9
Edit Signal Generator.....................................................................................
10-10
Edit Scope/Probe Name.................................................................................
10-10
Group Items......................................................................................10-10
Font..................................................................................................10-11
Chapter 11: Macros Menu
New Macro..........................................................................................11-1
Edit Macro..........................................................................................11-1
Save Macro........................................................................................11-2
Expand Macro.....................................................................................11-2
Macro Lock.........................................................................................11-3
Macro Utilities.....................................................................................11-4
Save Macro.......................................................................................................
11-4
Class Selected Device.......................................................................................
11-5
Expand Macro...................................................................................................
11-5
Delete Macro.....................................................................................................
11-5
Model Data........................................................................................................
11-6
Macro Copier......................................................................................11-6
Save ASCII Library..............................................................................11-7
Convert ASCII Library..........................................................................11-7

Fit Circuit to Window.........................................................................................
13-3
Refresh Screen..................................................................................................
13-3
Window Menu.....................................................................................13-3
Cascade Windows.............................................................................................
13-3
Tile Windows.....................................................................................................
13-3
Windows............................................................................................................
13-3
Contents xvii
Chapter 14: Simulation Menu
Digital/Analog Mode...........................................................................14-1
Analyses Setup...................................................................................14-1
Digital Options....................................................................................14-1
Pin Connections..................................................................................14-1
Reset..................................................................................................14-1
Step....................................................................................................14-2
Run.....................................................................................................14-2
Trace..................................................................................................14-2
Display Waveforms.............................................................................14-2
Scope Probe......................................................................................14-2
Display Variable Names......................................................................14-2
Chapter 15: SPICE: Beyond the Basics
Troubleshooting SPICE Convergence.................................................15-1
Solving Operating Point Analysis Failures..........................................................
15-2
Solving DC Analysis Failures.............................................................................
15-3

Contents xviii
Lossless Transmission Lines..........................................................................
15-22
Lossy Transmission Lines..............................................................................
15-23
Uniform Distributed RC Lines (Lossy).............................................................
15-24
Junction Diodes..............................................................................................
15-24
Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs).................................................................
15-25
Junction Field-Effect Transistors (JFETs)........................................................
15-25
MOSFETs.......................................................................................................
15-26
MESFETs (GaAsFETs)...................................................................................
15-27
SimCode
TM
Devices........................................................................................
15-28
.NODESET Statement....................................................................................
15-28
.IC Statement.................................................................................................
15-28
Suggested Reading..........................................................................15-30
Chapter 16: Creating New Devices
What’s In This Chapter?......................................................................16-1
Creating Device Symbols....................................................................16-2
Using Symbol Editor Display Controls...............................................................

Creating New SPICE Models with Parameter Passing......................16-37
General Form (Generic Model)........................................................................
16-37
General Form (Alias).......................................................................................
16-37
Editing Digital Model Parameters.....................................................16-39
Chapter 17: Digital SimCode
TM
Creating New SimCode Devices........................................................17-2
The 74LS74 Example........................................................................................
17-4
Editing Device Data for SimCode Devices.........................................17-8
SimCode Language Definition..........................................................17-10
Device Setup Functions..................................................................................
17-10
Device Test Functions.....................................................................................
17-10
Output Pin Functions.......................................................................................
17-11
Expression Operations....................................................................................
17-11
Expression Functions.....................................................................................
17-12
Program Control..............................................................................................
17-13
Output Text.....................................................................................................
17-13
Debug.............................................................................................................
17-13
SimCode Language Syntax..............................................................17-14

IO_PAIRS.......................................................................................................
17-30
Contents xx
LEVEL............................................................................................................
17-31
LOAD .............................................................................................................
17-32
MATH FUNCTIONS.........................................................................................
17-34
MESSAGE .....................................................................................................
17-35
MIN_TYP_MAX ...............................................................................................
17-36
NO_CHANGE .................................................................................................
17-39
NUMBER........................................................................................................
17-39
OPERATORS .................................................................................................
17-40
OUTPUTS .......................................................................................................
17-41
PARAM_SET..................................................................................................
17-42
PROMPT ........................................................................................................
17-43
PWL_TABLE ..................................................................................................
17-45
PWR_GND_PINS ...........................................................................................
17-46
READ_DATA...................................................................................................

17-62
VOL_VOH_MIN ..............................................................................................
17-63
WHILE ... DO .................................................................................................
17-64
WIDTH ............................................................................................................
17-65
WIDTH_TIME ..................................................................................................
17-66
Index
Chapter 1: Welcome to CircuitMaker 1-21
C H A P T E R 1
Introduction
Welcome to CircuitMaker, the most powerful, easy-to-use
schematic capture and simulation tool in its class! Thank
you for joining thousands of users who have discovered
that CircuitMaker provides the features of "high-end"
design software at a fraction of the cost.
Using CircuitMaker's advanced schematic capabilities, you
can design electronic circuits and output netlists for
TraxMaker and other PCB design tools and autorouters. You
can also perform fast, accurate simulations of digital, analog
and mixed analog/digital circuits using CircuitMaker's
Berkeley SPICE3f5/XSpice-based simulator.
Required User Background
With just a minimum of electronics theory, you can success-
fully use CircuitMaker to design and simulate circuits. For
beginners, CircuitMaker is perfect for learning and experi-
menting with electronics and circuit design. For advanced
users, CircuitMaker's powerful analyses provide a sophisti-

2 If you are installing from the CircuitMaker CD, insert it
into the CD drive and skip to Step 5.
OR
If you are installing with floppy disks, insert Disk 1 into
drive A: and continue with Step 3.
3 If using Windows 95 or NT4, choose Start > Run from
the Taskbar.
OR
If using Windows 3.1x, choose File > Run from Program
Manager.
4 Type a:setup and press Enter.
5 Follow the installation instructions.
Warning: If you are reinstalling or upgrading
CircuitMaker be sure to install in a different directory to
avoid writing over some of your existing work.
If you are installing under Windows 3.1x, you will be
prompted to install the Win32s operating system
extensions.
6 Double-click the CircuitMaker icon to launch the
program.
7 If you are upgrading from an earlier version of
CircuitMaker, see the next section Updating from a
Previous Version.
Installing the Hardware (HW) Keys
Most copies of CircuitMaker sold internationally (outside
the US and Canada) come with a Hardware (HW) key for
copy protection. If your copy includes a HW key, this key
must be attached to the parallel port of your computer in
Chapter 1: Welcome to CircuitMaker 1-23
order to run the software. If you have any questions, please

devices, click Yes.
4 Open the USER.LIB file from your new CircuitMaker
directory as the Copy To file.
5 Select the first device that you have created and click on
the Copy button. Repeat for each additional device that
Chapter 1: Welcome to CircuitMaker 1-24
you have created. Each device copied will be placed in
the new USER.LIB file. You may be prompted for
information regarding the simulation mode for which a
device is intended. If the device can be used in digital
simulations, check the Digital box; if it can be used in
analog simulations, check the Analog box. If it can be
used in either simulation mode, check both boxes.
Updating 16-Bit Macro Libraries
If you are upgrading from a 16-bit version of CircuitMaker
and have created your own macro devices or symbols,
follow these steps:
1 Install the new version of CircuitMaker as described
earlier. Be sure to install the new version into a different
directory to avoid writing over your existing work.
2 Run the BTOA file conversion utility.
3 Select File > Convert Library. Open the USER.LIB file
from your previous CircuitMaker directory. Save the
new file as USERLIB.ASC.
4 Run CircuitMaker.
5 Select Macros > Convert ASCII Library. Load the file
USERLIB.ASC that you just created. Save the new file
as NEWUSER.LIB.
6 Select Macros > Macro Copier.
7 Open the NEWUSER.LIB file as the Copy From file.

If you have created any user-defined symbols to which
SPICE models have been linked, you must remember that
each of these user-defined symbols has a corresponding
.MOD or .SUB file. Be sure to copy these files into the new
Models directory.
If you have used CircuitMaker's automatic linking feature
(accessed throught the Model Data button in Macro Utilities
dialog box) to link a symbol to a user-added SPICE model in
a .LIB file, you must do one of two things:
1 Reenter the information using the Macro Utilities dialog
box just like before.
OR
2 Copy the linking information that was automatically
placed in the .MOD or .SUB files into the new files. This
information would usually be located at the end of the
.MOD or .SUB file that corresponds to the symbol.
Updating Pre-5.0 Digital Circuits for
Analog Simulation
Digital circuits created in pre-5.0 versions of CircuitMaker
will still run in Digital Logic Simulation mode. However, if
you want to run them in Analog Simulation mode, you
should be aware of the following: