5

Introduction to SPICE

This session demonstrates the operation and use of SPICE3F. The aspects introduced are the interactive shell, netlists, and basic simulations.

5.1 Equipment
1

SPICE

Access to WinSPICE and user guide

5.2 Timetable
2:00 pm
2:15
3:15
5:00
4:45

2:15 pm
3:15
4:00
4:45
5:00

Set up
SPICE Controls
DC Analysis
AC Analysis
Wrap up

5.3 SPICE Controls

60 minutes
5.3.1 Interactive Shell
Berkeley SPICE release 3 includes a built-in command shell, which
is similar to a unix c-shell. Variables and numerical vectors can be
manipulated, displayed and stored. It is this shell that is used to manipulate simulation results, so some basic functionality of it will be
explained in the following interactive tutorial.
Data is organised in plots, which contain sets of text variables and
numerical vectors. Performing a simulation creates a new plot and the
results of previous simulations remain in memory unless the old plots
are erased. All numerical quantities are contained in vectors, even if it
is only one number.
Variables can be view and set with the SET command.
View currently set variables by typing set and note that there are
variables that describe the current plot, curplot and plots.
The online TUTORIAL (INTERACTIVE INTERPRETER / VARIABLES)
identifies other useful variables that control program operation
(e.g. nomoremode, noaskquit)
Vectors are arrays of numerical data that are assigned and created
by the let command.
Create a new plot to store new vectors with
setplot new
and then create a vector with 101 elements called x with the
vector command:
let x=vector(101)
Let the values of x range between 1 and +1 with
let x=(x/50)-1
Set x to be the default plotting scale:
setscale x
1

Check the vectors created by this with the display command.

Now plot some functions.
plot x2*sin(x*2*pi)
plot cos(2*pi*x)
plot x2*sin(x*2*pi) cos(2*pi*x)
Produce a hardcopy with the file menu or copy to the clipboard
with the edit menu.
5.3.2 Scripts
SPICE 3 provides a mechanism for performing circuit analysis with
user defined functions and scripts. The format of a script file is as
follows:
The first line is a title or comment line starting with an asterisk.
The next line is .control (the dot . is significant), the last line is
.endc and intermediate lines are commands as could be typed at the
spice prompt. A script file can be executed by typing the name of the
file that contains the script.
Example:
Prepare a text file with the following text.
* example script
.control
setplot new
let x=vector(101)
let x=(x/50)-1
setscale x
foreach power 1 2 3 4 5 6
echo $power
let y$power = x$power
end
echo plotting
plot y1 y2 y3 y4 y5 y6
.endc

A simple way to start off, once spice is launched, is to change

to the working directory and edit a new file with the following
commands:
Winspice 1 -> cd h:\working\whatever
Winspice 2 -> edit testscript.txt

Execute this file in spice by typing its name at the spice prompt.
User functions:
It is possible to type a file name with extra command line arguments. The arguments are passed to the script in the variable
array argv and the number of arguments is passed as argc. The
following script will display command line arguments passed to it:
2

* command line echo

.control
echo there are $argc arguments
echo the first is $argv[1]
let count=$argc
if (count > 3)
echo the fourth is $argv[4]
end
.endc

Prepare this script in a text file and try a few command lines.
Scripts:
Use the previous two files as a basis for preparing a script file
that will implement a user defined command called plotpwr. The
command line
plotpwr xstart xstop n
should prepare a new plot containing a vector x consisting of 101
values ranging from xstart to xstop, and a vector y = xn.

5.4 DC Analysis
45 minutes
The first circuit analysis step is determination of the dc operating
point. Before this can happen, a description of the circuit, called a
netlist, must be created.
5.4.1 Netlist
A NETLIST is a spice description of the circuit with the following format. The first line is a title line, which must be present because spice
ignores it as part of the circuit. The last line is usually .end though
is not required in some versions of spice. The intervening lines contain
device descriptions, which vary according to each type of device. In
Berkeley spice, it is also possible to include a .control/.endc sequence
within the netlist to automate analysis of the circuit.
Study the spice manual to determine how to enter the following
circuit in a text file to be read by spice. (Note: there are only 3 nodes
in this circuit of which one must be 0 (zero).)

22
Vi 5 V

Vo
33

10

15

Again, an easy way to start is to ensure spice is working in the

desired directory and then create a new file with the edit command:
Winspice 1 -> cd I:\working
Winspice 2 -> edit dctest.cir
Once the netlist is ready, save it and load the circuit by typing its
file name (or use the source command):
3

Winspice 3 -> dctest.cir

Check that the circuit has been correctly loaded with the listing
command.
From this point on, the file can be edited by typing edit and each
time the file is re-saved, it will be automatically reloaded by spice.
5.4.2 Operating Point Analysis
Perform an operating point analysis on the circuit by typing op:
Winspice 4 -> op
Display the vectors that have been created with the display command.
Print the vectors with the command print all.
Show the operating condition of each resistor by show r and show all.
5.4.3 DC Analysis
The dc command sweeps voltages through a range of values.
Use the dc command to sweep the input voltage through the range
10 to +10
Winspice 7 -> dc vi -10 10 0.1
This assumes that the voltage source was called vi in the netlist.
Use the display command to check the vectors that have been created. Plot the output with the plot command.
.control
dc vi -10 10 0.1
plot vo
.endc

5.4.4 Non-linear devices

Edit the netlist to replace the 15 resistor with a diode. It is necessary
to add a .model line to describe the characteristics of the diode. A
suitable line that uses the default settings is
.model diode d
Repeat the dc command to sweep the input voltage and plot the
output.
Edit the .model line to add the parameter is=1e-8 and repeat the
dc analysis and note any difference in the result.
5.4.5 Plots
When the results of two analysis operations need to be plotted on the
same graph it is necessary to determine the plot each is in. Use the
setplot command to list the plots that are resident in spice. If you
have performed the two dc analysis functions above without quitting
spice then the last two dc plots will be shown by the setplot command.
Current dc4 dctest (DC transfer characteristic)
dc3 dctest (DC transfer characteristic)
dc2 dctest ...

Plot the output for the two diode models of the previous section by
plotting the output in the current plot and the previous analysis on the
same graph. If the output vector is called vo then use
plot vo dc3.out
Note: If a node number, say 2, is used then it is referenced by dc3.v(2)

5.5 AC Analysis
45 minutes
For ac analysis, spice uses an equivalent small-signal model for
each device. The devices in the circuit are replaced in spice by smallsignal models, so the analysis is only valid for small signals. The following procedures demonstrate ac analysis in spice:
Create a file containing the following netlist and load it into spice.
Notice the ac magnitude of vin is specified by the keyword ac in
the vin line. Also, the .model line for the transistor is continued
onto following lines with a + as the first character.
* Simple amplifier
* input source with two outputs
vin vi
0
dc 0 ac 1
rin1 vi in1
50ohm
rin2 vi in2
50ohm
* single amplifier
xamp1
in1 out1 vcc amp
* cascade amplifier
xamp2
in2 out2 vcc amp
xamp3
out2 out3 vcc amp
* Power
vcc vcc 0 dc 10
* amplifier subcircuit
.subckt amp in out vcc
cin in base
10uF
rbu
base
vcc
22k
rbl
base
0 10k
q1 out base emit
BC547
rc out
vcc
1k
re
emit
0 1k
ce
emit
0 100u
.ends
.model BC547 npn bf=300 is=10e-15 vaf=100
+ br=1 nc=2 ikf=30m rb=120 re=0.3 tf=100p
+ cjc=50p cje=50p xtb=1.5
.end
This netlist uses a subcircuit, which it calls amp. This allows
the amplifer to be repeated in the main circuit - in this case to
implement a cascade amplifier.
5

Draw the circuit described by the subcircuit, and draw a separate

diagram of the test circuit that uses the subcircuit. In the latter,
simply draw a block to represent the amplifier.
Use spice to determine the operating-point potentials at the transistors terminals and label the diagram accordingly.
Perform an ac analysis on the circuit using
ac dec 10 1Hz 100Meg
Plot the magnitude and phase of the outputs with the following
plot statements
plot db(out1) db(out3) xlog
plot ph(out1)*180/pi ph(out3)*180/pi xlog
How does the mid-band gain of the cascade compare to the midband gain of the single amplifier?
What is the effect of setting the ac magnitude of vin to 100 volts
instead of 1 volt? What is the effect on the gain of the circuit?
Z parameters can be calculated with the following test bed:
* inject signal at port1 for z11 and z21
vf
port1f
0
dc 0 ac 1
xampf port1f port2f vcc amp
* inject signal at port2
* with dc block at port2
vr 1 0
cr 1
port2r
rr
0 port1r
xampr port1r port2r vcc

for z22 and z12

and dc path for port1
dc 0 ac 1
1mF
10e12
amp

.control
ac dec 20 100Hz 100k
let z11 = -port1f/vf#branch
let z21 = -port2f/vf#branch
let z12 = -port1r/vr#branch
let z22 = -port2r/vr#branch
plot real(z11) imag(z11)
plot real(z12) imag(z12)
plot real(z21) imag(z21)
plot real(z22) imag(z22)
.endc
Note that this requires the amplifier subcircuit and power supply.
Load this circuit into spice and comment on the plots produced.
Over what band of frequencies can the z parameters be assumed
constant?

Introduction to SPICE

This session demonstrates the operation and use of SPICE transient

analysis.

6.1 Equipment
1

SPICE

Access to WinSPICE and user guide

6.2 Timetable
2:00 pm
2:15
3:00
4:15
4:45

2:15 pm
3:00
4:15
4:45
5:00

Set up
Transient Analysis
Amplifier Analysis
Transient Analysis
Wrap up

6.3 Transient Response

45 minutes
A full transient analysis of the charging of a capacitor shows the
time constant of the circuit. It can be simulated with the following
netlist.
* capacitor transient
vin in
0 dc 0 pwl(0 0 1us 0 2us 5)
rl in out
1k
co
out 0 1uF
.end
Once this is loaded into SPICE, it is possible to perform various
transient simulations to see detail over different time spans and to
compare the result with theory. The following commands will simulate
the start of the transient and plot the result. The aim here is to check
the timing of the step being applied.
tran 10n 5u
plot in out
If the input was an instantaneous step at time=0 then the output
should theoretically be 5 (1 exp(t/103)) volts. Check this with
plot out 5*(1-exp(-time/1ms))
Check and explain why 5 (1 exp((t 1.5 10 6)/103)) gives a
better agreement.
Repeat the transient analysis over a longer time interval up to 10
ms and repeat the previous plot. Does the simulation match theory?
6.3.1 Initial conditions
Try the following circuit and compare the result with that of a session
from a previous week.
* transient
vin in
0 dc 0 sin (0 5 1kHz)
rl in out
1k
co
out 0 1uF
.control
tran 1000n 5m
plot out
.endc
1

Transient analysis performs an operating point analysis (op) to determine the values of the node voltages at time=0. It is possible to
force the circuit to use other values, say to simulate the case where the
capacitor is charged to 10 volts at time=0.
To force an initial potential of 10 volts across capacitor co of the
above netlist, append ic=10 to the co line. Also instruct the transient
analysis to use this initial condition by adding the uic keyword:
tran 10n 5m uic.
Try an initial condition of 0.78 V.
6.3.2 Amplifier
Recall the amplifier used in the previous week:
* Simple amplifier
* input source with two outputs
vin vi
0
dc 0 ac 1
rin1 vi in1
50ohm
rin2 vi in2
50ohm
* single amplifier
xamp1
in1 out1 vcc amp
* cascade amplifier
xamp2
in2 out2 vcc amp
xamp3
out2 out3 vcc amp
* Power
vcc vcc 0 dc 10
* amplifier subcircuit
.subckt amp in out vcc
cin in base
10uF
rbu
base
vcc
22k
rbl
base
0 10k
q1 out base emit
BC547
rc out
vcc
1k
re
emit
0 1k
ce
emit
0 100u
.ends
.model BC547 npn bf=300 is=10e-15 vaf=100
+ br=1 nc=2 ikf=30m rb=120 re=0.3 tf=100p
+ cjc=50p cje=50p xtb=1.5
.end
The ac analysis of this amplifier ignored non-linear effects. A 100 volt
signal was treated as if it was a small-signal. With the transient analysis it is possible to see the true large-signal behaviour. It is first necessary to define the transient behaviour of the input source by modifying
the voltage source. The following gives a sinusoid
vin vi 0 dc 0 ac 1 sin(0 1m 1000)
Simulate the circuit over a time interval of 20ms and plot the outputs:
tran 1m 20m
plot out1 out2 out3
2

Notice that the latter plot is not clean and requires more data points,
so try
tran 10u 20m
At what input level does the cascaded amplifier begin to clip?
The transient at the beginning can be passed over by setting the
start time in the transient command:
tran 10u 20m 10m
Now check the transfer response of the circuit by plotting the output
versus input:
plot out1 vs in1 out2 vs in2
What causes the difference between the two amplifiers?

6.4 Amplifier Analysis

75 minutes
6.4.1 Netlist
Start by creating a netlist for the following microwave amplifier circuit:
100 pF
50
vi

100 pF

KF04
50 nH
+

50

50 nH
0.4 V

3V

A model for the FET is in the library file fet.lib, which can be included with the line
.lib fet.lib
Note that the FET is defined as a subcircuit, so it is added in the netlist
as an x device, such as:
Xfet drain gate source KF04
Once the netlist is ready, check its operating point and adjust the
gate bias for a drain current of 70 mA. (A dc sweep may help.)
What is the required gate bias?
What is the amplifiers upper and lower 3dB frequency limits?
6.4.2 Large-signal Gain
To assess the large signal gain at 1 GHz, a transient analysis should
be performed. Do this for a 1 GHz sinusoid input amplitude of 10 mV
and 1 V, and note the differences.
A common way to display the reduction in gain with input level is to
plot the output level versus input. This is can be accomplished with a
script, which will now be set up in stages.
First, it is necessary to calculate the amplitude of the output, so
that it can be printed or stored. The following functions can be defined
within a .control section to help with this:
.control
DEFINE rms(x) sqrt(mean(x2))
DEFINE dbm(x) db(rms(x))+10
.endc
3

The first calculates the rms value of a vector, which is produced by a

transient analysis, and the second converts it to dBm in 50 .
For these to work, the transient analysis must produce a few complete cycles of output in a time interval that is after the initial natural
response of the circuit. Identify such a region by running a transient
analysis a few times an observe the response. Then set the parameters
for the transient command to give an output of few cycles that occur
after the initial natural response has died down.
It is also necessary to ensure that the points in the rms calculation
are equally spaced. The linearize command produces a such a plot
by interpolating the output to regular time steps. Add the transient
and linearize commands to the control section and have it print the
difference between input and output in dBm. The following is the form
required:
.control
DEFINE rms(x) sqrt(mean(x2))
DEFINE dbm(x) db(rms(x))+10
TRAN 10p ...
LINEARIZE
print dbm(out)-dbm(in)
.endc
It is possible at this point to manually change the input level and
re-simulate to find the level at which gain starts to drop.
Another way is to use the alter command to change the level from
the command prompt, which avoids having to edit the netlist.
6.4.3 Arbitrary Source
The alter command changes the settings of various devices in the circuit, such as the value of a voltage source.
To use the alter command to change the level of a sinusoid, it is
necessary to implement the input with an arbitrary voltage source. This
is a source that is defined by an equation involving other voltages and
currents.
The following can be used to replace the input source, so that amplitude is proportional to the value of voltage source va.
va a 0 dc 0.1
vin s 0 0 ac 1 sin(0 1 1000meg)
bin vin 0 v=v(s)*v(a)*2
Make this substitution and add the following line before the tran
statement in the control section to set the input amplitude.
alter va = 0.01
Now editing this line, rather than the circuit is sufficient to set the
amplitude for each simulation.
However, a script can be used to sweep the input level.
6.4.4 Scripts
The following script sweeps the input level and prints the gain: .control
.control
DEFINE rms(x) sqrt(mean(x2))
DEFINE dbm(x) db(rms(x))+10
LET n = 10
LET amplitude = 0.01
LET f = (1.5/amplitude)(1/(n-1))
LET k = 0
4

WHILE k < n
ALTER va = amplitude
TRAN 10p 5n 2n
LINEARIZE
print dbm(out)-dbm(in) dbm(in)
LET k = k + 1
LET amplitude = amplitude*f
END
.endc
Examine this script and explain the function of each of the variables.
Incorporate this script into the netlist and run it. At what level does
the gain drop by 1 dB?
A more elaborate script can be used to produce data that can be
plotted.
.control
DESTROY all
DEFINE rms(x) sqrt(mean(x2))
DEFINE dbm(x) db(rms(x))+10
* New plot to hold end results, note plot name and create vectors
SETPLOT new
SET dataplot = $curplot
SET pts=20
LET in = vector({$pts})
LET out = vector({$pts})
*
New plot to hold while counters
SETPLOT new
LET n = $pts
LET k = 0
LET amplitude = 0.01
LET f = (2/amplitude)(1/(n-1))
WHILE k < n
ALTER va = amplitude
TRAN 10p 5n 2n
LINEARIZE
LET {$dataplot}.in[k] = dbm(in)
LET {$dataplot}.out[k] = dbm(out)
*
Destroy transient and linearize plots
DESTROY $curplot
DESTROY $curplot
LET k = k + 1
LET amplitude = amplitude*f
END
*
Destroy while counters plot
DESTROY $curplot
PLOT out in
.endc
Draw a flow chart that explains the operation of this script. Then
run it to produce a gain versus input level plot

6.5 Distortion
30 minutes
The fourier command can be used to determine the distortion generated by the amplifier. After performing the transient analysis on the
5

amplifier above, a plot of the output for high levels clearly shows that
it is no longer sinusoidal. Check its distortion with
fourier 1000Meg out
compare this with the distortion of the input signal with
fourier 1000Meg in
Note that the natural response of the circuit has a significant influence. Compare
tran 10p 1n
fourier 1000Meg out
with
tran 10p 5n
fourier 1000Meg out
and explain the difference in terms of the shape of the output.
6.5.1 Input Level
Repeat a fourier analysis of the output for a few input levels and confirm that the third harmonic level increase with the cube of the fundamental.

10

Intermodulation Analysis with SPICE

This session demonstrates the principles of intermodulation and the

analysis of transient responses to determine intermodulation.

10.1 Equipment
1

SPICE

Access to WinSPICE and user guide

10.2 Timetable
2:00 pm
2:15
3:15
4:15
4:45

2:15 pm
3:15
4:15
4:45
5:00

Set up
Spectrum Function
Intemodulatioin
Amplifier
Wrap up

10.3 Spectrum Function

60 minutes
A nonlinear system is described by
vo = a1 vi + a2 vi 2 + a3 vi 3
can be analysed with SPICE, but there is some setting up required
to produced the required simulation results and to analyse the data.
To understand what SPICE produces and how to interpret the results,
a simple set of test cases is suggested in the following subsections.
10.3.1 Spectrum Analysis
What does the SPEC function do in SPICE? To find out, start with
a known spectrum, which is easily produced by an arbitrary voltage
source. The following netlist produces a cosine signal that is a function of time. The time value is produced by a piece-wise linear voltage
source:
* test of spec command
vtime t 0 0 pwl 0 0 100 100
bsource s 0 v=cos(2*pi*1e6*v(t))
.control
DESTROY all
TRAN 100n 2u 0 50n
LINEARIZE
SPEC 0 5meg 0.5meg s
PRINT frequency s
.endc
The SPEC function applies a hanning window to the signal over the
full time period of the transient analysis. It then calculates a discrete
fourier transform (DFT) at each frequency from the start, stop, and step
frequencies specified by the first three arguments supplied to the function. The result is stored in a new plot with frequency as the default
scale. The DFT requires evenly spaced time samples, so a LINEARIZE
function is required before the SPEC command.
Note that the step frequency must be greater than the reciprocal
of the total time interval. Why? Also, the stop frequency must be
1

less than the reciprocal of the time step (first argument to the TRAN
function). Why?
Load this netlist and run it in spice. Type DISPLAY and describe the
format of the data set. Also, type SETPLOT and describe the origin of
the data plots present.
Notice that the window produces artifacts either side of the tone.
What is the magnitude and phase of each significant tone in the spectrum (ignore terms below 1010 ).
The windowing artifacts can be moved by doubling the transient
time interval. Change the 2u parameter to 4u and observe the change.
Have the artifacts gone, or are the just hidden? Change the frequency
step from 0.5meg to 0.25meg and comment on the result.
Spectrums A more complex signal, such as in the following netlist,
has spectral terms at each component frequency. Load this netlist and
confirm that the spectrum is consistent with signal.
* test of spec command
vtime t 0 0 pwl 0 0 100 100
bsource s 0 v=cos(2*pi*1e6*v(t))+0.2*cos(2*pi*2e6*v(t))
+
+0.05*sin(2*pi*3e6*v(t))
.control
DESTROY all
TRAN 100n 4u 0 50n
LINEARIZE
SPEC 0 5meg 1meg s
PRINT frequency s
.endc
For more accuracy, change the TRAN function minimum step size
from 50n to 1n. This gives the LINEARIZE function a finer set of data to
interpolate.
What does it mean to have an imaginary term?
Add a cosine term to the third harmonic and note the change to the
spectrum
+
+0.05*sin(2*pi*3e6*v(t))+0.05*cos(2*pi*3e6*v(t))

Decibels Produce a nice spectrum of the previous signal by extending

the time interval to 16s and use a SPEC frequency step of 125 kHz.
Change the print line to
PLOT db(s) combplot
What is the dynamic range of the spectrum analysis? How does this
compare with the numerical precision of 15 digits that the computer
uses?
Add a range limit to the plot and compare the spectral terms with
the voltage amplitude of each component.
PLOT db(s) combplot ylimit -30 0
It is useful to display the results in dBm relative to 1 mW in 50 .
Confirm that the following macro accomplishes this
DEFINE dbm(x) db(rms(x))+13
plot dbm(s) pointplot ylimit -15 15

10.4 Intermodulation
60 minutes
Distortion and intermodulation produce a variety of frequency components that can be easily calculated with SPICE. Simulate the thirdorder nonlinear system with the following netlist:
vtime t 0 0 pwl 0 0 100 100
bin in 0 v=0.02*cos(2*pi*1.9e6*v(t))+0.02*cos(2*pi*2.1e6*v(t))
bout s 0 v=10*v(in)+(v(in))2+0.1*(v(in))3
.control
DEFINE dbm(x) db(rms(x))+13
DESTROY all
TRAN 50n 40u 0 1n
LINEARIZE
SPEC 0 7meg 0.1meg s
PLOT dbm(s) combplot ylimit -150 0
.endc
Explain the choice of the TRAN and SPEC functions.
Confirm that if for A = 0.02, 1 = 21.9 106 and 2 = 22.1 106 :
s

10(A cos 1 t + A cos 2 t) + (A cos 1 t + A cos 2 t)2

+0.1(A cos 1 t + A cos 2 t)3

10A cos 1 t + 10A cos 2 t
+A2 cos2 1 t + A2 cos2 2 t + 2A2 cos 1 t cos 2 t
+0.1A3 cos3 1 t + 0.1A3 cos3 2 t
+0.3A3 cos2 1 t cos 2 t + 0.3A3 cos 1 t cos2 2 t

A2
+A2 cos(2 2 )t
+0.15A3 cos(21 2 )t
+(10A + 0.225A3 ) cos 1 t
+(10A + 0.225A3 ) cos 2 t
+0.15A3 cos(22 1 )t
+0.5A2 cos 21 t
+A2 cos(1 + 2 )t
+0.5A2 cos 22 t
+0.15A3 cos(21 + 2 )t
+0.025A3 cos 31 t
+0.025A3 cos 32 t
+0.15A3 cos(22 + 1 )t

then all these components appear in the spectrum.

10.4.1 Intermodulation versus power
Of particular interest in most circuits is third-order intermodulation
because it produces components near the frequencies of interest, and
second-order intermodulation because it usually has a high magnitude.
A power sweep of intermodulation can be obtained using a script in
SPICE. For this, the amplitude of the signal is controlled by a voltage
source and the ALTER function is used to set its value.
3

* intermodulation test
vtime t 0 0 pwl 0 0 100 100
vamplitude a 0 1
bin in 0 v=v(a)*(cos(2*pi*1.9e6*v(t))+cos(2*pi*2.1e6*v(t)))
bout s 0 v=10*v(in)+(v(in))2+0.1*(v(in))3
.control
DEFINE dbm(x) db(x)+13
DESTROY all
* New plot to hold end results, note plot name and create vectors
SETPLOT new
SET r = $curplot
SET pts = 10
LET in
= i*vector({$pts})
LET f2
= in
LET f1
= in
LET ip3u = in
LET ip3l = in
LET ip2u = in
*
New plot to hold while counters
SETPLOT new
LET n = $pts
LET k = 0
*
first value of amplitude and increment ratio
LET amp = 0.05
LET ra = (20/amp)(1/(n-1))
WHILE k < n
ALTER vamplitude = amp
TRAN 50n 40u 0 10n
LINEARIZE
SPEC 0 4meg 0.1meg s in
*
kludge because x[k]=y works, but x[k]=y[j] does not!!
LET idx=0*vector(length(frequency))
LET idx[17]=1; LET {$r}.ip3l[k]=sum(s*idx); LET idx[17]=0;
LET idx[19]=1; LET {$r}.f1[k] = sum(s*idx);
LET {$r}.in[k] = sum(in*idx); LET idx[19]=0;
LET idx[21]=1; LET {$r}.f2[k] = sum(s*idx);
LET idx[21]=0;
LET idx[23]=1; LET {$r}.ip3u[k]=sum(s*idx); LET idx[23]=0;
LET idx[40]=1; LET {$r}.ip2u[k]=sum(s*idx); LET idx[40]=0;
*
Destroy transient and linearize plots
DESTROY $curplot
DESTROY $curplot
DESTROY $curplot
LET k = k + 1
LET amp = amp*ra
END
*
Destroy while counters plot
DESTROY $curplot
PLOT dbm(ip3l) dbm(f1) dbm(f2) dbm(ip3u) dbm(ip2u) vs dbm(in)
.endc

How many plots are created during the course of the script, and
what purpose do the each have?
Explain the assignment of the variable ra.
How many frequency points does each spectrum have and what
frequencies are being selected by the indexing procedures?
Run the script and determine, from the graph, the second and third
order intercept levels.
4

10.5 Amplifier
60 minutes
The previous spice script can be used as a template for analysing
a simple microwave amplifier. The following netlist describes such an
amplifier:
rin in vin 50
cin vin gate 800p
vgg gg 0 -0.5V
lgg gg gate 2u
xfet drain gate 0 fet
ldd dd drain 2u
vdd dd 0 3V
cout s drain 800p
rout s 0 50
.model KF1UM njf level=2
+ BETA = 417.3u
VTO = -964.4m
+ DELTA = 76.91
Q = 1.799
+ VST = 57.92m
XI = 319.8m
+ CGD = 0.2794f
CGS = 0.9289f
+ HFGAM = 98.29m TAUD = 100.0u

P = 2.379
LFGAM = 18.48m
Z = 1.163
ACGAM = 128.9m
TAUG = 100.0u

.subckt fet 1 2 3
ld
11
1
50pH
cds
11
3
180fF
jfet
11 22
3 kf1um AREA = 600
rg
21 22
0.8ohm
lg
21
2
50pH
.ends
Replace the bout device in the script example with this netlist and
run it. What is the gain of the amplifier at the frequency of simulation?
Draw the circuit of the amplifier and explain why the gain is low.
Raise the frequency of the tones to 1.9 GHz and 2.1 GHz and repeat the simulation, with appropriate transient and spectrum analysis
arguments.
Transients: Check the simulation by manually performing a transient analysis at the command prompt:
alter vamplitude=0.1
tran 50p 1000p
plot s
To ensure that a transient free time interval of correct length is obtained, it is necessary to set the stop and start times of the TRAN function to give the end portion of a long transient simulation.
Another trick to try, is to change the cosine functions in the bsource
device to sine functions. Do this and repeat the previous manual simulation.
Would the following transient card be appropriate for this investigation of this amplifier?
tran 50p 400p 300p 20p
Simulations: The amplifier clearly overloads when there is more than
10 dBm input. Generate a better result by increasing the number of
5

amplitude points and reducing the maximum amplitude to only 1 V

peak.
What are the second and third-order intercept points?
What is the gain of the amplifier?
What is the 1dB compression of the amplifier?
At what power level is there a null of the second-order distortion?
10.5.1 Design Problem
A common design goal is to minimise the third-order distortion. One
way to do this is to vary the gate bias. Try a gate bias of 0.8 V and one
of 0.0 V and observer the difference in intermodulation and gain.
To understand these results, try the following investigation from the
command line prompt (assuming the circuit is still loaded):
Examine the dc characteristics of the transistor by
dc vdd 0 5 0.1 vgg -2 0.5 0.25
plot -vdd#branch
This should show that the output conductance is fairly constant.
Examine the transconductance and its derivatives by
dc vgg -2 0.5 0.01
let id=-vdd#branch
let gm=deriv(id)
let gm2=deriv(gm)
let gm3=deriv(gm2)
plot id gm gm2 gm3
Given that

 2
 3
vi + gm
vi
s gm vi + gm

then why is the intermodulation level so high at low gate biases?

At what gate bias points is there expected to be a minimum intermodulation? Is this confirmed this by simulation? If not, why not
(ask the demonstrator)?