LTSpice
LTSpice is a schematic editor and circuit simulator. Once a schematic is created and the type of simulation is chosen, the circuit can be simulated. Next, by clicking on nodes or elements in the schematic, signals (voltage or current) can be displayed and analyzed.
Install Files for LTSpice XVII
Windows version of LTspice: (for Windows 7,8 and 10) LTspiceXVII.exe
Mac os x version of LTspice: (for OS X 10.7+) LTspice.dmg
----- For OS X, there is a needed LTSpice
Shortcuts Page
To see the commands on a MAC, right click in a blank space on the schematic
- an alternative is to use Crossover Mac and then install LTSpice XVII from within Crossover.
In this way, LTSpice on a Mac is the same as on Windows. However, there is a cost for a Crossover license.
Quick tips on
LTspice:
- Right click (not double click) on an item to edit its property.
- You can choose the type of simulation (transcient, ac analysis, dc sweep,
etc) under "simulate" - "edit simulation cmd"
(For OSX users, use shortcut "s" to add a spice directive then right click
in text box and choose "Help me edit")
- After a simulation, click on a net or device terminal of interest to plot the voltage or current, respectively.
- A single voltage source can be used as different kinds voltage sources by changing its property.
- Label important nets such as input and output
- You can view the spice netlist under "view" - "spice netlist".
(For OSX users, right click on schematic and look under "view")
Useful shortcuts:
F2: add a component
F3: draw a line
F4: label a wire net
F5: delete
F6: duplicate
F7: move (Ctrl+R: rotate, Ctrl+E: mirror)
F8: drag
F9: undo
ESC: cancel
LTSpice Tutorials
http://denethor.wlu.ca/ltspice/
scad3.pdf
(LTspice used to be called switcherCAD)
Schematic Hierachy in LTSpice
To use hierarchy in LTspice as well as passing parameters through hierachy, look here: Hiearchy in LTspice and passing parameters in hierarchy
Generic Spice Manual
A generic spice manual can be found at http://www.eecg.utoronto.ca/~johns/spice/SPICE_Circuit_Simulator_Reference_Manual.html
Plotting Gm/Id using LTSpice
It is sometimes useful to plot Gm/Id for transistors to help with choosing how to bias a transistor. It is not straightforward in LTSpice since Gm is not an output parameter in LTSpice. The link below describes how to plot Gm/Id using LTSpice and does so with some generic Mosfet models