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Introduction to
B2-Spice from Beige Bag Software
In this tutorial we are going to use a free edition of simulation software call B2 Spice, it's easy to get it.
Just go and visit this website (http://www.beigebag.com/adv4_lite.htm) and download B2 Spice A/D V.4
lite.
We will start with simple diode example, we are going to construct a rectifier circuit and observe most of
the analysis.
But first let's take a look on the program in general.
Fig (1): program main window
Like most programs, it has a menu bar and a toolbar. Also if you look to the left you will find a window
called Workspace /Devices, see it in fig (2).
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In fig(2) window, there are the basic four categories for the
electrical devices existing in the program library , where you can
choose any device you want and place it in the workspace. Also
components can be arranged according to alphabetical order or
manufacturer of the device.
Now after taking a look at the program window, we can go and start
to build out a circuit in the workspace.
Fig (2) : Workspaces / Devices Window
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1. Components placement
We want to build circuit in fig (3) as an example.
Fig (3): example diode circuit.
Next Steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Go to the Workspaces/ Devices window,
fig (2). Make sure you are on the
Devices Tab.
Expand analog folder.
Look for Diodes in subfolders (see fig
(4) highlights).
Now choose "1n4007", by holding left
click and drag it to the work space.
Because it a diode there are no values to
choose from like we will see in resistors.
Fig (4): placing a component
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6.
7.
8.
9.
Similar to the diode go to: Analog / Passive / R.
Drag and drop
the R in the
work space.
Double click on
the
R
after
dropping. You
will
get
a
window like fig
(5).
Here you can
change
the
reference name
of
the
components,
and its value. so
let's make R =
3K Ω, for our
example.
Fig (5): Resistor value sitting window
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Now we need the power supply and the ground to make the circuit work.
Go to Analog / Sources / voltage_source.
Drag and drop it in workspace.
Then from same place Analog / Sources / Ground.
Drag and drop it in workspace.
Now arrange the components like fig (6).
To rotate a components click on it then press (Ctrl + R).
Fig (6): circuit before connecting components.
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Now from toolbar choose this tool
which allows you to create wires between components. All you need
to do now is left click on the components edge then another left click on the second component edge. Press
Esc button to release the wire and start a new one. The result will look like fig (7).
Fig (7): completed circuit.
Now to select a device from toolbar press this
to active selecting tool. Then click a device to select it.
Setting power supply options
When you place a voltage source you need to define a set of parameters that determine the source behavior in
the simulation. So when you place the voltage source in the workspace double click on it and you will get a
window like that in fig (8).
In this window you can choose the type of voltage sources. Each type will ask you to fill special parameters
for it, for now we will deal with constant source (DC) and sinusoidal source (transient source).
If you use it as DC you only need to fill the voltage value in the space labeled "DC Value ".
But for sinusoidal window in fig(8) will look like fig(9).
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Fig(8) : voltage source sittings window.
Fig(9) : Tranisiant voltage window.
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Now by looking in fig(9) you can see there is five values in the white space ( Vo , Va , Freq , Td , Df), now
we only care for the first three values which are:



Vo = DC Offset voltage let it = 0 volt
Va = Peak voltage or amplitude = 5 volt
Freq = frequency of the sinusoidal signal = 1k Hz
Now press OK to finish.
Last step before simulation is to place ammeters and/or voltmeters. As before just go to Analog / Analog
Meters / voltmert1 or voltmeter2 . Now the circuit will look like fig(10).
Fig(10): Circuit after placing voltmeter, and meter properties window.
By double clicking the meter you will get the window in upper right corner, her you choose the title of the
voltage reading so later you can recognize each curve for which device.
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2. Simulation
Go to menubar to Simulation menu /(select )Set Up Simulations, you will get a window like that in fig (11).
Fig (11): Simulation main window.
By checking the box near the simulation we choose to enable or disable that simulation. For example pick
the first box to find DC operating point, also there is DC sweep & Transient analysis.
Now see below the window for each type of the analysis in fig (12) to fig (14).
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Fig (12) : OP simulation sitting window.
Fig (13) : DC Sweep simulation sitting window.
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Fig(14) : Transient Sweep simulation sitting window.
To run the simulations go to menubar Simulation menu / Run Simulation. Or you can press F5.
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Simulation Result for circuit in fig (7)
Fig (16): voltages across the diode and R3 in transient simulations.
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Fig (17): circuit when running transient simulation.
Note: make sure that you place voltmeter on the components that you want to draw the voltage across it.
Now as part of the first project you should apply the above steps and hand over the
simulation result for the circuit in fig (17).
Simulation results graphs:
 DC Sweep graph.
 Transient Sweep graph for Vd, Vout & Vin in the same graph.
Attention included in the mark
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