Month: September 2016

Creating Subcircuits from Spice Models with TINA: .MODEL format

Creating Subcircuits from Spice Models with TINA: .MODEL format

In TINA you can also create your own components from any Spice models given in .MODEL format that you have made or downloaded from the Internet.

Watch our tutorial video 

to see how to create a  TINA macro component using a BC846 NPN Bipolar transistor downloaded previously from the web.

.MODEL format
Creating subcircuits from Spice Models with TINA

Download the FREE trial demo of TINA Design Suite and get:

  1. One year free access to TINACloud (the cloud-based, multi-language, installation-free online version of TINA now running in your browser anywhere in the world.)
  2. An immediate 20% discount from the offline version of TINA
  3. Free license for your second computer, laptop etc.
Click here to download the FREE trial demo of TINA

 

www.tina.com

You can also find below the script of the video:

Creating Subcircuits from Spice Models: .MODEL format

In TINA you can also create your own components from any Spice models given in .MODEL format that you have made or downloaded from the Internet.

Some device models are stored in Spice .MODEL format. Let’s download one from the internet and add the model to TINA

Here is the model of the BC846 NPN Bipolar transistor

Let’ save this model

In Google Chrome click the right mouse button.

In other browsers find the Save as command

Select Save as…

Save it as a .mod file, as this is the extension that TINA expects

Let’s see how to add this model to TINA after starting the program

Click the Tools menu

Select the New Macro Wizard

Enter the name of the model BC846

Change the Settings from Current circuit to From file

Click the Open icon

Select the Downloads folder where the BC846.mod file is saved

Switch the Files of type into (*.CIR; *.LIB; *.MOD), then enter the file name BC846.mod

Click Open

Now click Next

Note that into the TINA Macros folder you can save with Administrator rights only.

So select User Macros

then click Save

In the New Macro Wizard dialog box now the following message appears:

The macro file is ready for use, it can be inserted by selecting Insert Macro or by pressing the Insert button below.

Now click the Insert button

the Macro will be attached to your cursor and you can place it wherever you wish on the workspace

Double-click the Macro & click Enter macro to see its content

A small schematic design inside the macro appears

Double-click the Transistor

then press the … button in the Type line

Here you can see the detailed description of the model which has been downloaded from the internet

Let’s close the Model Parameters window

Click the Close icon on the Toolbar if you wish to close the Macro and go back to the Schematic Editor of TINA

You can also Insert the new model using the Insert Macro command.

Select Macro from the Insert menu

From the Macrolib folder select BC846.TSM and press Open.

The new model will appear attached to your cursor and you can place it anywhere on the workspace.

This how you can add a device model in .MODEL format. You can similarly add any Spice models, diodes, transistors, MOSFETS etc. which are defined by the standard Spice .MODEL format.

You can also add such models to TINACloud.

Note:

It is of course not necessary to add devices with .MODEL definition one by one. You can also add a number of such devices in one step using the Library Manager of TINA. This process will be demonstrated in a separate video and also described in chapter 5.3 of the Users Manual of TINA. However if you need to add just one or two new models then the procedure outlined in this video might be simpler.

Creating two-sided PCBs in TINA, part 2: TINA PCB Design Flow

Creating two-sided PCBs in TINA, part 2: TINA PCB Design Flow

In this tutorial video

we will demonstrate the PCB design for the circuit we prepared in our previous video: Creating two-sided PCBs in TINA, part 1: Preparing Schematics for PCB Design.

The circuit is also available in the latest version of TINA as  ADC.TSC in the Examples\PCB\ADC folder.

TINA PCB Design Flow
Creating two-sided PCBs in TINA, part 2:

Watch our tutorial video to see how  to use the PCB design for the circuit we prepared in our previous video: Creating two-sided PCBs in TINA, part 1: Preparing Schematics for PCB Design.

Download the FREE trial demo of TINA Design Suite and get:

  1. One year free access to TINACloud (the cloud-based, multi-language, installation-free online version of TINA now running in your browser anywhere in the world.)
  2. An immediate 20% discount from the offline version of TINA
  3. Free license for your second computer, laptop etc.
Click here to download the FREE trial demo of TINA

 

You can also find below the script of the video:
 Creating two-sided PCBs in TINA, part 2: TINA PCB Design Flow

In this tutorial we will demonstrate the PCB design for the circuit we prepared in our previous video:  Creating two-sided PCBs in TINA, part 1: Preparing Schematics for PCB Design

1) Placement of components

Start TINA and open the circuit prepared in the previous video

The circuit is also available in the latest version of TINA as ADC.TSC in the Examples\PCB\ADC folder

Click the PCB Design icon

The PCB Design dialog appears

Note that the Autoplacement checkbox is set

Press the OK button

The PCB designer appears with automatically placed parts on the board.

However the automatic placement is never perfect.

Let’s reposition the parts according to our requirements.

Click the Select/Move components/tracks button

then click on U1 and drag aside

Next select the Connectors

As they turn white, rotate them clockwise

Drag them close to the edge of the board

Now position the remaining parts according to this picture.

Note that some of the parts should be rotated.

Finally, change the size of the board

Click the Board outline button,

then click on the workspace by holding down the Right-mouse button

Select Cancel

Next double-click on the workspace

In the Shape properties window

Change the Rectangle height into 1500 mil

then click OK

2. Preparation for routing

Now, we check the design parameters before routing

Click Options

System settings

The units are in mils which were defined in TINA Schematic Editor View/Options

Click OK to close the System settings window

Click Options

Layer settings

We design double-sided board with components on the top.
Copper routing will be applied on top and bottom sides too.

Close the Layer editor Window

Next, click Options

Autorouter settings

We will use both manual and automatic routing, for our circuit.

Here we can give direction preferences on a scale of 1 to 9 for autorouting. Leave them now default.
Close the Autorouter settings window

Next, click Options

Design parameters

Now, set ‘Pad to pad’ value to 6

This assures that our SON12_3x3_0.5_TP (U2 ) package will not violate the design rules

Click OK

3. Routing the design

The PCB Editor offers several modes to assist manual and automatic routing

Click the Mode 2 icon button on the toolbar,

then click to the connection points at the ends of the rubber line

Manual routing is practical for small boards, but now we shall use the autorouter

Click Tools

Autoroute board

After the autorouting we connect manually the unconnected nets then revise connections and cleanup design


Filling both sides with copper pour we will create a ground plane and reduce the amount of etching liquid

Click the Copper pour area icon,

then by holding down the left-mouse button select the area you want to fill

Release the selection by clicking the left-mouse button at the end point

We can assign the GND net to pour areas

Click the Copper pour area icon, then click anywhere on the workspace and select Cancel

Next double-click the copper shape and

in the Assigned net field of the Shape properties window select GND

then click OK

To avoid the board edge, we set ‘Board to copper pour’ to 40 mils
Click Options

Design parameters

Enter 40 in the Board to copper pour field,

then click OK

4. Final touches: texts and 3D view

Now we arrange component name texts on silkscreen and add some additional ones to identify the pins of the connectors

We will move U1 label which belongs to the Silkscreen Layer

Select Silscreen Top layer

Next, click the Select/Move components/tracks button

Click the U1 label, then drag it to the right place

You can rotate it while it is selected by using the Rotate right/Rotate left icon

Finally let’s see and test our design in a lifelike photo-realistic 3D view.

To generate the 3D model press the 3D View button on the toolbar

The lifelike 3D model of the circuit appears.

You can rotate the model by holding down the left-mouse button while moving the mouse or using the arrows on the keyboard.

You can Zoom In or Zoom Out by holding down the right-mouse button while moving the mouse

5. Design rule check (DRC) and making layer images

DRC process is very important step at the end of the design before we generate data files to the PCB manufacturer

Click Tools

DRC

Run DRC

As there is no error message, just click OK

If there is no DRC message then it is time to have our board made.
Typically this means creating gerber format files for a professional manufacturer

Click File

Export gerber file

Click Save

It is also very important to check gerber files once the design is completed.
Note that many free viewers are available like ViewMate, GC-Prevue…

6. Live 3D View

Let’s run Transient Analysis with 3D view

Press the TR button to run Transient Analysis

You can change the Voltage input

Double-click the Vin and enter 1.8 in the Voltage field of the Vin-Voltage Source window, then click OK

Creating two-sided PCBs in TINA, part 1: Preparing Schematics for PCB Design

Creating two-sided PCBs in TINA, part 1: Preparing Schematics for PCB Design

In this tutorial video

we will present how to check and set the mapping between TINA’s Schematic Symbols and the Footprints used in TINA’s Integrated PCB Designer.

Note: See also our previous video: Using the Footprint Editor in TINA, part 2: Setting and checking footprint names

creatingtwosidedpcbsintinapart1voiceover-yt

Watch our tutorial video to see how  to check and set the mapping between TINA’s Schematic Symbols and the Footprints used in TINA’s Integrated PCB Designer.

Download the FREE trial demo of TINA Design Suite and get:

  1. One year free access to TINACloud (the cloud-based, multi-language, installation-free online version of TINA now running in your browser anywhere in the world.)
  2. An immediate 20% discount from the offline version of TINA
  3. Free license for your second computer, laptop etc.
Click here to download the FREE trial demo of TINA

 

You can also find below the script of the video:

Creating two-sided PCBs in TINA, part 1

Preparing Schematics for PCB Design

In this video we will present how to check and set the mapping between TINA’s Schematic Symbols and the Footprints used in TINA’s Integrated PCB Designer

Note: See also our previous video: Using the Footprint Editor in TINA, part 2: Setting and checking footprint names

Here is the circuit we will use

Note: We have already presented how to set the footprints of U2 in our previous video.

Start TINA

The most important thing in PCB design is that every part in your schematic must have a physical representation with exact physical size.

This is accomplished through so called footprints-drawings showing the outline and the pins of the parts.

In TINA, we have already assigned default footprint names to all parts which represent real components.

To check the footprints you can double-click on each part and check the Footprint Name of the Component Property dialog.

Double-click the R1

Click the … button in the Footprint Name line

and see the “PCB information” dialog where you can select from the available footprint names.

You can also see the 3D view of the different parts via the 3D package view field of the dialog.

Of course, there is no guarantee that the default physical representatives of the parts are the same as those needed by your design.

Now, we will use SMT Footprint

Select the R1608_0603 Footprint, then click OK

Click OK again

Alternatively you can use TINA’s “Footprint Name Editor” which you can invoke from the Tools menu

Select Tools

Footprint Name Editor

In this dialog you can see all of TINA’s components & the corresponding footprint names

To locate a part click the label then the Locate button

AIN+ and some parts (controlled sources,…) used for theoretical investigations do not represent real physical parts so you cannot place them on a PCB.

Clicking on the footprint name fields, you can select from the available footprint names.

From the Footprint name list select

C1608_0603 for C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6

In the dialog, components that do not already have a footprint name association will be denoted by red characters and also by ??? in the footprint name field.

Next, in the U4 Footprint Name field click the ??? then the …

As we already have a footprint for U4 in TINA Package Database

Select the TINA library

Check in the All box

and select the LCD16X1 footprint from the list

then click OK

Finally select the JP100 footprint for VCC, Vin, VDD, OVD, REF

Click OK to close the Footprint Name Editor

Now the PCB footprints are associated with the parts.

If you open the TINA PCB Designer the PCB Footprints of the parts will appear

Open the TINA PCB Designer

Set the parameters as shown next

Check the Autoplacement option

Let’s adjust the board dimensions.

Enter 4.5 for the Board width and

2.3 for the board height

Click OK

The PCB footprints of the parts appear.

The parts are automatically placed on the board and connected with “rubber lines”.

Our task is now to move the parts into their final positions and instead of the rubber lines connect them with non-intersecting tracks on the two sides of the board.

We will show how to do this in our next video.

Creating Subcircuits from Schematics in TINA offline version, part 2: Macro in Macro

In TINA you can convert any schematic diagram into a subcircuit called a Macro.

Watch our tutorial video 

to see how to create a Macro in Macro in TINA:

 creating-subcircuits-from-schematics-part2voiceover-blog

Download the FREE trial demo of TINA Design Suite and get

  1. One year free access to TINACloud (the cloud-based, multi-language, installation-free online version of TINA now running in your browser anywhere in the world.)
  2. An immediate 20% discount from the offline version of TINA
  3. Free license for your second computer, laptop etc.
Click here to download the FREE trial demo of TINA
 

www.tina.com

 

You can also find below the script of the video:

Creating Subcircuits from Schematics, part 2: Macro in Macro

Tina allows a hierarchical macro structure; that is, macros can contain other macros inside, and so on.

Note: The macros inside a macro can contain not only schematics but also Spice netlist and HDL code such as VHDL, Verilog, Verilog AMS and more. We will demonstrate the creation of such macros in other videos.

Let’s use our half adder macro created in our previous tutorial- Creating Subcircuits from Schematics, part 1 – to create a full adder Macro containing 2 half adder Macros

Insert the newly created Half Adder twice into a new circuit

then add the additional components and wires as shown on the picture

then add the additional components and wires as shown on the picture

Rename the labels as required

Add the OR Gate

Now create and save the new Macro with the New Macro Wizard from the Tools menu

Note: Although the automatic symbol creation is very convenient, you can also create your own schematic-symbols with TINA’s Schematic Symbol Editor and assign macros to them.

Let’s use this feature with an existing symbol.

We will show the creation of such a symbol in another video.

Select New Macro Wizard from the Tools menu

Enter the macro name: Full Adder

Select the suggested symbol from the library, then set the file name and press Save

Finally let’s insert the newly created Macro & its content.

If you double-click the Macro and press Enter Macro you can see and edit the content of the macro

Full Adder content

Creating Subcircuits from Schematics in TINA offline version, part 1

Creating Subcircuits from Schematics in TINA offline version, part 1

In TINA you can convert any schematic diagram into a subcircuit called a Macro.

Watch our tutorial video  

to see how to create a Macro in TINA:

creatingsubcircuitfromschematicswithvoiceover-part1-yt

Download the FREE trial demo of TINA Design Suite and get

  1. One year free access to TINACloud (the cloud-based, multi-language, installation-free online version of TINA now running in your browser anywhere in the world.)
  2. An immediate 20% discount from the offline version of TINA
  3. Free license for your second computer, laptop etc.
Click here to download the FREE trial demo of TINA
 

www.tina.com

You can also find below the script of the video:

Creating Subcircuits from Schematics

In TINA you can simplify schematics and hide clutter by turning portions of the schematic into subcircuits.

TINA automatically represents these subcircuits as a rectangular block (New macro) on your schematic, but you can create any shape you like with TINA’s Schematic Editor or select an already existing shape.

You can convert any schematic diagram into a subcircuit, called a Macro in TINA, simply by adding the terminals and saving the new circuit in the special (*.tsm) format.

Let’s see how to create a Macro in TINA

Load the Half Adder (Half_Add.tsc) example from the Examples folder of TINA

First, we will Delete the text and the diagram.

Let’s convert the Half Adder example into a Macro

Delete the old terminals and replace them by subcircuit terminals called Macro Pins in TINA

To select the portion of the circuit (terminals) click at the corner of the area to be selected, hold down the left mouse button then move the mouse and release the left mouse button at the opposite “corner”.

Press the Delete button

Select Macro Pin from the Special Toolbar

Rotate it by using the Rotate left or Rotate right Button, then connect it to the circuit

Double-Click the Macro Pin1 to be selected then in the Pop-up window rename the Label as it is shown.

Repeate this procedure for all deleted terminals

Next, create and save the new Macro

Select New Macro Wizard… form the Tools Menu

Set the name to Half Adder

Next, select the shape you want to assign

At this time we will select the “Auto generate shape”

then set the file name and press Save

Finally, press the Insert button

In the Dialog box the following message appears:

The macro file is ready for use, it can be inserted by selecting Insert/Macro or by pressing the Insert button below.

The Rectangular Schematic symbol – which has been automatically created – will be attached to your cursor and you can place it wherever you wish (on the workspace).

If you double-click the Macro and press Enter Macro you can see and edit the content of the macro

We will add „subcircuit” to the original name of „Half Adder”

(We will change the name from Half Adder into Half Adder subcircuit)

Note that by default this change will be stored along with the Macro in the TSC file.

If you want to save the changes also in the already saved Macro, invoke the New Macro Wizard again from the Tools menu

Here you have to enter the Macro name again (Half Adder Subcircuit), which allows you to change the old name (Half Adder)

Select Auto Generate Shape

Let’s Save the modified Macro under a new name: Half Adder Modified

The name change we’ve made is included in the name of the Macro

Let’s open the Macro to see the changes in the body of the Macro.

The changes we’ve made are indeed included.

Let’s check with an analysis the operation of the new Macro we’ve created

Now just let’s close the Macro, we have opened

Load the Half_Add.TSC circuit from the Examples folder of TINA again (without the text and diagram)

Insert the new Macro we have created

Using Copy and Paste, add the Generators and Outputs of Half_Add.TSC to the Macro.

Run Analysis

Digital Timing Analysis…

You an easily check that the new Macro provides the same result