IMPORTANT NOTE: All lectures/tutorials/labs will be held in person in 2024. For annoucements and course material, please login to Quercus

---

Lab Schedule for 2024:

Lab No.	ECE354 PRA0101 Mon. 09:00-12:00pm SF2201
Lab 0	Jan 22
Lab 1	Feb 05
Lab 2	Feb 26
Lab 3	Mar 11
Lab 4	Mar 25
Lab 5	Apr 8

---

Lab Safety Manual

Please make sure to read this manual before going to the lab Lab-Safety-Manual.pdf

New: Please see the updated (2024) version of the protoboard that you will be using in this lab.

Lab Handouts

First read the intro information: intro.pdf

The labs are here: lab0.pdf, lab1.pdf, lab2.pdf, lab3.pdf, lab4.pdf, lab5.pdf

The lab report templates are here: lab0-report-template.docx, lab1-report-template.docx, lab2-report-template.docx, lab3-report-template.docx, lab4-report-template.docx, lab5-report-template.docx

Some datasheets are here: ALD1101.pdf, ALD1102.pdf, IRF510.pdf, IRF9510.pdf

Steps to Using LTspice

1. Download LTspice XVII from one of the two links below

Windows version of LTspice: LTspiceXVII.exe

Mac os x version of LTspice: LTspice.dmg

Mac os x short cuts can be found in LTspiceShortcutsForMacOSX.pdf

2. Download and open the following simple circuit file: rc_highpass.asc

Click on the little running fellow to run the simulation.

3. Try changing the simulation time, frequency, resistor and capacitor values, etc. Remember to re-run the simulation every time you make a change.

4. Download the following symbol and model files: POT.asy, ALD1101.asy, ALD1102.asy, IRF510.asy, IRF9510.asy, ECE354.lib, Put the files into a directory called "circuit_sim" (or whatever you choose to name it).

5. Download and open sample.asc. Right click on the .lib statement in the schematic to edit the location of the SPICE model library to point at the "circuit_sim" directory you created.

Try running a simulation and plot an Id versus Vds curve of the transistor in the schematic to make sure that both the symbol and model libraries have been properly installed.

6. Right click on the .dc statement to change the voltage source to sweep to VG. Run a simulation again and try plotting an Id versus Vgs curve.

7. Download and run 2_ideal_current_sources.asc. This simulation shows 2 ideal current sources driving a capacitor with an initial voltage of 1V. Note that the ideal current sources go to 0A when the voltage across the current source becomes less than 1uV. Also, note that one current source is slightly larger or smaller than the other current source. Try different values for the current source output currents.

8. Download and run ideal_transistor_load.asc. This simulation shows an ideal transistor (lambda = 0) driving an ideal current source load. Note that the small signal gain goes to infinity when the transistor goes into the active region (where the slope goes to infinity).

9. Try out a potentiometer which makes use of a subcircuit. "w" sets the potentiometer fraction. Download these three files: potentiometer_test.asc, pot.asy, and pot.lib. Put them all in one directory and run "potentiometer_test.asc" and look at the operating point values. The subcircuit "pot.lib" file sets a limit on "w" so that neither side of the potentiometer will go to zero ohms.

---

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"

- 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 of voltage sources by changing its property.

- Try to label important nets such as input and output

- You can view the spice netlist under "view" - "spice netlist".

Useful shortcuts:

F3: draw a line

F2: add a component

F7: move

F8: drag

F9: undo

F4: label net

Ctrl+E: flip sideways

Ctrl+R: rotate

ESC: cancel

Ctrl+C: copy

Ctrl+X: cut

There is a LTspice tutorial website located at http://denethor.wlu.ca/ltspice/ and http://ltwiki.org/index.php5?title=SPICE_and_LTspice_Courseware_and_Tutorials

and also some LTspice tutorials available here: scad3.pdf and LTSpiceShortGuide.pdf

(it used to be called switcherCAD)

Finally, a generic spice manual can be found at http://www.eecg.utoronto.ca/~ali/spice/spice_manual.html

[ECE354 Main Page]