Multisim

Multisim is an industry-standard SPICE simulation program and circuit design software for analog, digital, and power electronics in education and research.



NI Multisim integrates industry-standard SPICE simulation with an interactive schematic environment to instantly visualize and analyze electronic circuit behavior. It has an intuitive interface that helps educators reinforce circuit theory and improve retention of theory throughout the engineering curriculum.

Researchers and designers use the app to reduce PCB prototype iterations and save development costs by adding powerful circuit simulation and analyses to the design flow.

National Instruments Multisim software integrates industry-standard SPICE simulation with an interactive schematic environment to instantly visualize and analyze electronic circuit behavior. Its intuitive interface helps educators reinforce circuit theory and improve retention of theory throughout the engineering curriculum.

By adding powerful circuit simulation and analyses to the design flow, NI Multisim Student Edition helps researchers and designers reduce printed circuit board (PCB) prototype iterations and save development costs.



This free evaluation of this program and Ultiboard Education Edition will allow you to evaluate the latest circuit teaching features of the software. Use an intuitive environment to encourage student discovery with interactive circuit simulation and 3D prototyping.

Reinforce circuit concepts by visualizing circuit behavior using simulation-driven virtual instruments and advance analyses in the tool.

This evaluation version of the app Education software includes limitations such as the inability to print schematics and export final Gerber files.

Multisim for Education is circuits teaching application software for analog, digital, and power electronics courses and laboratories.

Multisim for Designers provides engineers the SPICE simulation, analysis, and PCB design tools to quickly iterate through designs and improve prototype performance.

Every purchase includes a renewable, one-year membership to the Standard Service Program (SSP) for software. SSP membership includes the following features:

• Live phone and email technical support from local, degreed engineers
• Automatic version updates to the app and Ultiboard™ software
• 24/7 access to selected online training and virtual demonstrations
• Access to historical versions in case you need to share code with your team

Overview

Multisim app, developed by National Instruments, is an industry-standard circuit design and simulation software. It caters to educators, students, and professionals in electrical engineering and electronics.



Originally developed by Electronics Workbench, it integrates seamlessly with NI's hardware and LabVIEW software, allowing users to simulate and analyze circuits with a high degree of accuracy. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, it simplifies the process of circuit design, debugging, and validation.

Key Features

Comprehensive Component Library: It boasts a vast library of over 55,000 components, including analog, digital, and mixed-mode elements. This extensive range of components allows users to build and simulate circuits with real-world accuracy.

Interactive Simulation: Users can interact with their circuits in real-time, probing various points in the design to analyze voltage, current, and other parameters. This interactive capability makes it easier to understand circuit behavior and identify potential issues.

Advanced Analysis Tools: It provides a suite of advanced analysis tools such as AC, DC, and transient analysis, Fourier analysis, Monte Carlo, and worst-case analysis. These tools enable users to conduct in-depth evaluations of their designs and optimize circuit performance.

Educational Features: For educators and students, it offers a range of educational tools, including pre-built circuits, virtual instruments, and step-by-step labs. These resources make it an invaluable tool for teaching and learning electronics.

Integration with LabVIEW and NI Hardware: It integrates seamlessly with NI’s hardware platforms like NI ELVIS, myDAQ, and myRIO, as well as LabVIEW. This integration allows users to validate their designs in real-world environments, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

User Interface

It features a clean, user-friendly interface designed to streamline the circuit design process. The workspace is organized with a toolbar for quick access to frequently used tools, a component palette for easy selection and placement, and a schematic area for building circuits.



The simulation and analysis results are displayed in separate windows, making it easy to review and interpret data. Multisim’s interface is highly customizable, allowing users to adjust the layout and visibility of various panels according to their preferences.

Installation and Setup

Download the Installer: Visit the official website or FileHorse and download the app installer for your operating system.

Run the Installer: Launch the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions. You may need to create or sign in to a National Instruments account to complete the installation.

Select Installation Options: Choose the components you want to install, including this app, the database, and any additional features like LabVIEW integration.

Activate the Software: After installation, you’ll be prompted to activate this software. You can enter a license key if you have one or start a trial version to explore the software.

Set Up Your Workspace: Customize the interface and preferences to suit your workflow. You’re now ready to start designing and simulating circuits.

How to Use

Create a New Project: Start by creating a new project from the file menu. Choose the type of circuit you want to design—analog, digital, or mixed-mode.

Select Components: Use the component palette to drag and drop components onto the schematic area. You can search for specific components by name or browse through categories.

Build the Circuit: Connect the components using wires, ground connections, and power sources. Double-click on components to configure their properties.

Run Simulations: Click on the simulation button to start the real-time analysis of your circuit. You can use virtual instruments like oscilloscopes, multimeters, and function generators to probe the circuit.

Analyze Results: View and analyze simulation results in the graph or data view windows. Use the analysis tools to perform various types of circuit evaluations.

Export and Share: Save your project or export the schematic and results as a report for documentation and sharing.

FAQ

Can Multisim simulate both analog and digital circuits?
Yes, it supports both analog and digital circuit simulation, as well as mixed-mode simulations.

Is Multisim compatible with other NI software and hardware?
It integrates seamlessly with NI hardware like myDAQ and LabVIEW software, making it a versatile tool for both simulation and real-world testing.

Can I use Multisim for educational purposes?
Yes, this program is widely used in educational settings and offers specialized tools for teaching and learning electronics.

Does Multisim have a trial version?
Yes, National Instruments offers a free trial of Multisim so users can explore its features before purchasing.

How do I get technical support for Multisim?
You can access technical support through the National Instruments website, including online resources, community forums, and direct support.

Alternatives

LTspice: A powerful, free SPICE simulation software by Analog Devices, widely used for analog circuit design and analysis.

Proteus: A professional circuit simulation tool that combines schematic capture, simulation, and PCB design in a single interface.

Altium Designer: An advanced design tool offering schematic capture, PCB design, and simulation for professional engineers.

Pricing

It offers several licensing options:

Student Education Edition: A cost-effective version for students with limited features.

Professional Edition: Includes all features and analysis tools, suitable for industry professionals.

Pricing varies based on the edition and licensing type, with the Student Edition starting at around $40 and the Professional Edition costing several hundred dollars.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 11/10/8.1/7 (32-bit and 64-bit)
• Windows Server 2016 64-bit and Windows Server 2019 64-bit
• Processor: 1 GHz or faster
• RAM: Minimum 2 GB (4 GB or more recommended)
• Hard Disk Space: 4 GB of free space
• Display: 1024 x 768 or higher resolution

PROS

• Extensive component library and simulation tools.
• User-friendly interface with a customizable workspace.
• Seamless integration with NI hardware and LabVIEW.
• Educational resources for students and educators.

CONS

• Can be resource-intensive on lower-end systems.

Conclusion

Multisim by National Instruments is a robust and versatile PC circuit design and simulation tool, ideal for both educational and professional use. Its comprehensive feature set, combined with an intuitive interface and seamless integration with NI hardware, makes it a go-to solution for electronics design and analysis.

While it may have a higher learning curve and cost, its benefits far outweigh these drawbacks for users who require a reliable and powerful simulation tool.