SubCircuits

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SubCircuits

A subcircuit that consists of SPICE Simulation Program for Integrated Circuit Emulation. elements can be defined and referenced in a fashion similar to device models. The subcircuit is defined in the input file by a grouping of element lines; the program then automatically inserts the group of elements wherever the subcircuit is referenced. There is no limit on the size or complexity of subcircuits, and subcircuits may contain other subcircuits. An example of subcircuit usage is given in \\*(AA.

.SUBCKT

General form:

.SUBCKT subnam N1 &ltN2; N3 ...>

Examples:

.SUBCKT OPAMP 1 2 3 4

A circuit definition is begun with a .SUBCKT line. SUBNAM is the subcircuit name, and N1, N2, ... are the external nodes, which cannot be zero. The group of element lines which immediately follow the .SUBCKT line define the subcircuit. The last line in a subcircuit definition is the .ENDS line (see below). Control lines may not appear within a subcircuit definition; however, subcircuit definitions may contain anything else, including other subcircuit definitions, device models, and subcircuit calls (see below). Note that any device models or subcircuit definitions included as part of a subcircuit definition are strictly local (i.e., such models and definitions are not known outside the subcircuit definition). Also, any element nodes not included on the .SUBCKT line are strictly local, with the exception of 0 (ground) which is always global.

.ENDS

General form:

.ENDS &ltSUBNAM;>

Examples:

.ENDS OPAMP

The "Ends" line must be the last one for any subcircuit definition. The subcircuit name, if included, indicates which subcircuit definition is being terminated; if omitted, all subcircuits being defined are terminated. The name is needed only when nested subcircuit definitions are being made.

Subcircuit Calls

General form:

XYYYYYYY N1 &ltN2; N3 ...> SUBNA

Examples:

X1 2 4 17 3 1 MULTI

Subcircuits are used in SPICE by specifying pseudo-elements beginning with the letter X, followed by the circuit nodes to be used in expanding the subcircuit.