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/* Toolbars, Menus & Windows */
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== An Overview of RF.Spice A/D Workshop ==
[[RF.Spice A/D]] allows you to enter a circuit design in its Schematic Editor, run simulations of your circuit using its SPICE engine(s), and view the simulation results in its data manager. All this is done in the [[RF.Spice A/D]] Workshop. To open the Workshop, double-click the [[RF.Spice A/D]] icon on your desktop. When you start the application, a blank circuit appears in the '''Main Window'''. This is the Schematic Editor window, where you define and place your parts, connect them using wires and build up your circuit.
* [[#Working with Toolbox | Toolbox]]
* [[#Toolbars.2C_Menus_.26_Windows | Toolbars]]
* [[#Toolbars.2C_Menus_.26_Windows | Windows]]
* [[#Toolbars.2C_Menus_.26_Windows | Menus]]
* [[#Virtual Instruments| Virtual Instruments]] <table><tr><td> [[File:b2MAN_Fig210.png|thumb|left|640px|The RF.Spice A/D Workshop]]</td></tr></table>
== Working with Toolbox ==
* [[#Circuit Parameters | Parameters]]
* [[Analyzing_Circuits_Using_Predefined_Tests #Circuit Tests | Tests]]
* [[#Project Management Using Workspace | Workspace]]
The first time you select a part, the program will seem to hang, but it is indeed pulling data from the parts database. This might take a few seconds and is completely normal. More importantly, this will only happen the FIRST time you select a part. Once the program fills in the data, subsequent device selections will take place without a pause.
[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] For further discussion of how to choose and place parts, please see the section on [[b2_schematic#Choosing_and_Placing_Parts | Choosing and Placing Parts]].
=== Circuit Parameters ===
=== Circuit Tests ===
In [[RF.Spice A/D]], "Predefined [[Tests]]" and "Live Simulations" are now two distinct simulation modes. Live simulations refer to perpetual time-domain simulations that start at t = 0 and end only when you pause or reset them. [[Tests]] are pre-defined analysis types that you run on your circuit to see how it behaves under various domains. DC Bias (Operating Point), AC, Transient are some examples of test types you will frequently run in [[RF.Spice A/D]]. Each test can be selected, set up, and run from the pull down menu in the '''[[Tests]]''' tab of the toolbox. Unlike live simulations, [[tests]] are NOT interactive, and the results are displayed on a graph or in a table, NOT on [[Virtual Instruments|virtual instruments]].
[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] For detailed descriptions on each Test, refer to the section on [[Analyzing Circuits Using Predefined Tests]].
=== Project Management Using Workspace ===
When a graph window is active, the toolbox contains four additional tabs: "Edit Graph", "Edit Axes", "Tracker" and "Edit Plots". All aspects of the graph are controlled from these tabs. The '''Edit Graph''' tab controls the appearance of the graph itself, including the graph size, color and text on the graph, as well as the plot colors. The '''Tracker''' tab allows you to view the various plots on the graph and information relevant to the plots. From the '''Edit Axes''' tab, you can adjust the individual axes, their bounds and appearance. The '''Edit Plots''' tab controls the individual plots in the graph and how they appear. Here you can add and remove plots from the graph as well as making custom plots using a built-in function library.
[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] To learn more about graphs and plotting data in [[RF.Spice A/D]], see the section on [[B2_output Visualizing_Simulation_Data_Using_Graphs_and_Tables | Visualizing Simulation Data Using Graphs and Tables]].
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== Toolbars, Menus & Windows ==
[[RF.Spice A/D]] is mainly controlled by the Toolbox and [[Toolbars]]. [[Toolbars | Toolbars]] are collections of icons that are shortcuts to menu commands, and are located below the [[menus]]. [[RF.Spice A/D]] has a [[main toolbar]] Main Toolbar which is common to all modes of operation and is used to control file and simulation functions. It also has two other window-specific [[toolbars]] to control other functions available for specific [[windows]]. [[Toolbars#Schematic_Toolbar |Schematic Toolbar]] appears only when a schematic is the active window. [[Toolbars#Graph_Toolbar |Graph Toolbar]] appears only when a graph is the active window. For a more information on each toolbar, follow these links:
* [[ToolbarsList_of_RF.Spice_A/D_Toolbars,_Windows_%26_Menus#Main_Toolbar | Main Toolbar]] * [[ToolbarsList_of_RF.Spice_A/D_Toolbars,_Windows_%26_Menus#Schematic_Toolbar | Schematic Toolbar]] * [[ToolbarsList_of_RF.Spice_A/D_Toolbars,_Windows_%26_Menus#Graph_Toolbar | Graph Toolbar]]
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Another important visual element of [[RF.Spice A/D]] is its menu bar located at the top of the screen underneath the title bar. [[Menus | Menus]] provide another convenient way to access many different functions such as file and edit operations, view settings, simulation, as well as a large number of generic parts passive and active elements, digital parts and virtual blocks. The contents of the menu bar changes depending on the active window:
* [[MenusList_of_RF.Spice_A/D_Toolbars,_Windows_%26_Menus#Schematic_Editor_Menus | Schematic Editor Menus]] * [[MenusList_of_RF.Spice_A/D_Toolbars,_Windows_%26_Menus#Graph_View_Menus | Graph View Menus]] * [[MenusList_of_RF.Spice_A/D_Toolbars,_Windows_%26_Menus#Table_View_Menus | Table View Menus]]
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[[RF.Spice A/D]] has changed the way [[windows | windows]] are arranged and appear. The biggest difference is that now all [[windows]] are "tabs" in a larger Project window. Projects contain all the files associated with a particular circuit, including any graphs, netlists, and other related files. All Project files will appear in one window with the different Project files as Tab at the bottom left of the window. If you load a new circuit, it will automatically open in a new Project Window. More than one Project can be open at once. To switch to a different view, just click on the Tab that you wish to view. If you right click on a window tab, you will get the contextual pop-up menu, from which you can choose to close the Tab, add a new Tab, or rename the Tab.
For more specific information on each type of window, refer to the specific [[windows]] section below.
* [[WindowsList_of_RF.Spice_A/D_Toolbars,_Windows_%26_Menus#Schematic_Window | Schematic Window]]
* [[WindowsList_of_RF.Spice_A/D_Toolbars,_Windows_%26_Menus#Graph_Window | Graph Window]]
* [[WindowsList_of_RF.Spice_A/D_Toolbars,_Windows_%26_Menus#Table_Window | Table Window]]
* [[WindowsList_of_RF.Spice_A/D_Toolbars,_Windows_%26_Menus#Text_Window | Text Window]]
The Project window can be arranged so that the Tabs are displayed side by side or one atop another. To do so select the layout you wish from the Layout button in the toolbar. Any layout chosen will arrange the Tab [[windows]] as indicated by the icon in the menu only for that project. If there are not enough tabs to split as chosen by the Layout button, the program will leave that pane empty. You can then fill it up with new tabs that you create. You can also drag existing [[windows]] to the empty frames. To move [[windows]], drag the window tab to the window that you wish to move the existing window to.
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<td> [[File:b2MAN_Fig19.png|thumb|375pxleft|550px|RF.Spice A/D Schematic Window]] </td><td> [[File:b2MAN_Fig20.png|thumb|375px|RF.Spice A/D Graph Window]] </td>
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<td> [[File:b2MAN_Fig20.png|thumb|left|550px|RF.Spice A/D Graph Window]] </td></tr><tr><td>[[File:b2MAN_Fig21.png|thumb|375pxleft|550px|RF.Spice A/D Table Window]] </td></tr><tr><td> [[File:b2MAN_Fig22.png|thumb|375pxleft|550px|RF.Spice A/D Text Window]] </td>
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[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] To learn more about building schematics in [[RF.Spice A/D]], see the section on [[B2_schematicWorking_with_Schematic_Editor| Working with Schematic Editor]].
[[Image:Info_icon.png|40px]] To learn more about graphs and data tables in [[RF.Spice A/D]], see the section on [[B2_output Visualizing_Simulation_Data_Using_Graphs_and_Tables | Visualizing Simulation Data Using Graphs and Tables]]. [[File:b2MAN_Fig23.png|thumb|250px|RF.Spice A/D Virtual Instrument Panel]]
=Virtual Instruments=
A very useful and important feature of [[RF.Spice A/D]] is the [[Virtual_Instruments | Virtual Instruments]]. Now you have ten instruments to manipulate and measure your circuit. Click on each instrument below to see a detailed description of it.
* [[Virtual_InstrumentsPerforming Live Simulations with Circuit Animation or Virtual Instruments#Virtual_Ammeter Virtual_Voltmeter | Virtual AmmeterVoltmeter]]
* [[Virtual_InstrumentsPerforming Live Simulations with Circuit Animation or Virtual Instruments#Virtual_Distortion_Meter Virtual_Ammeter | Virtual Distortion MeterAmmeter]]
* [[Virtual_InstrumentsPerforming Live Simulations with Circuit Animation or Virtual Instruments#Virtual_Bode_Plotter Virtual_Wattmeter | Virtual Bode PlotterWattmeter]]
* [[Virtual_InstrumentsPerforming Live Simulations with Circuit Animation or Virtual Instruments#Virtual_Function_Generator Virtual_Power_Supply | Virtual Function GeneratorPower Supply]]
* [[Virtual_InstrumentsPerforming Live Simulations with Circuit Animation or Virtual Instruments#Virtual_Gain_Meter Virtual_Function_Generator | Virtual Gain MeterFunction Generator]]
* [[Virtual_InstrumentsPerforming Live Simulations with Circuit Animation or Virtual Instruments#Virtual_Power_Supply Virtual_Oscilloscope | Virtual Power SupplyOscilloscope]]
* [[Virtual_InstrumentsPerforming Live Simulations with Circuit Animation or Virtual Instruments#Virtual_Oscilloscope Virtual_Gain_Meter | Virtual OscilloscopeGain Meter]]
* [[Virtual_InstrumentsPerforming Live Simulations with Circuit Animation or Virtual Instruments#Virtual_Transient_Signal_Recorder Virtual_Distortion_Meter | Virtual Transient Signal RecorderDistortion Meter]]
* [[Virtual_InstrumentsPerforming Live Simulations with Circuit Animation or Virtual Instruments#Virtual_Voltmeter Virtual_Bode_Plotter | Virtual VoltmeterBode Plotter]]
* [[Virtual_InstrumentsPerforming Live Simulations with Circuit Animation or Virtual Instruments#Virtual_Wattmeter Virtual_Transient_Signal_Recorder | Virtual Transient Signal Recorder]] <table><tr><td> [[File:b2MAN_Fig23.png|thumb|left|360px| RF.Spice A/D Virtual WattmeterInstrument Panel]]</td></tr></table>
The specific parameters of each instrument are set using its "setup" button. Pressing the “Setup” button toggles the size of the virtual instrument window. Most instruments have two or more tabs in their settings section containing a number of parameters that can be adjusted. When the setup is complete, press the "Setup" button once again to make the instrument only as tall as its title bar.
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