Usually when I come to this forum I have some problem I'm trying to solve. However, this time, with this thread, that isn't the case. Rather, instead of just continuing and posting my feedback in my latest thread, as I'd normally do, I decided to use what's normally a question area to post my feedback.
My problem, last week, was I was trying to sweep a potentiometer; however, what I did not realize is that SPICE does not know what a potentiometer is and never has. Rather, a potentiometer is a unique feature (an intentional one, software folks out there) to Multisim. Frankly, Multisim has spoiled me, for I now think nothing of changing a pot setting with a keystroke within a simulation or using shift-keystroke to change it back again. In fact, Multisim has spoiled me so much, now, that I use Multisim as though it were a breadboard! Yeah, I used to consider a breadboard my prototype without solder and then the solder version the prototype. But now I consider Multisim the breadboard and then go directly to the prototype with solder! I build large circuit designs made up of previously simulated sections, and they work. Maybe I'll shunt a resistor or clip a lead to add one in a few places here and there, to tweak things, but largely the soldered prototype works.
As one more example of spoilage (is that a word?), for this latest problem, the subject of this thread, I had to relearn how to use the simulation option! Yeah, you know that thing that other simulators have to use, that thing that spits out numbers and plots the variables you want to look at? You see Multisim has spoiled me so much, now, that I rarely use anything but the scope, the multimeter, and the spectrum analyzer tools to design circuits! Frankly, it's just like I'm sitting there with a breadboard at the bench! No kidding, I am flat spoiled. I see the other engineers' cumbersome variable windows and their looks of anticipation to see what comes out and I just sorta chuckle. True, there are some things that Multisim doesn't have quite right yet, but wow what a tradeoff!
Anyway...
So I came here last week in a quandry. I needed to see a sweep of a potentiometer (using the standard simulation tools this time) given various load configurations, but I just couldn't get Multisim to understand that with a pot across a dc source and the wiper at 100%, I should see the source voltage at the wiper. I was perplexed. With a dc current source and just the pot I could get it to work fine, but a dc current source was not a suitable solution for me, because I needed to be able to see the effects of various loads. Lacy (a real Multisim friend here) and I went over it and over it, but we just couldn't do it. I finally figured it was a bug and, as a last try, decided to use my service contract, which I pay for each year, to pull up some engineering help from Multisim's (NI) team.
Making this rather long story shorter, a guy (I think he's a guy?) named Tien Pham came along to help. I am so thankful for Tien's help. I am a very busy person, so, even though he actually helped me last week, I only just recently had a chance to try out a solution he created just for me. Let me tell you. I was stunned. Tien Pham studied my problem, reasoned out a solution, created it, passed it to me, and then explained how to use it. I am happy to say that, within a few minutes' time (really, it was only around ten minutes!,) I had a solution that gave me exactly what I was looking for. To me, that's what makes Multisim's team different than the other guys'. Granted, I wish I understood how to create what Tien Pham created for me, so I'd not need to have to come and "ask an engineer;" however, that'll come eventually.
So, I just thought I'd take a few minutes, since I'm no longer struggling, to say way to go Multisim team! Thanks for being there for me. Likewise, I wanted to give a special thank you to your engineer Tien Pham, for his going the extra mile to help me with my problem and, also, to help me understand SPICE just that little bit more. I can't say enough about just how much Multisim has spoiled me. I swear to you it is true when I say I actually forgot that I'm using a simulator, that I still have simulation tools beyond an oscilloscope, a multimeter, and a spectrum analyzer. ...and, of course, my friend, that ever-so-complicated simulation tool, the on/off switch. 😉
Tien Pham, you rock!
