LTspice Tutorial for Beginners - Let's Simulate Electronics!

Name: LTspice Tutorial for Beginners - Let's Simulate Electronics!
Rating: 4.2 (640 reviews)

A Complete Guide from A to Z

Created byYe Zhao, PhD

Last updated 8/2023

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Time-domain Simulation: Transient simulation (.Tran), Initial conditions (.IC), Parameter sweep (.step),
Measure (.meas), Piecewise Linear Functions (PWL) for voltage source, Arbitrary behavioral voltage (.bv)
DC operating point (.op), DC sweep (.dc), temperature (.temp), and DC transfer function (.tf)
Frequency-domain Analysis: Fourier Theorem and Bode Plot, Small-signal transfer function
Laplace transform, AC analysis (.AC), Laplace transform by Voltage Dependent Source
Netlist and SPICE syntax
Import Third-Party Models, Sub-circuit, and Hierarchy
Worst-case Analysis: Probability distribution in LTspice, Monte Carlo, Worst-case analysis

Course content

9 sections • 37 lectures • 4h 18m total length

Course overview3:52
Lecturer self-introduction2:35
Introduction to LTspice3:40
Brief introduction to LTspice. What is LTspice? Why use LTspice?
Other versions of SPICE.
Installation
Source files in zip for download0:15
This zip file contains all LTspice files for the lectures. Updated on 2020-05-09
Please download it and unzip it to your local PC.
You can use them directly to see results in seconds.
For practice and learning purposes, it would be a great idea to create your simulation files from scratch.
Reference3:55
Good reference for LTspice, including websites, books, and 3rd party tutorials.

Note that the LTspice group has been moved to https://groups.io/g/LTspice
LTspice LTspice@groups.io
This group is dedicated to LTspice. It's independent from the owner of LTspice (ANALOG DEVICES (ADI) / Linear Technology).
LTspice is a free SPICE program for electronic circuit simulation.
The old LTspice group https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups /LTspice/info has been integrated into this group - messages, files and members have been merged. There is an additional folder with zip-files containing the files from the Yahoo group - https://groups.io/g/LTspice/files/LTspiceFiles .
Please don't attach files to your message. Instead upload attachements to the folder Temp - https://groups.io/g/LTspice/files/Temp .
Don't discuss in the topic "New file uploaded ...". The messages in this topic will be regulary deleted. Instead start a new topic with a useful subject title.

Transient simulation (.Tran)14:25
Learn to build a simple voltage divider in LTspice, set up a transient (.tran) simulation, configure DC sources and resistors, and analyze voltages, currents, and power with plots.
LTspice HotKeys
Initial conditions (.IC)13:30
Use .ic to set initial conditions for capacitors and inductors at time zero, speeding LTspice transient simulations, defining time constants and impedance for predictable results.
Initial conditions (.IC)
Parameter sweeps (.step)9:59
Learn to perform parameter sweeps in LTspice with the .step command, varying capacitance, temperature, and source values, using linear or logarithmic options across up to three dimensions.
Parameter sweeps (.step)
3 x .step and step legend4:12
Measure (.meas) average and derivative5:29
Measure (.meas) find5:47
Use the LTspice .meas find syntax to locate the first time vout crosses 0.5 v in an rc first order filter, with rising edge.
Measure (.meas)
Piecewise Linear Sources (PWL)6:04
Arbitrary voltage source4:48
blow up SPICE10:31
blow up SPICE

DC operating point (.op)8:40
Explore the dc operating point in LTspice by treating capacitors as open and inductors as shorts, solving for node voltages and currents with .op, and analyzing I-V curves.
Display .op in transient simulation3:02
Learn to display the DC operating point inside a transient simulation, using a voltage divider low-pass filter, and view the DC point with an operating data label.
DC sweep (.dc) and temperature5:40
DC sweep (.dc) and temperature
Types of dc sweep0:05
DC transfer function (.tf)7:44
DC transfer function (.tf)

Fourier Theorem and Bode Plot15:40
Unlock frequency domain analysis with Fourier theorem and Bode plots, showing RC and LC network impedance, magnitude, phase, resonance, and transfer functions through practical LTspice examples.
Small-signal transfer function and Laplace transform27:38
Derive the small-signal Laplace transfer function of an rc low-pass filter, analyze its pole location, and compare methods to achieve -60 dB attenuation at 100 kHz while preserving 1 kHz.
Laplace transform and transfer function
AC analysis (.AC)7:36
AC analysis and Bode plot
Laplace transform by voltage dependent source5:52
Laplace transform by Voltage Dependent Source
Laplace transform by arbitrary voltage source3:48

Overview of Importing SPICE model2:00
Learn how to import third-party spice models into LTspice with a step-by-step approach to gathering manufacturer models. Use four methods to add .otl models, including copy-paste, include, lib, and URL.
Go over the datasheet of diode 1N40076:08
Explore the 1N4007 datasheet and its role in a full‑wave bridge rectifier converting AC to DC. Analyze peak reverse voltage, forward drop, leakage current, and thermal resistance with junction temperature.
Example: 4 method to import 1N4007 model into LTspice6:15
Sub-circuit17:27
Hierarchy model3:35

Probability distribution8:07
Explore three probability distributions in LTspice—Gaussian (normal), uniform, and Monte Carlo—and see how they influence tolerance and results in transient simulations.
Probability data in voltage PWL and scale factor5:53
Monte Carlo6:25
Worst-case analysis8:24
Use a binary function to toggle resistor tolerances for worst-case analysis in LTspice, generating minimal yet comprehensive scenarios. Validate results with MATLAB, showing tighter output bounds than Monte Carlo.

Requirements

Basic knowledge of circuit analysis
A windows PC with the latest LTspice installed (Sorry! I will NOT use MAC OS in the course)

Description

Updates:

On 06/09/2021: Lecture "Small-signal transfer function and Laplace transform" is updated to correct a typo in slides
On 01/05/2021: The zip file of all source files is updated to include newly added "Variable Resistor" simulation files
On 01/05/2021: A new lecture about "Variable Resistor" is uploaded. Thanks to William for his suggestion
On 05/09/2020: The zip file of all source files is updated to include two more missing LTspice files. Thanks to Robert
On 05/04/2020: Video and Lecture notes of "Fourier Theorem and Bode Plot" is updated to correct a typo. Thanks to Kris
On 05/04/2020: Lecture note of "types of dc sweep" is updated to correct a few typos. Thanks to Kris for pointing it out
On 04/15/2020: Fourier Theorem and Bode Plot_update.pdf has been uploaded to correct some reference links on the slides
On 03/03/2020: Videos are available in 1080p resolution.
On 03/03/2020: A typo in DC transfer function (.tf) slides is fixed. Thanks to Zhengzhong Zhao for pointing it out
On 01/07/2020: A new lecture about "Display op in transient simulation" is created
On 12/03/2019: The voltage pulse setup is updated according to the latest LTspice requirement: Lec 6 - Transient simulation (.Tran)
On 08/31/2019: A typo is corrected in both video and slides: Lec 17 - Small-signal transfer function and Laplace transform.

Up-to-date LTspice source files: "Download_LTspice Beginner_2021-01-05.zip"

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LTspice tutorial that covers the most commonly used functions: such as transient, AC analysis, dc transfer functions, Laplace transform, sub-circuit, worst-case analysis, and more
Well-prepared and self-explanatory slides in PDF are downloadable. Use it as good reference for your daily work.
LTspice source files are downloadable. Run and see results in seconds.
All materials are based on the windows PC! Sorry Mac OS users!!

Who this course is for:

Anyone who is interested in LTspice
College students in electrical engineering
Electrical engineers at all levels
Who really wants to put "LTspice" in Resume

LTspice Tutorial for Beginners - Let's Simulate Electronics!

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction5 lectures • 14min

Time-domain Simulation9 lectures • 1hr 15min

DC Operating Point5 lectures • 25min

Frequency-domain Analysis5 lectures • 1hr 1min

Netlist and SPICE syntax2 lectures • 7min

Import Third-Party Models5 lectures • 35min

Probability and Worst-Case Analysis4 lectures • 29min

Circuit Building Blocks1 lecture • 12min

Conclusion1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: