Spectrum Software was founded in February of 1980 to provide software for personal computers. Initially, the company concentrated on providing software for Apple II systems.

One of the earliest products was Logic Designer and Simulator. Released in June 1980, this product was the first integrated circuit editor and logic simulation system available for personal computers. In many ways it was the forerunner of the Micro-Cap products. Its primary goal was to provide a 'circuit creation and simulation'� environment for digital simulation.

In August of 1981, the analog equivalent of the first program, Circuit Designer and Simulator, was released. Its integrated text editor created circuit descriptions for a simple, linear, analog simulator.

Micro-Cap I

September of 1982 saw the release of the first Micro-Cap package. The first program to offer a 'sketch and simulate'� motif, it provided a schematic editor which created netlists for the companion simulator to analyze. It also included an improved nonlinear simulator, based upon the modified nodal circuit formulation and backward Euler integration techniques. One of its key features was the ability to plot the results dynamically during the run. Because you could see what was happening, you could often terminate the run long before it was finished, saving valuable time. Both Apple II and IBM versions of the product were released.

Micro-Cap II

In November of 1984, Spectrum released the Micro-Cap II package. It greatly improved upon the earlier schematic editor and included enhanced models. Versions 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 were introduced in 1985, 1986, and 1987 respectively, and included support for higher resolution displays, coprocessors, and plotters. Both Macintosh and IBM versions of the product were released.

Micro-Cap III

Micro-Cap III was released in December of 1988. Built around the use of the mouse and windows, it provided a very easy-to-learn environment. Its simulator, while not 100% Spice compatible, was based very closely on the UC Berkeley SPICE 2G model. Standard device models included the Gummel-Poon bipolar transistor model, JFET model, and the Level 1 and Level 3 MOSFET models. Subsequent revisions, have converted it to the C language and added numerous improvements on and extensions to the Spice 2G models. These include models for analog behavioral sources (Laplace and nonlinear function), nonlinear magnetic cores, GaAsFETS, and OPAMPs. It included many other advanced features such as Monte Carlo analysis and parameter stepping.

Micro-Cap IV

In February of 1992, Spectrum introduced Micro-Cap IV. In addition to a much improved schematic editor, Micro-Cap IV included a simulator that could read and analyze SPICE 2G text files directly. The schematic editor sported many new refinements, including a clipboard. The DOS version of the simulator was faster than any DOS-based simulator and the extended DOS version was even faster. The latter used up to 16 Megabytes of extended RAM and handled circuits as large as ten thousand transistors. The core simulator was identical to SPICE 2G, with enhancements that derived from Spice 3 and Spectrum'™s own developments. For those who required device models not in the large part library, an optimizing model generator was included that made model creation from data sheets easy and accurate. Standard device models included all SPICE 2G models, analog behavioral sources (Laplace and nonlinear function), nonlinear magnetic cores, GaAsFETs and OPAMPs. The Probe feature let users probe the schematic with the mouse to display waveforms in a '˜scope'™. The use of mathematical expressions provided great flexibility in plotting and defining component models. Expressions included all of the usual arithmetic, transcendental, hyperbolic, Boolean, and relational operators as well as some special ones like forward and inverse Fourier transform, correlation, auto-correlation, coherence, numerical integration and differentiation.

Micro-Cap V

In August of 1995, Spectrum introduced the first Windows version, Micro-Cap V. Micro-Cap V included all of the features of Micro-Cap IV and added an integrated PSpice® compatible 5-state event-driven digital logic simulator, time synchronized with the internal analog simulation engine. The user interface was similar to that of Micro-Cap IV, but updated to conform to the Windows interface standard. Additional component models were added, including lossy transmission lines, and voltage and current-controlled switches. Schematic structure was enhanced with the addition of a separate text area to hold the text needed in a simulation file. Schematics were generalized to multi-page documents using inter-page ties for connection. New editing commands included region mirroring, rotating, and flipping about the X and Y axes. Components acquired additional attributes, each with independently movable text. Lines became wires with the new property of connecting only at their endpoints, an essential feature for the dense interconnect of logic schematics. Analysis plots acquired graphical objects, text, and tags for labelling individual data points and differences between data points.

Micro-Cap V V2.0

In June of 1997 Micro-Cap V 2.0 was released. It included full MOSFET BSIM models, 3D plotting, performance function plotting, multidimensional parameter stepping, symbolic stepping, and animated displays. Animated displays included blinking seven-segment displays, LEDs, node states, and switches.

Micro-Cap 6

In July of 1999 Micro-Cap 6 was released. Its major new features were:

Active and passive filter designer
An active and passive filter circuit design function was added that allowed rapid creation of Butterworth, Chebyshev, elliptic, Bessel, or inverse-Chebyshev filters, using a variety of circuit implementations ranging from Sallen-Key to Tow-Thomas. Filters could be created in circuit or macro form, and represented by either circuitry or Laplace transfer functions.

PCB netlist interface
A netlist interface to popular PCB tools was introduced for rapid translation of circuit schematics or SPICE netlists to particular PCB packages.

New BSIM3 3.2 MOSFET model
The latest version of Berkeley's BSIM3 model was introduced.

Dynamic DC operating point analysis mode
The on-schematic display of DC operating point voltages and digital states was expanded to include dynamic DC response to any circuit edits. The new version supported animated battery voltage controls, on screen device currents, node voltages, device stored, generated, and dissipated power terms, and condition displays (Sat, On, Off).

Sensitivity analysis
This new analysis mode calculated the DC small-signal sensitivity of multiple user-specified outputs to multiple input variables. Input variables included model parameters, component parameters, and symbolic parameters.

Transfer function analysis
This new analysis mode provided a DC transfer function, an input resistance, and an output resistance.

Temperature list for all analyses
Temperature stepping from a list was added to AC, DC, and transient analyses.

List, log, and linear sweep options for DC analysis
The original DC sweep options were expanded to include a log sweep, a linear sweep, a list sweep, and the original automatic mode.

Extended DC analysis
DC analysis was expanded to include temperature, model parameter, and symbolic parameter sweep options. Automatic macros A capability to automatically create macros from existing circuits by dragging a defining box region was added.

Network version
A Network version was formally introduced.

Enhanced user waveforms
User waveforms were expanded to include the ability to be saved after the run, to be selected for plotting during a run without requiring a User source in the circuit, and were made available for transient, AC, and DC.

Gmin stepping
Improved DC convergence was achieved with Gmin stepping.

Slope, X_Low, X_High, Y_Low, and Y_High performance functions
New performance functions that return the slope at a specified X value, and the X and Y values at maximum and minimum were added.

Macro pin selector
A macro / subcircuit waveform selector list was added in Probe.

New power variables
New power variables for plotting generated, stored, and dissipated power in each device and for the total circuit were added.

DSP math functions
The ability to use math functions on DSP functions was added.

New math functions
Complex Bessel functions, complex series, and factorials were added to support advanced mathematical modeling.

Symbolic parameter tolerances
Monte Carlo tolerances were added to symbolic variables.

A polygon plot
A polygon object was added to show design specifications in analysis plots.

Micro-Cap 7

In September of 2001, Micro-Cap 7 was released. Its major new features were:

Optimizer
An optimizer was added for use in transient, AC, and DC analysis. It provided the capability of minimizing, maximizing, or matching numeric values for any set of performance function expressions subject to specifiable constraints.

RF models and Smith charts
An S-Parameter two-port analog primitive was added to facilitate the modeling of RF devices. A Smith chart plot style was added to plot S-Parameter data.

Portable schematic files
Formerly, to send a schematic to a colleague, it was sometimes necessary to transfer not only the schematic file, but the component library file, the shape library file, and any model library files used. In Micro-Cap 7, the schematic file format was expanded to include all information necessary to draw and analyze the circuit. The necessary component, shape, and model library information is stored in the schematic file, so sending a circuit to another user requires only circuit files be sent.

User-specified paths (folders) for all major file groups
User-specified paths (folders) for circuits and libraries were added to allow easy separation of file types. Circuits can be stored in one folder and model libraries in another. Formerly, circuit files and libraries had to be in the current (last opened) folder or in the folder set by the MC6DATA environmental variable.

Characteristic curves
Many users have asked for a stimulus editor that would interactively show the waveform plot as edits are made. We liked the idea so much we added plots for most devices and incorporated it into the Attribute dialog box. Not just waveform sources, but active devices, diodes, Laplace sources, and digital stimulus sources all have characteristic curves or waveforms that can be plotted as you make edits. In the case of analog and digital waveform sources, the characteristic curve is the waveform itself. In the case of BJTs, one or more curves are selectable including DC current gain, saturation voltage, IV characteristics, and beta vs. frequency. Diodes and FETS have IV characteristics plots. OPAMPs have Bode plots.

Component editor improvements
The Component editor was significantly enhanced with an Import wizard that scans a model library file for subckts and adds them to the library when it finds existing parts with similar pin names. This provides near-automatic addition of vendor libraries and makes their frequent updates easier to integrate into the libraries. Other improvements include an Add Part wizard, part templates for rapid manual entry of similar new parts, parts count by group, part name alphabetizer, and a part name list generator.

Attribute dialog box editor
The Attribute dialog box (that comes up when you double-click on a part) was changed to allow editing of model parameters, subckts, digital stimulus patterns, and analog waveforms from within the dialog box. This makes the ADB the place for all-in-one viewing, editing, and visualizing model-related data for components.

Multi-stage undo and redo
A multi-stage undo and redo was added to let you go back and forth one or more schematic steps.

Improved component find command
The component find command was expanded to search on the Name, Shape, Definition, and Memo fields. A Beginning of Line option was added to simplify Memo field searches. A text output of the search results was provided to create custom lists of the library sections.

Text stepping
Stepping through a list of text labels was added to facilitate automated analysis of multiple pattern names, subckt files, model statements, and other text based material. For example, if XYZ is the model name for a BJT, then stepping XYZ through the list {2N2222A, 2N3906, 2N4114} produces three runs each using a unique set of model parameters for the transistor.

Symbolic derivative finder
MC7 introduced the symbolic derivative finder. It solves for and prints symbolic derivative formulas. For example, it will find the derivative of x^x (x raised to the power of x), with respect to x, as x*x^(x-1) + x^x*ln(x).

Status bar monitor
The status bar was expanded to show electrical information such as part name, type, current, and power as the mouse passes over the schematic parts. It also shows the step values for waveform branches in the analysis plot.

Waveform and data point labeling
Optional, automatic labeling of stepped waveform branches was added. Labeling of data points from a user-specified list was also added. Multiple file opener A capability to open more than one file at a time was added. MC7 now opens one or more files selected from the File dialog box.

Smooth schematic panning
Smooth 1 pixel panning was added. Earlier versions panned 8 pixels to accommodate earlier, slower machines.

Bill of materials
A bill of materials was added to the program. It lists the number, value, power, cost, and instances, for each electrical part type in the circuit.

Sanity checker
A model parameter range checker was added to warn when model parameters exceed user-specified "reasonable" limits.

SPICE file probing
Probing, the ability to click on an object and see its curve or waveform, was added to SPICE text files. This was actually added after the original MC6 release and was never in the MC6 manuals.

Analysis plot improvements
Several improvements were made to analysis plots, including the ability to switch between log and linear scales, to select the grid interval and the grid pattern, width, and thickness.

Shape editor improvements
Several improvements were added to the analysis plots, including the shape origin symbols, font size memory, and a drag copy command.

Live formulas
Live on-schematic text formulas were added that automatically update when any edits are made allowing live design formulas.

New X and Y Scale format
A new scale format, High, [Low], [Step], allows users to specify arbitrary grid intervals (scale divisions).

Even decimal values cursor positioning
A new cursor positioning mode was added for placing the cursor on even decimal values of the horizontal axis variable.

New thumbnail plot
A thumbnail plot was added to provide a global view of enlarged analysis plots, showing the location of the expanded region box superimposed on the whole plot.

Incremental auto-ranging
Y dimension auto-ranging was modified to apply only to the specified X range, not the whole simulation range.

Simultaneous multi-row analysis limits edits
Rapid analysis limits editing was facilitated by allowing users to change all of the rows in a waveform column simultaneously by clicking on the column header.

Run-invariant expressions in model parameters
Run-invariant expressions (those that don't change during a run) were added to model parameters. For example, a MOSFET VTO could be expressed as 2.0 + TEMP/100 to allow for threshold shift with temperature.

Complex trigonometric functions
All trigonometric and hyperbolic expressions were modified to accept and return complex arguments. New trigonometric functions included cot, sec, csc, acot, asec, and acsc. New hyperbolic functions included coth, sech, csch, acoth, asech, and acsch.

Complex conditional functions
The MIN, MAX, and LIMIT functions acquired complex arguments.

Expressions for histograms and performance plots
In earlier versions of Micro-Cap, only individual performance functions were allowed. MC7 added individual performance function expressions as well. For example, expressions like Rise_Time(...) + Fall_Time(...) were allowed.

Attribute search and replace
A search and replace command was added to allow easy mass editing of model attributes.

PADS PCB output
The ability to write netlist files for interfacing to the PADS PCB program was added.

Micro-Cap 8

In April of 2004, Micro-Cap 8 was released. Its major new features were:

IBIS modeling tool
New IBIS modeling tools were added to translate IBIS files to standard Micro-Cap / SPICE input and output pin models. These models accurately reproduce the IBIS golden waveforms. The IBIS editor creates both standard library SPICE models and verification models for testing and verifying golden waveforms.

EKV2.6 MOSFET model
The latest EKV MOSFET model from the Swiss Institute of Technology was added. It featured a dedicated charge-based dynamic model using only 18 intrinsic core parameters.

BSIM4.4.0 MOSFET model
The BSIM4 MOSFET model was added to address MOSFET physical effects into the sub-100nm realm.

HSPICE style binning
BSIM3 and BSIM4 devices were upgraded to include the HSPICE binning option, as well as the standard Berkeley binning option.

Short distance VT matching for BSIM3 and BSIM4 models
Both BSIM3 and BSIM4 were upgraded to include a short distance VT matching parameter, to better model short distance threshold variations.

N-Port device using Touchstone data format
A new N-Port device was added that used S, Y, Z, G, or H parameters and read standard Touchstone data files.

SPICE voltage and current source enhancements
New time-domain Noise and Gaussian waveforms and preset tabs for common waveforms were added to make complex waveform creation easy.

Timer device
A flexible new timer device was added to count events, and to measure both elapsed and last event time.

Enhanced S and W switches
A hystereses option was added to the S and W switches.

Improved magnetics model
A new, more robust Jiles-Atherton magnetics model was added. Both MODEL and the mainline simulator could plot BH values in both CGS and MKS (SI) units.

Animation components
SPST, DPDT, DPST analog switches for dynamically configuring a circuit.
Analog bar with height proportional to the input DC voltage.
Analog LED with user-defined color and on voltage.
Rotating DC motor with DC voltage dependent RPM.
Analog / digital DC voltage/current meter.
Relay with programmable resistance, inductance, and on and off currents.
Three color traffic light.

Password protection
A new protection feature added password protection to circuit and macro files.

Find in Files command
A new Find in Files command was added to search circuit or other files for text, components, or other content.

Info Page
An Info text page was added to show the location of macros/subcircuits used in the circuit, resolving uncertainty over which model file was used.

Component menu shape display
The Component menu now shows the component shape as you browse.

Local path commands
New local .PATH commands let a circuit specify DATA and LIBRARY paths, overriding the global paths.

Subcircuit maker
A new Make SUBCKT command translates a schematic to a SPICE subcircuit.

Improved Bill of Materials report
A new Bill of Materials report features sorting on any field and a live report that responds to user format changes immediately.

Apply Display Properties command
A new command was added to copy a selected part's display properties (part color, attribute font, size, color, and print location) to other similarly named and rotated parts.

Change Attribute command
A new Change Attribute command was added to add, delete, edit, show, or hide attributes of any subset of the parts in a schematic, making mass changes easy.

New graphics formats
TIFF, PNG, JPG, and ICO graphics formats were added to the standard BMP, WMF, and EMF formats for saving schematic and plot images.

Automatic node highlight
Optional node highlighting was added.

Cleanup command
A new Cleanup command for deleting miscellaneous extraneous files was added.

New Attribute dialog box plot
Diodes acquired a new Ir vs. Vr plot to show reverse characteristics.

New color options
Parts and wires can now have individual colors.

New Dynamic AC analysis
A new analysis mode was added that features dynamic on-schematic display of AC voltage, current, and power as frequency is stepped, with the display dynamically responding to schematic edits.

Enhanced Dynamic DC analysis
Stepping, optimization, and an Analysis Limits dialog box were added to Dynamic DC.

New Distortion analysis
A new analysis mode was added that employs the DSP routines to calculate and plot measures of distortion, including raw harmonics, as well as total and individual harmonic distortion.

Enhanced Fourier analysis
A new FFT window was added to automatically convert transient plots to Fourier plots. A new FS(expr,n1,n2) function was added that creates a waveform from the n1 to n2 terms of the Fourier series of (expr). A new RES(expr,n1,n2) function was added to create a residual waveform by subtracting the n1 to n2 terms of the original waveform. FFT auto-scale commands were upgraded to allow ignoring the DC component and auto scaling over only selected harmonics.

Analysis plot improvements
Scale factors (Meg, K,...p, f) for X/Y axes. e.g. "Time (nS)"
Units (Amps, Volts, Watts,...) for plots. e.g. "V(26) (Volts)"
Open and closed circles and squares data point markers
Normal and popsicle data point styles
X, Y, or both auto scaling options
New option to force all X scales to be the same
Retrace mode for rolling displays
Right clicking on expressions to invoke FFT, performance, and 3D plots
New minor log grid option to show and label 1-2-5-10 sequence

New expressions and functions
Integration and differentiation operators for use in function sources
Array variables for indexed selection of variable values from a predefined array of values
Transmission line power and energy terms
AC power and energy terms
New random functions, RNDR, RNDC, and RNDI(interval)
New DELAY(x,d) function returns expression x delayed by d seconds
S and W switch resistance, voltage, current, power, and energy terms
SPICE3 analog Boolean operators, &, |, ~, and ^ with analog parameters
LAST(expr,n) function
MAXR and MINR function to track an expression's highest and lowest value during a run
NORM, NORMMAX and NORMMIN functions to normalize at specified, maximum, and minimum points
International engineering notation (e.g. 3R3 = 3.3)
Global settings variables
Model parameter use of variables like TEMP that are constant during a run
Nested series expressions
Product series function (e.g. PROD(I,1,3,I) = 1*2*3)

Analysis limits dialog box
The dialog box size and X and Y fields are user-adjustable.

Optimizer enhancements
The new optimizer supported dynamic plots to show optimization progress and works with both Dynamic DC and Dynamic AC.

MODEL import
MODEL provides one step exporting of its parts directly to the Component library.

Numeric formats
A new decimal numeric format uses only numbers, commas, and decimal points. 1.234e6 can be formatted as 1,234,000.00. Support added for international engineering notation (e.g. 3R3 = 3.3).

Filter Designer improvements
Step and Impulse response plots were added.

Monte Carlo improvements
A new feature lets users reproduce statistical distributions by specifying the random number seed. New features included user-specified histogram range and intervals.

Expanded LAN operation
Several features were added to better support LAN installations. The model library index is now written locally, avoiding the need to write to possibly write-protected LAN disks. Component, Shape, and Package library files could also be located on write-protected LAN disks.

Miscellaneous
New .WARNING message, condition command to let users create custom warnings such as .WARNING "Capacitor voltage exceeded." V(C1) > 50
SPACEBAR toggle between voltage and current in Probe.
DEFINE statement for use in SPICE files.
All On and All Off buttons to enable/disable all stepped variables.
Rename command to provide left to right and top to bottom options.
Translator to convert file from S, Y, Z, G, or H format to any other format.

Micro-Cap 9

In January of 2007, Micro-Cap 9 was released. Its major new features were:

IGBT model
An integrated IGBT model was added. It is based upon the implementation by Gregory Oziemkiewicz of the Hefner model.

Philips Mextram bipolar model

This is a vertical NPN or PNP bipolar model that describes velocity saturation, base widening, Kirk effect, impact ionization, and self heating effects.

This lateral PNP bipolar model describes current crowding, high-level injection, and bias dependent output impedance.

A high voltage compact LDMOS model

A new high voltage MOSFET model

A new high voltage Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) MOSFET model

A popular Philips MOSFET model suitable for low voltage CMOS RF applications

PSP is the latest compact, surface-potential based model suitable for digital, analog, and RF CMOS applications. Jointly developed by Philips and Penn State University, the model accounts for mobility reduction, velocity saturation, DIBL, gate current, and lateral doping gradient effects.

A new set of IBIS input / output components were added, easing the importation of IBIS models.

ABCD and T parameters were added.

Resistors, capacitors, and inductors now have optional model parameters for parasitic resistance, capacitance, and inductance.

The JUNCAP2 diode model was added. JUNCAP2 is a MOSFET pn junction model that describes depletion capacitance, Shockley-Read-Hall currents, trap-assisted tunnelling and band-to-band tunnelling, avalanche breakdown, and shot noise.

A trigger expression was added. The source is idle until the expression becomes true.

Added a repeat capability to the source.

The Junction GMIN Stepping and Pseudo Transient methods were added to the arsenal of operating point methods. There are now five methods:

Standard Newton-Raphson
Source Stepping
Diagonal Gmin Stepping
Junction Gmin Stepping
Pseudo Transient

Means were added to select the preferred order of usage and to automatically search for the fastest of the methods.

RSHUNT, CSHUNT, and RP_FOR_ISOURCE global parameters were added to provide augmented convergence. These parameters add an RSHUNT resistance or CSHUNT capacitance from every node to ground, or an RP_FOR_ISOURCE resistance across any current source.

A new Waveform Buffer accumulates curves / waveforms automatically or under user control for later plotting and comparison. In automatic mode the buffer accumulates waveforms up to a user-set memory limit.

A new interactive analysis mode allows dynamic plot updates as changes are made. This is an extension of Dynamic DC to transient analysis, AC analysis, and DC analysis. Plots can either accumulate or replace showing the effect of successive changes in component parameters, model parameters, or user variables. Parameter changes can be controlled by sliders, cursor keys, or edits of any kind.

These new tags perform curve measurements showing the new values each time an analysis is run or a new branch of a stepped curve is selected.

The color, font, numeric format, and other characteristics can now be set individually for each tag.

.Define variables can now be used in the X and Y Range fields, the Maximum Time Step, and in the FFT Upper and Lower Time Limit fields.

Variable engineering notation within a column of numbers, selectable row/column tabular format, and curve aliases were added to numeric output files. Printing can be limited to a subset of the simulation range. Numeric output is now available for Dynamic AC and Dynamic DC.

Analysis plot pages with assignable names allow plot grouping.

A new wildcard syntax is available for use in the Y Expression field of the Analysis Limits dialog boxes. This syntax allows the user to compactly specify the plotting of many similar expressions.

Cursors can now be placed on separate curves.

This new plotting style shows the data point marker only, sans line, a sometimes preferred style for FFT plots.

This command can now save in CSV format, for convenient Excel importing.

This new command creates a polygon encompassing the curves of a Monte Carlo or stepped run. It is useful for graphically depicting the plot variation.

The tabs of enabled stepping panels are now check-marked so it is easier to see what is active. Part names in the dialog box are now ordered so they go R1, R2, R3 '¦. R10 rather than R1, R10, R2.

A new auto scale command is available that operates only over the X portion being currently displayed on the screen.

Added RMS and AVERAGE performance functions

There is now a separate Select mode option for both Schematic and Analysis.

The interactive analysis feature of MC9 lets you edit the schematic while in probe. Each edit updates the simulation and shows the effect of the change. CTRL + SPACEBAR cycles through the available probe modes, while SPACEBAR now toggles between probe mode and schematic select mode.

Drill down probing lets you visually probe macro schematics or subcircuits to any level. Instead of selecting items from a list, you can probe macro objects directly. With subcircuits, you can probe directly on netlist nodes and names.

FFT, Performance, and 3D Windows are now available in Probe.

The Localize command now embeds external macro files into the circuit, for better file portablity.

Circuitry can be temporarily enabled or disabled with a simple click, allowing multiple versions of a circuit to be contained in a single schematic. Disabled regions are ignored during an analysis. Whole pages or regions within pages can be controlled.

A new Region Box with an enable expression allows conditional inclusion of circuitry.

A new panel provides easy access to the library.

An enhanced migrate command now handles macro and library files.

On-schematic display of last, RMS, average, or peak values

Users can set their own hotkeys for any command.

A bus connector and associated wiring routines were added.

Common patterns are now button selectable.

Rubberbanding now eliminates all diagonal lines.

Components can now have multiple shapes assigned to them. Each shape has a shape group as well as a shape name, allowing easy switching between shape families.

Window tabs allow easy visual access to schematics, plots, histograms, performance window, etc.

A paste between circuits optionally adds the appropriate model statements, subcircuits, and macros to the new circuit.

Parts and nodes involved in a triggered warning are now colored. The command has been improved with the addition of global names like R@ to refer to any and all resistors. Warning messages are now also sent to the numeric output file.

New text control blocks (.IF boolean_expression, .ELSE, .ELIF boolean_expression, and .ENDIF) allow conditional inclusion of text, which may control .commands, model statements, and SPICE netlist circuitry.

These new commands let you add SPICE netlist-defined circuitry to the text pages of schematics without using a subcircuit.

The find dialog box searches as you type.

A new search command for parameter names and descriptions in the Attribute Dialog Box makes it easy to find parameters in complex MOSFET and bipolar models with lengthy parameter lists.

Components now have a user-assignable link for quick access to data sheets or other technical documents from an internet URL or a disk location.

Expressions can now be buried in text and are updated as the constituent variables change.

Information is displayed at the mouse cursor tip when it is placed over a schematic element.

This finds the closest single or series/parallel combination of standard part values that match a given R, L, or C value.

Many circuits can be given a password simultaneously.

This lets you select overlapping objects with CTRL + Tab.

This lets you select and move the text of multiple attributes simultaneously.

A delimiter can now be added to make exporting easier.

RGB color information (rather than a palette number) is now stored in the circuit file so when the circuit is given to someone else, the colors stay the same.

The Batch Script language has been enhanced so that parameters can be defined and passed from the batch file to the circuit being analyzed. Numeric output files can be named to avoid overwriting.

Node snap and text increment can now be enabled/disabled with hotkeys.

This provides a rapid way to apply LOT and DEV tolerances. Tolerance templates can be saved and applied to future models.

A Load MC file dialog box lets you choose which of the cases you want to load for review.

Selecting a case from the Histogram display list while the plot is in Cursor mode causes the corresponding performance function measurement to be shown.

Arrays were extended to many dimensions and now handle complex values instead of just real values.

An optional bandwidth parameter was added to the FFTS and HARM functions.

Complex impedance and conductance expressions for passive elements like Z(D1), Z(C1), Z(L1), and Z(R1) are now available in AC.

Legendre polynomials were added.

The Lambert W function was added.

EXPL: if x is less than max then exp(x) else exp(max)*(x+1-max )
EXPLP: Derivative of EXPL(x,max) with respect to x

Passive elliptic filter capability was added.

A new command was added to find the optimal series or parallel arrangement of standard resistors, capacitors, and inductors.

This menu lets you add, copy, delete, paste, replace, and find information for parts.

Deleting a populated group is now allowed, after a warning is given that the parts will be deleted.

The Move Parts dialog box allows selection of both the From directory and the To directory. Previously, the From directory had to be selected before invoking the Move Parts command.

The Add Part wizard now asks for the model file name before the part name, allowing it to scan the file and offer a list of candidate names from the model file.

These parameters can now be automatically displayed when initially placed in a schematic without having to turn on the Show flag for each one. This feature is set in the Component library.

Remove File icon is different from the Delete (part) icon.

The size of the recently used component list is now user adjustable.

The view settings (details, list, etc.) in the File menu are now saved between uses. Windows XP or later.

The text search option now searches analysis plots and analysis limits text expressions in addition to schematic text objects.

Micro-Cap 10

In May of 2010, Micro-Cap 10 was released. Its major new features were:

Overview

Micro-Cap 10 incorporates many incremental refinements reflecting requests received from users. These and other small, incremental refinements are a big part of what makes the product so easy to use. The technical advancements in MC10 are principally four in number:

Threading: Using threading techniques, multiple CPUs are employed to reduce simulation time.

PSS: Periodic Steady State uses techniques pioneered by Aprille and Trick to calculate the periodic steady state, removing any short term transients from the time-domain waveforms, greatly simplifying many types of circuit analysis problems.

Distortion: Two completely new analyses make creation of harmonic and intermodulation distortion plots easy.

Optimization: Optimization has been improved by the addition of three additional methods. The complete list of methods now includes:

Powell
Hooke
Levenberg-Marquardt
Differential Evolution

Threading

Micro-Cap 10 uses threading for significant speed improvement where multiple CPUs are available. When multiple independent analyses are requested, Micro-Cap uses threading technology to speed up the overall analyses by allocating each sub-analysis to a different CPU. This is benficial when stepping temperature or parameters, in Monte Carlo Analysis, and with harmonic and intermodulation distortion analysis.

Micro-Cap 11

In December of 2013, Micro-Cap 11 was released. Its major new features were:

64 Bit Version

Micro-Cap 11 comes in two varieties, a 32 bit version which can access 2G of RAM and a 64 bit version which can access as much as 192G of RAM. The 192G version can analyze circuits of 1e7 components.

Stability analysis

This is new type of AC analysis that breaks the loop at a user selected site and measures open loop gain, phase margin, and gain margin using the Tian or Middlebrook method.

Worst Case analysis

Using RSS, Monte Carlo, and extreme value analysis, this routine computes the worst case value of critical design parameters. It works in AC, DC transfer, transient, or DC operating point.

Encryption

Password-protected encryption can now be used on circuit, macro and library files.

Title Block editor

A Title Block editor was added that allows multiple fonts, adjustable size, and title block template save and recall for greater ease of use.

Rich Text Format

An option for RTF text format was added, enabling super and sub-scripting, and font, style, size and color control of individual words within a text block. Text angle: An option was added to allow arbitrary text angles.

Command statement builder

A command statement builder was added to help construct .measure, .warning, .help, and .define statements. Background: Background images, including watermarks, can be added to a schematic.

Title Block editor

A Title Block editor was added that allows multiple fonts, adjustable size, and title block template save and recall for greater ease of use.

Clipboard List

A new clipboard capable of storing standard text, RTF text, images, analysis limits, and circuit fragments. Each is copied and pasted using a user-specified name. This is particularly convenient way of pasting text and circuit fragments to build new schematics.

.Measure command

The HSPICE .Measure command was added.

Measurements window

A measurements window shows the results of .measure and performance functions.

Measure library

Common measurement functions using the basic .measure command set. Includes pulse width, frequency, period, overshoot, delay, and power factor.

Push-pin text

Push-pin text can be enabled in the Text dialog box. Placing a mouse over the text displays the text. Otherwise just push pin is shown.

Embedded Images

Image files in a circuit can now be localized (embedded or saved in the circuit file) making the circuit file more portable.

Pictures

Images can be dragged from an application and dropped into a schematic or analysis plot. Images can also be copied and pasted into the schematic. They can now be embedded in the circuit file or linked. They can be created automatically from an analysis.

Parker-Skellern Gaasfet Model

A fourth GAASFET model option was added.

New BSIM4 Model

The latest BSIM 4.7 model was added.

Updated JFET model

Added the ALPHA, VK, ISR, N, NR parameters.

M multiplier

The M multiplier command line parameter was added to diodes, BJTs, and JFETs.

Auto Scale (F6)

An auto scale option was added.

Unconnected pin markers

Pins and wires that have no connections can be marked with a special symbol (yellow triangle) that shows possible faulty wiring.

Bill of Materials

An Excel file can be created from the BOM contents.

BOM optional expand

The .define values can optionally be expanded in the BOM, so that .DEFINE RX 3K shows up as 3K and not RX.

Expandable Component Find

An expandable component find dialog box makes it easier to read the sometimes lengthy component memo text fields.

Attribute Dialog box disable

The automatic display of the Attribute Dialog box that occurs when you place a component can be eliminated. This is convenient when drawing a general schematic without values.

Dialog box location save

The location of major dialog boxes can be saved, even if they are on different monitors.

Text grid snap

A feature was added to disable or enable grid snap for text.

Find / Replace

This command was improved to include whole word search and to show the schematic location of the found item behind the dialog box.

Enable region box

An on/off check box was added to the enable region to make it easy to disable / enable the region expression checking.

Find in Files command

An All option was added to this command.

Info page options

Info page content can be chosen from the circuit Properties dialog box (F10).

Properties dialog box

The color of each schematic object is displayed beside the item for greater clarity.

Change dialog box

The Change dialog box now shows selected components.

Performance functions

An integration operator that integrates a waveform between two X values and a peak-to-peak operator that measures the peak to peak of a waveform over the simulation run were added.

FFT windowing functions

Extensive set of FFT windowing functions (Rectangular, Cosine, Tukey, Barlett-Hann, Blackman, and many more)

FFT window reference frequency

For HARMN, db(HARMN), THD and IHD Fourier Integral: An option for computing Fourier spectra using the Fourier integral rather than the FFT was added.

Fourier Plots

An option for clipping baseline db values and ignoring the phase computation for low dB values was added.

Curve fitting utility

Linear and polynomial curve fitting utility was added.

Ignore Illegal Plots

Option that ignores analysis plots that have a disabled or missing part or node, for cases where you want to switch between enabling and disabling circuitry and have the analysis limits plots still be legal.

More Plot Groups

Up to 19 plots within each plot page can be named and used. Adjustable Plot Height: Analysis plots heights can be adjusted by dragging.

Dynamic AC

Temperature and frequency were added to the text display.

Analysis Limits Copy / Paste

The analysis limits can now be copied from one circuit and pasted into another.

P key skips

The Plot tab of the of the Plot Properties dialog box controls how many P keys to skip between values printed to the plot.

Numeric output path

The name and path can be set for numeric output files.

Fast Numeric output

The speed of the output routines was enhanced in anticipation of the need in larger circuits possible with the 64 bit version.

Analysis Limits Plot Item Menu

A new pop-up menu provides control (move, add, delete,copy, and paste) for each plot item in the analysis limits dialog box. Click and drag for plot items makes it easy to rearrange the plot order.

Animation programmed wait

A 'Wait for Key Press After T='� which waits until T equals the specified time to start the key press wait was added.

Floor and Ceil functions

Floor and ceiling functions were added using standard C language notation.

Internal Variables

The internal structure variables for many complex models are now available for plotting. For example gm, gmbs, vdseff for BSIM3 models.

Fourier Window Phase Operator Limit

This lower limit below which the phase function is ignored, minimizes choppy plots when the real and imaginary parts are very small.

Fourier Window Magnitude Operator Limit

This is a lower limit below which the magnitude is clipped.

Monte Carlo Run Limit

The limit on the number of runs was increased to 100,000.

Simultaneous runs

Stepping and Monte Carlo can be run simultaneously. Formerly, only one or the other could be run at a time.

Histogram info

Hovering the mouse over a histogram bar shows the Y value and the X range in the Status bar.

Histogram bar count

The number of histogram bars can be set when using the Auto option.

Monte Carlo exception file

When creating an exception file, a text string is placed in the schematic to describe the case that was used such as Temperature= 27 Case=3

Graph Paper Option

A Graph Paper option was added to the Grid options

Component editor shape not found

When a component can'™t find its assigned shape, a flag is set so that the part looks for its normally assigned shape each time the component file is loaded.

Component merge command

Partial merges can be done when merging two component library files.

Save As command

A Save As icon was added to the Component editor tool bar.

Read Only flag

If a component library is set to read-only the text '(Read Only)'� is appended to the file name in the hierarchy display.

Size control

The size of the Component editor dialog box and its Move dialog box are now user-controllable using the Size grip icon.

Shape editor size control

The size of the Shape editor dialog box is now user-controllable using the Size grow icon.

Uniform text direction

The text direction is now uniform.

Print portion

Optionally, only the portion within a select box can be printed.

Print scale

Each page can have a different print scale.

Print disable

Disabled items can optionally be excluded from the print.

Excel import

Data from an Excel spreadsheet can be imported into a User model file using Copy (on the Excel side) and Special Paste (on the MC11 side).

Batch file quiet command

Plotting can be eliminated with the new /quiet command.

Batch file image commands

Commands were added to facilitate capture of schematic and plot images.

Batch file Save V&I command

A batch file command (/SVI) was added to save voltage and current only.

Internal batch file execution

A batch file that normally is executed from DOS or a Micro-Cap command line can now be executed from within Micro-Cap.

Sliders default

A new button was added to set the default value to the current value.

Tag Branch Info

Cursor tags can have branch information added to the tag.

WMF files

WMF files can be created with transparent background.

3D graphs

Users can set the min and max colors and the graph color will scale in between.