Where To Find This Example
Design Notes
Capacitance vs Voltage Analysis of a Varactor Model
This example demonstrates plotting Capacitance vs Voltage for the varactor model. The varactor model (VRCTR) can be found in the Element Browser under Nonlinear > Capacitor.
Overview
The model reads in data from a file, "bby58_02V", as seen by the equations in the "Varactor Bias" Schematic. The data file includes capacitance data on the first row and voltage data on the second.
Measurement Setup
The Swept Variable simulation control is used to plot the Capacitance vs Voltage (C-V) graph.
Using the advanced harmonic balance settings (Options > Default Circuit Options > Harmonic Balance tab > Advanced button), the project can be configured so that the charge can be measured across the varactor and the capacitance can then be derived.
Linear Cv vs Freq Graph
This graph shows the simulated capacitance versus frequency as computed using the C_SRC measurement which computes the capacitance at the input as a series RC. Corresponding with the data the capacitance is flat over frequency.
Linear Cv vs Voltage Graph
The Capacitance vs Voltage measurement was done in two different ways. The first way computed C vs V using the C_SRC measurement and setting the voltage as the x-axis values while holding frequency constant.
Use the tuner to change the swept voltage setting
DC Linearized C vs V Graph
The alternative way to measure Capacitance vs. Voltage is to use the CDC measurement, which computes DC Linearized capacitance. This graph shows this measurement being used to computer C vs V while holding the frequency constant.
Schematic - Varactor_Bias
Graph - Linear Cv vs Voltage
Graph - DC Linearized C vs V
Graph - Linear Cv vs Freq