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How to Create OR and NOR Gate SPICE Models

Modern electronics could not exist without semiconductors and digital electronics but as electronics become faster and more complex, it’s essential to model realistic behavior to ensure design accuracy. At high speeds, digital electronics are susceptible to issues with propagation delay, and any stray capacitance present on the board could lead to attenuation, which could prevent a high input from ever reaching the device’s threshold voltage. PSpice allows you to quickly create custom OR gate SPICE Models and NOR gate SPICE models for accurate simulation of digital designs with a wizard-based approach.

This quick how-to will provide step-by-step instructions on how to create accurate NOR and OR gate SPICE models with the Modeling Application in OrCAD PSpice.

To follow along, download the provided materials above the table of contents.

How-To Video

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Creating an OR Gate SPICE Model

Step 1: Open the provided design in OrCAD PSpice 23.1.

Note: A wizard-based approach to digital models is new in version 23.1. See other new features here.

OR NOR Step2
Activating the Modeling Application

Step 2: Select Place > PSpice Part > Modeling Application from the menu.

Step 3: In the Modeling Application, expand Digital > Gates.

OR NOR Step4

Step 4: Select OR/NOR.

Using the Modeling Application in PSpice to create OR Gate SPICE Models
Configuring OR Gate SPICE Model Parameters

Step 5: In the resulting options window, ensure the following logic parameters are defined:

  • Number of Inputs: 2
  • Number of Outputs: Q
  • Inverted Inputs: 0

Step 6: Enter the following model parameters:

  • Propagation Delay: 8.5n
  • Threshold: 1.4
  • Hysteresis Width: 1.2
  • Output Resistance: 1m
  • Input Resistance: 10G
  • Max High Voltage: 5

Note: The logic device being modeled has negligible output resistance and requires negligible input current.

Learn how to identify these parameters from device datasheets to create a realistic representation of buffers and inverters here.

Step 7: Click Place.

OR NOR Step8

Step 8: Click to place the OR gate in the schematic.

Step 9: Select the Voltage/Level Marker button from the toolbar.

OR NOR Step10
Placing a Probe in PSpice

Step 10: Click to place a probe at the output of the gate. Right-click and select End Mode.

Running the Simulation

Step 11: Select PSpice > Run from the menu.

OR NOR Step12

Step 12: View the results. The two clock signals generate an irregular waveform.

Creating a NOR Gate SPICE Model

Step 13: Back in the schematic, select the OR gate and press Delete on the keyboard.

Step 14: Select Digital > Gates > OR/NOR from the Modeling Application.

Using the Modeling Application in PSpice to create NOR Gate SPICE models
Configuring NOR Gate SPICE Model Parameters

Step 15: Set the Number of Outputs to Qbar to invert the output.

Note: Select Both to create a gate with a non-inverted and inverted output.

Step 16: Enter the following model parameters:

  • Propagation Delay: 20n
  • Threshold: 2.25
  • Hysteresis Width: 0.9
  • Output Resistance: 1m
  • Input Resistance: 10G
  • Max High Voltage: 5
OR NOR Step17
Placing a NOR Gate in PSpice

Step 17: Click Place. Click to place the gate in the schematic.

Step 18: Select PSpice > Run from the menu.

OR NOR Step19

Step 19: View the results. The output is inverted.

Wrap Up & Next Steps

Quickly create the required OR and NOR SPICE models and simulate accurate digital circuit behavior with the PSpice Modeling Application in OrCAD PSpice. Upgrade to the latest 23.1 release or test out this feature and more with a free trial of OrCAD.

Follow Along, Download the Pre-Packaged Design Files

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