ICAP/4 

How Do We Obtain Our Models? | Who Really Has the Most Models? | How Do Vendor Models Compare?


SPICE Model Libraries
The Biggest And Best Spice Libraries

What vendor has the most model types? What vendor has published 3 books on SPICE and modeling?
What vendor has the only Windows based AHDL language? What vendor has the most behavioral modeling features?


No Contest - The only answer is Intusoft!

No SPICE Vendor matches the variety and quality of Intusoft's libraries.
Now more than 23,500 parts, with the industry's most extensive selection of model types.


  • Breakdown of model listing by software available from Intusoft (version 8.x.11 Build 2641)
  • User Defined AHDL Models for analog, digital, array, and sampled-data elements
  • SpiceMod - Easy to use software for developing your own models
  • Mechatronic Library contains mechanical, electro-mechanical and hydraulic models. [Simulate designs that contain both non-electrical and electrical devices.] The Mechantronic models are compatible with Intusoft's IsSpice4 simulator, but the collection is beta software and is not entirely supported.
ICAP/4's IsSpice4 kernel simulates an extensive array of SPICE models, including hundreds of different model types. These range from RF to behavioral AHDL, power, specialty devices, ICs, digital, and many other types. Models are stored in ASCII files, enabling direct modification to them, plus the use of several modeling tools to create new parts. Current vendor-supplied models found on the web can be imported and combined with existing graphic symbols, or a new custom symbol can be created. Over 100 sophisticated Generic Template models are accessible from the SpiceNet schematic parts browser, which can be used as is, or quickly modified for custom operation. (Example PDF file showing op-amp documentation, 60kbytes.)
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Who Really Has The Most Models?
Model Types vs. Number of Models

There are major differences in the model libraries supplied by various CAE software vendors. These differences can dramatically affect the results of your simulation. Models are one of the most important parts of a simulation package. We encourage you to compare our libraries with other vendors’ libraries and ask questions. Samples are available.

Intusoft prides itself on having the most comprehensive SPICE model libraries in the industry. While many companies offer model libraries with large numbers of parts, the user will invariably find that more than half of the models are for diodes and BJTs. Thousands of models are useless unless the type of device you need is available. Intusoft realizes that engineers design circuits with more than diodes and transistors. In our library you’ll find a wide variety of part types, in addition to industry standard devices. Intusoft models the full spectrum of an engineer’s toolbox and has the MOST MODEL TYPES of any SPICE program in the entire EDA industry.

At Intusoft, quality is paramount. Intusoft’s models for complex parts, which our competitors model with simple SPICE primitive elements, utilize a subcircuit macro approach or sophisticated AHDL. In short, many of our competitor’s models produce poor and inaccurate results!

Just Some of the Models
Our Competitors Don’t Offer

Shown below is a list of some of the models that you WON’T find in the model libraries of our competitors. However, you will find them in ICAP/4, already made and ready to use.
  • System Blocks: Slew rate, Hysteresis, Z-transform, Sampled-Data
  • Sources: AM, PSK, FSK, 3 phase, Sound (.Wav files), Random noise, NTSC, PWM, Stair-case, batteries
  • Power Electronics: PWMs (cycle-by-cycle models), Switches with hysteresis, Power Factor Corrector IC, Transformers, Nonlinear magnetics
  • RF Parts: RF BJTs, MMICs, RF Beads, PIN Diodes, Circulator
  • Mechanical: Motors, Hydraulics, Relays
  • Diodes: Photo, Laser, Bridges
  • Semiconductors: Darlington BJTs, IGBTs w/flyback diode, Varistors, Sidacs, Laser Diodes, Photo Diodes, PUTs, UJTs
  • Vacuum Tubes
  • Fuses
  • Opto-Couplers and Opto-Isolators
  • Sensors: Pressure, Thermistors, Hall-Effect, Mechanical
  • Fluorescent tubes, HID Lamps
  • Spark Gaps
  • Generic Model Templates: Zener, Diode (Rectifier, Soft Recovery), Op-Amp, transformer, tungsten lamp, etc.
  • AHDL based models
  • State Machine
  • VCOs
  • SOI MOSFET model
How Do The Models
From Different Vendors Compare?

Berkeley SPICE 3 has just over 20 different built-in models, such as diodes and resistors, which are called primitive elements. IsSpice4 also adds over 42 more built-in models which are made with our AHDL (Hardware Description Language).


This fact means that the majority of electronic devices in the model libraries of SPICE vendors are built using subcircuits, or macromodels. These macromodels are made using various combinations of the primitive elements. For example, an op-amp usually has 15 - 75 primitive elements.

There are literally dozens of ways to emulate an electronic device that is not built directly into SPICE. Therefore, the same part from two different vendors may produce ENTIRELY DIFFERENT results. Some subcircuit topologies exhibit more accurate characteristics than others. Herein lies the difference between SPICE libraries from different vendors. NOT all models are created equal.
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