Plot I-V Curves of Active Components

A current-voltage characteristic, or I-V curve, is the relationship between an electric current and its corresponding voltage. The electric current can be a circuit, device, or material. An I-V curve is typically represented as a chart or graph , then a plot of the current-voltage relationship can be traced. This is referred to as the I-V characteristic of the element. When the I-V characteristic of the element is in the load subcircuit, it is plotted via standard labeling. A resistor satisfies Ohm's law, so the I-V characteristic of the element passes through the origin and possesses slope.

DC-IV plots are supported for the following devices:

List of Devices

To generate a plot that displays I-V curves:

  1. Open a project that contains one of the devices listed above; for example, BJT_inverter.aedt.
  2. In the Schematic Editor, right-click the BJT device and select Display IV Curves. A schematic plot that shows I-V curves is generated and displayed.

    I-V Curved Example.
    A corresponding I-V solution for the device is created beneath Analysis in the Project Manager window.

  3. To modify curves, select the I-V solution in the Project Manager window to open the Sweep Definition window.

    Sweep Definition Window

    The Sweep Values pane displays the values of the variable selected in the Sweep Variables pane.

    — To add a sweep value: Select Start, Stop, and Step values at lower-left, then click Add >>.
    — To edit a sweep value: Select a sweep on the Sweep Values list, then click << Remove.
    Then modify the Start, Stop, and Step values, then click Add.
    — To delete a sweep value: Select a sweep on the Sweep Values list, then click Delete.
    This deletes the I-V solution and the corresponding plot.

    After making modifications, when you click OK the I-V curves are automatically updated.