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Circuit Simulation - Recommendations Needed

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Brian Fairchild

Posted: Jul 14, 2012 - 09:58 AM

Joined: Oct 18, 2001
Posts: 358
Location: Eastern England.

I'm looking for a new circuit simulation package. I'm currently using a 12-year old version of Circuitmaker which has long since disappeared.

Requirements...

* Windows OS - no command lines
* drag and drop schematic creation - no spice netlists
* decent up-to-date parts library

It doesn't need to integrate with my PCB/Schematic package as I generally simulate small sections of mixed signal circuit designs to test things like component power dissipation and the sensitivity to values. I don't need to simulate uCs.

I tend to use it instead of endlessly breadboarding small bits and pieces.

I don't mind paying for a decent product.

gchapman

Posted: Jul 14, 2012 - 10:26 AM

Joined: Jan 09, 2007
Posts: 1875
Location: Arlington, Texas, U.S.A.

LTspice
Windows (or Linux via wine)
GUI schematic used to generate SPICE netlist (and netlist only if one wants).
Parts - mostly Linear Technology but if a part maker creates a compatible netlist then that can be INCLuded.
Some integration with a few PCB CAD tools.
Sensitivity - LTspice integrates with ASCO.
Breadboarding - really the best way per the late great Jim Williams (Linear Technology) (nothing replaces intuition) though SPICE can be useful for virtual proof-of-concept or for "trying" ideas (virtual smoke Wink

jayjay1974

Posted: Jul 14, 2012 - 11:11 AM

Joined: Oct 30, 2002
Posts: 5720
Location: The Netherlands

+1 for LTSpice.

It does not look fancy at all, but it does the job.

mnehpets

Posted: Jul 15, 2012 - 02:38 PM

Joined: Nov 09, 2011
Posts: 400

I also use LTSpice. There's one main free alternative that I know of - TINA from TI, which does similar things as LTSpice. I've been meaning to try out TINA, but have never gotten round tuit.

In the open source world, QUCS is one option, but it's probably not ready for mainstream users yet.

- S

ka7ehk

Posted: Jul 15, 2012 - 04:08 PM

Joined: Nov 22, 2002
Posts: 12051
Location: Tangent, OR, USA

+1 for LTspice

I use it a fair amount. There is an excellent Yahoo support group. It handles Pspice models and most of the standard MOS model "levels". There are a variety of proprietary Linear Tech models (gates, flipflops, and such) that are encrypted. Most of the device models from the net work quite well except for some of the power MOS models from some manufacturers which behave badly. It does not handle proprietary TINA models from TI as they are encrypted (but no other spice does, either).

I find the interface to be a bit clunky, feeling more like early Windows. That aside, the underlying engine has been rewritten from the Berkeley source code. There are a variety of solvers to handle a wider range of poorly conditioned problems. For most problems, it is faster than most other spice variants.

I highly recommended it for its value per unit cost ratio.

Jim

_________________
Jim Wagner
Oregon Research Electronics, Consulting Div.
Tangent, OR, USA

"The only thing standing between us and victory is defeat" P.G.Wodhouse in Wooster & Jeeves series

pYr0rAGE

Posted: Jul 15, 2012 - 11:53 PM

Joined: Apr 29, 2012
Posts: 39

If you're into RF simulation, I use Advanced Design System. It's a pretty nice simulation tool, and has a lot of pre-built circuits that can be dropped in to simplify schematics (Mixers, etc.). It's kind of pricy, though, and has a few quirks to work out if you're switching over from PSPICE.