best simulation software - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

capone · 13th November 2007, 09:52 PM

Hie,

I would like to know what's about you the best simulation software (Spice, MicroCAp,...) ?? What's is the most professional, realist, ...? Thanks a lot.

Sceadwian · 14th November 2007, 12:44 AM

I use LTSpice, can't beat free and fully functional for general simulation of discrete components and support for behavioral modeling. I've heard good things about Proteus as well for pay software that's reasonably priced, not sure about much else really.

mneary · 14th November 2007, 01:22 AM

Quote:

best simulation software

Define your criteria. I use LTspice a lot for basic circuits. I can set up a simple circuit in minutes. Unfortunately you have to find models for most non-LT components and import them.

wmmullaney · 14th November 2007, 02:26 PM

Know of any free ones for mac?

ronsimpson · 14th November 2007, 03:28 PM

I paid thousands for several SPICE programs that were not good. I have used MicroCap for years. I cannot get any spice to work with a large circuit, in-part because of non standard analog parts with no models. I break down the project into small pieces. 1.) Large multiple feedback loop circuits may require hours to stabilize, and then not work like the real thing. 2.) A small circuit will work much closer to the real thing and take only mS to simulate.

A real op-amp does not work well if the input voltage are near the power supply pins voltage. It’s output gets slow and sticky if the output gets near the supply pins. Most spice op-amps do not model that. A spice inductor is a theory not a reality. Inductors have resistance and capacitance.

I would download sever demo versions. See which has the user interface you like. See which has the most models. Run the demo for a while before dropping $5000.00 in a piece of software. For most people the demo version will work fine. Keep it simple and don’t count on spice equaling reality. It is a imperfect tool, but better than no tool.

wmmullaney · 14th November 2007, 04:06 PM

Mac version?

Roff · 14th November 2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmmullaney

Mac version?

I don't know about "best", but a quick search finds several circuit simulators for the Mac. I believe some are freeware.

Sceadwian · 15th November 2007, 12:05 AM

LTspice is pretty basic from a programming standpoint, it was designed to run well under wine so it should run well from emulation software run on a Mac. I believe Vmware offers a free version of it's virtualzation software that runs on an X86 Mac.

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13th November 2007, 09:52 PM	(permalink)
capone	best simulation software Hie, I would like to know what's about you the best simulation software (Spice, MicroCAp,...) ?? What's is the most professional, realist, ...? Thanks a lot.

14th November 2007, 12:44 AM	(permalink)
Sceadwian	I use LTSpice, can't beat free and fully functional for general simulation of discrete components and support for behavioral modeling. I've heard good things about Proteus as well for pay software that's reasonably priced, not sure about much else really. __________________ "Because I be what I be. I would tell you what you want to know if I could, mum, but I be a cat, and no cat anywhere ever gave anyone a straight answer, har har."

14th November 2007, 02:26 PM	(permalink)
wmmullaney	Know of any free ones for mac?

14th November 2007, 03:28 PM	(permalink)
ronsimpson	I paid thousands for several SPICE programs that were not good. I have used MicroCap for years. I cannot get any spice to work with a large circuit, in-part because of non standard analog parts with no models. I break down the project into small pieces. 1.) Large multiple feedback loop circuits may require hours to stabilize, and then not work like the real thing. 2.) A small circuit will work much closer to the real thing and take only mS to simulate. A real op-amp does not work well if the input voltage are near the power supply pins voltage. It’s output gets slow and sticky if the output gets near the supply pins. Most spice op-amps do not model that. A spice inductor is a theory not a reality. Inductors have resistance and capacitance. I would download sever demo versions. See which has the user interface you like. See which has the most models. Run the demo for a while before dropping $5000.00 in a piece of software. For most people the demo version will work fine. Keep it simple and don’t count on spice equaling reality. It is a imperfect tool, but better than no tool.

14th November 2007, 04:06 PM	(permalink)
wmmullaney	Mac version?

15th November 2007, 12:05 AM	(permalink)
Sceadwian	LTspice is pretty basic from a programming standpoint, it was designed to run well under wine so it should run well from emulation software run on a Mac. I believe Vmware offers a free version of it's virtualzation software that runs on an X86 Mac. __________________ "Because I be what I be. I would tell you what you want to know if I could, mum, but I be a cat, and no cat anywhere ever gave anyone a straight answer, har har."