Circuit Simulation Software Introduction

The meaning of circuit simulation is to simulate the designed circuit diagram through circuit simulation software to simulate the actual function, and then analyze and improve it to realize the optimal design of the circuit. In fact, the circuit simulation software we use is based on the subject of circuits, and it is an extended software that helps us better learn digital electronics and analog electronics. The key link to realize the design is the simulation process, which is used to judge whether the designer's thinking is correct or not, which is convenient for us to modify, saves a lot of experimental materials, and is more suitable for future development trends. The circuit simulation software we use now is approaching a mature stage, but the development process is long and arduous. So what is the real history of circuit simulation software? What is the reason for its rapid development? And what is the current situation of the circuit simulation software we commonly use now? In this article will introduce one by one.

1. The concept and field of simulation software

Simulation software is a computer software used for simulation. It is a tool for emulation, similar to emulating hardware. Simulation software has been continuously evolving since the mid-1950s. Its development complements the application of simulation, algorithms, computation and modeling, and other technological developments. [1] In 1984, the first database center simulation software appeared, and an artificial intelligence software system (expert system) appeared. This development trend will make simulation software more powerful, more flexible, and available to more users.

The goal of the simulation is to continuously improve the descriptive capabilities of the navigation module for user orientation and model testing. Users of different technical levels can use their customized language through the simulation software to facilitate dialogue with the computer to complete simulation testing and modeling. Simulation is the experimental process of studying real systems by establishing real system models and using observable models. Initially, simulation technology was mainly used in aviation, aerospace, nuclear energy and expensive nuclear reactors, or some test systems with long life cycle and high risk, which were difficult to realize in other physical fields. Electricity, petroleum, chemical industry, metallurgy, machinery, etc. have gradually developed, and have been further expanded to non-technical systems such as social systems, economic systems, transportation systems, and ecological systems. It can be said that modern simulation technology and simulation system have become the integration of any complex system, especially in the high-tech industry is an important means of non-analysis. Lack of research, design, evaluation, decision-making and training. Its scope of application continues to expand, and its application efficiency is becoming more and more significant. The system is based on the simulation control theory, uses basic computer information processing technology, theoretical basis, computer and other equipment as special tools, uses the actual or virtual model of the system to test the system, and relies on experts to apply experimental knowledge, statistical data and information data to analyze the results . And give a comprehensive test decision. [3] Broadly speaking, the simulation system method is applicable to any field, including electrical, chemical, electronic, mechanical, etc., as well as economics, politics, transportation, management, etc.

2. The reasons for the rapid development of simulation software

Why is the development of circuit simulation software so fast? The main reason is that computer simulation has the characteristics of high efficiency, high precision, high reliability, and low cost, and is widely used in the analysis and design of power electronic circuits (or systems). In addition to computer simulation, it is also necessary to reduce labor intensity to replace many cumbersome manual analysis systems, improve analysis and design capabilities, avoid large errors caused by analysis methods in the approximation process, and reduce the maximum design cost and shorten the system time through complementary trials. Development cycle. Computer simulation technology has greatly accelerated the process of circuit design and experimentation.

Simulation is an effective means of designing circuits and systems. The main function of electrical engineering circuits and their constituent systems is to control energy conversion and transmission processes. The form of electricity needs to change, and the control method depends on electronic circuits. The combination of electricity and electronics forms the subject of power electronics, a relatively young field that is also a fringe field that combines multiple sciences. Electronic control circuit, large power energy, large inertia, very fast speed. These two systems, especially when they constitute a closed-loop system, are ill-conditioned systems in terms of automatic control, which means that there are stability problems that are not easy to solve. The quality of this type of system improved rapidly in the late 1980s due to the use of computer simulations. This problem is solved by choosing the appropriate circuit design software when using a computer for simulation. A small number of software mostly solve the problems existing in linear and continuous working steady-state circuits. While most software is suitable for continuous and stable working circuits, it is also suitable for switch-adjusted start-up adjustment circuits. In other words, you can simulate electrical engineering circuits, and you can read the current at any point, or the voltage between any two points, and you can do frequency response, spectrum analysis, temperature analysis, parametric analysis, Monte Carlo analysis, worst-case Situation analysis, noise analysis, etc. It can be said that the latter analysis cannot be simulated on the breadboard, but it can be run on the computer through the simulation software, so the simulation software has the advantage of being easy to use.

In recent years, the development of the field of power electronics has also promoted the development of the field of energy electronics. In addition to the content of power electronics, the topic of so-called energy electronics also needs to consider material, environmental, reliability and management issues in order to solve energy conversion problems well. From this we can see that with such complex systems engineering, you can get results quickly by using computers to process information quickly. The necessity and effectiveness of simulation are obvious. This is the reason for the rapid development of circuit simulation software.

Simulation software is an important tool for circuit analysis and auxiliary design in the electronic field. Using circuit simulation software to quickly analyze circuit performance parameters helps to determine the design scheme and select design parameters, thereby improving design efficiency. Overcoming the shortcomings of the traditional R&D cycle, designers can directly focus on the design level and shorten the overall design cycle. For this reason, there are various software applications for analog systems. The main applications of analog circuit simulation are EWB, SPICE PROTEL, MATLAB, etc. They have realized functions ranging from simple to complex, complex and intelligent operations, and increasingly visual interfaces.

The research on analog circuit simulation software is related to the theory, implementation and application of analog circuit simulation software, and theoretical research promotes the application of software. At the same time, the application of simulation software also promotes the theoretical research of simulation software. The implementation rules of the simulation software are the bridge of "communication" between theory and application.

In the process of electronic technology development, according to the depth and breadth of computer-aided technology intervention, there are three types of design schemes, that is, three stages. The first method is the so-called conventional design method, and the electronic systems involved are usually simple. The second method is often referred to as a CAD (Computer Aided Design) method and is used for data processing, simulation evaluation, design verification, etc. The third method is the so-called EDA method, which is gradually produced and completed during the development of electronic products to be more complicated and high-end, and to be intelligent, humanized, miniaturized and integrated.

3. Circuit simulation software Multisim

Using Multisim software to design electronic circuits is like building a circuit on a laboratory breadboard, and it is not limited by device type, number of devices and test equipment. Multisim software can carry out simulation analysis, simulation test, design and experiment simultaneously, easy to debug and modify. The simulation experiment does not consume real test equipment and components, and the experiment cost is low. This software can complete the whole process from circuit simulation design to circuit layout generation, providing a truly convenient way for designing electronic systems and developing electronic products. It includes circuit schematic diagram input and circuit hardware description language input methods, and has rich simulation analysis functions. To handle various applications, Multisim has introduced many versions such as EWB (Electronic Workbench), Multisim 2001, Multisim 7, Multisim 8, Multisim 9, Multisim 10. Because of this advantage, vocational education in higher education institutions has a broad cognitive basis. Since Multisim 10.0 abstracts the complex content of SPICE simulation, it can be used for quick capture without knowing the detailed SPICE techniques for simulating and analyzing new designs, and is suitable for e-education. With Multisim and virtual measurement technology, you can capture and simulate everything from theory to circuit diagrams, and you can test a fully integrated design flow for prototyping and testing.

By using Multisim for circuit design, you don't need to specialize in learning computer control language and various I/O commands, and you don't need to write program electronic circuit diagrams. Just place the designed virtual electronic components and virtual instruments in the Multisim10.0 circuit design window, connect the corresponding virtual components and measurement interfaces to the connections and nodes and observe the virtual measurements. In recent years, in order to complete the effective combination of theoretical teaching methods and practical teaching methods, and study the application of electronic simulation teaching methods, simulation teaching methods have brought twice the result with half the effort and provided students with a large amount of knowledge in a limited time. By using simulation software to allow students to conduct experiments and explore problems independently, students can effectively develop their learning ability and consolidate their theoretical foundation.

The current latest version is Multisim 11.0. Multisim 11.0 supports Win7 and Vista systems. And powerful, flexible. Contains many versatile virtual functions that replace the various instruments commonly found in real labs, such as multimeters, function generators, oscilloscopes, and others. These virtual instruments provide a convenient and accurate way for teachers and students to obtain experimental results, and also lay a good foundation for them to use these instruments in the laboratory in the future.

Experimental schematic designs are often built on solderless breadboards, and students must go through technical, documentation, and visual inspections to ensure their prototypes will function properly. Often, a lot of time is wasted correcting simple wiring errors. Therefore, the importance of computer-aided design tools is reflected. Multisim 11.0 provides a virtual 3D experimental circuit board environment, and students can learn the basics of circuit design through such a virtual program and the NIELVIS circuit experimental board that gives feedback on the correctness of the completed state.

Summarize

The theory, implementation and application of analog circuit simulation software are the basis of analog circuit simulation software research. Theoretical research promotes the development of software, and the application of simulation software also promotes the theoretical research of simulation software, while the implementation criteria of simulation software are the bridge of "communication" between application and theory.

In short, circuit simulation software has a long history and a long development process. The circuit simulation software we are using now, Multisim 11.0, is a relatively complete software in the world. Both the electrical field and the energy field cannot do without circuit simulation software. Therefore, it is very important to be familiar with and master this software.

The above is the historical development and current situation of circuit simulation software introduced by Shenzhen Zuchuang Microelectronics Co., Ltd. for you. If you have software and hardware function development needs for smart electronic products, you can rest assured to entrust them to us. We have rich experience in customized development of electronic products, and can evaluate the development cycle and IC price as soon as possible, and can also calculate PCBA quotations. We are a number of chip agents at home and abroad, including MCU, voice IC, Bluetooth IC and modules, wifi modules. We have hardware design and software development capabilities. Covering circuit design, PCB design, single-chip microcomputer development, software custom development, APP custom development, WeChat official account development, voice recognition technology, Bluetooth wifi development, etc. It can also undertake the research and development of smart electronic products, the design of household appliances, the development of beauty equipment, the development of Internet of Things applications, the design of smart home solutions, the development of TWS solutions, the development of Bluetooth audio, the development of children's toys, and the development of electronic education products.