The success of industry also depends on having a skilled and motivated workforce. Young people studying electronics are learning skills that will allow them to follow electronics-related careers. This chapter focuses on the use of the computer to use simulation software to de- sign and test electronics circuits in a virtual environment. It also covers several computer productivity programs that are important in the support of electronics.
Software for electricity and electronics
electronic circuit simulation software can model electronic circuit performance and is a vital resource for checking circuit proper operation. Electronic circuit simulation software uses mathematical algorithms to duplicate the operation of electronic circuits. Due to its highly accurate modeling capability, many educational programs use simulation software for teaching electronics for various programs, including electronics engineering and electronic technology.
Using electronic circuit simulation software allows users to become part of the learning process by actively engaging them in the creation of electronic circuits, studying circuit operation, and evaluating their performance. Being able to simulate an electronic circuit’s behavior before constructing it can improve a circuit’s design by helping the creator identify poor circuit de- signs. Knowing a circuit operates poorly provides an opportunity to improve performance through redesigning.
Electronic circuit simulation offers the ability to improve a circuit performance when:
● Breadboarding is not practical.
● It is difficult to look at the internal signals.
● Tooling is expensive for building a circuit.
The most well-known analog simulator is Berkeley SPice. SPICE is industry-standard nomenclature for electronic circuit simulation and is the most advanced in the world. Probably the best-known digital simulators are those based on Verilog, a hardware description language and VHdl, Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language.
Event-driven digital circuit simulations keep track of internal states of the circuit by allowing the study of digital problems. In addition, they can present a complete time diagram of a digital circuit. A logic analyzer can display digital signals, each of which is shown in separate synchronized displays.
There are programs that are analog electronic circuit simulators only. The more popular simulators include both analog and event-driven digital simulation capabilities. These programs, known as mixed-mode simulators, can simulate analog, event-driven digital, or a combination of both. An entire mixed signal analysis can be driven from one integrated schematic. All the digital models in mixed-mode simulators pro- vide accurate information.
Printed circuit board (PCB) design process requires specific component models as well as autorouting for the traces. autorouting is a technique for saving time and money when designing a PCB. Historically, auto- routing is faster than manual routing, but the perception is that the results are not always satisfactory or do not look the same as manual routing.
Another feature is the ability to autoplace the components on a PCB. When autoplace is used to place the components on a board layout, it confirms that the parts will actually fit on the board. To confirm that the component placement can be routed, auto- route the traces. Autorouting can often get the board finished in a fraction of the time needed to manually route it with adequate results.
An iBiS (input/output buffer information specification) model is generally used in placing SPICE models for high-speed circuits. IBIS models en- able a technique to provide information about a prod- uct to potential customers without having to reveal the intellectual property.
Questions
1. What is the purpose of electronic circuit simulation?
2. How does electronic circuit simulation engage learning?
3. In what situations would electronic circuit simulation be used?
4. What is the difference between SPICE and Verilog?
5. When would a mixed-mode electronic circuit simulation be used?