Free SPICE simulator.. - Page 3

Aud_Mot · 28th June 2002, 05:32 PM

HAVE A LOOK AT THIS

A free lite version of a pretty good, reasonably priced, and full featured SPICE program.

They also have a 30 day trial for their professional verision.

They have export to popular PCB layout programs.

If you are reading this thread, you should have a look.

http://www.beigebag.com

Aud_Mot

HarryHaller · 1st July 2002, 08:19 PM

I have looked at about 6 or 7 of the "freeware" versions of Spice and this may be the best for simple amplifier design. It seems to be able to read models from other Spice programs which is really nice. If the circuit limits prove large enough this maybe the one to use for the serious DIYer. It also seems to be the one of the easiest to use with lots of examples. If there is enough interest I may provide some circuit files and or parts libraries. Any feedback from experienced users of the freeware Intro version?

http://www.newburytech.co.uk/Pages/download.html

H.H.

Geoff · 1st July 2002, 09:03 PM

HH

Feedback? Yes, I have been using SIMetrix Intro for two years now and have found it to be superior to all other 'free' simulator software. My only concern, that I have yet to resolve, is that open-loop bode plots for amplifiers with a known (measured) stability margin indicate either insufficient or no phase margin.

Geoff

rtirion · 1st July 2002, 09:29 PM

I have been using simetrix v4.0 and v4.1 for about a year now and found the same problem as Geoff. Bode plots for various amplifiers indicate insufficient phase margin. I am struggling with this for over 3 months now , and I have still no solution, or explanation. Could it be that ''AC analysis is for small signals only'' is the cause of this "problem"?
Nevertheless I think it is a very good piece of software.
I used a very old MicroCap v3 for DOS more than three years and tried and abandoned EWB's MultiSim.

HarryHaller · 1st July 2002, 09:33 PM

Is you discrepency with phase margin with Spice in general, SIMetrix Intro in particular. I am also interested in which other Spice programs you have tried. Have you tried running the same bench mark circuit on different simulation programs and had different phase results. Thanks for your feedback and I am very impressed with my limited experience with SIMetrix Intro and the GUI is very friendly in comparison with some others.

H.H.

Geoff · 1st July 2002, 10:14 PM

H.H.

I tried most, if not all, of the free simulation programs about 2 years ago before settling on SIMetrix Intro. I cannot remember any phase margin errors with the other programs, but my memory is not what it used to be. Anyway, at that time, I had less knowledge of Spice and stability criteria so may have missed a problem had it existed.

I have not found any discrepancies when using op-amp models, only with discrete circuits. Discussions with Rod Elliott, who also uses SIMetrix Intro, have revealed that he has experienced the same problem.

If anyone can offer suggestions as to the possible cause, I would be glad to hear them. Or, better still, if someone has access to two simulator programs, including SIMetrix, could they please run an open-loop Bode plot using a simple circuit (say the ESP 3A) and compare the results.

I have been meaning to write to Newbury Tech on this matter for some time now, but I will hold fire pending any feedback in this thread.

Geoff

1st July 2002, 08:19 PM	#22
HarryHaller Banned Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Dallas,Texas	Simetrix Intro I have looked at about 6 or 7 of the "freeware" versions of Spice and this may be the best for simple amplifier design. It seems to be able to read models from other Spice programs which is really nice. If the circuit limits prove large enough this maybe the one to use for the serious DIYer. It also seems to be the one of the easiest to use with lots of examples. If there is enough interest I may provide some circuit files and or parts libraries. Any feedback from experienced users of the freeware Intro version? http://www.newburytech.co.uk/Pages/download.html H.H.

1st July 2002, 09:33 PM	#25
HarryHaller Banned Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Dallas,Texas	SIMetrix Intro Is you discrepency with phase margin with Spice in general, SIMetrix Intro in particular. I am also interested in which other Spice programs you have tried. Have you tried running the same bench mark circuit on different simulation programs and had different phase results. Thanks for your feedback and I am very impressed with my limited experience with SIMetrix Intro and the GUI is very friendly in comparison with some others. H.H.

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28th June 2002, 05:32 PM	#21
Aud_Mot diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: California	HAVE A LOOK AT THIS A free lite version of a pretty good, reasonably priced, and full featured SPICE program. They also have a 30 day trial for their professional verision. They have export to popular PCB layout programs. If you are reading this thread, you should have a look. http://www.beigebag.com Aud_Mot

1st July 2002, 09:03 PM	#23
Geoff diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: UK	HH Feedback? Yes, I have been using SIMetrix Intro for two years now and have found it to be superior to all other 'free' simulator software. My only concern, that I have yet to resolve, is that open-loop bode plots for amplifiers with a known (measured) stability margin indicate either insufficient or no phase margin. Geoff

1st July 2002, 09:29 PM	#24
rtirion diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2000	I have been using simetrix v4.0 and v4.1 for about a year now and found the same problem as Geoff. Bode plots for various amplifiers indicate insufficient phase margin. I am struggling with this for over 3 months now , and I have still no solution, or explanation. Could it be that ''AC analysis is for small signals only'' is the cause of this "problem"? Nevertheless I think it is a very good piece of software. I used a very old MicroCap v3 for DOS more than three years and tried and abandoned EWB's MultiSim.

1st July 2002, 10:14 PM	#26
Geoff diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: UK	H.H. I tried most, if not all, of the free simulation programs about 2 years ago before settling on SIMetrix Intro. I cannot remember any phase margin errors with the other programs, but my memory is not what it used to be. Anyway, at that time, I had less knowledge of Spice and stability criteria so may have missed a problem had it existed. I have not found any discrepancies when using op-amp models, only with discrete circuits. Discussions with Rod Elliott, who also uses SIMetrix Intro, have revealed that he has experienced the same problem. If anyone can offer suggestions as to the possible cause, I would be glad to hear them. Or, better still, if someone has access to two simulator programs, including SIMetrix, could they please run an open-loop Bode plot using a simple circuit (say the ESP 3A) and compare the results. I have been meaning to write to Newbury Tech on this matter for some time now, but I will hold fire pending any feedback in this thread. Geoff

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