Is circuit simulation software reliable? Do you use simulation software to verify your circuit when designing?

okhxyyo

Is circuit simulation software reliable? Do you use simulation software to verify your circuit when designing? [Copy link]

 

Hello, friends, what are you busy with recently? ~

Guanguan has been reading various articles and materials these days and organizing them. Then I saw an article introducing QSPICE software and its author Mike. Guanguan thought that Mike, the author of three simulation softwares, SPICE, LTSPICE and QSPICE, was very interesting.

It is reasonable to think that since Mike has spent so much energy on developing simulation software, he must be very confident that the simulation software he designed can reliably complete the simulation task. But unexpectedly, this old man does not agree with the view that simulation software is "a very reliable means of verifying the final result". A small excerpt: Mike pointed out that the role of simulation technology is often misunderstood in the engineering community. He emphasized that the application of simulation technology should be to gain a deeper understanding of circuit behavior, not just to verify the design solution. "The meaning of simulation is to cultivate your intuition and enhance your understanding of the circuit," he explained. Mike also believes that if simulation is only used as a means of final inspection, the advantages it provides cannot be fully utilized. "You should start with simulation and gradually deepen your understanding of the circuit; the design is gradually formed in this process." He advocates starting with simulation to guide the design process and improve understanding.

Do you agree with what the old man said?

As for simulation software, do you think it is reliable? The administrator has opened a voting channel, let's vote together and see how many people use it frequently~~

---

Mike has opened his mailbox. You can email him directly for questions or ideas about simulation itself or the simulation software QSPICE. Someone in our forum has sent him an email before, and he even replied~~

Mike's email address: mike.engelhardt@qorvo.com

Welcome friends to share your thoughts and experiences on QSPICE simulation in the forum, as well as communicate and exchange ideas with the old man~~

Finally, let me introduce the latest masterpiece of the old man. Let's play it~~

https://www.eeworld.com.cn/zt/Qorvo_QSPICE/ (Download link and tutorial are here)

xutong

For logic verification, simulation is undoubtedly a very good tool

You can quickly determine whether your logic is correct, especially when the circuit is large

In addition, the Monte Carlo method can also determine the approximate range of the circuit design results.

But back to the details, is this really the case? A voltage-controlled switch has no parasitic parameters.

Simulation is definitely an important tool in my work, but it is more than just simulation.

beyond_笑谈

For some circuits that need to be calculated, in order to save trouble, just use simulation software to run the results directly

okhxyyo

beyond_笑谈Published on 2024-9-4 17:12 For some circuits that need to be calculated, in order to save trouble, just use simulation software to run the results directly

Can you ensure the results are correct? Are you worried that the results will be wrong?

呜呼哀哉

This simulation can only give a rough idea of whether the overall design has any major problems. Many times the simulation result is perfect, but the actual product is garbage.

qwqwqw2088

Analog circuit simulation and digital circuit MCU program simulation seem to be two different things. After MCU program simulation, it can be downloaded and used almost directly.

This is not the case with analog simulation. It is difficult to debug the simulated circuit directly, which is a test of analog electronics skills.

beyond_笑谈

okhxyyo posted on 2024-9-4 17:49 Can you ensure the results are correct? Are you worried that the results will be wrong?

The results of the simulation circuit are the same as the calculation results of the actual circuit. For example, it is very convenient to adjust the resistance value in the simulation circuit to adjust the threshold of the hysteresis comparator. The main reason is that I am too old to do manual calculations.

beyond_笑谈

okhxyyo posted on 2024-9-4 17:49 Can you ensure the results are correct? Are you worried that the results will be wrong?

However, the simulation circuit also depends on the situation. For example, if you want to simulate a three-phase full-bridge drive, the simulation waveform and the actual waveform will basically not be exactly the same, unless the parameters in the circuit board, including parasitic parameters, can be fully and accurately reflected in the simulation circuit.

okhxyyo

beyond_笑谈Published on 2024-9-5 10:04 However, the simulation circuit also depends on the situation. For example, if you want to simulate a three-phase full-bridge drive, the simulated waveform and the actual waveform will basically not be exactly the same, unless you can...

You mean it depends on the situation. Some verifications are suitable for simulation, while some are not suitable and will make mistakes? What kind of simulation do you think is suitable?

beyond_笑谈

okhxyyo posted on 2024-9-5 15:33 You mean it depends on the situation. Some verifications are suitable for simulation, while others are not suitable and will make mistakes? What kind of simulation do you think is suitable?

For example, complex op amp circuits, hysteresis comparator circuits and Monte Carlo, frequency response curves are suitable for simulation, but the switching drive signal of the power MOSFET (such as the three-phase full-bridge drive topology of the brushless motor) may not be accurate using simulation.

okhxyyo

beyond_笑谈Published on 2024-9-5 16:09 For example, complex op amp circuits, hysteresis comparator circuits and Monte Carlo, frequency response curves are suitable for simulation, but the switch drive signal of power MOSFET...

I see

niuyite

In fact, all the parameters in the ideal environment of simulation are not suitable for actual applications! I was very keen on simulation software at first, but later I stopped using it!

sgsg

If you just want to verify the correctness of a method or circuit, simulation is still very cost-effective~~~

木犯001号

Is there any tutorial for this QSPICE software?

wang12011201

Mike also believes that if you use simulation only as a final check, you are not taking full advantage of the benefits it provides. “You should start with simulation and gradually deepen your understanding of the circuit; the design will gradually form in this process.” He advocates starting with simulation to guide the design process and improve understanding.

wang12011201

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