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Electronics => PCB/EDA/CAD => KiCad => Topic started by: Vtile on February 12, 2017, 10:44:24 pm

Title: KiCad schematic capture and simulation tools.
Post by: Vtile on February 12, 2017, 10:44:24 pm
Hello,

How it is the simulation part and the simulation tools in KiCAD, I'm trying to find something more stable than my old textbook edition of the Multisim (still electronic work bench so it is old..).

Does it handle analog signals by nature (=satisfactory) and how is there any virtual meters or is it solely based on the Analyse sweep or what it is called.
Title: Re: KiCad schematic capture and simulation tools.
Post by: awallin on February 13, 2017, 10:55:11 am
ngspice integration is coming in KiCad 5.0 - but it will be a while (months?) before that is out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2_-hdRcf4U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2_-hdRcf4U)

I guess in the meantime  you could use ngspice or perhaps qucs directly without kicad.
http://qucs.sourceforge.net/ (http://qucs.sourceforge.net/)
http://ngspice.sourceforge.net/ (http://ngspice.sourceforge.net/)  (updated 2014? really!?)

Title: Re: KiCad schematic capture and simulation tools.
Post by: Warhawk on February 13, 2017, 11:54:48 am
Quote from: Vtile on February 12, 2017, 10:44:24 pm
Hello,

How it is the simulation part and the simulation tools in KiCAD, I'm trying to find something more stable than my old textbook edition of the Multisim (still electronic work bench so it is old..).

Does it handle analog signals by nature (=satisfactory) and how is there any virtual meters or is it solely based on the Analyse sweep or what it is called.

Hi, I know that you asked for Kicad but I could not resist.

I highly recommend learning LTspice. That's the step to right direction.
Title: Re: KiCad schematic capture and simulation tools.
Post by: Vtile on February 13, 2017, 05:19:52 pm
Quote from: Warhawk on February 13, 2017, 11:54:48 am
Quote from: Vtile on February 12, 2017, 10:44:24 pm
Hello,

How it is the simulation part and the simulation tools in KiCAD, I'm trying to find something more stable than my old textbook edition of the Multisim (still electronic work bench so it is old..).

Does it handle analog signals by nature (=satisfactory) and how is there any virtual meters or is it solely based on the Analyse sweep or what it is called.

Hi, I know that you asked for Kicad but I could not resist.

I highly recommend learning LTspice. That's the step to right direction.
I'm not interested LTspice, it is cumbersome to use. :)
I have more general question on the PCB/EDA/CAD root section.

I appreciate your good intentions nevertheless.
Title: Re: KiCad schematic capture and simulation tools.
Post by: Vtile on February 13, 2017, 05:22:31 pm
Quote from: awallin on February 13, 2017, 10:55:11 am
ngspice integration is coming in KiCad 5.0 - but it will be a while (months?) before that is out

I guess in the meantime  you could use ngspice or perhaps qucs directly without kicad.
http://qucs.sourceforge.net/ (http://qucs.sourceforge.net/)
http://ngspice.sourceforge.net/ (http://ngspice.sourceforge.net/)  (updated 2014? really!?)
That explains I couldn't find much of anything about it. It is not there yet. I hope the active devs will put some though on the UI so it really is usefull.  :)
Title: Re: KiCad schematic capture and simulation tools.
Post by: richardlawson1489 on March 07, 2017, 11:52:56 am
I use ngspice for circuits simulations.
Title: Re: KiCad schematic capture and simulation tools.
Post by: aylons on March 07, 2017, 11:55:18 am
I've used it a little and had it demonstrated to me by a developer and it is great... the interface is really neat, and it allows for dynamic parameter  changing. It will really be worth the wait.