Circuit Simulation SOftware "read-requirments'

[dashpuppy]

Looking for some suggestions for paid / free software. I am a  audio nut and design small & larger schematic circuits. I want to be able to design a schematic and test it, ie load and input and output under load with a wave form. 

Would like to :

Input signal 1khz
Rail voltages up to 60V   60-0-60 Volts
Measure current draw or see it on the power-supply.
Measure output on oscilloscope & use a load and see what its doing..


Example like this, but in a simulation before it's built..

[dashpuppy]

LTSpice is used a lot by designers of all fields. It's heavily used in power electronics and was designed as LT's power management IC promotion tool, but it's a full featured simulation engine that is so powerful that universities and IC nuts even use it to simulate IC designs.

A lot of DIY HiFi forums have a lot of LTSpice information, and it is widely used to simulate audio power supply and amplifier circuitry.

It takes standard SPICE model, so most models from most semiconductor manufacturers can be used directly without any change. It can do basic AD/DC/step simulations as well as advanced simulations such as Monte Carlo and noise.

LTSpice has official all-inclusive documentation and a huge vivid community in case you run into some troubles.

WOuld you be able to provide a link to what you are suggesting   ( just so i have the right one )  thanks sir !

[T3sl4co1l]

It sounds like you're describing Multisim.  IIRC, full versions start around $500-2000, but they made a free web version now too, didn't they?  Haven't touched it.

The more intuitive and interactive instruments are fun, but keep in mind, you cannot escape the responsibilities of a numerical simulation environment.  Among free and low-tier simulators, I don't know of any that use any improvements over the last free academic release (XSPICE), save for LTSpice (which offers multi-core support and an "improved" solver, except that the improvements are specific to LT models and detrimental to accuracy, so beware; you can select fall-back options in the config).

The responsibilities have to do with numerical stability, building a system that is actually reasonable and representative of the thing you intend to build, and using models that are representative as well (many manufacturer's models miss important factors -- if in doubt, test -- test both the model and the physical part!).

Tim

[dashpuppy]

It sounds like you're describing Multisim.  IIRC, full versions start around $500-2000, but they made a free web version now too, didn't they?  Haven't touched it.

The more intuitive and interactive instruments are fun, but keep in mind, you cannot escape the responsibilities of a numerical simulation environment.  Among free and low-tier simulators, I don't know of any that use any improvements over the last free academic release (XSPICE), save for LTSpice (which offers multi-core support and an "improved" solver, except that the improvements are specific to LT models and detrimental to accuracy, so beware; you can select fall-back options in the config).

The responsibilities have to do with numerical stability, building a system that is actually reasonable and representative of the thing you intend to build, and using models that are representative as well (many manufacturer's models miss important factors -- if in doubt, test -- test both the model and the physical part!).

Tim

Thanks Tim !  Totally understand

[b_force]

I would also (highly) suggest Multisim, very nice program to use. (in fact, I think it's one of the best user interfaces that can be completely customized)
Actually the combination with LTSPice is really nice.

Multisim can just do a lot more things easier, better and quicker.
Enough ways to look at transients, freq response, distortion etc.
But like said before, don't blindly trust ANY simulator.
It's very hard to simulate oscillation and temperature runaway etc.