Simulation Forum

[ahbushnell]

How about a new Forum for simulation.  SPICE, Simulink, PLECS, FEM .....

Andy

[Ampera]

Why would you need a special sub-forum for that when you could just simulate one!

[tautech]

How about a new Forum for simulation.  SPICE, Simulink, PLECS, FEM .....

Andy

I tried to get one going a while back, even as just a sticky thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/circuit-simulation-(sticky)/

Bit of interest to start with but at the time it didn't fly.
Your luck might be better.

[ahbushnell]

How about a new Forum for simulation.  SPICE, Simulink, PLECS, FEM .....

Andy

I tried to get one going a while back, even as just a sticky thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/circuit-simulation-(sticky)/

Bit of interest to start with but at the time it didn't fly.
Your luck might be better.

We have two now. 

[GlennSprigg]

Assuming you are talking about 'Electronic Circuitry' when you say 'Simulation'....
There has been MASSIVE movement in this field over the last 2, 5, 8 years.....
The MAIN original 'contender' is the "SPICE"  that you mention.  Meaning....
"Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis".
Virtually every other similar system is today BASED on this, but with various
new front-ends. Be it Graphically, or real time functionality !

The 'Branch' of such a Forum would be huge ! due to this great diversity !!
Let's outline the 'basics' of this topic, so others can understand too.

Electronic enthusiasts would find it great to 'Simulate' an Electronic Circuit before
having to actually 'build' it. That's a 'given' xx.  SOME software does that fairly
well, but has many limitations. 'Some' of them allow you to run a 'sequence' which
results in charts/graphs of voltage/current in parts of the 'circuit' to analyze.........

However, the best of the best is "Circuit Wizard" which continuously runs in REAL
time, and allowing real time intervention with many component values. It pretty
much includes every type of general transistor/diode/ic that you will generally use,
and can choose many types of outputs/inputs, including REAL loads etc.

On top of that, when you are happy with your 'Circuit', it takes into account ALL
the dimensions/pinouts of components, and auto-designs both single & double
sided PCB's for you, with auto component arrangement, ready for printing....

[Dave]

However, the best of the best is "Circuit Wizard" which continuously runs in REAL
time, and allowing real time intervention with many component values. It pretty
much includes every type of general transistor/diode/ic that you will generally use,
and can choose many types of outputs/inputs, including REAL loads etc.

On top of that, when you are happy with your 'Circuit', it takes into account ALL
the dimensions/pinouts of components, and auto-designs both single & double
sided PCB's for you, with auto component arrangement, ready for printing....

There is always a tradeoff between simulation speed and accuracy. The smaller the time steps and the more detailed the models, the slower it is going to be to simulate. If the simulator runs in real time, it just means that it isn't very accurate.
The component selection, from what I've seen on their site, is pretty mediocre.
Last, but not least, NO circuit design software is capable of replacing a PCB designer at this point in time. Simply too many things to take into account and too many design tradeoffs to make in order to design a decent circuit board.

the best of the best

Not even close. You just sound like a shill.

[GlennSprigg]

Sorry Dave... I do NOT know what a.... "Shill"...  is
And I'm not suggesting that it is the "be-all-of-end-all" with my 'words'.....
So I am not sure what you are agreeing-to/attacking    
I just 'know' what I know from long time experience, and hence
just voiced my opinion xxx
If we ALL thought the same, it would be a boring World xxxxxxx

[Zero999]

Let's not start a simulator flamewar. If you prefer Circuit Wizard, over the alternatives, of course you're free to recommend it to others.

I've not used it before so can't comment, other than just looking at their website, which suggests it's primarily aimed at schools. The simulator might be good enough to use professionally, but the PCB part doesn't seem to be up to much over hobbyist use: "Automatic PCB routing (# of layers)    1 / 2". Professional PCB designers commonly use four or more layers.
https://www.new-wave-concepts.com/ed/cw_tour1.html

I imagine Circuit Wizard will have a very shallow learning curve, which will make it attractive to beginners, as will real time simulation. On the downside, I can't see it being as easy to access under the hood elements of SPICE as a product more aimed at the professional user, such as LTSpice.

[rstofer]

In the meantime, there is an excellent LTSpice forum on Yahoo Groups.  There are a couple of fellows who are quite close with the author.  There are two forums, one is a repository for models and other files while the primary one gives very good answers to "How do I do this...".

I wish the forum was elsewhere, Yahoo Groups is a dying thing...

[Zero999]

Back on topic: I'd like to see a general simulation forum too. I've been thinking about creating a thread about something LTSpice-related for awhile but don't know where to post it.

[Dave]

Sorry Dave... I do NOT know what a.... "Shill"...  is
And I'm not suggesting that it is the "be-all-of-end-all" with my 'words'.....
So I am not sure what you are agreeing-to/attacking    
I just 'know' what I know from long time experience, and hence
just voiced my opinion xxx
If we ALL thought the same, it would be a boring World xxxxxxx

shill:
"A person engaged in covert advertising. The shill attempts to spread buzz by personally endorsing the product in public forums with the pretense of sincerity, when in fact he is being paid for his services."

I wouldn't have opposed your opinion if you voiced it as such.
"I like <simulator> best, because..." instead of "the best of the best among simulators".

[tautech]

Back on topic: I'd like to see a general simulation forum too. I've been thinking about creating a thread about something LTSpice-related for awhile but don't know where to post it.

Beginners is where I though best when trying to get a thread started (reply #2) and only for those that are first venturing into simulation as those more experienced won't really need the guidance.

[KJDS]

The best, for analogue and digital are either from Cadence or Mentor Graphics.

For RF, it's either AWR microwave office, or Keysight ADS.

I'm reasonably familiar with the last two, but they are both high end professional tools and probably used by only a few on here.

[rstofer]

Back on topic: I'd like to see a general simulation forum too. I've been thinking about creating a thread about something LTSpice-related for awhile but don't know where to post it.

Beginners is where I though best when trying to get a thread started (reply #2) and only for those that are first venturing into simulation as those more experienced won't really need the guidance.

The problem is, the thread will disappear from the first page due to inactivity and be lost forever because 'Search' gets so little use.

If it is going to be a permanent thing, I think a separate forum is the way to go.

How many beginners are into simulation?  The more advanced EEs may have a question from time to time but it's going to be fairly esoteric and they will probably be better served with one of the dedicated forums (like LTSpice at Yahoo Groups) or even the manufacturer's support site.

There are a number of LTSpice tutorials (70,900) showing up on a Google search including some videos.

[tautech]

Back on topic: I'd like to see a general simulation forum too. I've been thinking about creating a thread about something LTSpice-related for awhile but don't know where to post it.

Beginners is where I though best when trying to get a thread started (reply #2) and only for those that are first venturing into simulation as those more experienced won't really need the guidance.

The problem is, the thread will disappear from the first page due to inactivity and be lost forever because 'Search' gets so little use.

If it is going to be a permanent thing, I think a separate forum is the way to go.

Sure but we've got plenty of sticky threads, Simulation could just be another one.

How many beginners are into simulation?

Every beginner to simulation. 

Currently there's only one sticky in the Projects, Designs and Tech Stuff board/forum so maybe some might think it makes sense to place it there.
Coming from an era when all circuit calculations where done by hand I see simulation as very much the way of the future particularly as these programs get better and better. Management needs consider if they want EEVblog to have a big presence in simulation discussion and support or leave it to the software makers to provide their own forums where user support can take place.

[rstofer]

There are only 313 posts in the Work Wanted forum.  It is conceivable that simulation could be at least that popular.  Or maybe nobody needs a job.  Or, in my case, they don't want a job...

And nobody reads stickies.