ELECTRONIC COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN (EC302) UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION

OUTCOMES
Describe the significance of simulation packages.

Describe the development of simulation packages

State the simulation packages available in the market Illustrate the process flow of design and simulation in a project Categorize simulation methods Categorize types of simulation circuits

Categorize types of analyses in simulation

Elaborate on the advantages and disadvantages of simulation process.

WHAT IS CIRCUIT SIMULATION?

A process of imitation the behaviour of electronic components put together in a circuit or a project. This behaviour imitation is done using a specific electronic circuit simulation package.

ADVANTAGES OF SIMULATION PROCESS

Able to detect circuit problems before testing in the laboratory. Enhances the design and redesign of electronic circuit.
Reduces the cost and time spent in project design.

WHY DO WE NEED TO SIMULATE CIRCUIT?

To test your designs or circuits before you build them. It is used to verify the operation of the circuit you designed. A simulation is not used to figure out how a circuit works. It is important to know the theory of your design before you simulate.

WHY DO WE NEED TO SIMULATE CIRCUIT?

In the verification process, results generated by the simulation package will give information about the designed circuit. i.e.
circuit outputs : voltage distribution, current flow, waveforms, frequency response curve, switching speed in digital circuits. circuit operation sensitivity towards change in other component values. change in circuit characteristics due to temperature change. circuit elements parameters could be modify for optimum operation.

WHAT TOOLS TO USE IN SIMULATION?

Pspice Protel Microcap Orcad Mentor Graphics Cadence Multisim Workbench Cadstar Altium Designer

DESIGN AND SIMULATION PROCESS

Identify project

Design / redesign project

Simulation

DESIGN AND SIMULATION PROCESS (cont.)

Testing

PCB Design Layout

Prototype

SCHEMATIC CIRCUIT

TESTING THE CIRCUIT

PCB DESIGN & PROTOTYPE

PCB PROTOTYPE

TYPES OF SIMULATION CIRCUITS

I. There are FOUR (4) types of simulation circuits. Analog Circuit Circuit that consists of passive and/or active analog components.

II.

Digital Circuit Circuit that consists of digital components such as logic gates and digital devices.

TYPES OF SIMULATION CIRCUITS

III. Mixed-signal circuit Circuit that combines analog and digital components.

IV.

Integrated Circuit (IC) The internal circuit of an IC. The internal circuit consists of transistors which are constructed from n and p material of a semiconductor.

SIMULATION METHODS
There are THREE (3) methods of simulation. I. Circuit level
An analog circuit is simulated and results i.e. voltage drop, current flow, noise, impedance in the circuit are obtained.

II.

Logic level
A digital circuit is simulated and the logic level of the inputs and outputs are obtained.

SIMULATION METHODS
III. System level to determine the characteristics of a system i.e the design of a telecommunication network. Characteristics such as losses due to the cabling and the quality of transmitted and recepted signals between two distant locations can be determined.

TYPES OF SIMULATION ANALYSIS

There are FOUR (4) types of analysis used in simulation process I. II. III. IV. DC Analysis Transient Analysis AC Analysis Fourier and Noise Analysis