COURSE INFORMATION

OUTLINE
• TOPIC 1 :Introduction to Electronic Circuit Simulation and Software
Packages
• TOPIC 2 : Simulation of Analogue Circuits
• TOPIC 3 : Simulation of Digital Logic Circuits
• TOPIC 4 : Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Layout Design
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME :

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO1 : apply the simulation results for the various types of

simulation analysis based on the electronic circuit theory and
operations
( C3 , PLO 1 )

CLO2 : construct the simulation and the PCB layout for digital and
analogue circuits using a schematic capture software
( P4 , PLO 5)
 TOPIC 1
INTRODUCTION TO
ELECTRONIC
CIRCUIT
SIMULATION
AND
SOFTWARE PACKAGES
CONCEPT AND FUNDAMENTALS OF
ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT
SIMULATION :
• 1. Describe significance of electronic simulation
• 2. describe development of simulation packages
• 3. State simulation packages available in the market
• 4. State cost of simulation package to its efficiency
• 5. Describe process flow of design and simulation in a project with an
illustration
WHAT IS CIRCUIT SIMULATION?

• Simulation software is based on the process of modeling a real

phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas. It is, essentially, a
program that allows the user to observe an operation through
simulation without actually performing that operation.
• A process of imitating the behaviour of electronic components put
together in a circuit or a project.
• This behaviour imitating is done using a specific electronic circuit
simulation package.
SIGNIFICANCE OF ELECTRONIC
CIRCUIT SIMULATION
• Electronic circuit simulation uses mathematical models to replicate
the behavior of an actual electronic device or circuit. Simulation
software allows for modeling of circuit operation and is an invaluable
analysis tool.
WHY DO WE NEED TO SIMULATE
CIRCUIT?
• Simulation helps you 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. The
outputs could be in the form of :

a) circuit outputs : voltage distribution, current flow,

waveforms, frequency response curve, switching
speed in digital circuits.

b) circuit operation sensitivity towards change in other

component values.

c) change in circuit characteristics due to temperature

change.

d) circuit elements parameters could be modify for

optimum operation.
SIMULATION PACKAGES
AVAILABLE IN MARKET
• The softwares differ in simulation efficiency and cost of the softwares.
• Examples of such softwares are :
a) Pspice
b) Protel
c) Orcad
d) Cadence
e) Mentor Graphics
f) Microcap
g) Proteus
• PSPICE – is a mixed signal, industry standard circuit simulator. This software is
used by many professionals for electronic system design and development. It is
a circuit simulation tool.

• MultiSim- is a great simulation software from National Instruments for

electronic design engineers, academic professionals and educators, colleges,
students, universities and professionals. Easier to use & it is a schematic
capture tool . Interactive simulation, this is when you toggle a switch and
you can see the circuit change instantly.

• TINA - is an affordable, cost effective circuit design and simulation software,

yet very powerful in features and functions.

• PowerSim – is a simulation software developed for power electronics circuits,

motor control and other requirements like dynamic system simulation.
 Design and Simulation Process
Identify Project - A project or circuit to be designed is identified

Design / Redesign Project - The project/circuit is designed based on theory

Fail

- The project designed is simulated using software

Simulation package to produce results/outputs of the
project operation
- See whether the project actually works as in
Testing
simulation

- The printed project/circuit board layout is

PCB Design Layout
designed and produced
- An actual working model of the project is
Prototype
constructed
DESIGN AND SIMULATION
PROCESS
FLOW OF CIRCUIT DESIGN

PCB DESIGN
Component and 3D

Simulation

13
TYPES OF SIMULATION
CIRCUITS
SIMULATION METHODS

a) Circuit level
An analog circuit is simulated and results i.e.
voltage drop, current flow, noise, impedance
in the circuit are obtained.
b) Logic level
A digital circuit is simulated and the logic
level of the inputs and outputs are obtained.
c) System level
Used mainly to determine the characteristics of a
system i.e. the design of a telecommunication
network.
TYPES OF SIMULATION
ANALYSIS
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.
 TIME TO EXERCISE !
Instruction:
a)
Draw the circuit below by using Proteus software
b)
Rename:
i) label A to NODE A
ii)label B to NODE B
c) Change the value of:
i) R1 = 120K
ii)R2 = 50M
iii)C1=9pF
d) Label ground as GND

R1 C1
A
10k
1nF

D1
V1 DIODE
VSINE
Q1
NPN
B

R2
10k