Software for simulation digital circuits?

[c.j[dot]w]

Hello,

Anyone know any good software for simulating digital circuits? What is
the industry standard for this?

I have tried CircuitMaker 2000 but I find it too simple, I would like
something more advanced with more possiblities. CircuitMaker also seems
to have some annoying bugs.

A quick search suggested softwares such as VisualSpice 6, Automation
Studio and MacroSim. Which of them are worth trying out? Any other
suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Chaos Master]

c.j[dot]w called The Usenet Police (tm) of sci.electronics.design and said to the
cops, at Thu, 12 Feb 2004 23:08:10 +0100:

A quick search suggested softwares such as VisualSpice 6, Automation
Studio and MacroSim. Which of them are worth trying out? Any other
suggestions?

Run away from VisualSpice. It's junk.

A rather good program for digital simulation is Micro-Cap 7 (sadly it's
expensive).

PSpice can also simulate digital circuits (and is expensive too). For a cheaper
alternative you can try SIMetrix.

Those programs use the "mixed-mode" simulation so you can have mixed
analog/digital devices, ADC/DACs and others.

 

[Genome]

Hello,

Anyone know any good software for simulating digital circuits? What is
the industry standard for this?

I would recommend that you get in touch with Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham
Engerland, and request a copy of Barry Tegues lecture notes.

DNA

 

[Rich Webb]

Hello,

Anyone know any good software for simulating digital circuits? What is
the industry standard for this?

I have tried CircuitMaker 2000 but I find it too simple, I would like
something more advanced with more possiblities. CircuitMaker also seems
to have some annoying bugs.

A quick search suggested softwares such as VisualSpice 6, Automation
Studio and MacroSim. Which of them are worth trying out? Any other
suggestions?

BeigeBag Spice has a pure digital mode (in addition to mixed-mode spice
behavior) with a free-but-limited-parts version at
http://www.beigebag.com/demos.htm

It's genuinely free, so you might as well check it out. The full version
is reasonably priced and they're pretty good about updates/bug fixes.

 

[c.j[dot]w]

c.j[dot]w called The Usenet Police (tm) of sci.electronics.design and said to the
cops, at Thu, 12 Feb 2004 23:08:10 +0100:

A quick search suggested softwares such as VisualSpice 6, Automation
Studio and MacroSim. Which of them are worth trying out? Any other
suggestions?

Run away from VisualSpice. It's junk.

A rather good program for digital simulation is Micro-Cap 7 (sadly it's
expensive).

PSpice can also simulate digital circuits (and is expensive too). For a cheaper
alternative you can try SIMetrix.

Those programs use the "mixed-mode" simulation so you can have mixed
analog/digital devices, ADC/DACs and others.

Thanks for the answers. I use PSpice for analog simulation and I have
noticed that it has digital components, but it has no "digital mode" (at
least I haven't found one), so I'll still have to bother with current
and grounding which I don't like; I want to work with pure digital ideal
circuits.

I'll defenitely check out MicroCap and SIMetrix.

Regards Carl

 

[Jim Thompson]

On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 07:56:04 +0100, "c.j[dot]w"

[snip]

Thanks for the answers. I use PSpice for analog simulation and I have
noticed that it has digital components, but it has no "digital mode" (at
least I haven't found one), so I'll still have to bother with current
and grounding which I don't like; I want to work with pure digital ideal
circuits.

I'll defenitely check out MicroCap and SIMetrix.

Regards Carl

If you use only digital components you will note that the output in
Probe is 1's and 0's.

Only if you have an interface between digital and analog will you get
a "voltage" trace.

...Jim Thompson

 

[c.j[dot]w]

BeigeBag Spice has a pure digital mode (in addition to mixed-mode spice
behavior) with a free-but-limited-parts version at
http://www.beigebag.com/demos.htm

It's genuinely free, so you might as well check it out. The full version
is reasonably priced and they're pretty good about updates/bug fixes.

Thanks for the advice. I'll check it up.

 

[Chaos Master]

c.j[dot]w called The Usenet Police (tm) of sci.electronics.design and said to the
cops, at Fri, 13 Feb 2004 07:56:04 +0100:

Thanks for the answers. I use PSpice for analog simulation and I have
noticed that it has digital components, but it has no "digital mode" (at
least I haven't found one), so I'll still have to bother with current
and grounding which I don't like; I want to work with pure digital ideal
circuits.

It has a "digital" mode. Only if you use an analog part (as in a gate connected
to the base of a transistor) you need grounding. This is a limitation of all
simulators, as analog circuits must have a ground.

I'll defenitely check out MicroCap and SIMetrix.

IMHO SIMetrix is one of the easiest to use simulators for starters. MicroCap is
somewhat difficult to use (some menus are too deep). You should download SIMetrix
Intro (www.catena.uk.com , the demo comes with a few gates modelled) and try for
yourself.

PS: I don't speak for Catena Software or Spectrum Systems (uCap) when I post this.