August 2013
I’m looking for a circuit simulation program that is inexpensive and easy for a novice to learn. I’m mostly interested in analog circuits, but I do dabble with digital from time to time. I want to be able to change component values and analyze circuit behavior. This is for my own enjoyment and education, not for professional use. Can someone recommend a program they are using or have prior experience with?
Please log in to post an answer.
Here's a nice free circuit simulator: www.falstad.com/circuit/
Linear Technology makes a nice free SPICE program for when you graduate to more advanced design methodologies.
www.linear.com/designtools/software/#LTspice
To further your education, Digilent has some nice online instruction for analog at
[url=http://www.digilentinc.com/Classroom/RealAnalog/]http://www.digilentinc.com/Classroom/RealAnalog/[/url]
[url=http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,842,1018&Prod=ANALOG-DISCOVERY]http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,842,1018&Prod=ANALOG-DISCOVERY[/url]
Also Analog Devices
[url=http://www.analog.com/en/university/topic.html]http://www.analog.com/en/university/topic.html[/url].
For digital try [url=http://www.digilentinc.com/classroom/realdigital/]http://www.digilentinc.com/classroom/realdigital/[/url]
[url=http://www.digilentinc.com/classroom/Electronics101/index.cfm]http://www.digilentinc.com/classroom/Electronics101/index.cfm[/url].
As a side note, as to textbooks, I'm impressed by [url=http://www.ntspress.com/publications/circuits-second-edition/]http://www.ntspress.com/publications/circuits-second-edition/[/url]. Unfortunately, it’s a bit spendy.
Here’s a site on basic car audio electronics which is very engaging: [url=http://www.bcae1.com/]http://www.bcae1.com/[/url]. This one is geared towards the car audio enthusiast who wants to learn about and repair his equipment: [url=http://www.bcae1.com/repairbasicsforbcae1/repairbasics.htm]http://www.bcae1.com/repairbasicsforbcae1/repairbasics.htm[/url].
