INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 1

UNIT 1

OBJECTIVE

General Objective : To understand the importance and function of

electronic circuit simulation package.

Specific Objective : At the end of this unit, you should be able to :-

 Explain the importance of electronic computer aided design package

in electronic circuit simulation.

 Explain the design and simulation process.

 List and explain simulation methods.

 List and explain types of simulation circuits.

 State the types of simulation analysis.

 State the advantages of simulation process.

INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 2

INPUT

1.0 INTRODUCTION TO CIRCUIT SIMULATION

What is circuit simulation?
Circuit simulation is 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.

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.
Once you have completed a design by hand calculation, you would use
simulation software to simulate the circuit to see if your hand calculation
match simulation results. If your calculations match or come close to the
simulation results, it is highly probable that your design will work when tested
in the laboratory. If your simulations do not match your calculations, then
either your calculations or your simulations are in error. It is almost
guaranteed that your circuit will not work in that lab.

 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.

 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.
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 3

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.

What tools to use in simulation?

Simulation of electronic circuit is made possible by using any electronic circuit
simulation package or software which is available in the market. The softwares
differ in simulation efficiency and cost of the softwares. Examples of such
softwares are :
a) Pspice d) Mentor Graphics
b) Protel e) Microcap
c) Orcad f) Cadence

1.1 DESIGN AND SIMULATION PROCESS

The flow in design and simulation process of a project is as below:
a) Identify project
A project or circuit to be designed is identified.
b) Design / redesign project
The project/circuit is designed based on theory.
c) Simulation
The project designed is simulated using software package to produce
results/outputs of the project operation. Failure to achieve results to
satisfaction will cause the project to be redesigned and resimulated.
d) Testing
Project that yields satisfactory simulation results will be constructed in the
laboratory to see whether the project actually works as in simulation.
e) PCB Design Layout
The printed project/circuit board layout is designed and produced.
f) Prototype
An actual working model of the project is constructed.
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 4

ACTIVITY 1a

 TEST YOUR COMPREHENSION BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE NEXT

INPUT…!
 CHECK YOUR ANSWERS IN THE FEEDBACK SECTION ON THE NEXT
PAGE.

Answer all questions.

1. There are 6 simulation softwares hidden within the puzzle below.You are required
to identify and list them down.

P S F U J K J A S O R C J I

A S T O R G A A U P K R U N

C U P J N S I S M R A F A D

O K D I A K I A N O D J R S

R S O R C A D U I T M F K C

C D K U N E C A D E N C E I

I U J K A F U M N L D M R M

M E N T O R G R A P H I C S
2. Fill in the design and simulation process flowchart below:
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 5

Project Identification

Testing
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 6

FEEDBACK 1a

Answer :

1.

P S F U J K J A S O R C J I

A S T O R G A A U P K R U N

C U P J N Project
S Identification
I S M R A F A D

O K D I A K I A N O D J R S

R S O R C A D U I T M F K C
Design / redesign project
C D K U N E C A D E N C E I

I U J K A F U M N L D M R M

E N T O R Simulation
G R A P H I C S
M

Testing

2.

PCB Design Layout

Prototype
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 7

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have
toWise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have
say something.
to say something. - Plato
- Plato
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 8

INPUT

1.2 TYPES OF SIMULATION CIRCUITS

There are FOUR (4) types of simulation circuits.
1.2.1 Analog Circuit : Circuit that consists of passive and/or active
analog components.
1.2.2 Digital Circuit : Circuit that consists of digital components
such as logic gates and digital devices.
1.2.3 Mixed-signal circuit : Circuit that combines analog and
digital components.
1.2.4 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.

1.3 SIMULATION METHODS

There are THREE (3) methods of simulation.
1.3.1 Circuit level
An analog circuit is simulated and results i.e. voltage drop, current flow,
noise, impedance in the circuit are obtained.
1.3.2 Logic level
A digital circuit is simulated and the logic level of the inputs and outputs
are obtained.
1.3.3 System level
Used mainly 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.
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 9

1.4 TYPES OF SIMULATION ANALYSIS

There are FOUR (4) types of analysis used in simulation process that will be
covered in this module. Each analysis has its own setup format and its own
purpose. The analyses are:

 DC Analysis
 Transient Analysis
 AC Analysis
 Fourier Analysis

There are other type of analysis which will not be discussed due to their
complicated application and also beyond the scope of the syllabus for this
module.

1.5 ADVANTAGES OF SIMULATION PROCESS

a) Able to detect circuit problems before testing in the laboratory.

b) Enhances the design and redesign of electronic circuit. This is because

circuit fabrication is not required and parts/components are easily
changed. The performance of a circuit can be determined before the actual
construction of the circuit. The circuit can be altered and redesigned
repeatedly until it yields satisfactory outputs to the circuit designer.

c) Reduces the cost and time spent in project design.

INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 10

ACTIVITY 1b

 TEST YOUR COMPREHENSION BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE NEXT

INPUT…!
 CHECK YOUR ANSWERS IN THE FEEDBACK SECTION ON THE NEXT
PAGE.

Solve the given crossword puzzle. The clues are given below.

9.

6.

7.

1. 5.

2. 8.

3.

4.

Horizontal
1. Analysis that is used to find the gain and frequency response of an amplifier.
2. Level of simulation that involve the internal circuitry of an IC.
3. Type of analysis that is used to look at waveforms versus time.
4. Level of simulation that involves digital components or devices.
7. Type of simulation that use direct current source.

Vertical
5. Level of simulation that use discrete components.
6. Characteristics of losses due to cabling and quality of transmitted and recepted signals
between two distant locations can be determined using this level of simulation.
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 11

7. Circuits that use logic gates and devices.

8. A circuit that consists of components such as resistor, capacitor, inductor,
transformer, op-amp, timers and other non-logic components.
9. A circuit that combines analog and digital signals.

FEEDBACK 1b
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 12

Answer :

9.
M
6.
S I
7.
Y D C X
1. 5.
A C S I E
2. 8.
I N T E G R A T E D
R E I N S
3.
C M T R A N S I E N T
U A L G
4.
L O G I C L O N
T G A
L

Did you succeed to solve the crossword right??

ItItdoes
doesnot
notmatter
matterhow
howslowly
slowlyyou
yougogososolong
longasasyou
youdodonot
notstop.
stop.
- -Confucius
Confucius
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 13

SELF-ASSESSMENT

You are approaching SUCCESS! Try to answer ALL questions in this self-assessment
section and check your answers in the feedback section in the next page.
If you encounter any problem please discuss with your lecturer. Try your best and
SUCCESS is on your way! Good-Luck!!!

QUESTION 1.1
Fill in the boxes in the flow-chart below for the design and simulation process of a
project.
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 14

QUESTION 1.2
Name FOUR (4) electronic circuit simulation softwares available at present.
i. ________________________
ii. ________________________
iii. ________________________
iv. ________________________

QUESTION 1.3
Explain the importance of electronic computer aided design package in electronic circuit
simulation.

QUESTION 1.4
Explain the importance of simulation in a circuit design process.
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 15

FEEDBACK

Have you tried to answer ???

If “ YES “, please check to see if your answers is correct or not.

ANSWERS TO SELF-ASSESSMENT

1. Computer aided design package in electronic circuit simulation can eliminate the
tedious work involved in calculating circuit characteristics by hand. With the
help of CAD package, we can turn over the routine calculations to a machine.
Moreover, the use of CAD softwares can make principles of electronics more
clear and easier to learn. It also can display non-linear effects that cannot be
calculated by hand. CAD softwares can run the simulation repeatedly if some
changes have been made to the circuit in a fast speed and this can reduce the time
spend in analyzing the circuit.

2. Simulation helps to test a designed circuit. It is used to verify the design.

Once a design by hand calculation has been completed, simulation software is
used to simulate the circuit to see whether the hand calculation match the
simulation results. If the calculations match or come close to the simulation
results, it is highly probable that the design will work when tested in the
laboratory. A simulation is not used to figure out how a circuit works. It only can
detect circuit problems before testing in the laboratory.
INTRO TO ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT SIMULATION PACKAGE E3004 / UNIT 1/ 16

Simulation process enhances the design and redesign of electronic circuit. This is
because the real circuit fabrication is not required and parts/components are easily
changed. The performance of a circuit can be determined before the actual
construction of the circuit. The circuit can be altered and redesigned repeatedly
until it yields satisfactory outputs to the circuit designer. Thus, simulation can
reduces the cost and time spent in a project design.

The lecturers can also prepare an alternative scheme as a guideline to check

students’ responses.