Jmo34 at 18:56, 20 June 2008

2008-06-20T18:56:40Z

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{{Infobox Software
|name = CircuitLogix
|caption = Version 2008 interface
|developer = Logic Design Inc.
|latest_release_version = V6.1
|latest_release_date = January 2008
|operating_system = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] (2000, XP or Vista)
|genre = Electronic circuit simulation
|license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
|website = [http://www.CircuitLogix.com www.CircuitLogix.com]
}}

'''CircuitLogix''' is an [[electronic circuit simulation|electronic circuit simulator]] which utilizes [[PSpice]] to allow for the simulation of thousands of [[electronic devices]], models, and circuits. A student version of CircuitLogix is available free of charge after [[Registered user|registration]].<ref>[http://www.circuitlogix.com/student_version.html Web page for the student version of CircuitLogix]</ref> CircuitLogix supports [[Analog signal|analog]], [[digital]], and mixed-signal circuits, and its SPICE simulation gives accurate real-world results. The [[graphic user interface]] allows students to quickly and easily draw, modify and combine analog and digital circuit diagrams.

CircuitLogix was developed by Dr. [[Colin Simpson (electronics professor)|Colin Simpson]], an electronics professor at [[George Brown College]], in [[Toronto]], [[Canada]], and John (Bud) Skinner, a [[computer programmer]]. The electronics program has won awards including the Award of Excellence from the [[Association of Canadian Community Colleges]] (ACCC).<ref>[http://www.accc.ca/ftp/pubs/CollegeCanada/CollegeCanada-v3-2.pdf ACCC document with article about the Electronics Technician distance Education program]</ref> CircuitLogix is used exclusively as the electronic circuit simulation tool for the George Brown College [[Electronics Technician distance education program]], which is the largest electronics program in the world with over 10,000 students in 37 countries.

The professional version of CircuitLogix (CircuitLogix Pro) includes over 7,000 device models, as well as 8 virtual instruments. It also includes 3DLab, which is a software product that combines an interactive 3-dimensional learning environment and electronic devices and tools to enhance the user's comprehension of electronics. 3DLab virtual components include [[Battery (electricity)|batteries]], [[switches]], [[motors]], [[Lamp (fixture)|lamp]]s, [[resistors]], [[inductors]], [[capacitors]] and instruments including [[oscilloscopes]], [[Signal generator]]s, and [[frequency counter]]s.

==Overview==
[[Image:CircuitLogix3.jpg|CircuitLogix simulating a circuit with an [[Alternating current|AC]] power source.|thumb|right]]
Fast, accurate simulation of electronic circuits is essential because it provides the information needed to perform accurate analysis of circuit behavior. [[SPICE]] simulators are used to verify that analog and mixed-signal circuits will yield the expected outputs. A schematic netlist file and circuit input values are fed to the SPICE software, which simulates the circuit's behavior for a specified length of time. CircuitLogix allows for the observation of voltage and current levels at any circuit node as they change with frequency and time. It allows for obtaining accurate results even when simulating complex circuits where hierarchical blocks are reused. The CircuitLogix simulation engine is based on Berkeley SPICE, and contains a [[GUI]] to make circuit design easier and more efficient.

Instead of operating in a batch mode, the CircuitLogix 32-bit SPICE engine allows for direct interaction with the circuit during the simulation process to immediately determine the effects of any changes. For example, you can change the [[frequency]] of sources, adjust [[potentiometer]]s, and flick [[switches]] during simulation. This provides the ability to simulate the behavior of numerous design configurations, performing what-if scenarios quickly and easily. In addition, the CircuitLogix SPICE engine is fully integrated with the schematic capture and [[waveform]] tools. This integration speeds setup and management time since CircuitLogix passes schematic edits to the simulator automatically, even when it's running. Similarly, components such as [[fuses]], [[LED]]s and controlled switches are automatically updated in the schematic as the simulation runs.

CircuitLogix simulates [[Analog signal|analog]], [[digital]], and mixed analog-digital circuits. Consequently, there's no extra work involved in simulating a mixed-signal design -- the simulator handles all aspects. It first divides the circuit into analog and digital portions. The analog circuitry is simulated with the time-step driven SPICE engine, while the digital parts are simulated separately with an event-driven simulation engine. For greater speed, the CircuitLogix digital engine is native mode, meaning it was developed directly in [[.NET]] rather than through slow SPICE [[macros]]. Because the simulator will automatically perform the signal conversion, it is possible to connect any analog or digital part to any other. In addition, the system’s model library contains hybrid parts for analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion.

== Mixed-Mode Simulation ==
[[Image:3DLab.jpg|The "3DLab" feature in CircuitLogix Pro.|thumb|left]]
CircuitLogix is a ''mixed-mode'' [[schematic editor]] and includes both analog and event-driven simulation capabilities. This means that any simulation may contain components that are analog, event driven (digital or sampled-data), or a combination of both. An entire mixed [[signal analysis]] can be driven from one integrated schematic. All the digital models in CircuitLogix provide accurate specification of propagation time and rise/fall time delays.

The event driven [[algorithm]] used by CircuitLogix is general purpose and supports non-digital types of data. For example, elements can use real or [[integer]] values to simulate DSP functions or sampled data filters. Because the event driven algorithm is faster than the standard SPICE matrix, simulation time is greatly reduced for circuits that use event driven models in place of analog models.

Mixed-mode simulation is handled on three levels by CircuitLogix: (a) with primitive digital elements that use timing models and a built-in 12-state digital logic simulator, (b) with subcircuit models that use the actual transistor [[topology]] of the [[integrated circuit]], and finally, (c) with In-line [[Boolean logic]] expressions. These two modeling techniques use SPICE to solve a problem while the third method, digital primitives, use mixed-mode capability.

== Component library ==
The component library includes:
; [[Semiconductors]]: Semiconductor Resistors & [[Capacitors]], [[Diodes]], Schottky & [[Zener Diode]]s, [[Bridge rectifier]]s, [[Varactor]]
; [[Displays]], indicators, [[switches]]: [[LEDs]], 7-Segment LEDs, Hex display, Hex key, Logic display, [[normally closed|NC]] [[push-button]], [[normally open|NO]] push button, SPDT PB, Piezo buzzer, Pulser, Latch coil, Polar latch, Rocket, SCOPE, Stepper, Stoplight, Window
; Digital primitives: Gates, [[DeMorgan]] symboled gates, buffers, inverters, flip-flops
; Digital ICs: 1K RAM, 32x8 PROM, complete selection of 40xx, 41xx, 45xx, 47xx, 74xxx IC's
; Linear ICs: [[Op Amp]]s, [[Comparator]]s, Timers, Buffers, CDAs, [[Modulator]]s, [[Analog-to-digital converter|A/D converter]]s & [[Digital-to-analog converter|D/A converter]]s, [[PLL]], [[VCO]]
; [[Transistors]], [[FET]]: [[BJT]], [[IGBT]], [[UJT]], PUT, [[MESFET]], [[MOSFET]], [[Darlington transistor]]
; [[Relays]]: [[Control relay]], SPST, DPDT, Individual contacts and coils (enable creation of any relay)
; Supplies, Sources: [[Battery (electricity)|Battery]], Voltage Terminal, [[Signal generator]], I Source, V Source, I->I Source, V->I Source, I->Switch,V->Switch, I->V Source, V->V Source
; Math devices: A wide variety of devices for manipulating quantities
; Miscellaneous Devices: Crystals, [[Fuse (electrical)|Fuses]], [[Transformer]]s, [[DC Motor]], F-V & V-F converters
; [[Transmission lines]]: Lossless, Lossy, and Uniform Distributed RC
; [[Vacuum Tubes]]: 12AU7, 12AX7, 5879, 6L6GC, 6SN7, 7199P, 7199T
; Instruments: [[Oscilloscope]], Digital [[Multimeter]], [[Bode plotter]], [[Curve tracer]], Data Sequencer, Signal generator, [[Logic analyzer]], [[Logic probe]], Logic Pulser
; Simulation Controls: Initial Condition and Nodeset devices
; Miscellaneous: [[Optoisolator]]s, [[Photodiodes]], [[Voltage regulator]]s, References, SCRs, Triacs

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.CircuitLogix.com CircuitLogix website - www.CircuitLogix.com]
* [http://www.ETcourse.com Electronics Technician distance education program website - www.ETcourse.com]

[[Category:Electronic design automation software]]
[[Category:Simulation programming languages]]
[[Category:CAD file formats]]
[[Category:Electronic circuit simulators]]
[[Category:Simulation software]]

CircuitLogix - Revision history

Jmo34 at 18:56, 20 June 2008