Just electonics, etc notes

A general electronics blog and personal log:


Subject: Simply a blog to do with various areas and types of electronics, and it's learning aids, tools used for electronics circuit analysis, design and other.



Decided to separate this from other for obvious reasons...

Most of the following is a general progression to do with that of electronics and various electronics simulation softwares using spice plus other in related of useful programming languages for it and electronics, or other in general...


Some *simply superb in all aspects* are totally free for you to own and use on your pc, mac or linux os at absolutely no cost to you are mentioned as well!...


That here by me also from a standpoint of not having used any involving Spice for 30 plus years, so in evaluating some of the products it was also a review and a major re learning experience for me in doing it...

Several simulators and good useful products for electronics design areas are covered, from the not so functional up to the top notch and best around...



More or less this is a log of areas working with now, and will [*slowly* totally revamp and reorganize all this] as have time, and add that of graph or pic's for some example circuits areas, etc, point to some microcontroller areas also, and likely add some to do with various of programming languages useful to electronics types as well ...



Programming languages for your electronics projects, parts lists, drawings, formula calculations, etc:


Slowly as in all this studying that of the Xojo (TM) language as well for it's use for these areas, since it is a multi os compatible language and it's patterned after original BASIC languages but in an OOP form.

BTW: They offer *Free full Versions of it* available for each main os as well!...

Correcting just like the other OOP Basic softwares, just does that of std maths and formulas as would use in electronics *in it's console apps*, but no great examples given, and like most OOP types most of it's maths are entirely to do with Objects themselves, manipfulating them, etc and mainly that of drawings aka drawstring type and *graphings* themselves...

Does have dedicated Web connectings, networks, protocols, and email programmings components to it as well... 


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That of PureBasic (TM) also a Multi os type *PowerHouse* *does excellent* in it's console mode for the specific of all maths including formulas programmings aside all the normal of OOP type in it's other areas and options...



C's language choices:

C, C++, and Objective C...

The latter specifically further developed by Apple (TM) using it exclusively for it's OSX and IOS, etc product series:




[On Mac's Xcode (TM) you can do that of maths for standard formulas vis programs to display, store and print them App wise, *by using that of Xcode and the C's language types options which have their preinstalled libraries within Xcode*....

Actually that's extremely easy to do in X code using the C's for most math formula types you'd use.

An advantage there is you can also draw your own separate schematics and other neat GUI app's into your X code program as well!

Once you open a project in Xcode you can select the language you wish as C, C++ or that of Foundation for Objective C...

The latter specifically made of the SmallTalk spec which allows the OOP Objects and some controls in that to be able to directly communicate aka interact with or to the App's User vis msg displays on them or using them to get input for actions and info from the User]...

 
 

On PC you can just use a C's interpreter or Visual basic also...

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In lieu and a bit easier for beginners to work with and also which is *entirely free* you could get Code Blocks instead!...

Have seen the latter work with as little as  1 GB of ram, may be even lower never read it's requirements but know that one so would work on most any machine of even several years back and have no problem...

Mention Code Blocks as is though the site it was developed from still there, it has been taken over by SourceForge so is very well updated!...

It comes ready as a Bin install so nothing to it, and is set up for both C and C++ programs, many, many use and works great at version 13 plus now...

Has Linux and Mac versions, however *would personally stick with Xcode instead on Mac's*...


 Xcode comes free for it and can be downloaded from App store if not alway on the Mac and it's optimized especially developed for the OSX and IOS, etc series anyway!...

On all the C languages including that of Objective C you will find excellent free tutorials on YouTube (TM) and addition in free courses vis any number of sites on the net, etc...

Interesting of the C and C++ programs as at the begin levels some basic msg and console types done on a PC will also run on the Mac and vice versa...


One other *Very Powerful* option that's fully multi os is that of Java (C) and it's *Netbeans IDE (C)*:

As far as Trust the name say's it all *Oracle (TM)*, good to go!...

You can install that and once done, open it up and add the plug in's for the language you want be use c, c++, android, etc, etc aka the one's you'd want to program in...




Other formula program/store options:


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One other for mainly just *formulas work alone*, could use the *Free Python (C)* scripting language...

*That's also multi os* in the same, and which can handle any formula type...Handy to xfer that done on one machine to the other...



If your sticking to just PC's only, then that of the free *Just Basic*, or it's stronger edu and commercial elder sibling aka *Liberty Basic* works quite well in most types for that purpose as well...

Minus making circuit drawings themselves, you could totally in lieu, also use that of MS (TM) Office's *Excel* for most formulas, formula work as well...


So there's lots of good programming language options for you in electronics or most any area these days...

Don't be intimidated as far as the C's languages, or any go and make good use of the great simplified free and excellent tutorials that are available to you on YouTube (TM)...

Those alone are all most need to get them initially grounded in learning and writing good code for their projects...



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[Believe it or not, in the days of the older 8 bit pc's *you had all you needed in one place*, in the form of great Basic's themselves!]...

The 8 and 16 bit types weren't anywhere near as powerful  as today's systems but for those which initially booted up in that of Basic itself, *you had all you needed to write formulas, electronics, chemistry, physics and many areas as Basic programs, sitting right in front of you!...

More powerful softwares aka desktop os's such as Geo's did a remarkable job with very powerful spreadsheets for electronics and higher math app's then as well...

Obviously the graphics were nothing to brag about but if such a machine made today where you booted or selectably booted into a high power of the original BASIC language screen itself, *then again *you'd have all you needed in one place* for any field involving that of formulas and writing the programs for them, schematics, cad's, etc and other all in one!...

Do able in a single rom and soft switch selection and or similar...

Such could be separately isolated so that of the net has no access, and then set with restrictions for it in reserved drive storage areas such that only the user can access, add or change contents there, etc...

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In essence would settle for a non internet connectable machine in that, just cd and usb for xferring files enough, and the difference being you boot into that of a basic only, of a more powerful type suitable for today's microprocessors, instead of todays windows oriented os's...

Purely a *work machine only*, using that of the Original BASIC high powered enhanced for all one would want in sciences or electronics areas of any type...

Secure none could access it but you!...


That would be a lot more convienent than what we have to contend with today, in trying to find and set up softwares to do what we want on our machines not so easy to find that exact to our purpose, and then contend with that of OS changes and updates killing off some of that which we buy (paid good money for) as well...

Get's irritating of that in some...

Example in OSX (TM) a *65 Video Objective C course program* in just within one year and a few OS updates, is now rendered useless to that of 65 Audios instead of the 65 video course *that was paid for*!...

Had uninstalled, then of same re downloaded it again from the cloud and reinstalled and the very same stuff, and got the same result, so was the phew updates???...


Who needs that???

8/31 was no addess by Apple's (TM) App store on that in fact they remove your comments instead, but of you check old versions you'll find all the appropriate of bad comments on certain products there...

Two in specific were:

Training in Objective C Version 1.2...

Training in Xcode Version 1.3...

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Those are actually one in the same program with the very same 65 Videos...

One's supposed to work on OSX 6.6 on up but don't in terms of the Video just get audio and which many commented on...

Can say  the first one worked Sept 2013 but apparently not for everybody back then either, and now you get audio only for those 65 videos which doesn't get it as you need the video to see the programs he's discussing...

He is a fella who goes by said name of Bucky Roberts and he did do a great job and has a command of several programming languages....

BTW: You can watch the very same Videos on YouTube all 65 are there!...

[Personal advise and just my opinion only:

Wouldn't go to what *is called his site*, could be some big issues there, *stay with YouTube only*!...

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For all I know he might be laying dead in China someplace as *appears* all his stuff was taken over and then the App store is selling it still????

That you buy stays in the cloud anyway, so uninstalled those dysfuntional programs on mine, and *just watch the very same on youtube now*]!...


Maybe not all you buy stays in the cloud if you buy something direct from a site itself, then can be a different story so you should always back your system up for sure...

In other areas though most all to do with Mac's are good and it's Xcode for programming is exceptional, as aside the C's, and it's various core stuff, it is internally set up to generate that of story boards itself...

So in that often no coding is needed on your part for some of those features making it very unique in that way, so that people can develop products very fast...

Surprised more don't take advantage of that, just starting baby steps there myself...

Your nearly auto pointed at it when you dive into Objective C on the IOS areas it covers...

They auto update a lot of the info on Xcode is something else that's very good of them as well, added near another 500 mb of documents info of that area just couple nights back...
 
So got more than will likely use, but is there to find the needed when needed...

A lot of the code while not in full form of an example program given, you can usually use snippets of various for your own programs as well...

Normal in what would be standard lines enabling a given control, object or function along those lines, so aside seeing how given tasks for examples are laid out some small snippets would be useful to you as well...

Pretty neat they do that...

Their documentations along with most of the Objective C and Xcode programs aside what listed at the App store do work fine, and can get you coding very fast...

App store good in that as some pretty good courses aka tutorials cost as little as $3.99 or $4.95 which is near impossible to beat...

Can't say much for all books though as some often have errors within or may be outdated for the versions your using, so have to be careful there, but many net articles and youtube are often just as good of which any can get free!...

Got a bit beyond the electronics per se here, but these days that, pc
's and programmings all go together when you get into the higher powered of applications...

Minus though still a handheld calculator and good notes will take you along ways in most basic electronics applications and then being equipped with the totally free of Lt Spice and it's models will do a lot for you as well...



9/5 Log


Get back to electronics eventually right now it's mostly on programmings  sides but likely in change of paces will go back and forth some yet also...


Finally not a haphazard approach on the Mac programming for me anymore:

It sure was initially in so many of different areas and ways...

New terms everywhere I looked, and was kinda hard to find even *a good baseline just to start from*...


Now solved:

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Using a Professional book reference for the Mac now E type cloud form so won't lose vis theft or other, and it's a totally class lessons study like type structure type!

Tells you exactly what all you should have in references for that of also Objective C on the Mac, and made sure, got everything on it's list...

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One was of the Apple's developer forum itself which provides their own very detailed reference as:

Programming in Objective C....

Without even asking, had rcvd it in downloads just a few nights back...

In fact they provided so much documentation, that I didn't even know it was in the package until tonight...

[Very happy about that]...

More than most as in humor I still have couple of the original hardbounds with Apple logo on the old Apple II+/E series, so sort of a special joy to me...

Had already explored and entered some programs from other sources ahead of this, so had gotten somewhat familiar with the IDE itself, and in using some basic Objects in codings for programs already down...Helps the initial start...



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Now however it's a move straight line forward in step with the known of professional study materials such as:

Learn Cocoa on the Mac reference book, huge and lesson structured, had examined it and well pleased so vis it and using the Apple (TM) Developers book with the other it recommended, will definitely take me where I want to go .... 

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Knocked out couple more at day close, surprised how easy some is so far...Has not only simulators for the ipad and iphone but for cocoa aka the Mac as well, makes things a lot easier!....




9/4 add...


Gives some an idea of what all can be involved on the programmings sides, lots of little factors that rarely get mentioned...

Spent most of my time just trying to get that of Objective C for Xcode (C) organized to where could use the modules had gotten for it, most are for IOS instead...

Very tedious stuff, but finally starting to make some slow progress there, so far *concentrating on the Mac side only first*...

Doing the Mac (TM) side first then the easier of IOS later on, and of which some of that code in certain routines can be added on into that specifically for the Mac side as well...

Intend to use C++ as well, have to explore doing that with Xcode yet, appears there's more than one option there and while are other compatible compilers see which works best and exactly how it goes in the Xcode first...

Can still use the easier of Xojo (TM) for some even quite a few Mac app's, a lot in language Mac similar, but most definitely not all and the use of Xcode is totally neccessary in a lot...

In Xojo to do some things you'd have to buy plug in's and such rubs me wrong in that, as a language should be complete in itself in the first place...

Specifically in that of the user being able to interact with it via math val type inputs for formula's, etc work with the storage and display of such results is a very fundamental and important feature to any good language in my opinion!...

By display mean within the GUI app you create and not the separate of the auxillary console aka terminal shell which some is allowed for...

In programmings you need that option for handling formulas and that's something *All of the Original BASIC's could do*!...

That could operate in a shell as used too, but would be thousands of times better looking if included in the desktop OOP sides like Liberty Basic (TM), etc...

That's my only gripe with it, as beyond that one can indeed create a lot of different App types more easily and on all the main OS's with it, to include it's about ready of IOS as well...

If successful on the IOS that would put in some of what is missing have talked about, and hopefully that extends to the Mac and not just limited to that of IOS for Iphones (TM) alone!...

That does say for now, Xcode has to be learned for max ability on the Mac, though one can and should use C++ also which can do almost anything you'd want...

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[Not exactly speed through stuff, but Xcode can move fairly fast *on the Objective C part*, once your over the hump in it's basics, *as it does do a lot of the code work for you*]...

Means once your over the hump of understanding the initial basics of Objective C, your learning and use of it in programs increases *quite fast*!...

Xcode fully allows for all the User input interactions type in the Math calc's for using formulas had mentioned on the Mac itself and in the IOS for Iphones as well...

C++ is another story have only did extremely baby stuff there, and it is massive, not sure how far will take it, other than using as specific subroutines for *polishing up any lacks in the other...

C++ can do it all* but is very time consuming in the writing of it, etc...

Figure if once could handle Assembly should be able to handle the C++ language too...

Prior to the advent of C starting to make it's way into things in the mid to late 70's read around 76 on, most all was done vis basics, fortran, cpm and other languages including the Original mother of Assembly used in octal and hecadecimal formats...

In business that of Cobol, the RPG's etc are still widely used yet...

That of Assembly is the lowest practical level but highest powered as speaks directly at the microprocessor or microcontroller level in terms of machine language and the mneumonics aka their instruction op code labels...Aka at the byte and bit levels...

A fair amount of tech, etc types  in using the old 8 bit pc's of all types even in the home user world, used that of Assembly language besides the BASIC language they came with and booted up into...

A lot of games were in that form as well then...

Then some other of us also used Assembly language for programmings on that of the Microcontrollers then as well...

Assembly allowed full power and control of the machine and all mem, i/o etc in it, by directly controlling all operations at that of the Microprocessor level...



On the 8 or 16 bit systems that was actually a lot of fun in terms of what you could do and write programs for then...



Now a days that's done mostly in C, C++ the next step up from Assembly and in some also that of a Basic as well...

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Got quite a charge out of Objective C in the *dragging of a line* from the object on the Xib aka a form and window that you place objects on and to the application symbol, then in choosing the action you want from a pop up there *it auto puts the code in for you*, pretty neat stuff there...

Anyway a lot more organized on the direction need to go on the Mac, and having finally knocked out a couple of basic programs in it beyond the Hello stuff, so have definitely made the start there now...

Good way to stay busy....







Prior stuff:

Well enough on all that, for a long time had wondered why I ever bought a Mac (TM) as did a few years ago...

That as initially didn't appear except for games that don't require and internet connection and some electronics areas to be all that useful to me...

That and in the App store some things must be hosted from the original developer sites far aways instead of their's as it's definite in some downloads can take hours, when at most should be one to two for a GB or so...

You can tell the difference between individual site links and speeds in that...


Have though totally changed my mind on the Mac and other as digging into it much more thoroughly find it to be the all time best programming machine around...

In the older days one would quite happily on the starting of the machine boot up into an Original BASIC itself, and from there program anything you wanted or needed...

Well in a way it's still like that as only from Apple (TM) do you get a machine that's totally programmable from the get go...

It's an option as it's OS boots into a User's Desktop environment itself, as all do these days...

However from there for your free use is that of Xcode which if not on the machine can be downloaded directly from the App store at no cost whatsoever!...

Xcode is a totally complete fully functional IDE and Compiling environment itself...

One with some extraordinary built in options which in some such as in storyboards areas where it can generate a lot of the code for you as well...

Then instead of the BASIC language allows you to freely program and develop your own programs in c, c++, or Objective c and also several others *from the very start*!...

So it's turned out to be the programming machine of the century to me, as their's not much you can't create with that combination...

No extra's to buy for that and any that do say for graphics or icon insertions are remarkably super economical compared to any other arena...

Xcode comes with great documentation and once you become trusted they open up a big door there as well with even further documentations and many examples you can study for both learning and in doing your own codings...

Other of many free study areas mentioned in the electronics blog...


It's sort of humerous to think I was once displeased with the Mac (TM), *never again*!...

On one side they are quite expensive but on the other is you'll save tons, and tons, and tons in terms of the software products you'd add to it, compared to others, so *the investment is fully justified and in understatement, well worth it...


Apple's forever and yes I still dearly love my MS systems as well, each has it's advantages, but for free programming power and in some's cases livelihoods and careers, a Mac can fast jump start you into the World of your own freelance or regular business there...

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As long as your going to be in debt, might as well have one of each in your homes for studies and the kid's alone if nothing else...










Aug 22 - Aug 24:

Spent most my time between diddling with Lt Spice drawings and other similar then getting all electronics formulas needed assembled into a couple of quick and easy to locate areas versus the hard to find in spread through books type (time consuming)... 

The *Linear tech (TM) Lt Spice program really is nice*, great in the drawings and analysis for design areas!...*Totally Free*...

Just did a simple amp type design so far to see how the drawing part would go, and it was very easy, and in that you could just plug and play to set the circuit component Q point's, etc....Super easy!...

Like any you still have to have both the theory and the real world component *knowledges* to make something work correctly, but it is *just awesome in how much easier that software makes the job*... 

Especially of the vast component resources LT offers also, and that of their schematic capture also is for your pcb board generation as well...

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Today's generations 40yrs on down are very, very lucky, we never had it anywhere so good, most all was always by hand calc...



Minus all the arduous of that listed well below, we can simplify it for most who want to do that of electronics experimentation and or design down to this, for a good working system on your os:


Use the totally free of LT Spice...

You could physically do your own electronics design builds from just it's info alone or:

Add if desired that of:
 
Any of the programming languages mentioned above for making your own programs to auto vis formulas, other info you'd need to select appropriate components, parts with etc in your works and your own designs, else:
 

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[That of the fully free Python language for the more advanced and all of your Math formula work, saving as ready to run pgm's...

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Else for both PC's, Mac's and Linux use *Excel* (TM, C) *or the similar in app* for all your formulas storage and work instead]...



Myself prefer the languages types as opposed to the last, as you can include App's for drawings, schematic's, parts lists, etc in those with *all the applicable in formula calculations* associated and in separate as programs too...

That all in one can be *easiest done* vis liberty basic itself on PC's and of which a Mac version is under development as well... 

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[For now on Mac myself will use X code with Objective C for most]...


Anyway that will highly and quickly enable you for that of electronics experimentation and your own designs...



Then in learnings many study materials in articles and even instructional videos is tons on the net for that...

That of *ARRL (TM, C)* of ham org's in articles there and in the book form is a most thorough and excellent source *as a single one stop reference* covering tons in the way of electronics areas, theories, it's components and systems...

That's on a par, equal or better in the further of practical sides then even what some university curriculums currently present... 

Any way you want to go there, as up to you...



8/29  Worked with some X Code stuff this date...

Also logged in on the other to add issues of that one program to the forums areas...

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Have went ahead and fully committed to that of X Code with Objective C, and *re started where left off there a year back*...

In that put that of Xojo, etc on more of a backburner, but continueing at a reduced level with it as well, as if you stick with just what it does for GUI of specific App's *it's pretty easy and very smooth in that*...


When it came to that of various programs for electronics, etc in automated formula work, that of Mac's X Code and Objective C:

Is the fastest and most direct route there* on a Mac, especially if you want to make really neat appearing GUI's app's for them...

[It's a lot easier than you might think]!...


Then you can use the C's in other as well for the PC, Linux and near all other device OS's, so it made the most sense to just use it from the start!...

Just took me a long time to come to that conclusion in my case and my desire for an Original Basic instead sidetracked it a bit...


Have used C and some C++ itself in pasts in that of Microcontrollers also, and though *had indeed forgot a lot*, made some pretty good progress in the initial of this date already...

I often sleep semi upside down of most and don't particularly care what any think of it, as don't have anywhere to go anyway, and usually find the best tv movies are on late as well, especially 54's but do catch any good of all, then if nada there's always the great of netflix, etc...

Despite that though, actually spend the greatest bulk of time in just studies themselves...


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[Don't have books or vid's on Objective C, etc????

No fret they have *entire* totally free courses on them on the net for those too!...

Especially that of Objective C is quite easy to learn and that presented in any of the small net courses, is all that you'll actually need, so it's no problem for any there...

That's specifically used of Xcode for the Objects themselves and com between and with user in interactions...Very powerful and handy features in that...

You can also just use C more so C++ also in Xcode and in any other OS as well....

Then on platform specifics once you've learned you can do a search to find particular examples for yours and with a bit of play your good to go]...


Can say in some it's a bit tedious and have learned to write down that of example notes on paper first before entering them into X Code, makes that part go a little faster...

Especially on the longer of multi part variables like that of the NS Alert panel, in the codings, etc...

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Doubt if I ever run out of projects as thinking about creating a basic interpreter of sorts from the C's as well, quite a bit too doing such, so would be a very long project...

There supposedly is something along that line called Objective Basic, but not too sure how trusted the Source is, or in just how basic commands like it is either yet...

If Liberty Basic pulls it off, that could be entirely enough in the line of Basic itself to accomplish most, but that's a wait and see yet...

One could use Java for any too, but for now, just X Code and that of *C's useable with any is the best bet here!...

In starts that with X Code for me on the Mac that is, as just that for electronics formula automation work is defintely enough, and the *cute part is that's not so hard for that either*...

Doing beyond the Lt Spice as you need the formulas to calc that for the parms of some components you'd use in your physical constructions of electronics projects as well!...


8/31

Updated a lot in all the above written here, and spent a lot aka tons of time installing and uninstalling various C, C++ compilers on the PC as well....

Seems it was update city from both MS and Apple as were some long but necessary delays for that at least 3 times last week...

Had to uninstall/reinstall a couple of non fully to totally not working Mac App (TM) store products also, *gets tiresome*!...

Have to say the greatest bulk sold at App store is good and my opinion it just seems to be a couple of vendors who are pretty shady that got by them, but in same they (App store) should be more attentive and responsive to product comments from the customer user's...

Anyway basically set up on C's across the platforms so can run from one to the other finally...















[Completed about all will do on the Circuit Lab (C) for Mac (TM):

For anything other than sinisoidal single ended circuits including into rf it's ok, but *in most else it left a lot to be desired*...

Was able minus the xfmr which is good for nothing, by adding the spec's for a 1N4007 diode in, was able to construct a working half wave rectifier circuit including the filter cap with no crash!...

Used Voltage Gen 60hz and transient settings of for 34ms and step 1ms for excellent waveform analysis results...Average dc level it showed was correct for the signal applied...

Have to say if just audio or rf small signal, single ended rf amp's or oscillators are your thing it will work fine for that...

On that of rf the colpitts, and most especially the clapp osc can be very, very useful and is good for that!...

Beyond that near all else was totally disappointing espcially of the non linear waveform ckt examples, another the Integrator Op amp didn't work either was an ideal world type which wouldn't...

Could make some work that wouldn't but was sheer pain and a waste of any's time...

Was convertable by my adding a correct Rf resisitor and changing other's values plus the Cap as well to that of a low pass filter viewable vis ac mode settings...

If you skip all nonlinear waveform examples or alter for just sinusoidal ac only, then that type will work...



Doesn't personally bother me too much, as have what need anyway, just would have been nice to see that small very neat appearing product for the Mac, handle all of it's models well and for those who bought it...


Have all my old notes and catching up some there already, plus that of *ARRL (C)* materials plus net links cover most you need for torroidal xfmr designs for power or that of rf circuits so good to go...

Can speed some through using 5 Spice (TM, C) for schematics and more anyway and add any RF/IF xfmr's decide on into it's models library...


Haven't looked may be some there already...


5 Spice covers many areas and has some Xfrm-er's which work well for regular, switching and flyback type pwr supplies, aside the many of other analog and various digital circuit sides it handles...

There are many other special purpose simulations and spices types you just have to look around..


In that of Logicworks and Designworks for the digital only sides those are for the Mac, definitely not free but it's certainly well covered in that of digital areas...

Correcting and deleting some of below, stretched myself too thin across areas, had meant 3FX where X is a version so condensing it down to just 5 Spice much like 3F5 to simplify, but will leave all pertaining to circuit labs operation in]...

Didn't realize but besides free online site and browser version of ICircuit, there is another and different free online site and browser version of Circuit Lab (C) also!...

That's not the same as the Circuit Lab (C) for the Mac (TM) two different things...

Think latter may charge for some services, but you can check...




Had already started into pure Spice itself where you create text files of it's specific format so that you can add your own circuit models, and sub ciruits in it's simulator, plus for that of 5 Spice and most others as well...


Initially here was a little confused about that of schematic capture and find it's done for two different things so far...

One some use it to visually capture the schematic of that being drawn or already drawn and in that it recognizes the symbols and generates appropriate netlists and models to run aka simulate the circuit...

In other it's done for the purpose of pcb creation and perhaps both in some cases, be awhile just to know which goes with what software yet, but interesting...


Other:


Re evaluated ICircuit as it's transformer (Xfrmer) works where as that of Circuit Lab's on the Mac didn't, many not a bit happy there!...

Not that bothered about it as ok in all analog amp's for sinusoidal aka sine waves only, then including very high rf frequencies, it did give correct results and in exception that of very sharp, crisp and clear views of their waveforms, once you got the settings right...

So quite useable for basic single ended stuff that way...


It nor ICircuit's xfmr which does work had a center tap to it...

*So played around with Icircuits and found could vertically combine two of them (xfrmers), then use the center of their junction on the secondary side*, in the very same as a normal center tapped type *to great delight*!

Checked the levels with sine to primary and everything came out perfectly balanced in levels of both halves and the rms levels ICircuit showed for that I applied were totally accurate!...


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That in itself very good as opens things up for a large number of different basic pwr supply designs that can be done in it, to even include some very simple of switching type pwr supplies as well (Has the needed for basic there)...

Don't discount the simple at all, as that's where it all starts, try to calc out as many of your circuits component values, bias levels and that for each main circuit test point waveform or dc level ahead, and then see how correctly and accurately those and you are from the Icircuit build...

In design you should be able to correctly calculate that for any point in a circuit...

Make changes and study your results...



*****
The more ultra sophisticated of the latter switching types plus the flyback types can be done in 5 Spice and recommend for clearer waveform, etc results that you use it, or the *totally free and outstanding of the LtSpice fully functional software with boatloads of free demos for both the Mac and PC plus will run under Wine (C) in Linux from Linear technology (TM)*...

Wish had known more about LtSpice IV (C) before, well maybe not as wouldn't have checked into creating my own component spec models but when do if any particular are different will add to the shared of others lists as well!...

Mention those early as sort of comp's for the issues of that other one on Mac's, and then with that of the LtSpice IV software freely available for the pc and linux under Wine, aside the mac too...


Lt Spice or linear technology *has hundreds of demos*, on everything from the individual discrete components themselves, to the many of their thousands of specialized pwr and other ic's and modules!...

*****
[There's no cost to using it, nor in drawing aka designig your own circuits and schematics with it, doing schematic capture, etc...

Each has it's features but still reeling from the sheer power of the LtSpice IV, for free no less]!...


Would expect Tina (C) of Texas Instruments (TM) to be very simular, but not sure about the free part yet...



There are just tons of homebrew, hobbyist and ham small design professional applications plus other things of alarms, ham radio and various in that of microcontroller projects that you would *interface from or too*, that wouldn't require much of anything beyond that of ICircuit for the modelings, itself...

The other online site version with it's version of Circuit Lab would fly in a lot too...

Using Icircuit could handle the great bulk but not all of those types in learning, and where the designs are pretty much entirely done by the individual anyway...

It's more entertaining in terms of circuit current flowings, etc and then these others are for even greater clarity in a lot and definitely that at the higher frequencies and well beyond that into many other fully professional realms that they cover also...

In LtSpice IV when you have the simulation running and a signal displayed of a testpoint aka trace that you preselected or when click on one of the circuit parts itself, it auto gives you the waveforms measurements aka the magnitude levels for that point which is very neat stuff...


Your the designer though as you select the parts and set the initial values, etc...

Does the differentials as well...

Looks like frequency still has to be interpreted, but you can figure that out for yourselves...

That of LtSpice IV also has schematic capture which maybe also for the pcb side of your circuits as well that you could look into


*So do enjoy*...




Here's list of a few others just in case??:

 http://alternativeto.net/software/icircuit/


 End insert...



*This is for some I know* who are and will be specifically interested in electronics design areas such as these, and those in forums where have seen umm ill comments on some's products also...

Gets a little heavy this is beyond the typical joe blow the tv repairman or satellite installers type levels...

Design is *where the rubber meets the road, and where things are made to happen*, but if your interested this can aid you along those lines...


Most below describes that of Circuit Lab (C) for Mac (TM) and some to do with F3 Spice and F5 Spice programs also...

To Skip and for those that don't have Spice Circuit simulations softwares and if interested:


******
You can download the free student orcad version which is only 28mb aka the simulator alone with no screen capture or get the much larger near gigabyte version with many other features:

28 MB the simulator good enough to start with...

Just do a search for *Pspice or the Orcad site itself* for that student link, you'll find all the articles there with articles on what is simulated, and how to use and likely free pdf's for that and more...

Won't have to worry about an Orcad product crashing your pc is an advantage to it over some of the spice knockoff's, etc...

That's the guts used in most and on what most any else is all about although you could go original to the free Berkley's 3F3 version of Spice and the true gut to it all...

They no longer require software agreement clauses and you could use that instead on pc or mac, linux...

Search free 3F3 Spice...


On Mac there's also a free 3F5 spice, and the same just search MacSpice....


If your very brave and an fluent open source programmer there's also 3F4 and open source version with full listing of the simulator's program's code itself at SourceForge net...Likely where some other of builds came from...



******
For pc also and better is [ 5 Spice ] *totally free in non commerical uses*, near plug and play, save and print your schematics, documentations, reports, etc...

An Excellent program on all counts and one that won't crash your pc, doesn't carry the earlier of *use as is statements of F3 and Macspice, etc*...

Still as in all gives advices on what not to do, to avoid problems, etc...

[It's the current updated version of the Original Berkley Univerisity's Spice program]!...

******
5 Spice is a WinSpice for Windows  (TM) while the new in MacSpice aka 3F5 is the Mac OS's version...



[A very well documented users guide within it, and can also directly use those Mfr component models that you can download, etc...Head the advices though...


Had missed this very positive feature so add now:

Also now include that of the Spiceman5 a pdf that fully outlays how the software works in functions it provides, that of the Spice programming language itself with which you could add your own additional netlists models, and *fully defines all formulas and the parm definitions of the electronics components it models also*!...

The language is much like that of the older *Basic's and Fortran's* and some card reader types but more sophisticated, with many of the very same in *many math functions*, and more...

All you'd need if using a PC]...

Has even more features if you decide to get license in the Pro option, is the same program just more features are opened up to you when licensed...

Has quite an array of components both analog and digital comes in it as well...


Spice itself was originally made for advanced circuit analysis and the specific simulation of analog components and especially of the non linear areas of some's operating points, uses, etc...



Search 5 Spice...



Just to re assure as far as original F3 spice and others that are said to be buggy, *it mainly means just it's program can crash in the main as it's rules are very strict*...

However Berkley U (TM) and others just in case as are exceptions widened that to having no liabilities on their part, if you use their free spice software...




Okay on into Circuit Lab (C) an Electronics simulator for Mac pc users...


Some of the people having problems were in courses at universities, and others of other good backgrounds, and I did too initially, so adding what I have learned that will solve some and most of the basic issues that came up with the Circuit Lab for Mac...

Did have a prior background in the similar to 3F3 type but weaker then as was a dos version about 30 plus years back so these newer simulators were new and different to me as well and had totally forgotten about everything of the other...

You can see that where I refer to weird defaults in some, those are Spice type but we don't know exactly how a given programmer within his software set those up, is the point making in some...


Stuff for PC's and Linux here too and kinda mixed it up in mesh as went from one system to the other making checks...


Near the bottom of page added a crashes section to the notes also...


Mentioned that of Spice used for electrical aka electronics circuit analysis...

It's primarily used by Electrical and Electronic Engineers and in that of University courses, etc...

Many don't fare with it that well, as it's not the most intuitive of languages and not all mfr's use the same verions of codings for their *free* spice component libraries available for any one's download...

Then for some strange reason most of lower end commercial types don't bother to list the definitions of the component parms used in them, so leaves a lot initially totally lost!...


Those being considered the very same as component spec datasheets that most all electronics manufacturers include as totally and freely provided downloads to any electronics person's including hobbyists also in the needed to use of components...


*****
[If interested though you can get free real working versions of it, as in the original but updated of *Berkley Univ* who originally created the Spice software]...

It's a in current 3f5 version and even if you use the commercial types you'll find [that the pdf on that of the 3f3 or 5 use is very helpful as all used component parameters in spice *are fully defined and detailed in it]*...

Mention that of free pdf's on usages, and you'll have to check for yourselves as not all is, but did see some, and on most mentioned for downloads they have materials to read there and in some free pdf's also...Just stay legal...



Note:

[In any of the following where I used the word *clapp* for Bjt osc type, change that to colpitts if I missed one...

*Most* of mine were fashioned after the clapp type and a bit tougher design than the Colpitts type, Clapp Osc was my favorite could be made very stable, so inadvertently blurted out with that when was writing with little thought to it, older people stuff...

Still have some of my original designs on paper and in notes from years back as well...

Catch flack that way at times and when of the toxic cycle mind gets bit dulled easy for me to do, outside of in general being pretty slow and having to re correct myself at a lot of points...That is my life in norm as such in a lot]!...


*****
Did one other night myself on ze old Colpitts in modified type rf oscillator discrete component style, such as ham's, etc use...



Set up as in any the dc static aka operating point of a transistor circuit biasing, tweaking vis values for resistors used, that for which a given transistor type would normally be used at, minus the collector where simply had an rf inductor aka coil there...

Program used not set up for such and *was a bear*, did not have any normal on/off switch models, to start the thing with off for ac sided signal frequency analysis with, and *no examples of anything in the similar period!*...

One quite inexpensive commercial version only *$14.95* for any Mac (TM), does include one such rf osc example, but LOL it's example *doesn't work as such*, so was useless to me there but in some other does work quite well, so not a waste...


Add for Circuit Lab (C) for Mac corrects issue some have:

As example it's Bjt osc won't work as is, as some others, and what's not said is you have to do a couple of things first!...

After success on pc below did a retake on the Circuit Lab for the Mac (TM)....


*****
Had seen complaints in a forum where a lot had problems with it, *so this one example will aid most of other issues also*...

To Begin:

Load the Bjt Osc demo example...

Then make these changes!


Mentioning just the Bjt type now and only and you can apply to other things!...

Prior listed changing that of the Bjt aka transistor's *Is* rating to that of a normal real world value but his Bjt setup's are not of normal types, just leave set at the weird defaults 1E 99, etc and will end up with the correct Ie and Ic, Ib, etc currents when you depress the dc bias button...

Better to change the Bfe aka current gain setting for any tweaks, in changes desired there, or in lieu alter the Q point vis biasing resistors changes in your own designs...

For the Bjt osc leave it, as he has set for defaults, Is shows 1E 99 or similar, and just looks a bit strange compared to what would be normal collector max currents and ratings values one would expect...

Don't worry about what you see in the bottom left table of the screen for currents and voltages as his just using a Pulse gen for dc source input, gives wild results and not quite correct!...

Any spice program would do the similar when a pulse gen type added in the same manner or case, *so is not an abnormal condition*...


Those aren't the best current levels but will work as *that with a 12 V source you'll add* in a while, and you can always alter the beta or biasing resistors for different levels, anyway just leave now as is to start off with, until your more familiar...


Next:

Now right click on the pulse gen itself and change *it's period* to 100p or *100u* so that it will work!...

That and if above that is empty add appropriate values for the blanks, use start time 0u and end time 10u in those...

Click ok and deselect the pulse gen....

Now if bottom display vanished, click dc bias again brings it back, then next click the Tran button and as it's preset *just hit OK*, as that activates the graph selections in that bottom left display, has to be done each time separately ran!...

You may need to move the bar in lower left window to see the graph symbol indicators...

You'll in the lower left get the graph symbols now (move it's bar to see them) and check mark the V4 (Output), and any other you wish to see, then at the right top, select by depressing *graph btn icon*!

[All you'll see is the pulse gen transient in that, that's it]!


*****
To make work real world, drop the Pulse gen down to *1 volt* or less if want, and keep the other settings as mentioned...

Then instead of having it connected to the collector coil as he had it, re connect it to the base aka the junction of the biasing resistors going to the Q1's aka the Transistor's base circuit instead!...

*****
Now add in a std Voltage gen source and connect from grd to collector's coil high side, and set it for 12 volts, and 0, 0...


Run the dc bias again and you should get good readings, don't worry if look funny, *you'd have to temp disconnect the Pulse gen* to see the actual dc values...

Anywhere above 2ma for the Ie and Ic currents is what you'll see if you do that and the Ib base current near a hundred times less than the other quite the norm...


Now go to Tran button right icon at top and select ok, *activates the Graph function*, it may take a few seconds to several minutes to process the data and that can and does run the Cpu near 100% as the fan motor turns on to keep it cool, and is all perfectly normal!...


When done you'll see the graphs display at bottom again,  select your graphs say just the V4 (aka collector output) to start, and you should now get a real sine wave rf signal there...

If no go, then depress the Tran btn again and change it's top window dialog input to100u and the bottom one there to 500p...

Takes only couple minutes for the cpu to finish the calc of the graph data for that (You'll see a blue progess bar advancing during that)...

When you look at V4 selecting the graph again, you'll see the transient at repeated intervals and *the rf sine aka osc signal within it*...


******
[Test point Rf Signal Display Add:

In Circuit Lab that shows up even better *at the above settings*,  when you select the V3 voltage test point for graphed aka that for the transistor's emitter circuit instead!...

Once you bring the graph for V3 up, then click on the plots left magnifier icon several times...

Easy to see V4 in the FS spice programs but only sometimes get a clear view using it in circuit lab, *so do use V3 in Circuit Lab at the least* and add in V4 for extra checks if want...

Bit odd as actual signal can inductively run as high as say 22-23 volts pk-pk at the collector for a 12 Vdc supply and then maybe 16 or more pk-pk for a 9 Vdc supply...

V4 aka the collector point itself is very easy to see and strongly defined in the FS Spice programs, but *Circuit Lab at times had a quirky preference for the V3 voltage test point*...

Each Spice program different as said!....

******
[Anyway magnifying the graphed plot result you get for the V3 emitter test point, expands it's x and y axis views:


Doing so you'll see down *to the individual rf sine wave cycles themselves* within that transient period, quite distinctly and very clearly as well!...

Take a screen shot while there or at it *for a permanent record if wish*]....
 

Ok all in all it's just an example type circuit in real world and most cases *entirely different bias resistor values would be used than what he had placed there*...

Are some other easier settings related to those just used above here with views *where you'll be able to in the direct count the individual rf sine waves per graphs x axis division*...

Exactly the same as on a scope, but leave for you to play around and teach yourself that part...

If one set this circuit up just a bit differently and correctly, that little one transistor Osc circuit, in tank values he had used, *would run right around 50 Mhz for it's frequency*...

Temp change had thought I mis read the axis but turns out had correct and is 50 Mhz!...

A quite do able in the physical, so worth the learning time...

Books are good but don't worry even the colpitts properly constructed can fly well into vhf or even uhf as well...


He had used either the 2N2222 or the other from the Mfr parts library of the program!...

Rather that's what I had used in F5 aka WinSpice version on windows....


Humerous:

I later found an example on the net, using near exact the same Osc circuit using a 2n2222 no less, and they'd also listed it would run at approx 50 Mhz!...


*****
[Says I initially read the graph correctly and that's as the non ideal because it usually runs different from the ideal of resonant frequency calc's...

That would have been rounding off around 58.1 Mhz but depends on components with perfect Q and then that of effective collector and the load resistances (impedances) being so high as to not lower the components Q obviously not possible...

Have forgotten a lot about the exact calc's for rf impedance transformations using that design, has been years, have to re learn...

Those allow you to get close to the exact of what it comes out to be if you know the device impedances, etc...

Is a lot in hybrid and *s parameters* that will have to re study as well...

Have nothing but time anyway]...


Do the same using V3 in the following if you check it out also]....



Not needed to do, but for an even longer view at 500m and 500n Tran settings on it, expect a long, long processing time maybe up to 32 minutes worth, as it slowly calcs and builds the graph data for those new settings...

*****
When done you'll at V4 or V3 after selecting the graph function icon, see with the transient itself *the rf sine signal associated that pulse time*...

Use magnifier as needed...

To re run the graph after changing any values just click the Tran button and Ok as before, unless you changed dc biasings then click that first....


[8/20 Add:

Decided to make one more check had per what is said in most spice programs using a tran aka transient analysis mode used his pulse gen as he had...

Except since his config didn't work as he used only Pulse Gen to collector coil high side...

Had got it to work when moved it to the base circuit and added a separate Voltage Gen source just as described in the above which definitely worked, and just as similar in WinSpice on pc also!...

*****
Any in real world is just application of power is enough...

So decided to remove the Pulse gen altogether, leaving just the Voltage Gen as described running from Grd to collector coil high side, same as in real world:

The result in Circuit Lab worked fine!

[Change:

To clearly see the individual rf sine wave depress Tran aka Transient Icon and set Upper dialog to 1u and leaving lower dialog at 100p as before]!...

Was without the pulse gen, just the normal dc supply at 12 volts and able to get a continuous aka cw rf sine and *at both the emitter and collector voltage node points*...

The collector signal at V4 an rf sine was 14 volts pk -pk, works now...

The emitter in same at V3 was 6 volts pk - pk...

Very close to the real world even, and when any duplicate for themselves they will find that all of Q1's voltages and currents are correct for such...

So his original circuit is ok though not really in all, but in leaving out his Pulse Gen altogether it works just fine, and did get a CW RF Sine just as do in real world]!....



You can't truly run a continuous state with these, but *this is reflective of exacly that*, no doubt...

Also tried same in F5 WinSpice and get near exact same results except for 18 volts pk-pk or near 20 if count noise spikes more close to real!...

*****
The difference in levels is due to use of a different transistor type in each!...In that they have different spec's (parms) and obviously their current gains are different accounting for difference in measured voltages and even the Fosc frequencies...


******
[That should start you out and prove the Circuit Lab Spice for the Mac works]...


Can skip here not needed though a step closer to real...

In the worst case if his circuit with the Gen mod's I added, didn't work with that, *though definitely does in my use every single time, so it should in yours as well*:

Anyway you could further add a coupling capacitor 470nf to isolate his not too real world 1M ohm load resistor from the collector, and then add a separate Ce audio bypass capacitor of 10uf additionally across the emitter resistor to ground, and *guarenteed that with those settings just given will work fine*!...



******
Also see the notes section on Circuit Lab and 3F or 5 Spice versions in bold well below, here *solves some other of yet issues*!...




The circuit lab for mac program *is much better than had thought*, but is due to most any of those types putting out the programs have no idea what the beginners need to know, and that beginners look at it in an ICircuit like view not realizing there's more than drawing the schematic to it...

Both Circuit Lab and F5 Spice much better than thought since can get Osc action without using a Pulse Gen and the std Voltage Gen can properly simulate an on/off switch connecting the pwr supply aka voltage, *just as in the real world*...

Though in crashes notes well below  that of Circuit Lab for the Mac has a couple of Unresolved issues to do with the Xfmr and Diode modelings, *do rate it quite high and most impressive in it's rf modelings performance!...

Very hard if not impossible to beat that for only $14.95 even if just covers analog devices which is originally what spice and pspice programs were only meant to cover, to get the type of accuracy it gave for analog rf signal set up's at that price *is remarkable*!...

The 3F5 or 5 Spice on windows covers that but is expected too for the cost, where as circuit lab is low cost and why so impressed of it....




Most beginners including new and other engineers were having problems on:

What the parms abbrev's mean...

Leaving out the values they used in their example circuits...

What's real world and not in circuit and component values, Q points, etc...

Plus magically know if the example circuits they are given by the program designer, may need other added to them to work properly...


Tip physical setting up of your spice circuit schematic:

Since it operates by using nodes in specific, get into the habit of setting circuit lines aka connection points going from the lower to higher aka bottom to upwards vertically, and then from the left to right horizontally, as you set up any circuit or portion of a circuit...

Definatelty not required in all spice programs, but can be very helpful in some!....


On all the latter they expect you to know as they just put out the product tool for you, that's it...

******
Known exception 5Spice has all needed...



******
[Having said that, the fact that it will actually plot an *50 Mhz rf sine osc signal*, says it's a pretty darn good Spice program...

The very odd default settings for Bjt currents are out of the norm make it bit hard to initially understand, but *then again did work*...

 *****
Settings are perfect leaving the Pulse Gen out and using std Voltage Gen as a supply voltage in the Bjt osc case!...

A lot to do with reverse voltages and junction cap, temps, etc could be set to 0 and the osc circuit itself would still work...

So the latter was not that critical in that program....

It is if you want to see in the graphed a real world result of what that signal would look like on a scope, and you should get the more ideal non real world type leaving those out...


We do have some dead heads, that don't get it???

In that today's world spice programs can indeed show the real world of the true and practical results you'll get when you physically breadboard or build the very same circuits using exactly the same values...

Values that are the practically used types and not idealizations and which have the practical of real world tolerances in their actual specs being used in the programs as well...


*****
Did find the PC FS Spice versions are *much faster in calc's* for some graph plots, and also much clearer and sharper on the resultant rf sine graphed also!...


Get the free Berkley, etc 3F3 or 3F5 Spice usage manual (pdf) will help you in a lot!...Think it comes with the software so said free, if not read online...

In that of it's rf osc example and the harder of Bjt rf app's at this time it doesn't handle all that well, but that was his example and by making *major source changes*  it did end up working quite well!...

It's Bjt tran parms such as Is settings were best left to his non standard and non intuitive default settings rather than changing them yourself...

It did model well under his defaults (they auto calc the biasings aka Q points and auto set the circuit to them)...

Your only best option in that is to alter the Bfe aka current gain setting or change the resistor values used...


*****
In just that one app as most also, you can also learn quite a lot as you can experiment in altering the feedback path or it's conditions altogether for better or more pure results too...

Then you can see prior to physically building it, what you'll get by auto graph plotting the results for each change you make, so there's more to it than one simple circuit to be had...

Besides printing schematics some Spice softwares also will auto construct both single and multilayered pc board layouts for you as well...

From those you can then print out and etch your boards for the project as well...


Each Spice software is different per the developers preferences and in Circuit Lab components you are not importing that of other libraries as you have to do in many others...

In a way that's good too, as it will work independent of that other all by itself...



The 5 Spice version was in my opinion definitely superior in that app, and you might want to also consider the Free 3F5 Spice for the Mac or another Commercial Spice like Eagle for the Mac instead, for the more difficult of Bjt and other rf app's...


 Are such app's actually used???

Indeed they are, in many ham app's and a lot of older radio and many other even special areas yet as well...

It's also fundamental for an Engineer to have a good understanding of the basics of yet diode, transistor Bjt types and Fets all types to do some specific designs in many areas yet, especially in interfacings type beyond that of just IC's...

That and RLC basics including parasitics in the stray associated real world components are very much required knowledges in many rf amplifier or power output PA types yet as well of xmtr's, recievers, transcievers, radars, etc, etc in their designs period...

So yes those circuits and all those fundamentals are still very important!...



Have my modified my own similar clapp type and is working on all systems now, reading the 3F5 orSpice pdf will help you with parms, etc meanings...

Have several different of just that type alone that had done from physical experiments to designs and most done from as much as 30  to 40 or more years back then, was a lot of fun...



PC 5 Spice:

*****
Anyway on the PC 5 Spice version prior mentioned, where no normal on/off switch models in the program...

Subbed for that by adding an independant voltage gen, and using it's *most basic transient step function in it's dc settings, with* a particular time period for duration also...

So from that was able to kick start my Osc into normal operation for that period's interval...

That's how it works in the modelings, in real world wouldn't be needed just the normal switch or application of power is, but in this have to use the closest provided...

Got excellent real world results, as used what know are real world parameter's for that which would have been an imperfect sinusoidal output...

Know those as have many times in the past aside repairing related in various of radio and transmitter systems, designed many different working types of rf oscillators in the same just for fun and some for uses as well...

So have used all specs associated all existing types of Diodes, Scr's, Bjts, Fets, various IC's, etc, etc  and going clear back to the tube days in same as well, and have did some in such designs, ever since was a child....

In that one, obviously vis a scope becomes very familiar with every type of clean or dirty waveform result possible and all the possible reasons for such in each case...

*****
[Slowed in mid life on as prior to getting the pain med a lot needed in the hand work part had gotten pretty clumsy sided...

So had stopped building much of any designs or circuitry for quite a long time, but still remember a lot of what was hard learned of it, and can play a little bit at times now]...


******
[Anyway it's from that, can say that today's modern 5 Spice programs graphed output displays, indeed do show *the actual real world results*, one would get had they constructed the physical circuit itself using all the exact same values as the FS program and it's schematics did!...

Say's today's software simulation programs for any OS are quite outstanding...


Most results got on the above were imperfect signal type *just as are and would get in the real world,  and was not even using a crystal in that circuit either...

Then even with a crystal osc type, *there are still* a number of transistor and fet, etc *device parameters* which exhibit a great deal of inherent variation in operation...

That as the ac operating aka Q point itself *shifts* from the static of the DC Q point, vis the cyclic of the negative to positive peaks of the generated sine and osc signal itself...

That being where the variations of the parameters affected alter the dynamic results in what you get...


******
[You by good design can still get a *sharply distinct and very stable fundamental frequency in result*, but there will be lo level noise to it as well do to parameter shifts in operation]...

Those add non linearities and distortions in, so you get something less than a perfect sine, and the output while was a pretty fair sine did have some small clippings distortions too it...

Just exactly as that circuit type should and does in the real world...

That produces harmonics in the real world, but as such had I then breadboarded the circuit in duplication, *would have gotten the very exact same in results*!...

So with a little xtra work Spice did do it's job and that in the harder of Analog sides no less (rf especially) where as Digital is much, much easier in modelings *any can make what will be accurate real world circuits from these modern Spice softwares*...


*****
On that totally free there's Berkley 3f5 spice and then in likely *quite more powerful or smooth* is that of Orcad and Eagle spice which *do have totally free* non commercial versions as well...



Haven't but at some point will test that of Orcad's free baby which comes in at almost a Gigabyte size for download...

If too big that of the free Berkley 3f5 spice software between 28 - 60 megabytes only, runs on any OS as well!...Globally used by thousands as well...


Then on commercial sides if you go that way is 5 Spice for the pc and other, then on Mac currently only that of Circuit Lab from Italy, and then probably at a bit to higher costing, and more powerful is that of Eagle Spice for the Mac and Pc...

Linear technologies (TM) Ltspice both pc and mac versions...

*****
[Orcad and Eagle are American global softwares]...



One other for the Mac that's very nice, and also very inexpensive, *has more components of it's included than some*, and is not entirely True Spice but works great...

One that any, any beginner to pro can use, is that of ICircuit simulation...

Not available on pc, but from any type of OS is a browser type and ICircuit site  also on the net...

You can do all and the very same electronics circuit modelings and simulations *totally for free* while online there!...

Works superbly have used both ways but has some of the same limits as most lower end Spice programs when it comes to analog rf circuits...

ICircuit not made to well display at hf on up frequencies at all, sometimes you might get something there though, it's for more so that of mf down to audio and dc ranges...

However minus an accurate or any frequency display at hf etc, *you can still rely on what it will show as a basic sawtooth signal in it's scope display as being reflective of an actual ac and rf signal itself!*...

Proveable as you can look at dc (biasing) levels first and you'll get flat lined displays at the voltage magnitude of component being looked at...

Then when you shift to the ac voltage or current display of the scope display if there is an actual signal at the high frequencies you'll get a sawtooth type displayed in lieu...

In other words my Bjt Modified Clapp Oscillator worked in ICircuit's continous display too...

One that appears continuous as it's also a step and samplings type for a given period, than in display repeated so appears smooth and continuous, and a very good job of it too....



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That of traditional Spice programs was the more accurate for actual rf output and frequency display, *but in just knowing if something works or not, ICircuit was good to go there*...



Notes: Circuit Lab (C) for Mac and FS Spice for all...

At the free or low cost ends, the 5 Spice program worked great and offers more choices in it's included digital library aside the analog, where as Circuit Lab for the Mac is primarily for analog only with some small exceptions...

Too it's plus it handled after changes that of rf analog signals quite well, and could easily be used for that in single ended types of designs as well!...



The designer of the Circuit Lab Spice type program for the Mac is *to his credit* also always updating it, in new improved revisions as well...

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There are issues and most have some:


All the analog devices such as transistors, fets, and op amp's along with coil, cap, resistors, etc basic stuff works ok!..


[Then if need pwr supply you can use it's Voltage Gen, set up as showed in my mod to his Bjt Osc example...

You set voltage you want, then set frequency to zero and select 0 from phase selection but do not check the cos phase box]...  

Pay great attention to what remains of the pre settings in any of his examples will aid you in setting up some of your own as well...

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Did find a built in *small mfr parts* library had overlooked, and those do work fine...


Crashes:

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If your going to use the diodes in any normal fashion *especially* with the transformer model, select diodes from the mfr parts, *else you'll have big problems aka crash city and freezes*!...



Have one unresolved issue as when create a simple half wave rectifer pwr supply using the low pwr 1N4148 diode in secondary, showed the rectified signal across load resistor perfectly...

Yes I used a very high load resistor value as that diode a low pwr type for high speed switching app's and in the quick as the library only had two of those to select from as well...

However keeping the current levels well within what it can handle, one can still play with it in a test pwr supply example type as was doing...

In that the rectified waveform and voltage magnitude was perfect and as real world!...

So the diode model was handling the rectification perfectly at that point...

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However when added a filter cap across the load resistor, wham the *program crashes*...

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After that added a series Rs on secondary wasn't needed, but just to further test the possibility, however the program *still crashed!!!

*Something definitely wrong there, as works fine in any FS Spice program*!...

Mostly to do with his diode models, as they do not like to see capacitors paralleling load resistors at all???...

Corrected by adding in the Model specs of a 1N4007 diode but the xfmr side doesn't work, so use Voltage Gen instead...

True if took xfmr out and used a sine input from the Voltage Gen instead with the minus xfmr same half wave rectifier circuit, just as soon as add the normal filter cap across the load and ran, wham the program crashes!...Minus xfmr still issue, corrected that per the 1N4007 add above...


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[So hope he fixes that, as hell even ICircuit (TM, C) will simulate basic pwr supplies, maybe a bit shaky on waveforms and resultant dc values but the pk - pk and dc are often near the correct and somewhere in the ballpark....

That's  ok for getting the idea aka main point of whether the circuit will fly or not with, and it is the lowest costing of the pay for types....

In ICircuit the shakiness (noise variation in levels) occurs, once you do add in a filter cap for that rectifier circuit, but in no way crashes and does simulate it correctly...

In some ways it beats the circuit lab here...


5 Spice has no problems in that at all...

It's clear to me anyway that will probably get *fixed in future revisions* and you get a good hint:

As he had no pwr supply examples, nor even one example using the transformer itself either...



Anyway:

In lieu you could skip power supply creation until he fixes that up, and just use the Voltage Gen for any voltage needed in your projects...

Per the settings given in the above here prior, for any circuits, experiments, etc you create in your Circuit Lab for Mac projects...

The other non linear waveform examples as such were pretty shaky, and not very useful, stick to just sinusoidal stuff...



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[Other than being very, very careful about the transformer model and being very sure to select any diodes used from the mfr parts for it, or add your own in, plus in Tran aka Transient mode don't use huge times there, all else of Bjt and Fet had worked *extremely* well...





When you do create your own separate tran and fet circuit designs, do use the Mfr parts he provides!...

His example didn't say but that was likely the 2N2222 Bjt transistor used for his example Bjt Osc, there were only two transistor types in models listed in his Mfr parts library but he didn't specify which!...

Correction only one which showed as an NPN type was a BC237, and you'd very likely have to select it first (*definitely not mentioned*)...

That as in spec checks vis other online datasheets, found it has a very, very high Bfe...

One much higher than the Osc circuit showed for it's defaults for dc bias currents (ratio of Ic/Ib) when I ran it!...
 

I used a 2n2222 in 5 Spice for the same circuit and bfe etc would be a bit different but worked fine...

[He doesn't mention or show an example of downloading other parts models into his Mfr part's library (Has picture of a Can for Icon)???

Appears with the + for add feature and a dialog part or address box one can add to the Mfr parts library, but he doesn't cover that side to it

Yes he does:

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Cleared up there's a video on it and you run it a couple of times to catch all the details...

Adding parts:

It allows you to add your own in by clicking new, selecting part type which brings up it's parms screen and then you enter what you have or a mfr's datasheet there, click ok, *then name it* in the add part area and enter...Adds your hand picked tran, fet, etc type into the library!....

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That's great as you don't have to use a spice model per se, you just directly enter one's spec's yourself!...


Makes the prior assumption just below here correct....

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[If you get the mfr model data on others, you may be able to add those in vis the parm's settings dialog for them, you'd probably have to do that over and over each time you used something not in his library, unless there's an add function for that which didn't see]...




When he fixes the crash items which would add in pwr supply design abilities, it will be one really tight system, and subbing with the Voltage Gen until then does allow you to do a lot!,,,



In any you use, a very good to as thorough as possible knowledge aka command of indivudual component spec's, ratings, etc is quite essential for any good design work...

There's a lot of theory behind the various of spec's one has to learn, but once learned tends to stick...

As despite my memory loss on a lot of specifics in using the original spice softwares many year's back, have still always retained a great deal in that of the world of component spec's and that's since had constantly used the same in numerous ways for many years...

Another main advantage of using the spice, pspice and other simulator systems is not only that they do a lot for you, the same allows you to experiment with many variations and changes to your hearts content as well...



Some always wonder what I do in my spare time, beyond the Wwg, etc (when there is any) and now you know!...

Ok this area obviously applies only to those having and using Spice softwares of types mentioned, and of those who may want to learn and use such for design purposes. so *none other are qualified to speak on or address it period!*...


This is my personal blog not your's and this was done for some I know that were already having problems especially with the Circuit Lab (C) version, and is also for some not physically but close to me as well,  that I know want the info or will indeed be getting into the use of Spice softwares in the future as well...

As it is my blog I could not give a *GGD* of what any fake of so call qualified elec types got to say!...

*Write your own blog if you have anything that's of good practical use (doubtful) for others at all, that you might share not expecting a dollar in return for it* *if you can do that*...

Something besides jacking your lips in the ill, false and idle minded gossips talks and un useful of opinions you are to your detriment quite expert at...

Those types can definitely get lost, and let those who really want to learn something, learn!...


Have a Good Month...


Mjedi