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Learning Electronics Simulation Software

binarygenius

Hi all

i have self taught myself Electronics and more to a point where i am able to do work for local firms designing PCB`s and other solutions and i know everyday is a school day so i was wondering if the simulation software  that is available (ie matlab, spice) is worth learning and how useful is it in real world designing, also i have been looking at the MyDAQ http://www.studica.com/uk/en/National-Instruments-students-ni-labview-mydaq/ni-mydaq.html   to help with an online course in EE i was just wondering if there was maybe an alternative, so basically i was just wondering if anyone had any advice on what software could help with my progression in this field and possibly save time on product development. Thanks Mick

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  • MATLAB is very different from Spice - it is a general purpose system for mathematical analysis of just about anything (if your pockets are deep enough) but it's not optimised for and not very good at electronic circuits. It is very good at system level simulation and data analysis.

     

    Spice is available in many different flavours, and is intended for electronic circuits. The one I recommend is LTSpice which is a free download from Linear Technology.

    Linear Technology - Design Simulation and Device Models

     

    I wouldn't use an NI product if I could help it (IMO they have too much of  a habit of trying to push the world in their direction and pay not enough concern and attention to other approaches - eventually you'll end up as an engineer only able to use NI stuff.)

     

    MK

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  • MATLAB is very different from Spice - it is a general purpose system for mathematical analysis of just about anything (if your pockets are deep enough) but it's not optimised for and not very good at electronic circuits. It is very good at system level simulation and data analysis.

     

    Spice is available in many different flavours, and is intended for electronic circuits. The one I recommend is LTSpice which is a free download from Linear Technology.

    Linear Technology - Design Simulation and Device Models

     

    I wouldn't use an NI product if I could help it (IMO they have too much of  a habit of trying to push the world in their direction and pay not enough concern and attention to other approaches - eventually you'll end up as an engineer only able to use NI stuff.)

     

    MK

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  • in reply to michaelkellett

    Thanks that is a great help and as for the NI MyDAQ the only reason i was looking into buying one because it was recommended for the courses on https://www.coursera.org/ i know i am still lacking in many areas but the work i have done is starting to speak for its self and i am starting to manage to make a living doing EE which is great because college courses in my area are ether a long distance from me or would require me to go back to school full time for about 4 years which is just not possible so self taught online stuff is all i can really do. I have heard of LTspice and it does look very interesting and thank you for pointing out the differences between MATLAB and Spice because i have made mistakes in the past and i know learning any thing is never a mistake but it can sometimes turn out to be less productive than i had hoped and i wanted to make sure i started on the best path possible where simulation was concerned.
    Mick