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2010-06-21 by Frank P
In trying to layout a PCB, do you guys use LTSPICE to perform a simulation first? Then proceed to use a PCB layout software like KiCAD/FreePCB (after importing from LTSPICE)? Or, if the PCB is simple enough just start using KiCAD? Thanks. Frank P.
2010-06-21 by Andrew Villeneuve
I build my circuit on a solderless breadboard before designing the PCB (I use EagleCAD). Then I see the problems before doing any of the layout. If you've got surface mount components, you can solder them to small breakout boards for fitting onto a breadboard. If you've got a lot of SMT, that may not be practical, but I do mostly though-hole stuff (right now, at least). -Andrew On Mon, Jun 21, 2010 at 12:57 PM, Frank P <qz9090@...> wrote: > > > In trying to layout a PCB, do you guys use LTSPICE to perform a simulation > first? Then proceed to use a PCB layout software like KiCAD/FreePCB (after > importing from LTSPICE)? Or, if the PCB is simple enough just start using > KiCAD? > > Thanks. > > Frank P. > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
2010-06-21 by Leon Heller
On 21/06/2010 17:57, Frank P wrote: > In trying to layout a PCB, do you guys use LTSPICE to perform a simulation first? Then proceed to use a PCB layout software like KiCAD/FreePCB (after importing from LTSPICE)? Or, if the PCB is simple enough just start using KiCAD? You only need SPICE if you want to simulate an analogue circuit you are using. Otherwise, just create a schematic and lay out the PCB. Leon -- Leon Heller G1HSM
2010-06-21 by Frank P
Leon,
In looking at the KiCAD webpage (http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/), it says:
With the schematic entry, you can:
* Create simple or hierarchical sheets.
* Test it with the Electrical Rules Check tool (ERC),
* Create netlists for Pcbnew, or for Spice.
So, I was wondering if people were using KiCAD and SPICE software together (and in what order). It sounds like you can use KiCAD and then run a simulation on SPICE software (maybe LTSPICE?).
Frank P.
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@...> wrote:> > On 21/06/2010 17:57, Frank P wrote: > > In trying to layout a PCB, do you guys use LTSPICE to perform a simulation first? Then proceed to use a PCB layout software like KiCAD/FreePCB (after importing from LTSPICE)? Or, if the PCB is simple enough just start using KiCAD? > > You only need SPICE if you want to simulate an analogue circuit you are > using. Otherwise, just create a schematic and lay out the PCB. > > Leon > -- > Leon Heller > G1HSM >
2010-06-21 by Donald H Locker
I've been doing more simulation lately. Quicker than breadboard and the smoke stays inside the monitor. I like LTSpice a lot, so I'll enter a schematic in it, work out the kinks, transfer to KiCad for design and layout, then make a board. Donald. -- "Plain Text" email -- it's an accessibility issue () no proprietary attachments; no html mail /\ ascii ribbon campaign - <www.asciiribbon.org> ----- "Frank P" <qz9090@...> wrote:
> Leon, > In looking at the KiCAD webpage > (http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/), it says: > > With the schematic entry, you can: > > * Create simple or hierarchical sheets. > * Test it with the Electrical Rules Check tool (ERC), > * Create netlists for Pcbnew, or for Spice. > > So, I was wondering if people were using KiCAD and SPICE software > together (and in what order). It sounds like you can use KiCAD and > then run a simulation on SPICE software (maybe LTSPICE?). > > > > Frank P. > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@...> > wrote: > > > > On 21/06/2010 17:57, Frank P wrote: > > > In trying to layout a PCB, do you guys use LTSPICE to perform a > simulation first? Then proceed to use a PCB layout software like > KiCAD/FreePCB (after importing from LTSPICE)? Or, if the PCB is simple > enough just start using KiCAD? > > > > You only need SPICE if you want to simulate an analogue circuit you > are > > using. Otherwise, just create a schematic and lay out the PCB. > > > > Leon > > -- > > Leon Heller > > G1HSM > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and > Photos: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links > > >
2010-06-21 by Andrew
Donald, Do you happen to know of a good tutorial on using LTSpice or another SPICE software? I tried messing around with this about 3 years ago, and didn't get very far ... I wouldn't mind trying again, if I could find some help! :) --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@...> wrote:
> > I've been doing more simulation lately. Quicker than breadboard and the smoke stays inside the monitor. I like LTSpice a lot, so I'll enter a schematic in it, work out the kinks, transfer to KiCad for design and layout, then make a board. > > Donald. > -- > "Plain Text" email -- it's an accessibility issue > () no proprietary attachments; no html mail > /\ ascii ribbon campaign - <www.asciiribbon.org> > > ----- "Frank P" <qz9090@...> wrote: > > > Leon, > > In looking at the KiCAD webpage > > (http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/), it says: > > > > With the schematic entry, you can: > > > > * Create simple or hierarchical sheets. > > * Test it with the Electrical Rules Check tool (ERC), > > * Create netlists for Pcbnew, or for Spice. > > > > So, I was wondering if people were using KiCAD and SPICE software > > together (and in what order). It sounds like you can use KiCAD and > > then run a simulation on SPICE software (maybe LTSPICE?). > > > > > > > > Frank P. > > > > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@> > > wrote: > > > > > > On 21/06/2010 17:57, Frank P wrote: > > > > In trying to layout a PCB, do you guys use LTSPICE to perform a > > simulation first? Then proceed to use a PCB layout software like > > KiCAD/FreePCB (after importing from LTSPICE)? Or, if the PCB is simple > > enough just start using KiCAD? > > > > > > You only need SPICE if you want to simulate an analogue circuit you > > are > > > using. Otherwise, just create a schematic and lay out the PCB. > > > > > > Leon > > > -- > > > Leon Heller > > > G1HSM > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and > > Photos: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >
2010-06-22 by Leon Heller
On 21/06/2010 22:28, Frank P wrote: > Leon, > In looking at the KiCAD webpage (http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/), it says: > > With the schematic entry, you can: > > * Create simple or hierarchical sheets. > * Test it with the Electrical Rules Check tool (ERC), > * Create netlists for Pcbnew, or for Spice. > > So, I was wondering if people were using KiCAD and SPICE software together (and in what order). It sounds like you can use KiCAD and then run a simulation on SPICE software (maybe LTSPICE?). > The Pulsonix PCB software I use has an integrated SPICE engine, but I very rarely use it. It requires that I use special SPICE parts instead of the usual ones used for PCB creation. Leon -- Leon Heller G1HSM
2010-06-22 by Donald H Locker
My first recommendation would be to check out the LTSpice Yahoo! group <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LTspice/> There are a huge number of libraries, example circuits, tutorials, and a goodly number of very helpful and experienced users (and developers) there. I'm finding it very useful and usable. These came recommended to me; I haven't tried them myself, yet. <http://cmosedu.com/videos/LTspice/LTspice_videos.htm> <http://claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu/~steriana/Videos/> HTH, Donald. -- "Plain Text" email -- it's an accessibility issue () no proprietary attachments; no html mail /\ ascii ribbon campaign - <www.asciiribbon.org> ----- "Andrew" <a_wake@...> wrote:
> Donald, > > Do you happen to know of a good tutorial on using LTSpice or another > SPICE software? I tried messing around with this about 3 years ago, > and didn't get very far ... I wouldn't mind trying again, if I could > find some help! :) > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@...> > wrote: > > > > I've been doing more simulation lately. Quicker than breadboard and > the smoke stays inside the monitor. I like LTSpice a lot, so I'll > enter a schematic in it, work out the kinks, transfer to KiCad for > design and layout, then make a board. > > > > Donald. > > -- > > "Plain Text" email -- it's an accessibility issue > > () no proprietary attachments; no html mail > > /\ ascii ribbon campaign - <www.asciiribbon.org> > > > > ----- "Frank P" <qz9090@...> wrote: > > > > > Leon, > > > In looking at the KiCAD webpage > > > (http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/), it says: > > > > > > With the schematic entry, you can: > > > > > > * Create simple or hierarchical sheets. > > > * Test it with the Electrical Rules Check tool (ERC), > > > * Create netlists for Pcbnew, or for Spice. > > > > > > So, I was wondering if people were using KiCAD and SPICE software > > > together (and in what order). It sounds like you can use KiCAD > and > > > then run a simulation on SPICE software (maybe LTSPICE?). > > > > > > > > > > > > Frank P. > > > > > > > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > On 21/06/2010 17:57, Frank P wrote: > > > > > In trying to layout a PCB, do you guys use LTSPICE to perform > a > > > simulation first? Then proceed to use a PCB layout software like > > > KiCAD/FreePCB (after importing from LTSPICE)? Or, if the PCB is > simple > > > enough just start using KiCAD? > > > > > > > > You only need SPICE if you want to simulate an analogue circuit > you > > > are > > > > using. Otherwise, just create a schematic and lay out the PCB. > > > > > > > > Leon > > > > -- > > > > Leon Heller > > > > G1HSM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, > and > > > Photos: > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and > Photos: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links > > >
2010-06-22 by Frank P
Donald, You said you "transfer" from KiCad to LTSpice, are you using an automated import/export utility to move the data between the apps? Thanks. Frank P. --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@...> wrote:
> > I've been doing more simulation lately. Quicker than breadboard and the smoke stays inside the monitor. I like LTSpice a lot, so I'll enter a schematic in it, work out the kinks, transfer to KiCad for design and layout, then make a board. > > Donald. > -- > "Plain Text" email -- it's an accessibility issue > () no proprietary attachments; no html mail > /\ ascii ribbon campaign - <www.asciiribbon.org> > > ----- "Frank P" <qz9090@...> wrote: > > > Leon, > > In looking at the KiCAD webpage > > (http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/), it says: > > > > With the schematic entry, you can: > > > > * Create simple or hierarchical sheets. > > * Test it with the Electrical Rules Check tool (ERC), > > * Create netlists for Pcbnew, or for Spice. > > > > So, I was wondering if people were using KiCAD and SPICE software > > together (and in what order). It sounds like you can use KiCAD and > > then run a simulation on SPICE software (maybe LTSPICE?). > > > > > > > > Frank P. > > > > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@> > > wrote: > > > > > > On 21/06/2010 17:57, Frank P wrote: > > > > In trying to layout a PCB, do you guys use LTSPICE to perform a > > simulation first? Then proceed to use a PCB layout software like > > KiCAD/FreePCB (after importing from LTSPICE)? Or, if the PCB is simple > > enough just start using KiCAD? > > > > > > You only need SPICE if you want to simulate an analogue circuit you > > are > > > using. Otherwise, just create a schematic and lay out the PCB. > > > > > > Leon > > > -- > > > Leon Heller > > > G1HSM > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and > > Photos: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >
2010-06-22 by Donald H Locker
Not yet. I just redraw in KiCad. Most of my circuits are dead simple these days. No more than a half dozen components. Donald. -- "Plain Text" email -- it's an accessibility issue () no proprietary attachments; no html mail /\ ascii ribbon campaign - <www.asciiribbon.org> ----- "Frank P" <qz9090@...> wrote:
> Donald, > You said you "transfer" from KiCad to LTSpice, are you using an > automated import/export utility to move the data between the apps? > > Thanks. > > Frank P. > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@...> > wrote: > > > > I've been doing more simulation lately. Quicker than breadboard and > the smoke stays inside the monitor. I like LTSpice a lot, so I'll > enter a schematic in it, work out the kinks, transfer to KiCad for > design and layout, then make a board. > > > > Donald. > > -- > > "Plain Text" email -- it's an accessibility issue > > () no proprietary attachments; no html mail > > /\ ascii ribbon campaign - <www.asciiribbon.org> > > > > ----- "Frank P" <qz9090@...> wrote: > > > > > Leon, > > > In looking at the KiCAD webpage > > > (http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/), it says: > > > > > > With the schematic entry, you can: > > > > > > * Create simple or hierarchical sheets. > > > * Test it with the Electrical Rules Check tool (ERC), > > > * Create netlists for Pcbnew, or for Spice. > > > > > > So, I was wondering if people were using KiCAD and SPICE software > > > together (and in what order). It sounds like you can use KiCAD > and > > > then run a simulation on SPICE software (maybe LTSPICE?). > > > > > > > > > > > > Frank P. > > > > > > > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > On 21/06/2010 17:57, Frank P wrote: > > > > > In trying to layout a PCB, do you guys use LTSPICE to perform > a > > > simulation first? Then proceed to use a PCB layout software like > > > KiCAD/FreePCB (after importing from LTSPICE)? Or, if the PCB is > simple > > > enough just start using KiCAD? > > > > > > > > You only need SPICE if you want to simulate an analogue circuit > you > > > are > > > > using. Otherwise, just create a schematic and lay out the PCB. > > > > > > > > Leon > > > > -- > > > > Leon Heller > > > > G1HSM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, > and > > > Photos: > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and > Photos: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links > > >
2010-06-22 by Andrew
Yes, thanks! --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@...> wrote:
> > My first recommendation would be to check out the LTSpice Yahoo! group <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LTspice/> There are a huge number of libraries, example circuits, tutorials, and a goodly number of very helpful and experienced users (and developers) there. > > I'm finding it very useful and usable. > > These came recommended to me; I haven't tried them myself, yet. > > <http://cmosedu.com/videos/LTspice/LTspice_videos.htm> > <http://claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu/~steriana/Videos/> > > HTH, > Donald. > -- > "Plain Text" email -- it's an accessibility issue > () no proprietary attachments; no html mail > /\ ascii ribbon campaign - <www.asciiribbon.org> > > ----- "Andrew" <a_wake@...> wrote: > > > Donald, > > > > Do you happen to know of a good tutorial on using LTSpice or another > > SPICE software? I tried messing around with this about 3 years ago, > > and didn't get very far ... I wouldn't mind trying again, if I could > > find some help! :) > > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Donald H Locker <dhlocker@> > > wrote: > > > > > > I've been doing more simulation lately. Quicker than breadboard and > > the smoke stays inside the monitor. I like LTSpice a lot, so I'll > > enter a schematic in it, work out the kinks, transfer to KiCad for > > design and layout, then make a board. > > > > > > Donald. > > > -- > > > "Plain Text" email -- it's an accessibility issue > > > () no proprietary attachments; no html mail > > > /\ ascii ribbon campaign - <www.asciiribbon.org> > > > > > > ----- "Frank P" <qz9090@> wrote: > > > > > > > Leon, > > > > In looking at the KiCAD webpage > > > > (http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/), it says: > > > > > > > > With the schematic entry, you can: > > > > > > > > * Create simple or hierarchical sheets. > > > > * Test it with the Electrical Rules Check tool (ERC), > > > > * Create netlists for Pcbnew, or for Spice. > > > > > > > > So, I was wondering if people were using KiCAD and SPICE software > > > > together (and in what order). It sounds like you can use KiCAD > > and > > > > then run a simulation on SPICE software (maybe LTSPICE?). > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Frank P. > > > > > > > > > > > > --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Leon Heller <leon355@> > > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > On 21/06/2010 17:57, Frank P wrote: > > > > > > In trying to layout a PCB, do you guys use LTSPICE to perform > > a > > > > simulation first? Then proceed to use a PCB layout software like > > > > KiCAD/FreePCB (after importing from LTSPICE)? Or, if the PCB is > > simple > > > > enough just start using KiCAD? > > > > > > > > > > You only need SPICE if you want to simulate an analogue circuit > > you > > > > are > > > > > using. Otherwise, just create a schematic and lay out the PCB. > > > > > > > > > > Leon > > > > > -- > > > > > Leon Heller > > > > > G1HSM > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, > > and > > > > Photos: > > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and > > Photos: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >