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FROM EDN EUROPE: Web-based tools offer free simulation
By Graham Prophet -- EDN, 12/7/2000
Using National Semiconductor's Webench 2.0 tools, you can have access to a range of wireless-, power-, and thermal-simulation tools for designs that use National Semiconductor's parts. EasyPLL is a tool for simulation of phase-locked-loop (PLL) designs. Once you register and use the graphics entry screen that the tool creates for you, you enter the base parameters of the PLL you require. The tool then selects a part or offers a choice of parts and creates a design around it. You can simulate the design and check how close it comes to your needs. Then, once you are happy, the package provides a parts list and a set of distributor links to order samples.
If you are designing power-supply circuits, a similar flow guides you through selection of a part and a circuit topology; in this case, WebSim from Transim (www.transim.com) hosts the simulation. Once again, you get a simulation of how the suggested configuration will perform. You can also get an idea of how the design performs thermally; your circuit maps onto a standard, typical pc board, and you get back a mapping of heat transfer and temperature distribution across the board. You can adjust parameters, such as air flow and boundary thermal conditions. Flomerics (www.flomerics.com) software runs this simulation. You can explore the three tools at webench.national.com.
