Analog Devices revs up SPICE tool

PR wunderkind Bob Olsen over at Analog Devices tipped me off to an upgrade on their downloadable SPICE tool. The tool is a version of National Instruments’ Multisim from their Electronic Workbench division. Since Multisim dominates SPICE usage in colleges and universities, you may already be familiar with the user interface. I did an article about on-line design tools, but it is interesting to see TI, and ADI both offer downloadable tools. This mirrors what Linear Tech has done for years with their famous LTSPICE. And remember, SPICE stands for “simulation program with an IC emphasis” so all the defaults are usually wrong for board-level work, something taught to me by Matt Berggren at Altium, who recommends Ron Kielkowski’s “Inside Spice,” unfortunately out of print, but I’ve got my copy, so go get yours no matter what the price. Ron will tell you the tricks needed to get any SPICE program to converge better. From the ADI press release:

• Analog Devices, Inc. and National Instruments collaborated on a new release of NI’s Multisim component evaluation tool with added features and functionality to provide engineers with an easy-to-use environment for the simulation of linear circuits using ADI components. The free component evaluation tool is available on ADI’s website.
• Two important feature enhancements available in this edition of the component evaluation tool allow engineers to design larger, more complex circuits and easily import their own models into the tool. By matching more than 1,000 of ADI’s amplifiers, switches and voltage references to over 550 of NI’s simulation models, designers have free access to the industry’s premier simulation environment allowing them to easily experiment with circuit designs and reduce system development time and cost.
• Download a free copy of NI Multisim Component Evaluator - Analog Devices Edition.
• What’s new in NI’s Multisim Circuit Simulation Software.
• Find Multisim technical support here.
• Learn about SPICE simulation fundamentals.
• “Finding the right solution for a linear circuit often means sorting through many products and specifications,” said Steve Sockolov, director, Precision Signal Conditioning Group, Analog Devices. “With ADI’s extensive portfolio of amplifiers and other linear components, it’s important that we offer innovative ways to help customers find what they need quickly. Multisim joins a suite of free resources, such as ADI’s DiffAmp Calculator, developed with the engineer’s product selection and evaluation needs in mind.”
• NI Multisim Component Evaluator - Analog Devices Edition Features and Benefits:

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   1. Build simulatable circuits to evaluate a library of Analog Devices’ operational amplifiers, switches and voltage references.
   2. Simulate better with SPICE parser improvements, updated BSIM models, support for advanced parameters and enhanced digital simulation accuracy.
   3. Improve design communication with on-page connectors and a new WYSIWYG net naming system.