By “reference node” in nodal analysis, we mean that the voltage measured “at a node” is measured with respect to GND.
In the image below, we have 3 nodes (labeled A, B, and C) and GND as a reference node. In deriving the matrix equation for a given circuit, nodal analysis requires defining nodes in a circuit diagram, and a set of linear equations is derived for the voltage drop across each component. Imagine a circuit with 100+ components and a similar number of nets you would have to solve a massive matrix equation to determine the voltage and current in such a circuit. While this algorithm can be implemented by hand for simple circuits, it quickly becomes an intractable problem in large circuits. The nodal analysis technique returns a linear system of equations (written as a matrix) and solves this system using matrix arithmetic. The primary solution technique used in SPICE is nodal analysis. Although the programs themselves may be very different in terms of user experience and features, they all rely on the same fundamental algorithm for solving circuit analysis problems. Various SPICE simulators found in commercial applications or as open source programs online will have their own prefixes or suffixes (e.g., HSpice, LTSpice, etc.). This is often used to experiment with different component values and see how they affect electrical behavior.Įxample of frequency sweep results from a SPICE simulator.Īside from these fundamental analyses, different commercial SPICE applications include different features, user interface, and commands.
#ALTIUM DESIGNER 15 P SPICE HOW TO#
Keep on reading to learn about what is a SPICE simulation and how to use them in your designs.
#ALTIUM DESIGNER 15 P SPICE SIMULATOR#
You don’t need to be an expert on electrical simulations, but knowing how to use a SPICE simulator and how to interpret the results helps you design accurately for many applications. If you’re new to SPICE simulations and you’ve never used a simulator as a PCB designer, then don’t fret. But at a deeper level, what is a SPICE simulation, how does a SPICE simulation work, and what are some best practices for using SPICE? SPICE simulations are probably the most famous simulation tool used in electronics design, whether for PCB design, integrated circuit design, or for designing other electrical systems. Electronics veterans probably know quite a bit about SPICE simulations, but even some old-school engineers still run off their intuition and experience when designing circuits.