LTSPICE is surprisingly flexible simulator but some of important options are not described in documentation. One of them is additional method of integration that you can use to address convergence problems. This method is called backward Euler. Read more
Performance of output stage plays a significant role in overall performance of audio power amplifier and, together with VAS output stage, may be considered to be the major source of distortions. Read more
TL431 is commonly used to create a voltage reference or small linear shunt regulator. It is often considered to be a “programmable zener”. Though, there is a big difference between TL431 and a zener diode. As many of other feedback systems, TL431 can oscillate if inappropriately decoupled. Read more
If you are estimating stability of feedback system, determining bandwidth or decoupling components for your circuit, RC time constant or cut-off frequency is one of essential parameters. This calculator will help you to evaluate cut-off frequency and time constant of RC circuit. Read more
FFT capabilities integrated into LTSPICE simulator are nice and flexible. However, if you would like to evaluate frequency or amplitude dependence of distortions, you have to take these measurements point by point and then manually plot them.
I created an LTSPICE add-on to automate THD measurements and plot result in the form of THD vs. Amplitude and THD vs. Frequency graphs. Read more
.MEASURE or .MEAS is a very convenient and one of the few options for built in post processing of simulation results in LTSPICE. Though, you should be careful, while using it. Read more
Here is an example of parametric sweep, showing one possible way of potentiometer and variable resistor simulation in LTSPICE. I will use commonly referenced tone control, originally suggested by James and modified by Baxandall to utilize active tone control scheme. Read more
Stepping component and model parameters is essential for many SPICE simulations. Some SPICE simulation programs are offering better capabilities than the other. Read more
Imagine, you are lucky to get subcircuit for component you’d like to simulate. How good this subcircuit is?
Quality of simulation strongly depends on quality of subcircuit model that is used. Unfortunately, netlist for complicated subcircuit does not look like schematic drawing and is hard to interpret. Yes, everything is there, but as many design engineers, I’m thinking in terms of schematic when it is comes to necessity of interpreting functional behavior. Read more
LTSPICE is offering very nice possibility to incorporate repeatable portions of schematic into simulation, that is not available in many other SPICE simulation programs- hierarchical blocks. Hierarchical blocks represent reusable portions of schematic, visible on higher level of schematic as a symbol. While LTSPICE is missing multipage schematic editor, hierarchical blocks are offering another simple way of creating complex schematics. Read more
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