Digital circuit simulator [updated]

Jorgen Sigvardsson

Does anybody know of a good, but cheap (preferably free) digital circuit simulator? I just read Code by Charles Petzold, and gained a hell of lot better insight into the nitty gritty details on how a CPU works. I've dabbled with basic digital electronics in a university class, but I haven't really dug into it. I figured it's time I do something about it. Bear in mind that I'm a happy novice in this area, so the application needs to be fairly simple. What I want basically, is to be able to throw in a couple of gates, power sources, connectors, lights/diodes and switches. Then I want to press a button labeled "Simulate", to see blinking lights, and what have you. It would be nice if the simulator has ICs such as adders, latches and flip-flops, but not necessary. Simple gates is enough to keep me happy for a while. :) [update]I found this, simple, but fun program: http://www.spsu.edu/cs/faculty/bbrown/circuits/howto.html[^] It's completly free, and fun to play with (for me at least)[/update] -- modified at 19:19 Thursday 6th April, 2006

Somanova420

I don't know of any solutions out there but that sure sounds like a fun emulator prog

Lost User

http://www.emu8086.com/ dwnload @ yahoogroup -> files

Jon Sagara

It's not quite what you're looking for, but we used PSpice[^] back in the day. Look around, and you may be able to find a free academic version somewhere. Jon Sagara Look at him. He runs like a Welshman. Doesn't he run like a Welshman? Doesn't he? I think he runs like a Welshman. My Site | My Blog | My Articles

Chris Meech

Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote:

to see blinking lights, and what have you.

Acid flashbacks have been known to cause this too. :) Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] When I want privacy, I'll close the bathroom door. [Stan Shannon] GOOD DAY FOR: Moonlighting, as porn star Savanna Samson has launched her own wine label. Her Sogno Uno, an Italian red, received an "outstanding" 90 to 91 score from influential wine critic Robert Parker. "I wanted to do something my parents could be proud of," she said. (Reuters in CNNMoney.com)

Jorgen Sigvardsson

Hence the need for a simulator.. ;)

Jorgen Sigvardsson

I can't seem to find a free version, nor do I believe it's cheap. (If I have to ask, I probably can't afford it)

Marc Clifton

Do you have something equivalent to Radio Shack? They have a great analog/digital learning kit. Go for the real stuff and get your hands dirty with IC's, wires, etc. http://www.radioshack.com/sm-electronics-learning-lab--pi-2102913.html[^] If not, I suppose I could send you one. :~ Marc Pensieve Functional Entanglement vs. Code Entanglement Static Classes Make For Rigid Architectures Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson

Bob X

Might find something here.[^] :)

Jon Sagara

It has been 5+ years since I've used PSpice. I just remember buying a textbook that included a copy for academic use. They also used to have an academic version available for download, but, again, that was a long time ago. Sorry I can't be of more help. Jon Sagara Look at him. He runs like a Welshman. Doesn't he run like a Welshman? Doesn't he? I think he runs like a Welshman. My Site | My Blog | My Articles

73Zeppelin

I would say SPICE. There are some downloads here[^]. It does require that you have some previous knowledge of electronic circuits and how they operate, etc.. I used to have a copy of PSPICE, but it is currently in storage in another country. :doh:

Marc Clifton

thealj wrote:

but it is currently in storage in another country.

Hmmm. Is that like "the dog ate my homework"? Very original. ;P Marc Pensieve Functional Entanglement vs. Code Entanglement Static Classes Make For Rigid Architectures Some people believe what the bible says. Literally. At least [with Wikipedia] you have the chance to correct the wiki -- Jörgen Sigvardsson

code frog 0

Man, Pspice... Those were the days. H-Spice is where it's at though... if you have $1,000,000. He's looking for the digital design boards we used in school to build the low level gates that form switching theory, and, or, nor, nand. He'll also need some of the more advanced packages that you can wire up that perform basic functions for you. In our class we built a fully functioning calculator. It was pretty cool. - Rex

The enemy's gate is down. :cool: Welcome to CP in your language. Post the unicode version in My CP Blog[^] now.

Gary Wheeler

Migraines are good for it too X| :((.

Software Zen: delete this;

code frog 0

http://www.xilinx.com/ise/logic_design_prod/webpack.htm[^] Use this I also have another simulator I can upload for (free it's an academic version) you if that doesn't work but it should. You can use this page: http://coen.boisestate.edu/EE230/[^] Which goes to my College here in Idaho which I think had a great course on digital desing. The labs are there to and you might enjoy those as you *will* need some direction to go if you want to learn it.

The enemy's gate is down. :cool: Welcome to CP in your language. Post the unicode version in My CP Blog[^] now.

dighn

Hmm... CircuitMaker used to have a free student version. You could run analog/digital simulations on it. I just checked and it doesn't appear to be on the official site anymore, maybe you can google it and see if you can find the old version

Ray Cassick

Just dive in.. get a breadboard, some ICs, a decnet power supply, some resistors and LEDs and go to town :) Ahhh prototyping on a breadboard... brings a tear to my eye... Amazing how many software people have a low-level background in digital circuits :) Are we nothing more than a bunch of disillusioned hardware people ?

My Blog[^]
FFRF[^]

Jorgen Sigvardsson

That is my next project. I thought I'd get up to speed with a simulator first, and see if it's as exciting a week from now. I don't want to spend a lot of money on something I'll find boring. I am waiting for the USB driver/hardware learning kit I ordered the other week. I got a note in my inbox the other day, saying that it has been shipped. Should be here in a week or so, unless the customs wants to have their fun with it first. My dream is to hack something up, connect it to my computer, and the control the thing with a driver, written by myself. Not that I'd change the world or anything with it, but I think I would definately boost my geek status. :-D As soon as I've had my fun with the USB stuff, I will dive right into the world of PCI... :)

Jorgen Sigvardsson

That thing looks like the Mykit[^] I had as a kid. I have fond memories of building long wave radio receivers with it. Ah... I will never forget when my mom asked my why I put this looooong wire between two poles in the backyard. "I'm building a radio receiver mom!" :) If I find this digital circuit stuff as exciting as I think it is, the next step is to purchase "the real deal". I just don't want to spend a lot of money on stuff I'll throw away in 10 years from now, wondering why the hell I bought all that junk. :)

Jorgen Sigvardsson

Hmm.. spice. big money. Sounds like something out of "Dune". :rolleyes: