Developed by RS in conjunction with Number One Systems, the latest version provides extra functionality and enables the PCB design software to be used with Spice simulation tools from several major manufacturers. In addition to the tool’s new simulation interface, version 3 includes enhancements such as component and circuit element grouping, and design calculators which model circuit performance characteristics.
The simulation interface means that DesignSpark PCB can be linked to industry-standard Spice simulators that help verify that the circuit is operating correctly, before moving to board layout or the next stage of the design. Version 3 currently supports four simulators: LTSpice, LSSpice, TopSpice and TINA.
The ‘groups’ feature allows multiple items in the design to be associated, so they act as one unit. Once defined, ‘groups’ can also assist in the selection of related portions of a circuit. On translation of the schematic circuit into the Autoroute tool, the group information is also transferred along with the components, allowing easy placement.
The design calculators allow the selection of a track or via and perform basic electrical calculations, including track width required for a given current, track impedance, optimum copper density, approximate temperature rise on a track and the resistance of a via, given its physical characteristics.
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