Summary of Design & simulate in the clouds
Summary (under 100 words): Cloud-based circuit design and simulation tools offer device-independent access, ease of use, and growing capabilities for hobbyists and professionals. Early examples include TI's Webench for power converters and blocks. CircuitLab provides online schematic entry, simulation, and parts ordering via Jameco. Digi-Key's Scheme-it focuses on schematic capture with tight parts integration and available reference designs. These services complement traditional downloadable simulators by enabling work anywhere and simplifying parts sourcing.
Parts used in the Project:
- National Semiconductor (now TI) Webench tools (switching converters, filters, clock trees)
- CircuitLab schematic entry and simulation
- Jameco parts integration with CircuitLab
- Digi-Key Scheme-it schematic capture
- Digi-Key parts database integration
- Reference designs from various companies (available in Scheme-it)
It was a few years ago that I first heard of a free site where you could draw and simulate designs. “What’s the point?” I thought. But, the idea is taking off. Was I wrong?
I questioned the usefulness of this cloud concept because there had already long existed good, free circuit simulators. A quick download, and off you go, drawing and simulating. Why deal with the extra vagaries of service-provider availability, and of course, Internet access?
Well, as with any other cloud-based service, there are advantages, such as being able to work anywhere, on any supported device, and not having to deal with the software directly. And while the services out there now seem mostly suited to exploration, hobby, and simple prototype use, they will keep getting better. Some are arguably already professional grade.
To start, I’d be remiss not to mention an early, limited implementation of the online design and sim concept. For years, National Semiconductor (now TI) has offered Webench as a quick way to create designs using their parts. Switching converters are the focus, but the tools also handle circuit blocks like filters and clock trees.
Back to the newer services, that system I first encountered a few years ago was CircuitLab. It can handle schematic entry and simulation, and there’s integration with Jameco for ordering parts. Here’s a look at the edit screen:
Distributor Digikey has jumped into the fray with Scheme-it. The system does schematic capture, not simulation. Of course, it has a tight connection to Digikey’s massive parts selection. Reference designs from a few companies are also available for immediate use.
For more detail: Design & simulate in the clouds
- What are the advantages of cloud-based circuit design and simulation?
You can work anywhere on supported devices and avoid managing software directly; services are improving for exploration, hobby, and simple prototype use. - Are cloud-based tools professional grade?
Some services are arguably already professional grade, though many are suited to exploration and prototyping. - What does TI Webench provide?
Webench offers quick creation of designs focused on switching converters and also handles circuit blocks like filters and clock trees. - What functionality does CircuitLab offer?
CircuitLab handles schematic entry and simulation and integrates with Jameco for ordering parts. - Does Digi-Key offer an online design tool?
Yes, Digi-Key offers Scheme-it for schematic capture with tight integration to Digi-Key's parts selection. - Does Scheme-it support simulation?
No, Scheme-it focuses on schematic capture and does not perform simulation. - Can I order parts directly from these online tools?
CircuitLab integrates with Jameco for ordering parts, and Scheme-it is tightly connected to Digi-Key's parts database. - Are reference designs available in these services?
Yes, Scheme-it provides reference designs from a few companies for immediate use.
