Circuit simulation software

Plantis

Hello

I need to do some simulations before trying to make a real circuit. I was advised to use the free software by Linear Technology. However, it works bad.

I have a circuit with a couple of operational amplifiers(op-amp). According to the first golden rule, an op-amp should keep equal voltage on both inputs. However, it does not do it. As a result, a simulation data is wrong.

Can you suggest me another software? Also, Why can it be that the program doesn't work appropriately.

Thank you, Plantis

Bassalisk

Have you considered you set it up wrong?

Anyway, unless you are ready to spend some money for other circuit simulators, LTspice is the way to go.

But anyway: Proteus ISIS, TINA, National Instruments mutlisim... These cross my mind.

Post a circuit schematics, we might see what the problem is.

Kholdstare

You can get a free demo version of OrCAD PSpice, which is in my opinion way better than LTspice.

ColinW

Did you remember the most important three words in your golden rule, "with negative feedback"?

Plantis

Do you mean that op-amp attempts to make not always makes the voltage difference between the inputs zero?

Golden rules:
I. The output attempts to do whatever is necessary to make the voltage difference between the inputs zero.
II. The inputs draw no current.

Bassalisk

How can output do anything to the input, if there is no feedback, negative in our case? Without feedback, its a comparator...

jim hardy

"an op-amp should keep equal voltage on both inputs. However, it does not do it."

what Colin is saying is:
it is the responsibility of the designer to place the op-amp in a circuit that gives it the ability to force its inputs equal.

if the designer does not succeed at this , the opamp cannot keep them equal, so they will be unequal,
and more often than not that's the trouble.

perhaps if you post a drawing of your circuit , somebody here would offer some pointers.

Linear is a first class outfit. i doubt they have bad software.

when building real circuits ,,,
it is normal to have difficulty when starting out.

at first it doesn't work at all,
then you get it working halfway,
then you get it you think right,
then you find some things you misunderstood or overlooked,
then you get it working great.
then you figure out how to make it better yet.

if world of simulation is similar, i'd say that's good.

second rule: Never give up.

Plantis

You can find scheme and simulation attached. Thank you

Simulation.jpg - Voltage for point A and B(inputs for U2 op-amp)
pdf file - scheme

Plantis

Attached Thumbnails

 

Attached Files

dual_amp_current_v2.pdf (13.8 KB, 30 views)

jim hardy

okay now experiment a little, to gather some observable symptoms for your troubleshooting..


first thing i'd try is set R5 and R6 both to 100 meg-ohms(1e8) and see if it changes output (it should)

easier done with simulator than soldering iron for you, but not for me....
i dont even understand those arguments of SINE(?).

the bright young fellows here will get you going i'm sure.

over and out

vk6kro

The opamps shown have very low gain because of the low feedback resistor sizes.

Gains are 0.01 or 1/100 and 0.0005 or 1/2000. This would be why it isn't working very well.

The feedback resistors need to be higher and you might start with 100K resistors or higher.

jim hardy

make it work DC-wise first ?

what must U1's output be to force his -in equal to +in?

can he develop that across R6?
if not, designer has failed to surround U6 with a circuit that lets him force his inputs equal.

oops - out.

vk6kro

It has a lot of problems at present, but first, the feedback resistors need to be reasonable.

Then there is the effect of two large voltage sources, V4 and V2 in the input circuitry.

Bassalisk

The one thing that bothered me was that. That 50 Ohm resistor in feedback, too small. But I thought "oh what do I know" :D

The standard 741 op amp can give out 20 mA if I recall. If he did put that 50 ohm resistor in feedback, wouldn't op amp fry? Not to mention that 100 Ohm resistor. Am I any close to right here?

jim hardy

""Am I any close to right here?""

i think so...
but remember how voltage follower works.

Bassalisk

Yes, true but voltage follower, has "-" lead connected only to output, and no current flows through that wire (- to output)[only offset currents]. Right? His configuration is a diff amp, and the first one is inverter(I think).

jim hardy

""but voltage follower, has "-" lead connected only to output, and no current flows through that wire (- to output)[only offset currents]. Right?""

correct.

i plod one step at a time...

i'm focused on U1, trying to get it working as an opamp (i.e. able to make its inputs equal) for DC.
since the current source is a sinewave it'll have zero DC component
and not much DC can come in through R4 because it's so large compared to R2


so in you mind's eye open(or remove) that wire from R4 to U1 - what would be DC voltages at both inputs of U1 then, were U1 working as an opamp?

vk6kro

The feedback resistors are important because they control the possible gain of the opamps.
They could also overload the opamps but usually these are well protected internally, so they would not be damaged.

This circuit needs to be got going one section at a time. At present, it has no chance of working and a change of simulator isn't going to fix that.

I have tried a couple of other simulators, but LTSpice is excellent. I find it very easy to use and it seems to give good results.