Java Circuit Simulator

Paul Falstad likes to write Java applets, and he’s created quite an impressive collection. One of the coolest is this one, the Analog Circuit Simulator (pictured). It can graphically simulate all sorts of passive and active networks. You can build your own circuits, or you can check out the pre-made designs (like the Sallen-Key LPF shown).

It’s a lot of fun to play with, and a great way to spend this lazy Sunday.


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4 Comments

  1. If you use Linux, take a look at “ktechlab”. Offers Analog & Digital/Logic circuit simulation, and it seems to be able to program PICs with flow diagrams which should be nice for the non-tech people.
    (Crashy though.)

  2. Or, just use Spice if you’re interested in correct results. Anyway, this is not really "simulator" – just collection of pretty pictures.

  3. Pretty sure this *is* a simulator. 400+ lines of code in the analyzeCircuit() function (plus more in functions called from it), plus another 100 or so in LU factorization for solving a system of equations. And it looks like at least the Ohm’s law example recalculates currents correctly when you change resistor values. Maybe I missed something, though.

  4. Pretty impressive for how easy it is to use.
    Sure spice may be more adaptable but I have to admit it was pretty fun to play with (which is more than I can say about spice…)

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