LTspice - Step by Step
One fantastic tool for the electronic hobbyist is LTspice and it is free! If you're reading this, you're already using a computer. So why not also simulate an electronic circuit before you build it? Here are just some of the reasons why you might want to use LTspice:
- You don't have to have the parts in stock to see if your idea works.
- Any signal or voltage can be plotted for you.
- Any current can be plotted for you (no need to disconnect wires to insert your multimeter)
- Very minute voltages or currents can be read without disturbing circuits
- Spectrum plot results can be displayed (FFT plots).
- A frequency response test can be performed.
- Schematic capture and print capabilities.
- Bill of materials generation (from the schematic).
Who Maintains It?
Linear Technology maintains and distributes LTspice. It is provided to allow customers to test and try out their products before committing to buy. They make the software freely available. Just keep in mind that only paying customers get “service” for any software bugs or enhancement requests.
Other LTspice Resources
There seems to be an LTspice wiki that has some advanced material and pointers to tutorials.
Is It Hard To Learn?
No. When you learn it step by step, it very easy. Most of the challenge is simply becoming familiar with where things are and how to accomplish certain tasks. Once you've walked through these things once, you'll become immediately familiar with it. Stepping through it's use, you'll put some simple circuits into LTspice immediately and run simulations. Instant gratification!
So I won't drag you through a bunch of documentation to read first. We'll start right away doing things!
After you start using LTspice, you'll wonder how you ever got by without it!
Step by Step Tutorials
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