Experience In Using Electronics Workbench

Muhanunad H. Rashid, Ph.D. Professor of Electrical Engineering Department of Engineering Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN 45805-1499 Fax: (219) 481-5728 e-mail:rashid@engr.ipfw.indiana.edu Abstract
- This paper summarizes the usefulness of the circuit simulator Electronics Workbench in analysis and design verifications of electronic circuits. It illustrates through examples. Electronics Workbench (EWB) is an electronics lab in a computer and it is modeled on a real electronics workbench. The large central Workspace is like the breadboard, the parts bin is beside it, and the parts bin buttons and test instruments are stored on shelves along the top. You build and test circuits entirely on the Workspace using the mouse and menus. Everything you need is readily at hand. Circuit behavior is simulated realistically, and the results are quickly displayed on the multimeter, oscilloscope, Bode plotter, logic analyzer or whatever instruments you have attach to the circuit. The schematic editor has many interfacing devices and components both analog and digital. The version 5.0 has the Graphic Analysis which is an excellent feature. It simulates a real laboratory environment with meters, function generator, oscilloscope, and Bode plotter. Thus, the schematic and connection are identical to what would be expected in the laboratory step connections and setup. This is highly desirable, especially in the pre-lab stage of a design project or a pro-type development. The version 5.0 has most of the analysis features normally required from a simulator. These include Transient Analysis, Bode plot, DC Analysis, Transfer function plot, Fourier Analysis, Parametric Sweep, Sensitivity Analysis. Worst-case/MonteCarlo Analysis. The model parameters of active devices such as diodes, op-amp, bipolar transistors and filed-effect transistors can easily be set by the users. For example in PSpice, changing model parameters of active devices requires modifications in the (device) library file(s) which can only be done by experienced uses. The student version of the EWB 5.0 can handle up to 30 active devices with no limits on the number of passive derives. Although, the student version of PSpice is free, it can handle only unto 16 active devices and a circuit with 65 nodes. The device limit of PSpice is easily reached if a circuit contains a subcircuit (s) such as macromodel of an op-amp. It does not allow any mathematical operations of voltages and currents unlike Pspice. The graphical post-processor Probe in PSpice is like a theoretical oscilloscope which allows plotting functional variables such as power, power factor, Fourier spectrum. Also, it can be used to find the rms, average, and peak voltage and current ratings of devices and components. With its many desirable features, the EWB can play an important role in teaching of understanding of basic circuits and electronics, especially in the pre-lab assignments/exercises or design projects. The student version of EWB has potential to enhance the education of basic circuit and electronic courses. This presentation will discuss the usefulness of the circuit simulator Electronics Workbench in analysis and design verifications of electronic circuits. It illustrates through examples. It will be based on the book: Electronics Circuit Design Using Electronics Workbench, by M. H. Rashid, PWS Publishing, Inc., 1998.