Computer Tools

Subject description

Review and use computer tools in electronics.

Graphical programming:

LabVIEW programming environment. The concept of programming in LabVIEW. Program flow and data flow. Memory management, performance and program execution determinism. LabVIEW software elements. Virtual Instruments and features. Data communication and synchronization. Error management. Software design patterns. Sub-Vis. Debugging tools and techniques. The connection to the physical world. Data Acquisition Systems.

Simulation of electronic circuits:

The design and structure of the SPICE. Software modules. Textual and graphical interface.

Basic analyses. Basic numerical methods of analyses. Further analyses of the SPICE program. Models and model editor. Modelling and simulation of non-electrical phenomena.

Simulation of mixed signal circuits.

Design of electronic circuits:

General information on tools for the design of PCBs. Organization of Altium Designer environment. Rules for designing electric scheme. Net list. The organization of libraries.

Designing printed circuit boards. Placing elements and routing printed circuit boards. Electrical and design rules check. Automatic generation of documentation. Generation of output files for PCB manufacturers.

The subject is taught in programs

Objectives and competences

To get acquainted with computer-aided electronic design tools and develop skills necessary to use computer tools in the process of design and implementation of electronic circuits and systems.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, laboratory practice, project work.

Expected study results

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to

use LabVIEW, SPICE and Altium Designer in the process of design and construction of electronic devices.

LabVIEW:

design a solution to a simple programming problem and implement it in LabVIEW.
analyze a complex program in the LabVIEW and upgrade it according to given requirements.
select appropriate hardware and build a program in the LabVIEW for measurement automation.

SPICE:

analyze the operation of a given analog circuits using SPICE simulations.
select the most appropriate simulation method to achieve the desired results.
interpret the simulation results.
build models for electrical and non-electrical simulations.

Altium Designer:

design schematics and printed circuit board layout according to a given template using good engineering practice to achieve compatibility with the applicable standards and production technologies.
create a new component and add the appropriate models.

generate corresponding output files and negotiate with the contractors for the PCB production.

Basic sources and literature

Jankovec M., Računalniška orodja, slikovno gradivo in zapiski predavanj, Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, Ljubljana, 2016.
Pirc M., Jankovec M., Računalniška orodja – Laboratorijske vaje, Ljubljana, 2016.
Youtube kanal predmeta Računalniška orodja: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6wYgfHCCCJ_Q_FKhDKfiTA
Spletna stran LabVIEW: www.ni.com/labview
Spletna stran Altium Designer: http://techdocs.altium.com/
Spletna stran LTSpice: http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/
Gorup Ž., LabVIEW, Založba Fakultete za elektrotehniko, Ljubljana, 2006.
Peršič B., Računalniška orodja, Založba FE, Ljubljana, 1998.
Robert H. Bishop, Learning with Labview 7 Express, Pearson Prentice-Hall Int., Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA, 2004, ISBN 0-13-117605-6
Tuma T., Bürmen A., Circuit simulation with SPICE OPUS : theory and practice, (Modeling and simulation in science, engineering and technology). Boston; Basel; Berlin: Birkhäuser, cop. 2009, ISBN 978-0-8176-4866-4.
Laung-Terng Wang, Yao-Wen Chang, Kwang-Ting (Tim) Cheng, Electronic design automation : synthesis, verification, and test, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-12-374364-0