If your software question isn't electronics related, ask on stackoverflow.com
Questions tagged [software]
288 questions
72
votes
7 answers
What are the freeware SPICE simulators available?
Does anyone know of a freeware SPICE / circuit simulator?
SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) is a general-purpose, open source analog electronic circuit simulator. It is a powerful program that is used in integrated…
Edward
- 1,339
- 3
- 17
- 24
48
votes
11 answers
Software for workshop - electronic components stock management
Im looking for reliable software that will help me to manage electronic components, tools, drills, wires in my workshop.
Currently I have probably more than 1000 diffrent components. My brain can't manage this anymore.
My "wishlist":
preferable…
Kamil
- 5,926
- 9
- 43
- 58
46
votes
2 answers
How is ASIC design different from FPGA HDL synthesis?
I've had some experience with FPGA/HDL tool suites such as Xilinx ISE, Lattice Diamond, etc. The general workflow is writing Verilog/VHDL, simulation, testing and then programming the FPGA.
I've heard a couple of people say ASIC design is very…
Robin Rodricks
- 866
- 4
- 10
- 14
44
votes
15 answers
What are low cost circuit and PCB design software?
Do you know of any freeware or low cost circuit / PCB design software?
I know a few which I have listed below but I was wondering if there were more of its kind. Please mention the good features and issues you've faced with the software.
Edward
- 1,339
- 3
- 17
- 24
40
votes
11 answers
Free circuit simulator for educational purposes
I am looking for a free circuit simulator for educational purposes. My requirements are:
Visual ("draw a circuit diagram, click simulate")
It should contain light bulbs as circuit components such that
2.1. They become (visually) brighter if you…
student
- 503
- 1
- 5
- 7
38
votes
2 answers
What's the difference between INPUT and INPUT_PULLUP?
On newer Arduinos, one can set pinMode to one of three states: OUTPUT,INPUT, and INPUT_PULLUP.
This page says:
The Atmega chip on the Arduino has internal pull-up resistors (resistors that connect to power internally) that you can access. If you…
Manishearth
- 2,882
- 2
- 22
- 32
31
votes
11 answers
Is it possible to physically destroy a microcontroller with software?
Assumptions:
No external circuitry connected (other than the programming circuit, which we assume to be correct).
uC is not faulty.
By destroying I mean releasing the blue smoke of death, not bricking it in software.
It's a "normal" uC. Not some…
Juan Carlos
- 411
- 1
- 4
- 4
29
votes
7 answers
Can I develop with the Arduino using an IDE with more features?
The simplicity of the open source Arduino IDE is great, but a bit limiting sometimes - I like to use Netbeans for instance for other work that I do. Do any plugins exist for more fully featured IDEs that would allow me to develop for the Arduino…
berry120
- 1,887
- 3
- 18
- 28
29
votes
4 answers
What software was used for drawing this schematic?
I was reading a book on digital electronics and the gates with more than two input are drawn differently. I have seen many books that draw schematic in this style. I was wondering what software did they use. I am specifically talking about the way…
sigsegv
- 465
- 4
- 7
26
votes
6 answers
New to PCB design - why doesn't auto placing components exist?
The circuit design software I have seen has the ability to automatically route traces etc. on a PCB.
But why doesn't this software have the ability to automatically place components on a PCB say to minimise total board size?
Is this just too…
Adam
- 361
- 1
- 3
- 4
24
votes
3 answers
Is there any way to simulate a program run before burning it onto the board?
Programs may, at times, have runtime errors. These are sometimes hard to find and can easily be missed. Is there any way to test the program before actually burning it onto the board ?
asheeshr
- 927
- 1
- 10
- 25
23
votes
6 answers
How do you structure large embedded projects?
Background:
Junior R&D electronics engineer (the only EE in the company) -
the hardware and the coding is not the problem. My biggest issue is getting a proper overview of the project, and where to start.
So far I've only made minor software…
Sorenp
- 1,287
- 8
- 18
20
votes
10 answers
Circuit Simulation Software
I'm getting back into hobbyist electronics after a very long hiatus and was wondering what the current state of circuit simulation software is. What is the industry standard for macs or PCs? What are the open-source alternatives?
Brian
- 347
- 3
- 9
20
votes
15 answers
Good tool for Mac OS X to draw circuits
I am looking for tool to draw circuits on Mac OS X. I mostly need it so I can add it into presentations. So the requirements are that it looks preety.
Lucas
- 451
- 1
- 4
- 18
17
votes
10 answers
What kind of project could help a software engineer become more of an electronic engineer?
I'm a software developer with practically no electronics background, but I want to get into this since it's relevant to the work I'm doing (infotainment system development). I'm a software engineer, not an electronic engineer, so my…
dukeofgaming
- 625
- 1
- 6
- 13