The Multiplatform Environment for Simulation and Features Estimation of Mixed-Signal Devices

Abstract

The use of simulation laboratories is gaining popularity in the domains of engineering programs. However, the experience in teaching shows that the simulation itself is not very effective in didactic processes. Teaching processes in the field of specialist subjects, designed for students of technical universities, should be based on direct operations performed by the student on real devices. At the same time, at the later stages of didactic processes, modern computer tools and techniques that enable modeling, simulations and measurements of projected systems or devices cannot be omitted. The article presents an example of applications of computer technology in the analysis of system properties at the stage of their designing, commissioning and testing of prototype properties. Based on the chosen hybrid system, in mixed analog-digital technology, the novel techniques of testing its functional properties were presented. The multiplatform combined with graphical programming and simulation software and hardware allows comparing a schematically captured circuit with a prototype of the same design. The platform based on NI myDAQ instruments and the Multisim Circuit Design software is presented. To illustrate its capabilities, the generator of the sawtooth wave with a mixed analogue-digital structure was tested. The integration between NI Multisim and NI myDAQ makes possible to correlate real and simulated measurements in a single interface. The possibility of presented techniques combined use allows optimizing the processes of designing, commissioning, testing and teaching the properties of electronic circuits.