NL5 circuit simulator

NL5 uses simple analog components and models, including ideal components:

• Ideal switch with zero/infinite resistance and instantaneous switching
• Ideal diode with constant voltage drop when closed, and zero current when open
• Ideal amplifier with zero output resistance, infinite gain, and infinite bandwidth

Non-linear components are represented as piecewise-linear, or as a function (simulated with one step delay). For mixed-signal systems, system-level, and behavioral modeling NL5 uses simple basic digital, function, C-code, and DLL components. Practically all parameters of NL5 components can be set to positive, negative, zero, or infinity value. NL5 schematic may have arbitrary, even unrealizable topology, with floating nodes, "voltage loops", etc.

NL5 performs transient simulation using modified nodal analysis and trapezoidal integration. A special algorithm is in place to handle simulation with ideal components (e.g. zero/infinite resistance and instantaneous switching).

NL5 performs 3 types of AC analysis:

• Small signal, for linear and linearized non-linear circuits
• Sweep AC source (variable-frequency sinusoidal source), for non-linear and switching circuits
• z-transform, for constant frequency switching circuits

• Transient tools: FFT, XY plot, eye diagram, amplitude histogram, and more
• AC tools: Smith chart, Nyquist plot, Nichols plot
• Post-processing: performs various mathematical operations on transient and AC results
• Command line, script (C-language)
• HTTP interface: built-in HTTP server
• Interface to some oscilloscope models through VISA interface
• Encrypted components and schematic files
• Co-simulation with digital simulators. NL5 DLL is an NL5 transient simulation engine with an API in the form of a Windows DLL. It can be used as an analog simulation engine for co-simulation with System Verilog digital simulators (e.g. Xilinx Vivado). Also, NL5 DLL functions can be called from C/C++ applications, MATLAB, Python, etc., and perform co-simulation with user's tool of choice.

• Industry. Dialog Semiconductor, developer of power-management integrated circuits for consumer electronics, has adopted NL5 as a mixed-signal simulation tool, and provides NL5 models of their digital power controllers to customers.{{cite web |title=DiaSIM™ Simulation Models |url=https://www.dialog-semiconductor.com/AC-DC/diasim-simulation-models |publisher=Dialog Semiconductor |accessdate=6 January 2019|date=2018-11-22 }} Simulation results obtained with NL5 are used by electronics companies in application notes{{cite web |title=AC/DC Simulation Tools Combine Analog and Digital Blocks for Higher Accuracy |url=http://www.innovatecha.com/html/NewsletterMarch.pdf |website=Dialog Field Team Newsletter |publisher=Dialog Semiconductor |accessdate=13 January 2019 |page=3 |date=2017}}{{cite journal |last1=Ворошилов |first1=А |title=Влияние синфазных электромагнитных помех на работу РЗА в СОПТ. Борьба с ложными срабатываниями |journal=Новости Электротехники |date=2016 |volume=97 |issue=2 |url=http://www.news.elteh.ru/arh/2016/98/05.php |accessdate=14 January 2019 |publisher=ЗАО «Новости Электротехники», Санкт-Петербург |language=ru}} and conference proceedings.{{cite book |last1=Isurin |first1=A |last2=Cook |first2=A |title=2016 18th European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'16 ECCE Europe) |chapter=Step-up DC-DC converter for automotive application |pages=1–9 |date=2016 |doi=10.1109/EPE.2016.7695284 |publisher=IEEE |location=Karlsruhe, Germany|isbn=978-9-0758-1524-5 |s2cid=15094407 }} Due to piecewise-linear nature, NL5 is listed among preferred simulators for switching circuits.{{cite journal |last1=White |first1=Robert V. |title=A Look in My Toolbox: Part II [White Hot] |journal=IEEE Power Electronics Magazine |date=March 2015 |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=56–54 |doi=10.1109/MPEL.2014.2381455 |publisher=IEEE}}
• Science/Research. NL5 is used in research labs to design control systems and electronics for scientific applications.{{cite journal |last1=Сеньков |first1=Д.В |last2=Медведко |first2=А.С |title=Управляющий Контроллер Высоковольтного Источника Энергоблока Установки Электронно-лучевой Сварки |journal=Автометрия |date=2015 |volume=51 |issue=6 |pages=117–124 |url=https://www.iae.nsk.su/images/stories/5_Autometria/5_Archives/2015/6/16_senkov.pdf |accessdate=6 January 2019 |publisher=ИАиЭ СО РАН |language=ru}}{{cite journal |last1=Setiniyaz |first1=S |last2=Kim |first2=H.W |last3=Baek |first3=IH |display-authors=etal|title=Beam characterization at the KAERI UED beamline |journal=Journal of the Korean Physical Society |date=2016 |volume=69 |issue=6 |pages=1019–1024 |publisher=The Korean Physical Society |language=en |issn=1976-8524|doi=10.3938/jkps.69.1019 |arxiv=1610.02135 |bibcode=2016JKPS...69.1019S |s2cid=119268584 }} It is used for scholar articles published in IEEE journals,{{cite journal |last1=Antoszczuk |first1=P |last2=Cervellini |first2=P |last3=Retegui |first3=R.G |last4=Funes |first4=M |title=Optimized Switching Sequence for Multiphase Power Converters Under Inductance Mismatch |journal=IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics |date=March 2017 |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=1697–1702 |doi=10.1109/TPEL.2016.2602810 |publisher=IEEE|bibcode=2017ITPE...32.1697A |s2cid=25640217 |hdl=11336/64950 |hdl-access=free }} and presented at conferences and workshops{{cite book |last1=Fischer |first1=J.R |last2=Martinez |first2=J.F |last3=Judewicz |first3=M.G |last4=Echeverría |first4=N.I |last5=Gonzalez |first5=S.A |title=2017 XVII Workshop on Information Processing and Control (RPIC) |chapter=Robust predictive current control with harmonic compensators for grid-connected VSI |pages=1–6 |date=2017 |doi=10.23919/RPIC.2017.8211642 |chapter-url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8211642 |language=es|accessdate=11 January 2019 |publisher=IEEE |location=Mar del Plata, Argentina|isbn=978-987-544-754-7 |s2cid=32553645 }}{{cite journal |last1=Divya Navamani |first1=J |last2=Vijayakumar |first2=K |last3=Jegatheesan |first3=R |title=Study on High Step-up DC-DC Converter with High Gain Cell for PV Applications |journal=Procedia Computer Science |date=2017 |volume=115 |pages=731–739 |publisher=Elsevier B.V. |issn=1877-0509|doi=10.1016/j.procs.2017.09.109 |doi-access=free }}
• Academia. Since 2009, NL5 is a simulation tool of preference for power electronics laboratory course at Colorado State University.{{cite web |title=ECE562 - Power Electronics I |url=http://www.engr.colostate.edu/ECE562/course_info.html |website=Electrical & Computer Engineering |publisher=Colorado State University, College of Engineering |accessdate=14 January 2019}} It is used by students all over the world for theses in different electronics-related fields.{{cite thesis |degree=MS |last1=Kabala |first1=M |title=Application of distributed DC/DC electronics in photovoltaic systems |pages=28 |publisher=Colorado State University |date=2017|bibcode=2017MsT.........28K |hdl=10217/183942 |hdl-access=free}}{{cite web |last1=Карелин |first1=В |title=Разработка геликонного источника плазмы для линейной установки по изучению взаимодействия плазмы с материалами |url=https://docplayer.ru/28924725-Fizicheskiy-fakultet-vypusknaya-kvalifikacionnaya-bakalavrskaya-rabota-kafedra-fiziki-plazmy-nazvanie-raboty-nauchnyy-rukovoditel.html |publisher=BS Thesis, Department of Plasma Physics, Novosibirsk State University |language=ru |accessdate=6 January 2019 |date=2017}}{{cite thesis |last1=Martinez |first1=J |title=Diseño y construcción de un convertidor trifásico de 3 niveles |url=http://rinfi.fi.mdp.edu.ar/xmlui/handle/123456789/118 |date=1 March 2017 |publisher=Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata |accessdate=13 January 2019 |language=es}} NL5 has been mentioned in reviews of educational software tools.{{cite journal |last1=Bertolotti |first1=F |last2=Ferreira |first2=F |title=PANORAMA SOBRE PROGRAMAS DE SIMULACION DE CIRCUITOS DE ELECTRONICA DE POTENCIA |journal=XIII International Conference on Engineering and Technology Education |date=2014 |pages=473–475 |url=http://copec.eu/congresses/intertech2014/proc/works/104.pdf |accessdate=11 January 2019 |publisher=COPEC |language=es}}{{cite journal |last1=Silva |first1=V.M |last2=Oliveira |first2=W |title=SOFTWARES DIDÁTICOS GRATUITOS E DE CÓDIGO ABERTO: FERRAMENTAS PARA POTENCIALIZAR O ENSINO DAS ENGENHARIAS |journal=XLV Congresso Brasileiro de Educação Em Engenharia - COBENGE 2017 |date=2017 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320173715 |accessdate=13 January 2019 |language=pt}} NL5 is also being used as a demonstration and teaching tool of basics of physics and electronics.{{cite journal |last1=Lepil |first1=O |last2=Kodejška |first2=Č |title=Netradiční experimenty s vázanými oscilátory |journal=Matematika–Fyzika–Informatika |date=2018 |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=26–36 |url=http://www.mfi.upol.cz/index.php/mfi/article/view/381 |accessdate=10 January 2019 |language=cs |issn=1805-7705}}{{cite journal |last1=Lepil |first1=O |last2=Látal |first2=F |title=Rezonance v učivu o střídavých proudech |journal=Matematika-Fyzika-Informatika |date=2014 |volume=23 |issue=5 |pages=356–368 |url=http://www.mfi.upol.cz/index.php/mfi/article/view/165 |accessdate=6 January 2019 |language=cs |issn=1805-7705}}

Without a license, NL5 works in a demo mode, with full functionality and limited number of circuit components. Free licenses are available for educational institutions and students (1 year license).{{cn|date=September 2023}} Different types of temporary and permanent licenses are available for individuals and companies.

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{{Official website|https://sidelinesoft.com/nl5}}

Category:Electronic circuit simulators