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Sam

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Registered: 24th Dec 99
Location: West Midlands
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3rd Oct 12 at 15:28

I know that there is software out there that you can use to design circuit boards, but is there anything that does that and is able to test whether everything works from within the same software?

For example: if you press a button or something connected to the PCB, a message is output to an LCD connected to the board - that kinda thing, so testing it visually on your computer first before building the physical board.

Thanks.

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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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3rd Oct 12 at 15:37

For simple stuff like that you'd usually breadboard it. There are packages that will do simulation though - the only one I've seen in use is NI Electronics Workbench, which is probably fairly pricey!

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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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3rd Oct 12 at 15:38

(And is now called Multisim apparently)

Dom

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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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3rd Oct 12 at 18:11

Free one called SmartSim; bit basic and overly user friendly but it works.

Steve

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Registered: 30th Mar 02
Location: Worcestershire Drives: Defender
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3rd Oct 12 at 18:16

trouble with breadboard is you still have to buy all the shit first, if you could do it all virtually you could just buy what you need, and the cost of components these days aint cheap!

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3rd Oct 12 at 18:23

A few quid on some components is going to be a hell of a lot less than prototyping software. You can get useful things on breakout boards to make bread boarding an easier task too.

Dom

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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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3rd Oct 12 at 18:55

Tbf, most prototyping software isn't that straight forward and, depending on the circuit, it's usually easier to go the breadboard route.

John

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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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3rd Oct 12 at 19:35

Arduino is the weapon of choice for doing stuff like that.

Coincidentally just seen http://indiantinker.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/arduino-controlware-v-1-0-beta/

[Edited on 03-10-2012 by John]

Tiger

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Registered: 12th Jun 01
Location: Leicestershire Drives:Astra VXR
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4th Oct 12 at 19:39

Have a look at this Sam, I posted it a couple of weeks back, have no idea of its limitations or strengths though, worth a badger though:

http://www.designspark.com/pcb (Freeware)

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