Activity 1.1.

5b Circuit Theory: Simulation

Introduction
As much fun as it is to analyze circuits by hand, the process becomes tedious as circuits grow in
size and complexity. This is where Circuit Design Software (CDS) comes to the rescue. As the
name implies, the CDS is a software tool that can be used to enter and simulate analog and
digital circuit designs.
As with most computer applications, the CDS handles the mundane and repetitive tasks
associated with analyzing circuits, allowing the designer (you) to concentrate on producing
quality and creative designs.
In this activity you will gain experience using the Circuit Design Software to analyze simple
analog circuits. In future activities we will use the CDS to analyze digital circuits as well. The
circuits analyzed are some of the same circuits that were analyzed by hand in the previous
activity. Thus, the theoretical and simulation results can be compared.

Series Circuit

Parallel Circuit
Equipment

Calculator
Circuit Design Software (CDS)

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Digital Electronics Activity 1.1.5b Circuit Theory: Simulation Page 1

Procedure
1. Shown below is the schematic for a simple series circuit. Analyze this circuit to determine
its total current and the voltage across each of the two resistors. To make these
measurements, add an ammeter and two voltmeters. The second schematic shown is the
original circuit with the added meters.
Calculated Values:

Voltage
Resistance
Current

Total
15
690
.017

R1
.017*220=3.74
220
.017

R2
7.99
470
.017

Using the CDS, enter and simulate this circuit. Measure and record the circuits total
current and the voltage across each of the resistors.
Measured Values:

2. Using the CDS, analyze the circuit shown above and complete the chart below. Also
place a screen shot of the circuit at the end of this document. Add the appropriate
ammeters and voltmeters. Be sure to put your answer in proper engineering notation and
use the correct units.
Voltage
Resistance
Current

Total
12
690
.017

R1
3.826
220
.017

R2
8.174
470
.017

3. Calculate the following values by hand and complete the chart for the circuit below.
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Digital Electronics Activity 1.1.5b Circuit Theory: Simulation Page 2

Voltage
Resistance
Current

Total
9
1940
.0046

R1
2.18
470
.0046

R2
5.57
1200
.0046

R3
1.25
270
.0046

4. Using the CDS, analyze the circuit shown below and complete the chart. Paste a screen
shot at the end of this document. Do the measured values compare to your previously
calculated values in the previous activity?

Voltage
Resistance
Current

Total
6
24200
.00024793

R1
.66942
2700
.00024793

R2
2.4793
10000
.00024793

R3
.81818
3300
.00024793

R4
2.03306
8200
.00024793

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Digital Electronics Activity 1.1.5b Circuit Theory: Simulation Page 3

5. Caculate the values for the circuit below and complete the chart.

Voltage
Resistance
Current

Total
12
2075.653
.005787

R1
12
8200
.001463

R2
12
6800
.0017647

R3
12
4700
.002553

6. Using the CDS, analyze the circuit shown below and complete the chart and paste a
screen shoe at the end of the document. Do the measured values compare to your
previously calculated values in the previous activity?

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Digital Electronics Activity 1.1.5b Circuit Theory: Simulation Page 4

Voltage
Resistance
Current

Total
12
2075.653
.005787

R1
12
8200
.001463

R2
12
6800
.0017647

R3
12
4700
.002553

7. Using the CDS, analyze the circuit shown below and complete the chart and paste a
screen shoe at the end of the document. Do the measured values compare to your
previously calculate values in the previous activity?

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Digital Electronics Activity 1.1.5b Circuit Theory: Simulation Page 5

Conclusion
1. It should be obvious that using a CDS to analyze circuits is far easier than performing
the calculations by hand. Yet, being able to perform these calculations by hand is still
an important skill for a circuit designer. Why?
You wont always have access to a CDS program, and the results on the computer may not
be the true values. Performing these by hand will make the process more efficient and you
can notic3e if there is something wrong with the results.

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Digital Electronics Activity 1.1.5b Circuit Theory: Simulation Page 6

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Digital Electronics Activity 1.1.5b Circuit Theory: Simulation Page 7