View source for Software:NL5 Circuit Simulator

{{Short description|Software product}}
{{Infobox software
| name                   = NL5
| title                  = 
| logo                   = NL5_header_small.jpg
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| author                 = 
| developer              = Sidelinesoft
| released               = {{Start date and age|2009|01|df=yes}}
| discontinued           = 
| latest release version = 2.72
| latest release date    = {{Start date and age|2020|05|df=yes}}
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| genre                  = [[Simulation software]]
| license                = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
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| website                = {{URL|https://sidelinesoft.com/nl5}}
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'''NL5''' is a mixed-signal [[Electronic circuit simulation|electronic circuit simulator]] with ideal and [[Piecewise linear function|piecewise-linear]] components. 

== History == 
The first generation of '''NL''' ("non-linear") analog simulator was developed in the late 1980s for different types of computers and operating systems. In early 1990s, NL migrated to [[Software:MS-DOS|MS-DOS]] and [[Software:Windows|Windows]] based personal computers. For many years it was a proprietary tool of a few research labs and small companies, used to design control systems, measurement equipment, and power supplies.<ref name=CERN>{{cite web |last1=Anushat |first1=V |last2=Dahlerup-Petersen |first2=K |last3=Erokhin |first3=A |last4=Kussul |first4=A |last5=Medvedko |first5=A |title=Modeling and Computer Simulation of the Pulsed Powering of Mechanical D.C. Circuit Breakers for the CERN/LHC Superconducting Magnet Energy Extraction System |url=http://cds.cern.ch/record/477523/ |website=CERN Accelerating science |date=2000 |accessdate=5 January 2019}}</ref> The first publicly available version of '''NL5''' (the "fifth generation" of NL) was released on January 1, 2009.

== Components ==
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 function|piecewise-linear]], or as a function (simulated with one step delay). For mixed-signal systems, [[Engineering:System-level simulation|system-level]], and [[Behavioral modeling|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. 

== Analysis ==
NL5 performs '''transient simulation''' using [[Engineering:Modified nodal analysis|modified nodal analysis]] and [[Trapezoidal rule (differential equations)|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|z-transform]], for constant frequency switching circuits

== Modules and features ==
*Transient tools: [[Fast Fourier transform|FFT]], XY plot, eye diagram, amplitude [[Histogram|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 [[Engineering:Virtual instrument software architecture|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 [[Dynamic-link library|Windows DLL]]. It can be used as an analog simulation engine for co-simulation with System Verilog digital simulators (e.g. [[Software:Xilinx Vivado|Xilinx Vivado]]). Also, NL5 DLL functions can be called from C/C++ applications, [[Software:MATLAB|MATLAB]], Python, etc., and perform co-simulation with user's tool of choice.  

== Applications ==
*'''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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Simulation results obtained with NL5 are used by electronics companies in application notes<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> and conference proceedings.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Isurin |first1=A |last2=Cook |first2=A |title=Step-up DC-DC converter for automotive application |journal=2016 18th European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'16 ECCE Europe) |pages=1–9 |date=2016 |doi=10.1109/EPE.2016.7695284 |publisher=IEEE |location=Karlsruhe, Germany|isbn=978-9-0758-1524-5 |s2cid=15094407 }}</ref> Due to piecewise-linear nature, NL5 is listed among preferred simulators for switching circuits.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 
*'''Science/Research'''. NL5 is used in research labs to design control systems and electronics for scientific applications.<ref name=CERN /><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Setiniyaz |first1=S |last2=Kim |first2=H.W |last3=Baek |first3=IH  |display-authors=0|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 }}</ref> It is used for scholar articles published in IEEE journals,<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and presented at conferences and workshops<ref>{{cite journal |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=Robust predictive current control with harmonic compensators for grid-connected VSI |journal=2017 XVII Workshop on Information Processing and Control (RPIC) |pages=1–6 |date=2017 |doi=10.23919/RPIC.2017.8211642 |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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>
*'''Academia/Education'''. Since 2009, NL5 is a simulation tool of preference for power electronics laboratory course at Colorado State University.<ref>{{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}}</ref> It is used by students all over the world for theses in different electronics-related fields.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> NL5 has been mentioned in reviews of educational software tools.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> NL5 is also being used as a demonstration and teaching tool of basics of physics and electronics.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 
 
== Licensing ==
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). Different types of temporary and permanent licenses are available for individuals and companies.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

[[Category:Electronic circuit simulators]]

{{Sourceattribution|NL5 Circuit Simulator|1}}