|
|
A BRIEF
HISTORY OF SPICE
A need for a circuit simulation program, some clever
folks with a vision and teams of hard working students and professionals all
contributed to the realization and evolution of SPICE. Below is a brief,
bullet-list history of this powerful simulator organized mainly according to
the different SPICE versions.
CANCER
-
Early 1970s, Ron Rohrer hopes to develop a simulation
program for his work on optimization at the University of California Berkley.
-
Rohrer's students, including Larry Nagel, create
CANCER (Computer Analysis of Non-Linear Circuits Excluding Radiation).
-
Performs DC, AC and Transient Analysis.
-
Components include diodes (Shockley
equations) and bipolar transistors (Ebers-Moll equations.)
-
Other simulation programs of the day
include IBM's ECAP and Autonetics TRAC.
SPICE1
-
In 1972, Nagel and Pederson release
SPICE1 (Simulation Program with IC Emphasis) into the public domain.
-
SPICE becomes industry standard simulation
tool.
-
Models for bipolar transistors changed
to Gummel-Poon equations.
-
JFET and MOSFET devices added.
-
Based on Nodal Analysis.
-
Written in FORTRAN code running on large main frame computers.
SPICE2
-
Nagel's 1975 release offers significant
improvements.
-
Modified Nodal Analysis (MNA), replacing
the old analysis, now supports voltage sources and inductors.
-
Memory is dynamically allocated to
accommodate growing circuit size and complexity.
-
Adjustable time-step control speeds
simulation.
-
MOSFET and bipolar models overhauled and
extended.
-
Version SPICE2G.6 (1983) is the last
FORTRAN version (still available today from Berkeley.)
-
Many commercial simulators today are based
on SPICE2G.6.
SPICE3
-
SPICE code rewritten in the C programming
language (1985).
-
Features a graphical interface for viewing
results.
-
Includes polynomial capacitors, inductors
and voltage controlled sources.
-
New version eliminates many convergence
problems.
-
Added models: MESFET, lossy transmission
line and non-ideal switch.
-
Improved semiconductor models accommodate
smaller transistor geometries.
-
Not backward compatible with SPICE2.
1980's AND BEYOND
-
Commercial versions released include: HSPICE,
IS_SPICE, MICROCAP, LTSPICE.
-
MicroSim releases PSPICE, the first PC
version of SPICE.
-
SPICE attracts many more users in industry
and academia.
-
Companies integrate SPICE versions to their
schematic entry and layout packages.
◄BACK TO SPICE TOPICS INDEX
|