Free and powerful online circuit simulation tool for power design engineers

Now stocked by Digi-Key, Cree's SpeedFit is a free and powerful online circuit simulation tool for power design engineers. The company says it is the only online circuit simulation tool that is 100% dedicated to simulating and evaluating the performance of SiC power devices. It allows a design engineer to determine the performance of an all SiC based power converter in seconds and select the right devices for his/her application. The user can tailor the simulation to the exact application parameters of interest and can use a set of tools to analyse SiC device performance, key voltage, and current waveforms, to determine the benefits and advantage of SiC in an application. The SpeedFit user interface is simple and intuitive with topologies broadly categorised into DC-DC, AC/DC, or DC/AC applications. It consists of a set of tabs that help guide the user toward an end goal of determining the right SiC component(s) for a design. It shows performance data, including average switching and conduction losses and maxi mum junction temperatures for a specific operating condition. After choosing a topology, the user specifies system level circuit parameters, chooses a recommended device or one from the library, defines thermal interface parameters and cooling, and gets results in seconds. SpeedFit even allows the user to specify external gate resistance values and major passive component values in the circuit. The user can compare results for different circuit configurations and devices. The tool summarises the system parameters, device part number, and simulation results in one concise report. The tool uses the PLECS WBS web-based simulation tool developed by Plexim. Files containing the loss models and thermal impedance information are available for download at Wolfspeed.com for offline use in PLECS so existing PLECS users can now access models for Wolfspeed’s parts. PLECS Standalone can be obtained from Plexim’s website and has a free demo mode allowing access to a collection of prebuilt designs. Free PLECS trial licenses can also be requested on their website.