Common LISP as Simulation Program (CLASP) of Electronic Circuits

• Main Authors: D. Cerny, J. Dobes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spolecnost pro radioelektronicke inzenyrstvi 2011-12-01
• Series: Radioengineering
• Subjects: Common LISP; computer simulation; electronic circuits; device models
• Online Access: http://www.radioeng.cz/fulltexts/2011/11_04_880_889.pdf

In this paper, an unusual and efficient usage of functional programming language Common LISP as simulation program (CLASP) for electronic circuits is proposed. The principle of automatic self-modifying program has enabled complete freedom in definition of methods for optimized solution of any problem and speeding up the entire process of simulation. A new approach to program structure in electronic circuit simulator CLASP is described. The definition of simple electronic devices as resistor, voltage source and diode is given all together with description of their memory management in program CLASP. Other circuit elements can be easily defined in the same way. Simulation methods for electronic circuits as linear and nonlinear direct current analysis (DC) are suggested. A comparison of performances of two different linear solvers (an original and the standard GNU GSL) for circuit equations is demonstrated by an algorithm for automatic generation of huge circuits.