FAQ

 

QUESTION: What kind of learning products does Logic Design Inc. (LDI) provide?

ANSWER: LDI specializes in combining interactive lab simulation software with multimedia learning materials including animations, photos, videos, quizzes, assignments, and tests. In addition, LDI also sells textbooks for the electronics, PLC, and robotics education markets.

QUESTION: What is CircuitLogix?

ANSWER: CircuitLogix is a software program that converts your personal computer into a fully-functioning electronics laboratory with thousands of components and devices that are easily interconnected.

QUESTION: If I am a teacher, how can I benefit from LDI's Computer Based Training (CBT) products?

ANSWER: LDI's CBT products are designed to provide tutorial assistance to support and reinforce learning objectives determined by the teacher. LDI has over 60 different modules of technical subject material ranging from basic electricity to advanced robotics. Each of these modules is further sub-divided into approximately 10 major subject areas. This allows for a wide range of customization by the teacher, or a turn-key solution to tutorial assistance in the classroom. The unlimited number of practice exam questions, with solutions, provides teachers with much-needed help in the marking of exams and providing feedback to students on their progress.

QUESTION: What is the main difference between the Download and USB versions of the CBT products?

ANSWER: They are the same, except the course content is either on the USB stick, or the Download version is "on the cloud" and retrieves the material from the Internet. The CBTs contain dozens of high-resolution 3D animations that are tightly integrated with the 3D lab simulation software to provide a highly interactive "Virtual laboratory" environment. The CBTs also include practical applications, lab projects, and practice problems.

QUESTION: If I am a teacher, why should I use CircuitLogix?

ANSWER: Students can access a free 15-Day Trial student version of CircuitLogix, complete with circuit sets from the 10 leading electronics textbooks. Chances are, the textbook you are using has a CircuitLogix file set. The full version of CircuitLogix (CircuitLogix Pro) is sold to Schools, Colleges, and Universities at a greatly discounted rate and includes many useful pedagogical features such as 3D simulation software (3DLab), device design and editing capabilities, and over 10,000 devices and models.

QUESTION: I am a teacher, why should I be interested in LDI's Course Management Package (CMP)?

ANSWER: LDI's CMP provides teachers with a simple, effective method of providing evaluation and feedback to students, as well as tracking their progress through course material. Exams are written on-line, graded instantly, and detailed results are sent to the teacher. The teacher determines how many questions are to be asked, and sets the time allowed for the exam and our on-line system does the rest, in a safe, secure and highly reliable (99.7%) environment. LDI current marks over 100,000 exams per year for various schools, companies, and organizations throughout North America.

QUESTION: If I am an electronics student, how can I benefit from CircuitLogix?

ANSWER: The student version of CircuitLogix is available as a free 15-Day Trial download for anyone who is studying electronics. Circuit files to accompany the major electronics textbooks used in colleges and universities are also included for students. So, as a student, you have access to both the simulation software and hundreds of pre-built electronic circuits.

QUESTION: What is the difference between the Student Version and Professional Version of CircuitLogix?

ANSWER: CircuitLogix Student Version is intended strictly for use by students on their personal computer. The pro version of CircuitLogix can be used by schools, educational institutions, training organizations, etc. The core products are the same.

QUESTION: What documentation is included with CircuitLogix?

ANSWER: Every copy of CircuitLogix includes a comprehensive User Manual and Device Library Guide. A comprehensive online student resource center provides access to online documentation for all CircuitLogix users.

QUESTION: What devices are included in CircuitLogix?

ANSWER: CircuitLogix Pro contains over 10,000 device models. These devices include semiconductors, displays, indicators, switches, digital primitives, digital ICs, linear ICs, transistors, FETs, optoisolators, photo diodes, regulators, references, SCRs, triacs, supplies, sources, relays, math devices, transmission lines, motors, etc. In addition, a full suite of virtual instruments are provided including oscilloscope, digital multimeter, Bode plotter, curve tracer, data sequencer, signal generator, logic analyzer, logic probe and logic pulser.

QUESTION: How does CircuitLogix compare to other simulators?

ANSWER: CircuitLogix is the only electronics lab simulator designed specifically for the education market. Our original free student version created a revolution in electronics laboratory simulation, and has made us the world-leader in the electronics education market. The highly intuitive graphic-user-interface provides easy operation, without sacrificing its powerful processing capabilities. CircuitLogix meets or exceeds the functionality of its leading competitors while providing a more user-friendly interface. In most cases, you'll find that CircuitLogix is easier to use and provides as many or more features than products costing up to 10 times as much as our professional version.

QUESTION: What other related products are available for CircuitLogix?

ANSWER: A full suite of learning products to accompany CircuitLogix are available through Logic Design Inc. These products include computer-based training, textbooks, and testing and assessment. Other lab simulators, such as PLCLogix 500 and PLCLogix 5000 PLC simulation are also available. While CircuitLogix provides a certain level of electro-mechanical simulation and ladder logic control, PLCLogix provides advanced levels of ladder logic simulation.

QUESTION: What electronics education programs are available that use CircuitLogix?

ANSWER: A complete listing of online electronics and electro-mechanical programs using CircuitLogix in your local state or province is available at the following link: Online Tech Training. One of the largest and most popular distance education electronics programs in the world is offered by George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. The George Brown Electronics Technician distance education program currently has over 6,000 students enrolled from over 27 countries. Information about this program is available at Electonics Technican.

QUESTION: What is SPICE?

ANSWER: SPICE is an acronym that stands for Simulation Program (with) Integrated Circuit Emphasis. The program has become the industry de facto standard for analog circuit simulation and was developed at Berkeley University. CircuitLogix uses an enhanced version of XSPICE and 3fSpice to perform its simulation.

QUESTION: Why is that important to me?

ANSWER: There are several important reasons. First, since SPICE is the industry standard for analog simulation there are many third party books and other reference materials available to assist the user. Whether you are a beginner or professional, there are aids which can help you reach a higher level of simulation accuracy and performance. Second, many manufacturers make SPICE compatible libraries of their devices available on diskette. These libraries can be easily imported into CircuitLogix to expand the included device libraries.

QUESTION: How is CircuitLogix's version of SPICE different?

ANSWER: Many of the SPICE simulation programs available today are difficult to use and have serious limitations. At Logic Design Inc. we have greatly enhanced SPICE and removed the difficulty of use. In fact, unless you choose, you may not even be aware that SPICE is involved in the simulation. With CircuitLogix everything is setup using the intuitive graphical user interface. Finally, even though we have enhanced SPICE, CircuitLogix remains 100% SPICE compatible.

QUESTION: What if I need a device that is not in the provided library?

ANSWER: There are three main methods of expanding CircuitLogix's device library. The first method involves importing SPICE models and macro models. Many device manufacturers provide SPICE models for their devices on disk or over the Internet. In fact, our LINKS page has Internet links to many manufacturer websites where SPICE models can be found. SPICE models can be quickly and easily imported into CircuitLogix to expand the included device libraries. The second method of adding new devices is through the powerful Macro creation feature. This method involves building a circuit using existing devices which functions equivalent to the needed device. This circuit is then encapsulated into a package of the user's choice and saved in the library for future use. Macros can be expanded at any time, edited, and resaved. The third method of adding devices is for those who own the full version of CircuitLogix. This version supports SimCode©, a high-level programming language that allows you to write your own digital models quickly and accurately.

QUESTION: Is CircuitLogix compatible with other PCB layout tools? What format does CircuitLogix export its PCB netlist in?

ANSWER: CircuitLogix is compatible with many standard PCB layout software. CircuitLogix outputs PCB netlists in variety of formats, including Tango, Protel, OrCAD PCB II, PADS PCB and others.

QUESTION: What are the future plans/upgrade policies for CircuitLogix?

ANSWER: Logic Design Inc. is continually developing and enhancing its product line to meet the needs of our customers. New version releases can be expected about every 12-18 months. We offer very affordable upgrade options for registered users of our Full Version of CircuitLogix, but unlike most companies, we do not "penalize" customers if they choose to skip an upgrade and wait for the next one. And if you purchase one of our products within 90 days of a new version release, we will provide you the upgrade for free, so you don't have to worry about purchasing at the "wrong" time. If you have any comments or suggestions for future releases, please let us know. Our research and development is driven largely by customer input.