LT-Spice is a commonly accepted tool for doing circuit analysis. Since Philips EE components like transistors, diodes and chips are quite mature (and in earlier EE-kits these components are ... old), they are often not represented in the standard LT-Spice component library. Furthermore, their behavior may differ from their default LT-Spice counterpart. For example, the LM3900 is a current-differencing "Norton" amplifier that works quite differently from a standard voltage-differencing OpAmp, even though the type of applications is very similar.
Therefore it is valuable to have a collection of Philips EE-specific component definitions. Based on some searching and inquiries it was possible to compile a list (v1.3) of most of the relevant types:
- Diodes and varicaps: OA91, OA95, BA318, BB110, BB109, BB112, BB212
- Transistors: BF494, BF495, BC547A, (BF547B, BC547C), BC548A, BC549B, BC549C, BC550C, BC557C, BC559B, BC559C and BC560C
- FET's (JFET): BF244A, BF245A
- IC: LM3900 (component definition and Norton symbol-specific graphical layout, in two separate files). It needs to be noted that the source of this excellent model is Mr. Helmut Sennewald, see this link for background information.
- MOSFETs (not part of any kit, but handy though): BSN254A, BS107, (BS170)
In order to use them, the following steps are advised:
Firstly, the following files need to be downloaded ("Save link as") in your local simulation directory (i.e. your active working directory where your application is located):
- Diodes, transistors and FETs: Philips_EE.txt
- LM3900: LM3900 Model (MOD) file & LM3900 LTSpice Symbol (ASY) File
Then, in your application in LT-Spice do the following:
- Add the following SPICE directive (button in main menu): .include Philips_EE.txt
- For diodes, transistors and FET's: select the appropriate component, add it to your design, then edit the component name. It will then be automatically recognized from the Philips_EE list
- For the LM3900: press the Component button, in the window that opens select at the top your active working directory (and the LM3900 MOD and ASY files should reside there as well), the LM3900 symbol should then show up and can be selected.
As a test example, the following model of a LM3900-based VCO (derived from AN-52) should be able to run directly in LT-Spice (and to test it: check different values for V2 and then see how the frequency at the Opamp's outputs changes):
As a final remark: Note that a few more archaic components are not in the list, I am happy to be informed about contributions!