| Name | EntryDate | Details |
| FilterPro | 2010-09-12 19:54:45 |
Description: Texas Instruments provides free FilterPro v3.0 active filter design software which can design multiple feedback (MFB), Sallen-Key, low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-stop filters using voltage feedback op amps.
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: Filter Design Software Price: Free URL: http://focus.ti.com/ docs/ toolsw/ folders/ print/ filterpro.html OSs: Windows ReviewText:
Keywords: op amp , filter , Butterworth , Gaussian , Bessell , Chebychev , linear phase filter , design software Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1284335685 (single entry page) |
| Visual Studio Express | 2010-01-01 18:43:41 |
Description: Microsoft has free entry level tools available for software development in:
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: Microsoft Software Development Environment Price: Free URL: http://www.microsoft.com/ express/ download/ OSs: Windows ReviewText: These are based on the Microsoft .NET platform. These are not " demo" or "crippled" tools. Instead, they provide capabilities that you would have paid good money for in years gone by. The EEHP editor routinely uses these tools in the normal course of his "daytime" engineering duties. Keywords: C/C++ , Visual Basic , C# , Visual C/C++ Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: User xml_ID: 1262389421 (single entry page) |
| C to Verilog | 2009-07-04 14:48:55 |
Description: C to Verilog is an easy to use web-based service which accepts a C language description of your datapath and generates synthesizable Verilog output.
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: High level synthesis Price: free URL: http://www.ctoverilog.com OSs: Other Limitations: C-to-Verilog provides a free on-line service which allows users to compile their existing C code into optimized RTL. This RTL can be synthesized into an FPGA. They provide this service to demonstrate their technology. Companies who wish to license their technology or individuals who wish to make commercial use of the service can contact them. Application examples include:
Synthesis parameters appear to be globally applicable, and include:
Commercial tools may give you more control over your generated output, but if you have a limited budget and a need to quickly generate code for an FPGA application, then you should check out C to Verilog. |
| SPARK C-to-VHDL high-level synthesis framework | 2009-07-04 14:29:35 |
Description: "SPARK takes behavioral ANSI-C code as input, schedules it using speculative code motions and loop transformations, runs an interconnect-minimizing resource binding pass and generates a finite state machine for the scheduled design graph. Finally, a backend code generation pass outputs synthesizable register-transfer level (RTL) VHDL. This VHDL can then by synthesized using logic synthesis tools into an ASIC or by mapped onto a FPGA.
"
[show less...]
License: Restricted - see web site for details Type: High level synthesis Price: free for non-commercial use URL: http://mesl.ucsd.edu/ spark/ OSs: Windows, Linux, Solaris Limitations: This software is Copyright 2003-2004 The Regents of the University of California. All Rights Reserved. Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its documentation for educational, research and non-profit purposes, without fee, and without a written agreement is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice, this paragraph and the following three paragraphs appear in all copies. Permission to incorporate this software into commercial products or for use in a commercial setting may be obtained by contacting: Technology Transfer Office
Support for fixed point math appears to be limited to specifying precision for built-in C datatypes. The tool is downloadable from the University of California at San Diego website, and is backed up by a number of academic publications. |
| NL5 Circuit Simulator | 2009-03-23 23:44:52 |
Description: Piece-wise linear circuit simulator. Graphical schematic entry, transient and AC analysis, many features. Due to unique algorithm, NL5 performes much better than Spice-based simulators for many types of analog circuits, particularly switching mode power supplies
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: Analog Circuit Simulator Price: See NL5 website at http://nl5.sidelinesoft.com/index.php?page=buy URL: http://nl5.sidelinesoft.com/ OSs: Windows Limitations: Free Demo version with limited functionality. Keywords: circuit simulator , analog simulator , power supply Submitter: Alexei Smirnov Affiliation: Developer xml_ID: 1237866292 (single entry page) |
| SynaptiCAD | 2009-03-23 23:35:21 |
Description: SynaptiCAD makes a family of CAD tools for use on Linux, Solaris & Windows. Current products include:
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: Verilog simulator, timing diagrammer, etc. Price: Various - See http://www.syncad.com/syn_quot.htm URL: http://www.syncad.com/ OSs: Windows, Linux, Solaris Limitations: An evaluation version is available for download (requires registration). After installing the software, we received details of the license via email: "This evaluation version is limited to compiling 60K of source file data, so you can use it to simulate small designs without a license. However, a license is required to save your data or simulate large projects. To obtain a license file, which will activate this version fully for 2 weeks, go to http://www.syncad.com/syn_lic.htm." Keywords: Verilog , HDL , simulator , waveform generation , timing generator , testbench generator Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1237865721 (single entry page) |
| BRL-CAD | 2008-07-14 22:39:15 |
Description: From the BRL-CAD website: "BRL-CAD is a powerful cross-platform Open Source combinatorial Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) solid modeling system that includes interactive 3D solid geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing support for rendering and geometric analysis, network-distributed framebuffer support, image and signal-processing tools, path-tracing and photon mapping support for realistic image synthesis, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, an embedded scripting interface, and libraries for robust high-performance geometric representation and analysis."
[show less...]
License: Open Source, GNU or similar Type: Solid Modeling System Price: Free URL: http://brlcad.org/ OSs: Windows, Linux, Mac-OS, Solaris, Other, Source Available ReviewText: We haven't tried this one yet, but here is a bit more information from the BRL-CAD online documentation: "Since 1979, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory has been developing and distributing the BRL-CAD constructive solid geometry (CSG) modeling package for a wide range of military and industrial applications. The package includes a large collection of tools and utilities including an interactive geometry editor, ray-tracing and generic framebuffer libraries, a network-distributed image-processing and signal-processing capability, and an embedded scripting language." Keywords: CAD , modeling , solid modeling , MGED Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1216089555 (single entry page) |
| SAGE: Open Source Mathematics Software | 2008-04-28 23:27:55 |
Description: Sage is a comprehensive open-source mathematics software suite that has the mission statement "Creating a viable free open source alternative to Magma, Maple, Mathematica, and Matlab".
[show less...]
License: Open Source, GNU or similar Type: Mathematics Price: Free URL: http://sagemath.org/ OSs: Windows, Other, Source Available ReviewText: We haven't tried Sage yet, although it looks promising. Here are a few quotes from the Sage website:
Keywords: MATLAB , Maple , Mathematica , Magma Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1209439675 (single entry page) |
| Autodesk Alias Studio Personal Learning Edition | 2008-03-09 20:34:08 |
Description: Autodesk AliasStudio Personal Learning Edition is a special version of the AliasStudio 3-D design tool; providing free access for non-commercial use. The free version of the tool offers almost every feature included in the full commercial version.
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: Industrial Design Price: Free URL: http://usa.autodesk.com/ adsk/ servlet/ index? siteID=123112& amp;id=8412665 OSs: Windows Limitations: The Autodesk AliasStudio Personal Learning Edition restricts users to non-commercial applications through the display of a watermark on images as well as through the use of a special non-commercial file format. ReviewText: Click the "Get Your Software Key" link on this page to register for the software. Once complete, you will be directed to a web page with instructions for downloading and installing the software. With a fast network connection, you can be up and running in 10 to 15 minutes. We haven't had a chance to go through the product tutorials yet, but it does appear to offer an extensive set of features. Keywords: CAD , prototyping , AutoDesk , digital prototyping , 3-D design , mechanical design Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1205120048 (single entry page) |
| Calclulatoredge | 2008-03-07 05:15:52 |
Description: calculatoredge.com offers an extensive set of online calculators for science and engineering applications. Need the parameters for a Butterworth filter? No problem. How about calculating RF power density? They got it, plus dozens, maybe hundreds more.
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: On-Line Calculators Price: Free URL: http://www.calculatoredge.com/ OSs: Other Keywords: web-based , calculator Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1204895752 (single entry page) |
| Google Sketchup | 2007-12-31 11:02:38 |
Description: The Google Sketchup program (free) is a full featured program which allows you to quickly and easily create 3D models of just about anything. Sketchup Pro ($495) offers additional features for the professional.
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: 3D Drawing Price: Free & $495 URL: http://sketchup.google.com/ OSs: Windows Limitations: Additional features of Sketckup Pro include:
ReviewText: ![]() The biggest problem with Sketchup is that it is so easy and fun to use that you will find it quite addictive. We downloaded the free version, and spent several days of our Christmas break experimenting. There is a bit of a learning curve, but Google helped out by posting numerous online video tutorials. Sketchup can easily be used to create 3D product mockups. Most users will probably never need the "Pro" version of the tool, as the basic tool is very useful as-is. Complex 3D figures can easily be viewed from any angle, and even exported to AVI graphics (see a video we posted on YouTube).
|
| InCyte Lite | 2007-12-26 16:43:42 |
Description: ChipEstimate.com offers a free version of their InCyte chip estimation tool. Their website states "The system is used by thousands of chip planners to assess project feasibility, compare different IP configurations and to see the impact of new process nodes and IP on new and existing designs. Users input a high level design specification and InCyte Lite produces industry average estimations of chip die size, power, and leakage. Models used for estimation are built based upon averages from leading foundries and IP library suppliers. InCyte provides industry average estimation of the following key metrics:
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: Chip Estimation Price: Free URL: http://www.chipestimate.com/ incytelite.html OSs: Windows Limitations: In addition to InCyte Lite, there are two other versions of the tool available for purchase. Page 2 of the InCyte Datasheet has a chart comparing the features. Keywords: packaging , yield , leakage , SoC design , die size , power consumption , die cost , estimation Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: User xml_ID: 1198716222 (single entry page) |
| MagNet & ElecNet | 2007-12-10 18:41:36 |
Description: Infolytica offers trial versions of its MagNet and ElecNet tools. Unlike a lot of trial software, these come with a reasonable duration license (the version of MagNet we downloaded had a license file good through August 2008 - a full nine months away), and some nifty features. The MagNet trial does static electromagnetic field simulations. ElecNet does electric field simulation.
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: Electromagnetic and electric field simulation Price: trial version is free URL: http://www.infolytica.com/ en/ products/ trial/ OSs: Windows Limitations: The trial versions include scripting capability. ReviewText: We had a lot of fun playing with MagNet, spending our spare time over the course of several days experimenting with the tool and brushing up on our electromagnetics theory using some of the references at Trial Documentation site. The illustration shown here is a screen dump of the output of one of MagNet's simulations.
|
| NI Multisim Analog Devices Edition | 2007-10-14 18:29:34 |
Description: Analog Devices is offering a free version of National Instruments Multisim SPICE tool which is tailored for evaluating ADI devices. More than 1000 component models are included.
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: Spice Simulator Price: Free URL: http://www.analog.com/ multisim OSs: Windows Limitations: Details from the Multisim Analog Devices Documentation:
ReviewText: It takes only a few minutes to register at the ADI site and download the software (assuming you have a high speed link). Installation was straightforward (restart required). Keywords: Spice , simulation , Multisim Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1192411774 (single entry page) |
| CLARAty Reusable Robotic Software | 2007-08-16 20:24:30 |
Description: "CLARAty is a framework that promotes reusable robotic software. It was designed to support heterogeneous robotic platforms and integrate advanced robotic capabilities from multiple institutions. CLARAty stands for Coupled-Layer Architecture for Robotic Autonomy. It is a collaborative effort among four institutions: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Ames Research Center, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Minnesota."
[show less...]
License: Unknown Type: Software Framework for Robotics Price: Free URL: http://claraty.jpl.nasa.gov/ man/ overview/ index.php OSs: Linux, Mac-OS, Solaris, Other, Source Available Limitations: The CLARAty site states: "We are in the process of releasing most of the CLARAty infrastructure and several of its algorithms that have been approved for public release. Our objective is to engage the robotic community in the development and advancement of surface mobility and robotic control algorithms for challenging environments." ReviewText: We haven't tried out the software packages ourselves, but the site is extremely well organized and well documented, which bodes well for the framework. It appears that only a small part of the overall framework has been released at this time, but future releases are planned. Keywords: algorithms , framework , motion control , robotics , software , navigation Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1187321070 (single entry page) |
| GreenSocs ESL Effort | 2007-06-16 17:43:55 |
Description: The GreenSocs web site provides collaboratively developed, peer reviewed, ESL interfaces and infrastructure. Contents include GreenBus ("a versatile SystemC framework with which to model busses") and associated Spirit generator, DUST analysis framework for SystemC, a SystemC parser, and more.
[show less...]
License: Open Source, GNU or similar Type: Open Source ESL Price: Free URL: http://www.greensocs.com/ OSs: Linux ReviewText: This appears to be a fairly ambitious project to develop open source ESL tools oriented around SystemC, Spirit, and other standards. We haven't tried any of the downloads, and cannot comment on how far the tool set (developed using SourceForge) has progressed. Keywords: SystemC , ESL , simulation , PCI , system design , AMBA , Spirit Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1182041035 (single entry page) |
| CircuitLogix | 2007-06-12 20:15:41 |
Description: CircuitLogix is a Spice-based simulation package that appears to be targeted at the educational marketplace. A free student version is can be downloaded by students for use on their own machines. See the CircuitLogix web site for license restrictions.
[show less...]
License: Commercial Type: Schematic design & simulation Price: $249 for single user license. Student version available for free to qualified users. URL: http://www.circuitlogix.com/ index.html OSs: Windows Limitations: Notes from the CircuitLogix site include: "The student version of CircuitLogix electronics lab simulation is available free of charge to any student studying electronics through an educational institution. The CircuitLogix Student Version is the same product as the full version of CircuitLogix with the following limitations:
ReviewText: As we're not students, we didn't download the software for review purposes. The web link we've provided appears to be the student version of the same tool listed at http://www.logicdesign.com/. The Logic Design web site also notes "In addition to electronic components, CircuitLogix also features a wide variety of electro-mechanical devices and includes innovative features such as advanced motor control, process control, and relay logic components.". Keywords: Spice , simulation , schematic , LTSPICE , mixed-mode simulation Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1181704541 (single entry page) |
| Calc98 | 2007-06-03 20:34:58 |
Description: Award winning calculator program for Windows. Supports scientific and programmer functions (hex/octal/binary operations are included).
[show less...]
License: FreeWare Type: Calculator, PC-based Price: Free URL: http://www.calculator.org/ download.html OSs: Windows, Other Limitations: It's freeware, but you are asked to register the product after 90 days (no cost). ReviewText: The keyboard reconfigures itself depending upon the current number base, so you only see scientific functions in decimal mode, or programmers functions in Hex/Octal/Binary modes. This results in a display that's a bit easier to use than the standard Windows calculator. Keywords: calculator Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1180928098 (single entry page) |
| Reverse Polish Notation Calculator | 2007-06-03 16:34:59 |
Description: This browser-based RPN calculator was written by Guido Socher. It offers a 5 deep stack (all levels visible), 4 memory stores, and basic trig and log functions.
[show less...]
License: Open Source, GNU or similar Type: Calculator, RPN, Scientific Price: Free URL: http://linuxfocus.org/ ~guido/ javascript/ rpnjcalc.html OSs: Other, Source Available ReviewText: The help manual for the calculator is available at http://linuxfocus.org/~guido/javascript/rpnjcalc-help-0.1.html. Keywords: Javascript , calculator , RPN Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1180913699 (single entry page) |
| SpecC Reference Compiler | 2007-05-29 18:15:28 |
Description: Offered by the University of California, Irvine, Center for Embedded Computer Systems, "The SpecC Reference Compiler (SCRC) is an Open Source implementation of a compiler and simulator for the SpecC language."
[show less...]
License: Open Source, GNU or similar Type: Compiler/Simulator Price: Free URL: http://www.cecs.uci.edu/ ~specc/ reference/ OSs: Windows, Linux, Solaris, Source Available ReviewText: Details from the SCRC website are: "The SCRC distribution consists of:
Full source code is provided, ready to be used on most Unix-like environments. For convenience, precompiled binary distributions are also provided for popular platforms, including Solaris, Linux and Windows." Keywords: SystemC , ESL , simulation , systems engineering , SpecC , SCRC Submitter: EE HomePage Editorial Staff Affiliation: None xml_ID: 1180487728 (single entry page) |


