Splice: a new analytical network analysis software

Abstract

Splice is an analytical electrical circuit program that operates under the Windows operating system. Splice is the only commercially available software that will perform this type of analysis. A description of the features found in Splice 1.0 and examples to illustrate them is presented. Splice is easy to use and works with the netlist file of the MicroSim Corporation PSpice simulator. The user adds special analysis to the circuit schematic which instruct Splice to perform a specific type of analysis. The symbols are transparent to PSpice, giving the user the option to simulate the network at any time. Splice is powered by the Waterloo Maple algebraic engine and can analyze many types of linear electrical networks consisting of inductors, capacitors, resistors, transformers, transistors, operational amplifiers and all types of AC and DC current and voltage sources. Splice can perform branch current, nodal voltage, Thevenin reduction, transfer function and two-port reduction analysis, with options for component substitutions, pole and zero calculations, sinusoidal steady-state and time-domain result calculations. Splice cannot solve networks with nonlinear components, but it can reduce the linear network surrounding a nonlinear element, allowing the user to attempt an analytical solution. From computer-assisted homework to in-depth circuit analysis, Splice provides for better, more insightful linear electrical network analysis.