PROTEUS PROFESSIONAL version 6.9 (Labcenter Electronics)

09 Aug 2006

The Proteus electronic design package consists of three distinct parts, ISIS schematic design, VSM virtual system modelling and ARES PCB design tools.
Proteus is the preferred CAD package within WareWorks.
A free demo can be downloaded from http://www.labcenter.co.uk/

ISIS
The ISIS schematic capture application allows the design of circuits using components either from standard libraries or designed by the user.
A wide range of component symbols is provided in the ISIS package, contained within a library system that is easy to navigate and offers previews prior to adding a symbol to a design. Adding new outlines, or modifying existing ones is straight forward, as is adding new libraries which allows a modified outline to be saved under the same name without over-writing the original.
A great feature of the library system is that new libraries do not need to be in a specific directory. A user library located on a server may be accessed by numerous users.
Netlist generation in ISIS can provide a range of output formats for use with different PCB design packages, and templates for generating Bills Of Materials can be custom designed to reflect whatever component information is considered most useful.
Proteus is available with different limits on the maximum pin count. This is not a limit on the amount of components that can be placed, however. But a netlist cannot be created if the pin count exceeds the limit.

• Large existing selection of component outlines.
• New outline creation very easy.
• Structured library system easily expanded and shared between users.
• Flexible output of netlists and BOMs.

VSM
The simulation feature of Proteus is contained within ISIS. Any design created using components that possess SPICE models can be simulated.
The Proteus simulator is an interactive simulator; inputs such as button presses can be included.
Output from the simulator is given in a visual form, with properties at selected points within the circuit being shown graphically, and special output components (for example a set of traffic lights used in the VSM tutorial) that will react when necessary.

• Interactive in real-time.
• Different analysis modes to enable study of different circuit properties.
• AC, DC, and digital signal inputs.
• Voltage and current probes.
• Graphical and real-time visual output.

ARES
The ARES PCB design tool can be used to design PCBs from imported netlists or with components picked and placed directly by the user. For netlist based designs there are both auto-placement and auto-routing features available. It is possible to add extra components to a netlist-based design, but ARES will not allow two nets to be shorted together.
Auto-necking of tracks is available, but care should be taken with this feature if an overall track width is changed after being placed.
ARES supports both PTH and SMT design, and allows for up to 16 layers of tracks (including top and bottom surface layers). As with ISIS, a wide range of component packages is supplied in a well organised library system, that allows new or edited package designs to be added. Again by placing user libraries on a server, multiple users may share newly created package footprints.
Gerber output is excellent. The multiple files required for any project can be automatically placed together in a single zip file, and extra construction and design notes can be inserted at the time of creation instead of having to open and edit files later.
In common with ISIS, ARES is capable of generating files for export in a variety of formats (eg. DXF, BMP).

• Direct or netlist based design.
• Distances measured down to 1th or 0.1mm.
• Auto-placement and auto-tracking.
• Up to 16 track layers.
• Auto-necking.
• Large existing package library system that is easily expanded and shared between users.
• User defined design rules and automatic checking for violations.
• Single stage gerber output, zips and comments files automatically.
• Capable of exporting various image file types.

PROTEUS LITE
Labcenter Electronics also provide a shareware version of Proteus called Proteus Lite. Aimed primarily at students and hobbyists commercial use is not forbidden. Being shareware the range of features is limited in comparison to the professional version, though some extra features may be added by registering the product.
Proteus Lite can be downloaded free from http://www.proteuslite.com/
Labcenter provides technical support for registered users of Proteus Lite via e-mail.

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