Faysal AzizAnalog Circuit Modelling with Falstad
Circuit fundamentals and simulation practice
Why this course
Explore analog-circuit fundamentals through the Falstad/CircuitJS simulator. The course combines basic circuit analysis with selected component, amplifier, filter and power-supply examples.
Participants build and inspect small simulated circuits. Simulation supports learning and hypothesis testing; results depend on the models and do not replace component specifications, physical measurement or engineering validation.
Learning outcomes
- Explain basic component behaviour and apply introductory DC and AC analysis.
- Create, edit and inspect simulated circuits in Falstad.
- Compare selected diode, transistor, op-amp and filter configurations.
- Diagnose a simple circuit problem and explain model and measurement limitations.
Prerequisites
- Basic electrical/electronic principles and component familiarity.
- Ability to read introductory circuit diagrams.
- A computer with a supported browser and access to the arranged Falstad environment.
2 modules
01Day 1 — Fundamentals and Circuit Simulation1 topics
Analog Circuits and Components
- Definition and importance of analog circuits
- Differences between analog and digital circuits
- Overview of common analog circuit applications
Electronic Components and Their Functions
- Resistors: types, characteristics, and applications
- Capacitors: types, characteristics, and applications
- Inductors: types, characteristics, and applications
- Diodes: types, characteristics, and applications
- Transistors: types, characteristics, and applications
Circuit Theory
- Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Laws
- Series and parallel circuits
- Voltage and current dividers
- Thevenin's and Norton's Theorems
Falstad Workflow
- Overview of the Falstad simulator interface
- Basic navigation and tools
- Creating and saving circuit projects
- Running simulations and interpreting results
DC and AC Analysis
- Understanding DC voltage and current sources
- Analyzing simple resistive circuits
- Simulating DC circuits in Falstad
AC Circuit Analysis
- Understanding AC voltage and current sources
- Frequency, amplitude, and phase concepts
- Analyzing capacitive and inductive reactance
- Simulating AC circuits in Falstad
Work through selected resistor and reactive-circuit examples, comparing calculations with simulated voltage and current.
02Day 2 — Active Circuits and Practical Projects1 topics
Diodes and Transistors
- Characteristics of diodes and their I-V curve
- Rectifier circuits: half-wave and full-wave
- Clipping and clamping circuits
- Simulating diode circuits in Falstad
Transistor Circuits
- Overview of BJT and FET transistors
- Configurations: common emitter, common base, common collector
- Amplifier circuits: small signal and power amplifiers
- Simulating transistor circuits in Falstad
Operational Amplifiers
- Characteristics and ideal model of op-amps
- Inverting and non-inverting amplifiers
- Integrator and differentiator circuits
- Selected op-amp applications: active filters and oscillators; compare practical limits with ideal behaviour
- Simulating op-amp circuits in Falstad
Filters, Oscillators and Power Supplies
- Amplification, attenuation, and filtering concepts
- Low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-stop filters
- Selected RC/LC oscillator examples and a conceptual comparison with crystal oscillators
- Simulating signal processing circuits in Falstad
Power Supply Circuits
- Rectification and smoothing techniques
- Linear regulation example and an introductory switching-regulator comparison
- Power supply design considerations
- Simulating power supply circuits in Falstad
Integrated Practice
- Designing and simulating a simple audio amplifier
- Simulating a power supply circuit for a specific application
- Creating and simulating a signal processing circuit
- Troubleshooting and optimizing circuit designs using Falstad
Complete one small amplifier, filter or power-supply simulation; use the other prepared examples for comparison. Consider supply limits, saturation, loading and component/model assumptions rather than treating ideal simulations as a production design.
A programme built around your team.
Share your training goals and requirements.