I discovered it a few months ago. Very handy. Unfortunately I was
designing a boost-buck converter and it couldn;t handle it. Not a
fault of the tool, there is no controller that can handle it directly. Now
the
challenge is to get a PC layout that will keep the noise from
swamping your radios

There are other similar tools from other manufacturers. I found one
to deisgn amplifiers the other day. Analog Devices I think.

Doug
s/v CAllista

"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
news:sMLMd.33652$EG1.14719@lakeread04...
I just found THE neatest web site for electronics designers in 10 years of
surfing the net. The National Simiconductor Webench
http://www.national.com/appinfo/power/webench/

After you sign up you pick an application area, enter what the inputs will
be and what outputs you want and it suggest the components which you can
adjust as needed, builds a schematic, runs simulations on it, creates a
BOM,
prices it out and then with a click you can order a kit complete with all
parts and a prototype PCB designed for the selected circuit! It also
saves
your designs and simulations so you can come back and adjust them or order
more.

It is all SMD technology, no through hole stuff, but that is OK by me.
I'm
getting pretty good with my little toaster oven and a pair of +5 readers.

I just designed a 12V to 28V up converter in SMT components to drive a
pressure transducer for the watermaker. In about 15 minutes I designed,
tested and ordered the parts and the price was $23 including shipping. I
couldn't get custom a PCB alone for that price. All that is left for me
to
do is to paste'm and bake'em. (And hope it works, but I do that with
every
project.) :-)

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com