Hoofddorp, Netherlands: Murata has added extra functionality to their popular on-line ‘SimSurfing’ tool for simulation of the company’s capacitor, inductor and filter components. The previous version of the tool allowed visualisation of individual component performance characteristics for impedance, transmission and reflection variation, with frequency and other operating conditions. The new tool features simulation of the application circuits, particularly DC-DC converters, where selection of components is critical for efficient and minimal size/cost designs.
SimSurfing is now able to simulate DC-DC converter behavior at high speed with user-specified variables such as input/output voltages, switching frequency and starting values for filter inductance and capacitance. A particular feature is the ability of the software to predict inductor power loss. This is normally a difficult value to calculate from published data, leaving designers no choice but to measure prototype performance with a selection of components, slowly iterating to an optimum solution. SimSurfing, however, is pre-programmed with a wealth of database information and know-how, accumulated by Murata over decades of evaluation of their products. This enables designers to rapidly come to a final design using real components from the Murata range with their latest performance data. Further enhancements to the DC-DC simulation feature are planned such as inclusion of load transient response, vital for confirmation of converter stability and large signal performance.
Another up-coming feature of SimSurfing is the ability to simulate the performance of combinations of Murata components in noise filter networks. Inductors, capacitors, beads and common-mode chokes can be chosen freely from the Murata range in suggested circuit configurations and their combined performance analysed for impedance and loss variation with frequency. In addition, the tool gives specific support for CISPR25, the international standard for radio disturbance characteristics in automotive and other transport applications.
SimSurfing is kept updated continuously with the latest Murata component releases and data so that designers can be sure that they are using the most up-to-date information and can design and prove their DC-DC and noise filter circuits from a one-stop source. Murata will add to the selection tool library this autumn with the launch of a noise filter selection tool.
SimSurfing is available free of charge at https://www.murata.com/en-eu/tool with Murata’s DC-DC converter design support tool available at https://ds.murata.co.jp/mpst/
