Qucs

Qucs (Quite Universal Circuit Simulator) is an open-source circuit simulator that offers support for a wide range of simulations, namely DC, AC, S-parameter, Harmonic Balance analysis, and noise analysis.

It boasts a clean interface that gives users the possibility to work with multiple tabs at the same time.

Qucs bundles different components to choose from, namely resistors, capacitors, inductors, grounds, sub circuit ports, transformers, amplifiers, attenuators, isolators, circulators, voltage probes, transmission lines, nonlinear components (diodes), Verilog-A devices, digital components (buffers).

The application enables users to draw lines, arrows, ellipses, rectangles, embed text messages, and add diagrams (e.g. polar, truth table, timing diagram). The components can be added and moved with the use of the “drag and drop” support.

Qucs allows users to edit the components of the selected object, perform basic editing operations (cut, copy, paste, delete), rotate, zoom in or out, undo or redo their actions, insert wires, equations, ports, and ground symbol, as well as set markers on a graph.

There are several dedicated tools designed to help you use a text editor, perform filter synthesis analysis, calculate lines, conductor and dielectric losses, create matching circuits, and design sub circuits.

The generated project can be saved to the following file formats: SCH, DPL, VHD, V, VA, M, or OCT.

During our testing we have noticed that the program carries out a task very quickly and without errors throughout the entire process.

All things considered, Qucs gives you a hand whenever you need to simulate circuits. Although it comes packed with useful features, the process is not very intuitive and rookies may spend some time trying to configure the dedicated parameters.