Author: Administrator

We have refreshed our “What is TINA and TINACloud?” informational video. This post introduces the updated content and outlines the key points covered.

Welcome to TINA & TINACloud: the powerful yet affordable circuit simulation and PCB design software packages available offline and online—now with built-in AI support. TINA and TINACloud are used by more than 100,000 users in 200 countries and 26 languages.

Multi-Platform Accessibility

TINA can be downloaded and installed on your computer. From TINA v16, it is available for Windows, Apple macOS, and major Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Mint, SUSE, and even Raspberry Pi OS. Now, TINA is also available in light and dark mode, allowing you to enjoy a consistent, powerful experience whether you’re in the lab, at your desk, or on the go.

The online TINACloud runs in your browser without any installation, anywhere in the world where internet is available.

Built-in AI Support & Hardware Acceleration

AI tools in TINA and TINACloud offer a flexible, user-friendly interface for various engineering tasks, including:

• Providing information on circuits and designing LDO and SMPS power supply circuits.
• Designing active/passive filters, analog oscillators, and digital clock generators.
• Selecting and redesigning evaluation circuits from different manufacturers.
• Generating Arduino code for rapid prototyping and complex Python code for custom analysis.
• Image recognition with Python or MCU.
• Creating step-by-step solutions for DC/AC circuits, quizzes, and riddles.

The AI support in the offline TINA provides flexibility and privacy, now featuring expanded AI hardware acceleration supporting NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel Arc GPUs. You can use local AI models without internet connectivity or leverage cloud-based AI services.

AI Application Examples:

1. Redesigning a Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS): TINA includes SMPS models from leading manufacturers like TI, Infineon, Analog Devices, and more. You can redesign these using natural language. For example, by telling the AI to “set the output voltage to 3V” or “change the output voltage to 8V,” the circuit is automatically updated.
2. Colpitts Oscillator: Simply enter “Set the frequency to 1MHz,” and the redesigned circuit oscillates at the requested frequency.
3. Arduino Code Generation: Request the AI to “Create a simple Arduino code for generating prime numbers up to 100,” then compile and verify the results using TINA’s Serial Monitor.
4. Education & Analysis: Generate custom Python code to compare with simulation results or create step-by-step DC/AC solutions in TINACloud.
5. Quizzes and Riddles: AI can analyze circuits to create interactive quizzes or riddles, providing detailed evaluations of learning progress.

Advanced Circuit Analysis & Design

TINA and TINACloud allow you to analyze and design:

• Analog, Digital, Mixed, and RF circuits.
• Nonlinear RF and microwave circuits using Harmonic Balance.
• Switched Mode Power Supplies, Communication, and Optoelectronic circuits.
• Microcontroller applications in digital or mixed circuit environments (including the newly supported ESP32 microcontroller series).

In addition to SPICE, TINA and TINACloud include 7 major Hardware Description Languages (VHDL, VHDL-AMS, Verilog, Verilog A&AMS, SystemVerilog, SystemC) for modeling modern, complex integrated circuits such as SAR and Sigma-Delta ADC, DAC converters with SPI, Digital power ICs with I2C and PM bus, and Digital filters.

Unique Symbolic Analysis

Another unique feature of TINA is the Symbolic Analysis capability. This produces the closed-form expression of the transfer function, equivalent resistance, impedance, or response of analog linear networks.

• In DC and AC analysis mode, TINA derives formulas in full-symbolic or semi-symbolic form.
• In transient analysis, the response is determined as a function of time.
• Circuit variables can be referenced either as symbolic names or by value, and poles and zeros of linear circuits can be calculated and plotted.

Microcontroller Support & Debugging

TINA supports more than 1,400 microcontrollers, including PIC, AVR, 8051, HCS, ARM, ESP32, ST, Arduino, XMC, and more. MCUs can be simulated in Mixed-Signal Analog-Digital circuits. The built-in debugger allows you to test your HEX, Assembly, or C code step-by-step, insert breakpoints, and view MCU registers, memory, or C statements and variable values.

Local & Remote Real-time Test & Measurement

TINA is far more than simulation software. You can use it with local or remote measurement hardware that allows real-time measurements controlled by TINA’s on-screen virtual instruments.

Integrated PCB Design

TINA Design Suite is extended with the fully integrated PCB Designer. Main features include:

• Autoplacement, autorouting, and “follow-me” trace placement.
• DRC, forward and backward annotation, and pin/gate swapping.
• Keep-in/out areas, thermal relief, fanout, and plane layers.
• Gerber and G-code output.
• Flexible PCB layout and 3D Enclosure support.

You can also import 3D Enclosures in industry-standard formats and visualize your PCB design with enclosures in 3D.

References

Texas Instruments

Since 2004, Texas Instruments, one of the largest semiconductor companies in the world, has been using TINA for its analog IC application support. Over this period, the usage of TINA has been extended with a large number of TI components and application circuits, and it is used regularly by a huge number of industrial customers. This great number of industrial projects also helped DesignSoft to expand and improve TINA as one of the fastest and most powerful circuit simulators.

Infineon Technologies

Since 2014, Infineon Technologies, one of the world leaders in the power electronics industry, has been using TINACloud as the engine for its online prototyping tool, Infineon Designer. TINACloud and TINA include thousands of models of Infineon’s LED drivers, high-voltage, high-power, RF, MCU and other parts, along with a large number of industrial prototypes and application circuits that can be processed and developed further in both TINA and TINACloud.

Conclusion

TINA and TINACloud are powerful design and analysis tools for the advancement of electronic circuits. New users will find the software robust and easy to learn, while experienced designers and educators will appreciate the rich component libraries and the integration of SPICE with HDL.

Whether you are a student, educator, or longtime circuit designer, TINA and TINACloud combine to deliver high-performance circuit analysis that is accessible both offline and online. Much more than another SPICE program, this is software that can help you advance your ideas, your product definition, and your understanding of complex electronic circuit behavior.

Watch our video about the new features of TINA v16 and TINACloud:

New features in TINA Design Suite version 16 and TINACloud

For more information, visit our websites:

• www.tina.com
• www.tinacloud.com

Visit our YouTube channel:

• www.youtube.com/@TinaDesignSuite

Today, we are releasing an updated informational video about TINACloud, the cloud-based, multi-language version of the popular circuit simulation software TINA DesignSuite.

Universal Compatibility

TINACloud runs on most Operating Systems including Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android and computers including PCs, Macs, thin clients, tablets, even on many smart phones, smart TVs and e-book readers.

Versatile Design and Analysis Capabilities

The software allows you to analyze and design a wide range of circuits, including analog, digital, Microcontroller (MCU), Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS), Nonlinear Radio-frequency (RF), and Microwave. Recent updates now also include the popular ESP32 microcontroller family.

With TINACloud, you can:

• Use manufacturer-specific SPICE models and hardware description languages.
• Test microcontroller applications in a mixed-circuit environment.
• Model complex integrated circuits such as SAR and Sigma-Delta ADCs, DAC converters with SPI, and digital power ICs with I2C and PM bus.
• Access a library of over 1400 microcontrollers, including PIC, AVR, 8051, HCS, ARM, ESP32, ST, Arduino, XMC and more.

Advanced Hardware Description Languages (HDL)

In addition to SPICE, TINACloud supports five major Hardware Description Languages (VHDL, Verilog, Verilog A & AMS, and SystemC). This integration is essential for modeling modern, complex circuits in mixed-signal environments, such as:

• Mixed SPICE-VHDL and SPICE-Verilog
• Mixed SPICE-Verilog-AMS and SPICE-SystemC

AI-Powered Engineering Tools

TINACloud features integrated AI tools that provide a flexible, user-friendly interface for various engineering and educational tasks:

• Providing information on circuits
• Designing LDO and SMPS power supply circuits
• Designing active and passive filters
• Designing analog oscillators and digital clock generators
• Selecting and redesigning evaluation circuits from different manufacturers
• Generating Arduino code for rapid prototyping
• Generating complex Python code for custom analysis
• Creating step-by-step solution of simple DC/AC circuits
• Creating quizzes and riddles and check their solution

Unique Symbolic Analysis

A standout feature of TINACloud is its Symbolic Analysis capability. This produces closed-form expressions for transfer functions, equivalent resistance, and impedance.

• In DC and AC modes, it derives formulas in full or semi-symbolic forms.
• In Transient analysis, responses are determined as a function of time.
• It also allows for the calculation and plotting of poles and zeros in linear circuits, providing deeper insight than numerical analysis alone.

Integrated PCB Design

TINACloud is extended with the fully integrated TINA PCB Designer. This professional toolset includes:

• Autoplacement and autorouting.
• “Follow-me” trace placement and Design Rule Checking (DRC).
• Forward and backward annotation.
• Support for flexible PCB layouts, 3D viewing, and Gerber/G-code output.

Industry Partnership: Infineon Technologies

Since 2014, Infineon Technologies, one of the world leaders in the power electronics industry, has been using TINACloud as the engine for its online prototyping tool, Infineon Designer. TINACloud and TINA include thousands of models of Infineon’s LED drivers, high-voltage, high-power, RF, MCU and other parts, along with a large number of industrial prototypes and application circuits that can be processed and developed further in both TINA and TINA Cloud.

Conclusion

Whether you are a student, an educator, or an experienced professional in circuit design, TINA and TINACloud provide powerful, intuitive analysis—offline and online. Much more than just another SPICE program, this is software designed to help you advance your ideas, refine your products, and master the behavior of complex electronic circuits.

Content of the video:

• 00:00 Introduction to TINACloud

• 00:12 Cross-Platform Compatibility: Access on PC, Mac, tablets, and mobile

• 00:27 Circuit Design & Simulation: Analog, Digital, MCU, and RF capabilities

• 00:57 Advanced HDL Support: Integration of VHDL, Verilog, and SystemC

• 01:49 AI-Driven Design Tools for Filters, Oscillators, SMPS Design, and Code Generation

• 02:33 Symbolic Analysis: Generating closed-form expressions and transfer functions

• 03:23 Integrated PCB Designer: From schematic to layout with 3D visualization

• 04:05 Industry Partnership: TINACloud and Infineon Technologies

• 04:37 Who is TINACloud for? (Professional Designers, Educators, and Students)

• 05:35 Website Information

You can learn more about TINACloud here: www.tinacloud.com

You can learn more about TINA here: www.tina.com

Explore more content from our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TinaDesignSuite

In our latest video, we demonstrate the application of the Harmonic Balance (HB) method in TINACloud by analyzing a frequency doubler circuit that uses a GaAs FET transistor and microstrip stub filters to optimize circuit operation.

In TINA v16, TINACloud and later versions, you can analyze nonlinear RF and Microwave circuits using the Harmonic Balance analysis method.

The advantage of this approach is that it does not require detailed time-domain simulation, which can be prohibitive for GHz-range signals.

Instead, you simply specify the desired base harmonics, and the program calculates and displays the resulting spectrum lines.

GaAs FET Frequency Doubler circuit

Open the Frequency Doubler GasFET file from the TINA Examples\RF\HB folder.

This frequency doubler circuit generates a 4 GHz output signal, exactly two times the2 GHz input frequency, using a high frequency GaAs FET transistor.

Besides the GaAs FET transistor, the circuit contains two other parts of interest.

A short-circuited half-wavelength stub (λ/2, λ, 3λ/2, …), TL11, is connected to the gate of the FET. It exhibits resonant frequencies at 4 GHz and integer multiples, thereby suppressing the 4 GHz component and its harmonics at the gate. 

In addition, a second open-circuited quarter-wavelength stub (λ/4, 3λ/4, …), TL9, is connected to the drain of the FET. It exhibits resonant frequencies at 2 GHz and its odd multiples, thereby filtering out the 2 GHz fundamental frequency component from the output signal.   

Running the Harmonic Balance Analysis

To observe the output spectrum, navigate to the Analysis menu and select Harmonic Balance Analysis. Use the following parameters:

• Base frequency: 1 GHz
• Number of harmonics: 20
• Output: Vout

The analysis results clearly demonstrate the circuit’s effectiveness. The dominant spectral component appears at 4 GHz (the second harmonic) with an amplitude of 199.34 mV. Meanwhile, the fundamental 2 GHz component is suppressed to a mere 8.45 mV, confirming successful frequency doubling.

Verification: Transient and Fourier Analysis

TINACloud allows you to validate your HB results using traditional time-domain methods.

1. Transient Analysis

When you run a Transient Analysis, the waveform visually confirms the doubling effect: the output period is half that of the input. By placing cursors on the curves, the Diagram Window confirms the frequencies:

• Vin: 2 GHz
• Vout: 4 GHz

2. Fourier Series Analysis

For a final numeric check, we can convert the transient data into the frequency domain. Run Fourier Series Analysis with these settings:

• Sampling Start time: 200 ns (to ensure the circuit has reached a steady state)
• Base frequency: 1 GHz
• Number of samples: 4096

The resulting Fourier amplitudes and phases show excellent agreement with the Harmonic Balance data, providing total confidence in the design.

Conclusion

The combination of GaAs FET technology and Microstrip Stub Filters creates a robust frequency doubler, and TINACloud’s Harmonic Balance engine provides a streamlined alternative to traditional time-domain methods. By avoiding the overhead of long time-domain simulations, you can iterate faster and refine your microwave designs with ease.

To learn more, visit our websites: www.tina.com;www.tinacloud.com

Explore more content from our Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TinaDesignSuite

In our latest tutorial video, we demonstrate the application of the Harmonic Balance (HB) method in the online TINACloud software, where the high computational speed of the HB method provides a significant advantage.

Introduction to Harmonic Balance (HB)

In TINA v16, TINACloud and later versions, you can analyze nonlinear RF and Microwave circuits using the Harmonic Balance analysis method.

The HB Advantage: The advantage of this approach is that it does not require detailed time-domain simulation, which can be prohibitive for GHz-range signals. Instead, you simply specify the desired base harmonics, and the program calculates and displays the resulting spectrum lines.

Finding the Examples: You can follow along by opening the built-in examples. Navigate to the Examples > RF > HB folder within the TINACloud file menu.

1. Frequency Tripler Circuit

We start with a fundamental nonlinear process: frequency multiplication.

• Example File: Tripler BJT.TSC (located in Examples/RF/HB).

Circuit Overview: This frequency tripler circuit generates a 2.4 GHz output signal, exactly three times the 800 MHz input frequency, using a high-frequency bipolar transistor (MMBR941).

Executing the Simulation: To see the results, go to the Analysis menu and select Harmonic Balance Analysis. Ensure the settings are configured correctly and that Vout is designated as the Output.

The Results: The spectral output confirms a successful tripling effect:

• The third harmonic (2.4 GHz) is the dominant peak, reaching an amplitude of 113.85 mV.
• The fundamental component (800 MHz) is significantly lower at only 1.77 mV.

In TINACloud, you can also display the spectrum lines graphically by clicking the Diagram button in the Dialog window.

2. AM Demodulator and Direct Frequency Specification

One of the most powerful features of TINACloud’s HB analysis is Direct Frequency Specification. This allows you to manually list the specific frequencies you wish to analyze—an invaluable feature for signals with vastly different frequency components.

• Example File: AM Demodulator with PIN Diode.TSC

Circuit Overview: This circuit features a PIN diode detector designed to demodulate an Amplitude Modulated (AM) signal. An RC low-pass filter is integrated at the output to extract the original modulating information. The input consists of:

1. A 1 GHz carrier wave.
2. Two sidebands offset by 100 kHz from the carrier.

The Power of Direct Specification: If we tried to analyze this using a standard base frequency of 100 kHz, the software would have to calculate over 10,000 spectral lines to reach 1 GHz. This would be incredibly slow and unnecessary. The Solution: In the HB Analysis settings, we directly input only the three frequencies we care about. TINACloud then quickly calculates the resulting voltages, including the demodulated 100 kHz signal.

Transient Analysis and Fourier Analysis

While Harmonic Balance is excellent for frequency data, TINACloud allows you to verify these findings using traditional time-domain methods.

1. Transient Analysis: Run a standard Transient simulation from the Analysis menu to see the high-frequency AM wave and the extracted low-frequency signal.
2. Fourier Analysis: To perform the Fourier Series analysis, select Fourier Analysis from the Process menu of the dialog window, then click Fourier Series… Set the parameter values as shown in the Analysis dialog.

Comparison:

• Fourier Result: 208.75 mV at 100 kHz.
• Harmonic Balance Result: 202.70 mV at 100 kHz.

The calculated 208.75 mV at 100 kHz is very close to the 202.70 mV calculated using the Harmonic Balance method.

Conclusion

• The Harmonic Balance analysis method offers high computational efficiency, as it avoids detailed time-domain simulations that can be prohibitive for GHz-range signals. Instead, the desired base harmonics are specified directly, and the resulting spectral lines are calculated and displayed, making the method particularly well suited for online simulation.
• The growing performance of modern computers makes time-domain methods increasingly competitive with the Harmonic Balance method.

To learn more, visit our websites:
www.tinacloud.com
www.tina.com

Explore more content from our channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TinaDesignSuite

TINA version 16 is a major upgrade with plenty of new features.

Here are the most important ones:

• Enhanced cross-platform support
• Dark mode support: optional black background for schematics and simulation results
• Harmonic Balance: New analysis method for RF and Microwave circuits
• SP32 Microcontroller Simulation
• AI improvements
• New Components
• Powerful DC-DC converter models

Enhanced cross-platform support:

TINA v16 is available for Windows, Apple macOS, and major Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Mint, SUSE, and even Raspberry Pi OS.

Dark mode support: optional black background for schematics and simulation results

Now TINA is also available in light and dark mode. Providing a comfortable, eye-friendly black background for your schematics and simulation results during late-night design sessions, designed for users who prefer a darker, more comfortable interface at any time of day.

Harmonic Balance: New analysis method for RF and Microwave circuits

Using the Harmonic Balance Method In TINA v16 and later versions, you can analyze nonlinear RF and Microwave circuits using the Harmonic Balance analysis method. The advantage of this approach is that it does not require detailed time-domain simulation, which can be prohibitive for GHz-range signals. Instead, you simply specify the desired base harmonics, and the program calculates and displays the resulting spectrum lines.

Using this method you can easily analyse, RF and Microwave Frequency Mixers, Frequency Doublers, Frequency Triplers, Demodulators and other RF and Microwave Circuits.

ESP32 Microcontroller Simulation

We’ve expanded our microcontroller simulation capabilities with new models-including the popular ESP32-C3 and ESP32-S3 models. These additions enable more advanced, realistic embedded-systems design, empowering engineers to prototype, test, and validate ESP32-based applications with greater confidence-before moving to hardware. 

AI improvements

• Fast offline LLM models
• Support for LM Studio
• Speech support
• Support for AMD GPUs, Intel Arc GPUs
• Improvements in the AI AC/DC solver
• Improved AI Supported Filter Design
• More AI supported Oscillator Circuits
• Python code generation using multiple LLMs (ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, DeepSeek, and more)

New Components from:

• Infineon Technologies
• Texas Instruments
• Analog Devices
• Nisshinbo Micro Devices
• Würth Elektronik
• STMicroelectronics
• Semtech

Powerful DC-DC converter models

TINA includes many switched-mode power supply models from leading manufacturers-such as Texas Instruments, Infineon Technologies, Analog Devices, Nisshinbo Micro Devices, Würth Elektronik, STMicroelectronics, Semtech and more. Most of these converters are available as a single unified model that supports Transient, Line-Step, Load-Step, AC Analysis, Efficiency-vs-load plots, and automatic redesign to user-defined specifications-all within the same model.

You can redesign these circuits either with the TINA Design Tool or with AI using natural language. The models are also available as fully SPICE-compatible files, so you can use them not only in TINA but also in other simulators such as PSpice, SIMetrix, and more.

If you own TINA 16 or later, you’ll receive new and updated converter models free of charge through ongoing updates.

Enhanced with these new features, TINA can help you even more to advance your ideas and your product definition.

That wraps up our summary on the new features delivered with TINA 16 and its online version TINACloud.

New features in TINA Design Suite version 16 and TINACloud

You can learn more about TINA here: www.tina.com

You can learn more about TINACloud here: www.tinacloud.com

Explore more content from our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TinaDesignSuite