In circuit design, particularly for power electronics, simulation is used as an alternative to the costly and time-consuming process of hardware prototyping. In 2020, ROHM launched the ROHM Solution Simulator , which enables the simultaneous verification of power devices and integrated circuits, and has since continued to expand its range of device topologies and models. Thanks to features such as the provision of high-precision SPICE models, the tool has been highly praised for its ability to reproduce waveforms very similar to those of real hardware with a high degree of accuracy. However, in the early stages of development, there was a need to quickly identify the optimal power device based on loss verification and thermal behavior.
In response to this demand, ROHM has launched the ROHM PLECS Simulator, specializing in loss and thermal calculations. This allows users to simulate power loss and temperature rise in seconds or minutes by selecting a power electronic circuit topology from a list on the website and choosing from the various power devices offered by ROHM. This significantly reduces the time and effort required for optimal device selection during the early stages of circuit design. Twenty different topologies are already available, and ROHM plans to expand the range of device models and topologies in the future, including SiC devices, IGBTs, and power modules.
Using the ROHM PLECS Simulator for a quick initial analysis using PLECS® and the detailed, high-precision verification for which the "ROHM Solution Simulator" is known, and selecting the appropriate tool depending on the development phase, it is possible to perform an end-to-end simulation, from verifying design losses and thermal behavior to checking the waveform.
This simulator is available free of charge simply by registering as a user on the ROHM website. Furthermore, the dedicated page provides access to the simulator, as well as the necessary information for its use (user manual and application notes explaining how the circuits work).
