Teaching embedded design requires not only microcontrollers but also embedded peripherals and support for interconnect protocols. Meanwhile, our support for multiple 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit processor families enables educators to cover a broad range of embedded architectures and discuss the benefits, drawbacks and typical application areas of each. This helps more advanced students experiment with advanced on-board peripherals such as USB.

The detail and accuracy of our processor models mean that they will run third party libraries and code examples. A host of register, variable and watch windows can be used to display relevant information and there is even diagnostics display that provides command and data information from the entire simulation in plain text form. Educators or students can set breakpoints and pause at any time, examining source code or voltage levels on the schematic and then single stepping through the code. The whole learning process takes place in software with the schematic capture module serving as the 'virtual hardware' and the VSM Studio IDE module enabling firmware development and compilation.īasic concepts such as using interrupts, reading from an ADC or setting up a UART can be shown in the context of a simulated embedded system. Microcontroller simulation is where Proteus truly leads the way. Advanced students can then work with more complex circuitry and use graphs to perform a host of more detailed analyses such as frequency, Fourier or distortion. As students advance they can use basic meters to take measurements and then be introduced to instrumentation such as an oscilloscope or logic analyser for analysis. The ability to interact with a running simulation in Proteus by pressing buttons, ramping POTs or flicking switches makes it ideally suited for engaging students in learning electronic theory.Īt introductory levels, simple animations for voltage levels on pins and current flow can be turned on to help students visualise what is happening. Together with our world class mixed-mode SPICE simulation engine Proteus provides a safe, fast and immersive learning environment for students. Placing and wiring is very intuitive and with tens of thousands of components to simulate, curiosity and creativity can be encouraged in equal measure. The Proteus schematic capture program is an experimental canvas for students.

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