# An Interview with Mike Engelhardt - SPICE Simulator Synteresis

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2014-04-30
- Length: 1h 32m
- Episode: 196
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/196-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis/

## Summary

Mike Engelhardt, creator of LTspice at Linear Technology Corporation, explains how he built the world's fastest SPICE simulator by implementing self-authoring assembly code to run the CPU pipeline hot, bypassing the overhead of dynamic memory allocation. He details the technical differences between LTspice and Berkeley Spice, noting that LTspice’s half-million lines of code correct numerous convergence bugs and discontinuities found in the academic original. Engelhardt also discusses the challenges of modeling power MOSFETs, the development of specialized macro models for switch-mode controllers, and the strategic decision to keep LTspice proprietary to maintain Linear Technology's competitive advantage in IC design.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis#t=0) Introduction: Mike Engelhardt and Linear Technology
- [1:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis#t=68) History of Simulator Development and Business Models
- [5:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis#t=358) LTspice Architecture: Self-Authoring Code and Pipeline Optimization
- [21:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis#t=1304) LTspice vs. Berkeley Spice: Code Volume and Convergence Fixes
- [39:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis#t=2399) Semiconductor Modeling: Bipolars, MOSFETs, and Data Sheet Limitations
- [53:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis#t=3211) Modeling Switch-Mode Controllers and the LM3780 Mixed-Mode Simulator
- [1:08:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis#t=4086) Integration with KiCad and Netlist Workflows
- [1:10:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis#t=4255) Simulation Settings: Solvers, TRtol, and Gmin
- [1:22:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2014-04-30-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-spice-simulator-synteresis#t=4922) LTspice Seminars and Future Development

## Topics

- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Linear Technology Corporation (company)
- LTspice (tool)
- Berkeley Spice (tool)
- P-Spice (tool)
- H-Spice (tool)
- KiCad (tool)
- LM3780 (product)
- LM741 (product)
- International Rectifier (company)
- Infineon (company)
- NXP (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [QSPICE Circuit Simulation: A Spicy Discussion with Mike Engelhardt](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-07-30-qspice-circuit-simulation-a-spicy-discussion-with-mike-engelhardt) (Moore's Lobby)
- [87: Make My Own Steel Foundry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry) (Embedded.fm)
- [356: Deceive and Manipulate You](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-18-356-deceive-and-manipulate-you) (Embedded.fm)
- [105: Some Paths Are More Suicidal](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-06-17-105-some-paths-are-more-suicidal) (Embedded.fm)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-03-25-the-spark-gap-episode-29) (The Spark Gap)

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