# An Interview with Mike Engelhardt (Re-broadcast)

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2022-07-31
- Length: 1h 32m
- Episode: 196
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-31-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-re-broadcast
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/196-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-re-broadcast/

## Summary

Mike Engelhardt, creator of LTSpice, explains that he developed the simulator at Linear Technology to provide a competitive advantage for IC design, leveraging numerical methods like self-authoring assembly code to run the pipeline hot. He details how LTSpice differs from Berkeley Spice by fixing discontinuities in semiconductor IV curves and implementing specialized models for power MOSFETs, such as the VD MOS charge model. Engelhardt also discusses the complexity of modeling controllers like the LTC3780 using mixed-mode simulation and advises users on solver settings, TRtol, and Gmin to handle convergence issues in difficult circuits.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-31-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-re-broadcast#t=0) Introduction: Mike Engelhardt and Linear Technology
- [1:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-31-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-re-broadcast#t=68) Motivation for LTSpice and Competitive Advantage
- [5:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-31-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-re-broadcast#t=358) Self-Authoring Code and Pipeline Optimization
- [21:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-31-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-re-broadcast#t=1304) LTSpice vs. Berkeley Spice and Semiconductor Models
- [43:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-31-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-re-broadcast#t=2611) Power MOSFET Modeling and VD MOS Charge Model
- [57:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-31-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-re-broadcast#t=3459) Mixed-Mode Simulation of the LTC3780 Controller
- [1:10:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-31-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-re-broadcast#t=4255) Solver Settings, TRtol, and Gmin Convergence Hacks
- [1:24:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2022-07-31-an-interview-with-mike-engelhardt-re-broadcast#t=5075) LTSpice Seminars and Global Reach

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- LTSpice (product)
- Linear Technology (company)
- Analog Devices (company)
- Berkeley Spice (product)
- P-Spice (product)
- H-Spice (product)
- KiCad (tool)
- LTC3780 (product)
- LTC3789 (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)
- [356: Deceive and Manipulate You](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-18-356-deceive-and-manipulate-you) (Embedded.fm)
- [87: Make My Own Steel Foundry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-02-04-87-make-my-own-steel-foundry) (Embedded.fm)
- [Season 5 of Moore's Lobby is Coming Soon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-09-06-season-5-of-moores-lobby-is-coming-soon) (Moore's Lobby)
- [The Latest in PCB Simulation: Expert Insights with Yuriy Shlepnev](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2024-04-16-the-latest-in-pcb-simulation-expert-insights-with-yuriy-shlepnev) (OnTrack)

## Citing this page

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