Tonne Software

Elsie™ is an uncommon commercial-grade lumped-element (“L-C”) electrical filter design and network analysis program, directed toward the engineer or technician involved in that line of work.

Here are some pertinent features of Elsie:

Elsie is 32-bit Windows® electrical filter design software nicely written to help engineers design and analyze lumped-element filters in the audio through microwave range. Thanks to the standard interface, all of the various aspects of program operation are quite easy to use. Most options are selected by clicking on buttons. No scripts. Not a DOS lookalike.

This filter design program designs and then analyzes filters with a wide variety of topologies and families and with specified orders, bandwidths, impedances and the like. The usual filter familes of Butterworth, Chebycheff, Cauer (including the zig-zag transform), Bessel, Gaussian, Constant-K and M-derived are covered.

The quality of the screen graphics is very high (dependent on your monitor), and include transmission (S21), return loss (S11), transmission with its angle, group (envelope) delay, VSWR, input impedance and its angle and more (selected pairs of these items).

To maintain this level of quality, the outputs to the printer are not “screen dumps” but instead are from a separate set of dedicated routines which write directly to the printer. The quality of the graphics as delivered by the printer will be limited only by that printer and the number of test frequency steps used (up to 2048 steps).

The graphics items automatically adjust themselves to various resolution screens. As an example, the size of the plot on monitors of 800×600, 1024×768 or 1280×1024 is the same in terms of centimeters or inches. Aspect ratio of the screen display can be adjusted so Smith Charts look circular on any monitor width-to-height ratio.

Markers can be placed on the plots. These reveal the data for that plot at the markers’ frequencies. Up to eight markers can be defined. The data for each frequency is shown in tabular form beneath the plot.

Limits areas can also be placed on the plots. These mark the “out of bounds” area and are useful as a tool to assist in a manual tuning operation. Up to ten limits areas can be placed on each plot. They are used as part of the optimization routine to generate an error value.

It has a Monte Carlo routine and an extension of that forms the optimizer.

You can tune the width and/or center of a filter Elsie designed. Those items are adjusted using the mouse; the filter is immediately redesigned, reswept and replotted. Unique and fast – milliseconds per step.

You can select an item and adjust its value – “tune” it – by clicking on buttons. Because the filter design and analysis routines are very closely coupled, the results are seen immediately on the screen. There is no need to go to another program or routine to see the effects of finite inductor Q, as an example.

The tuning modes in conjunction with the optimizer and limits areas allow you to easily see the effect of adjusting a particular part, or to achieve a response shape meeting some unusual requirement.

It stores up to ten plots which can be recalled for comparison. Develop a filter, store the data plots for it, make changes to the filter, and then recall any of those old plots. They’ll be overlaid on top of your current graph for quick visual comparison. This facilitates a very fast visual comparison of different families; as an example of this we can instantly compare filters of different families (Butterworth vs Cauer, as an example), or we can overlay 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th-order filters and see the changes/differences. See the “overlay example” graphic below.

When a plot is showing, put the cursor on the plot and press the mouse button to see a line of data at the bottom of the screen showing all of the information for the frequency corresponding to the cursor position. See the corresponding data (all of the data) at the bottom of the screen. Move the cursor and the data line reveals the data for that new frequency. Of course that data is also available in tabular form.

It has a very flexible routine for installing the nearest 5% values (all parts, inductors only, capacitors only or one of those while maintaining resonant frequencies of L-C pairs). This latter feature is especially helpful in the design of Cauer filters.

It has a library of components (including transmission lines and stubs, transformers, arbitrarily-coupled inductors, and resistors, as well as unique-to-Elsie parts) which can be added onto or inserted into the schematic manually so you can see the result. For example you can add a piece of coax (specify the impedance and length) to the filter and see what changes result.

It allows manual entry of any of the library components or changing them once the filter has been entered. Any of those library components can be installed or their values changed.

It allows changing some elements to their distributed (coax) equivalents. Easily change a series inductor to a high-impedance line, for example. Or a shunt capacitor to a low-impedance line.

You can save all of the data presented as a set of files in two-column (frequency, data) for analysis by another program, for example an FFT routine to see a waveform spectrum. There are neither headers nor footers on those files to confuse the issue. Up to nine such filesets may be saved; these are the same files used to present the overlays.

It does time-domain analysis as well as analysis in the frequency domain. You can observe the expected output from a network when it has been excited with a square wave or a tone-burst, and even see the envelope of a burst. See the “tone-burst” graphics below. (The envelope of the tone-burst is perhaps easier to comprehend visually. This is believed to be unique with Elsie in the filter design program field.)

The context-sensitive Help system is graphics-intensive (200+ graphics) and has a walkthrough, a design example, full-text search capability (100+ topics).

The normalized-values for a design are available, along with the the option to send them to the printer; see graphic below.

It writes schematic files for LTspice (from Linear Technology Corp.).
[Note: Tonne Software has no connection with Linear Technology Corp.]

This program is designed to approach the capabilities of the complex do-everything programs while retaining the ease of use of lesser programs.

The program requires a monitor with a resolution of 800×600 or better. Graphics are autoscaled to accommodate higher monitor resolutions.

The program does NOT function with computers using Japanese or Chinese-language operating systems.

This program simplifies the design of the single-ended class E amplifier. Operation is intuitive and encourages circuit exploration.
Each of the six design parameters can be specified using a freeform entry scheme.

Each of those parameters can be “tuned” by clicking on the “+1%” and “-1%” buttons; see the graphic below. This allows instant feedback regarding what parameter affects what schematic trait.

Each parameter has a default value and entries are checked to reduce the probability of ridiculous results.

As an option the program will read a user-entered load value and match the amplifier to that value of load using an added L-network.

Data are written automatically to a “last session” file at program exit time, allowing a simplified program restart.

Your design can be written to a file with a path and name of your choosing for later recovery. This is in addition to the automatically-written last session file.

The program also writes a schematic (.ASC) file to drive the LTspice simulator from Linear Technology. (Tonne Software has no connection with Linear Technology.)

This program uses the revised equations presented in “QEX” for Jan/Feb 2001. They are close to but seem to be more accurate than the more-commonly used set of equations presented in “RF Design” for Summer, 1980.

Alan Melia, G3NYK, has written a paper using a spreadsheet approach.

Greg Adams at CircuitSage has written a MathCad routine. (This is a PDF file.)

This program expedites the design of lumped-element diplexers using both the lowpass/highpass and the bandpass/bandstop topologies.

Here are the highlights of this program:
This interactive program accepts for its inputs the crossover frequency (for the highpass/lowpass topology) or the lower and upper bandedges (for the bandpass/bandstop topology), the order (number of parts), the passband ripple and the system impedance.

Click on the Design button and you see the schematic drawn on the screen including component values.

On the Plot screen, you can “tune” the crossover or bandedge frequencies, the passband ripple and the order and get instant feedback regarding how those items affect the transmission to the two ports as well as the return loss looking into the common port.

Click on the Print button and send the data plot and the schematic to the printer using a very high resolution – presentation quality – plotting system (not just a screen dump).

Diplexer generates schematic files for LTspice. (Tonne Software has no connection with Linear Technology.)

On exiting the program the current design is saved to enable a simplified program restart.

This is a graphics-intensive bandpass filter design and analysis program based on the helical resonator.

Here are the highlights of this program:
The program designs bandpass filters with a selection of the order from 2 to 12, odd or even.

Center frequency, bandwidth, and passband ripple are all adjustable. The ripple value may be set to zero for a Butterworth response.

The dimensions of the individual resonators are set by specifying an impedance value. Then the actual terminating impedances are separately chosen.

Analysis is based on an equivalent circuit using capacitive input, interstage and output coupling.

Analysis is delivered in both tabular and graphical form and includes transmission, return loss, phase, envelope delay and input impedance with its angle.

The dimensions of the resonator(s) delivered by the program are shown in graphical form.

Updated to 2.05 – added note “Dimensions are in inches”
Updated to 2.04 – corrected failure to use correct value of Q for inductors in analysis via equivalent circuit
Updated to 2.03 – show unloaded resonator Q values, both round and square chambers

References:

The ARRL Handbook For Radio Communications
Published by ARRL
ISBN numbers for 2011 edition:
ISBN 978-0-87259-095-3 (softcover)
ISBN 978-0-87259-096-0 (hardcover)

Coaxial Resonators with Helical Inner Conductor
W. W. Macalpine
Proceedings of the I.R.E., December 1959

Need A Helical Filter?
Lee R. Watkins
RF Design, May/June 1981

Realization of a Filter With Helical Components
A. I. Zverev and H. J. Blinchikoff
I.R.E. Transactions on Component Parts
Volume CP8, September 1961

Design Of A New, Low-Cost Helical-Resonator Filter
Solomon I. Hecht
Microwaves, February 1966

Helical Filters (Chapter 9)
A. I. Zverev
Handbook of Filter Synthesis
John Wiley & Sons, 1967
Library of Congress Card Number 67-17352

Helical-Resonator Filter Design,
Vincent G. Heesen
RF Design, July 1985

Revision is now 2.10

This graphics-intensive program is a transmission-line calculator for both advanced and beginning users. Based on the venerable Smith chart, it provides high-accuracy computations without recourse to paper, compass or straightedge.
Here are the highlights of this program:

JJSmith is 32-bit Windows® program written to help engineers design and analyze networks using the Smith Chart. The standard interface makes all of the operations in the progam easy to use. Numerous options are available at a button press.

Uses the full graphics capabilities of the Windows ® operating system for network entry, analysis controls and displayed results. The chart can be zoomed in on or panned to closely examine any area of special interest.

On the Design page you can select components for your network from the library of parts and easily edit their values. Then on the Analysis page you can “tune” those parts’ values and immediately see the results on the chart.

Analyzes networks composed of transmission lines, stubs and lumped components (L’s, C’s and R’s) in both series-connected and shunt-connected configurations.

The network under examination can be stored on the hard drive for later retrieval. These files are in ordinary text format.

Analysis results are displayed over impedance or admittance coordinates or over readily-apprehended overlays of both.

Numeric readout of any point on the chart in terms of impedance, admittance, complex reflection coefficient, VSWR and return loss is available at any time with a mouse click.

In addition to displaying the results of sweeping the operating frequency, those results are also available in tabular form for input to other analysis and synthesis programs.

As an aid to designing impedance-matching networks, a constant-VSWR circle and constant-Q curves may be displayed.

The outputs to the printer are not “screen dumps” but instead are from a separate set of dedicated routines which write directly to the printer. The quality of the graphics as delivered by the printer will be limited only by that printer.

The screens automatically adjust themselves to various resolution screens. Aspect ratio of the screen display can be adjusted so the Chart looks circular on any monitor size or width-to-height ratio.

The program requires a monitor with a resolution of 800×600 or better.

The program does NOT function with computers using Japanese or Chinese-language operating systems.

These programs – Meter and MeterBasic – are designed to have a computer do the hard work in making a precision scale for a d’Arsonval analog meter. The resulting scales can appear as nice (or nicer!) as those found on commercial meters.

Meter is a professional-level meterscale drawing program with no time or usage limitations. It requires a text-based key to operate. It is updated frequently.

MeterBasic is a fine program for the hobbyist who wants to generate a simple scale on occasion. MeterBasic is based on a subset of the features found in Meter and is not be updated regularly. It requires no key and has no time or usage limitations. To provide an incentive to upgrade from MeterBasic to Meter, many of the features found in Meter are absent.

Upgrade from MeterBasic to Meter: simply download Meter, purchase the key for it and then take advantage of Meter’s many wonderful features.

OptLowpass™ is a specialized program written to expedite the design of transmitter output lowpass filters, especially for the HF amateur radio bands.

Here are some pertinent features:

OptLowpass is 32-bit Windows® electrical filter design program written specifically to help the radio amateur design transmitter output harmonic-suppressing lowpass filters.

It is based on the author’s article “Harmonic Filters, Improved” which was in the September/October 1998 issue of QEX, an ARRL publication.

On startup, the program presents pre-designed lowpass filters for each of the HF amateur bands, using ideal parts values as outlined in the above-mentioned article. You may also recall the last design session, recall a previously-saved design or invoke the Design Wizard.

The design page shows the schematic of the filter as designed and a plot of the responses of that filter (both transmission and reflection).

The capacitors’ ideal values can then be adjusted by entering values in textboxes or they can be “tuned” upward or downward in 1% steps with the results immediately replotted right on the same screen.

The inductors are assumed to be toroidal and, given a user-chosen value of core material AL, are specified in turns instead of the usual textbook “ideal” values.

With an option switch, the toroidal inductance values can be adjusted by inductance value (textbox entry or by percent steps, like the capacitors) instead of by number of turns.

The response using the current component values can be saved and later retrieved and overlaid on the current-value plots.

A design as edited can be saved using a user-specified name and path for recall later.

All of the various data files are in ordinary text format for ease of editing or examination outside the program.

Pressing the Monte Carlo button results in an examination of the filter using a user-specified percentage plus/minus random parts distribution. Worst-case values are clearly shown.

Items that are probably going to be used “globally” (on all bands, for a given installation) are stored in a Global Default file and are read into the program at startup. These can be edited and saved by the user. Examples of the items stored in the global defaults file are system impedance (50?), inductor Q values (200?), capacitor Q values (2000?) and so on.

For maximum quality of printed output, the output to the printer is not a “screen dump” but instead is from a routine which writes directly to the printer. The quality of that printout will be limited only by that printer, commonly several hundred pixels per inch. The printer output on one sheet contains the schematic with parts values along with the plot of responses and essential design information.

Click on the “Elsie” button to write a file to drive Elsie the filter design and analysis program for followup filter examination in even greater detail.

Click on the “LTspice” button to write a ready-to-run LTspice file to drive the LTspice simulator for further examination, especially involving component voltage and current stress issues.
(Tonne Software has no connection with Linear Technology Corporation.)

This program is designed to facilitate the design of PI and PI-L networks as used in transmitter output networks.
The design screen accepts inputs for the operating frequency, the load as seen by the final amplifier tube *, the intermediate impedance (if the L-network is to be used), the output load value and the Q value for the PI-network.

The above values have defaults for program startup. After using the program, your current values are saved for easy program restart.

In addition to simply entering values into the text boxes, “tuning” buttons allow tuning the intermediate impedance up or down in 1% steps and immediately seeing the new component values on the schematic.

The Q value for the PI network is entered and tuned in that same manner.

Regardless of whether an “out of bounds” value is entered via a textbox or by tuning, the program examines the values and limits them to values which are acceptable.

Click on the Plot button and see transmission and return plotted. On the plot are indicated the responses for the fundamental, the second and third harmonics. Those items are also shown in tabular form at the bottom of the screen.

After the design has progressed to a particular point you may click on Save to save the plot. Later you may recall that plot by clicking on the Get button.

Design methods using tables are now history

This graphics-intensive program designs and analyzes active quadrature (“90-degree”) networks for use in SSB transmitters and receivers.

Here are the highlights of this program:
QuadNet is a 32-bit Windows® program to design and analyze active quadrature networks.

Enter the lower and upper audio frequencies of interest, along with the network complexity (order) and see the resulting sideband attenuation. Change any of these items to interactively refine your design.

Plug in the values for a published design to see how it works.

Fine graphics outputs include sideband suppression, the angles for each of the two chains, and the deviation from target.

Change or tune the stage time-constants and you can generate a network with sideband suppression which is not uniform across the audio band.

Save as an overlay the current-schematic sideband suppression plot, make changes and then recall that stored response for comparison with new data by overlaying the old plotted data on top of the current plot.

Use the nearest-value routine to substitute the nearest 1% or 5% values for the program-computed values and see the result.

Use the Monte Carlo mode to see what happens when real-world parts are used with user-specified value tolerances.

Schematic is shown in graphics form. This is in addition to a conventional “parts list.”

Handles orders two through ten, odd and even.

Outputs to the printer are not just screen dumps but are separate high-resolution routines.

Writes a nice ready-to-run LTspice file for math confirmation and/or to see the effects of a real-world op-amp (Tonne Software has no connection with Linear Technology).

SVCfilter™ is a program designed to expedite the design and analysis of lowpass (and highpass) filters with nearest 5% Standard-Value Components.

Here are some pertinent features:

SVCfilter is 32-bit Windows® electrical filter design software nicely written to help the radio amateur, technician or engineer design and analyze lumped-element lowpass and highpass filters.

Order, topology and family are all entered by clicking on buttons.

If the Chebycheff or Cauer family is chosen then three options for passband ripple (.01, .044 and .200) are available.

If the Cauer family is chosen then four options for stopband depth (30, 40, 50 and 60 dB) are available.

Cutoff frequency is entered in the usual text box and can be from audio through UHF.

Cutoff frequency can be as low as 0.1 Hz, allowing the value of .159155 [ i.e., 1/(2*PI) ] to be used. This, in conjunction with a termination value of one ohm, yields parts values for the textbook classic “normalized” design.

System impedance by default is 50 ohms but a textbox allows entry of any value of your choice, for example 600 ohms for audio.

Inductor Q values are set by default to a value of one million. A textbox allows entry of any value of your choice in the range of 10 minimum to one million maximum.

The graphic output draws the schematic of the filter you have designed, and also plots the responses of that filter (both transmission and reflection). It selects the nearest 5% values for the capacitors and shows those values as well as the exact values and overlays the response plots for the nearest values on top of the original exact-value plot.

Tuning buttons allow stepping the cutoff frequency up or down in 1% steps and immediately seeing the new performance of the redesigned filter on the plot.

Place the cursor anywhere on the plot and see the transmission, reflection, VSWR and envelope delay values for that frequency.

Inductors are retuned as necessary to maintain the response of Cauer filters after nearest capacitors are chosen.

To maintain the high level of quality of the graphic output, the outputs to the printer are not “screen dumps” but instead are from a set of dedicated routines which write directly to the printer. The quality of the graphics as delivered by the printer will be limited only by that printer, commonly several hundred pixels per inch. The printer output on one sheet contains the schematic with parts values along with the set of responses.

Click on the “Write Elsie File” button to write a file to drive Elsie the filter design and analysis program for followup filter examination in even greater detail.

Click on the “Write Spice schematic” button to write a file to drive the LTspice simulator. (Tonne Software has no connection with Linear Technology Corporation.)

This program was written to simplify the sometimes difficult task of lumped-element lowpass (and highpass) filter design by automating or setting as default some of the more frequently-encountered options. But it also includes analysis, uncommon for such an application