﻿This simulator simulates the circuit using a series of short time steps. In each step the changes to the voltages and currents in the circuit are calculated based on the component models and the current circuit state. For this process to work the time steps used need to be significantly shorter than the duration of any event of interest in the circuit. Or, if you prefer, the time steps need to be significantly shorter than the period of the highest frequency signal of interest.

By default the simulator uses a 5µs step size. This is OK for audio frequency signals but not for radio frequency signals or fast digital signals. The step size can be changed from the "Other Options..." dialog on the options menu. For comparison, the transmission line example in the application uses a 5ps step size.

The step size shouldn't be confused with the "Simulation Speed" controlled by the slider in the right hand panel. The step size controls how long (in simulated time) each step is. The "Simulation Speed" slider controls how often (in real time) the computer calculates a step.