Comparison of Simulation Results and Physical Experiments

Study Case Comparison of Simulation Results and Physical Experiments in 3-Loop Mesh Circuit Analysis Using the Proto Circuit Android App Michael Kurniawan (2018123456) University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45221, United States kurniaml@mail.uc.edu Abstract This study discusses the comparison between simulation results and physical experiments in three-loop mesh circuit analysis using the Proto Circuit Android App. This application is used as a learning tool to facilitate understanding of the concept of current in interconnected circuits. Through simulation and direct experimentation, it was found that the current values from both showed a high degree of conformity, despite minor differences due to component tolerances and environmental factors. These results indicate that the Proto Circuit Android App can be used as an effective alternative for learning and basic analysis of electrical circuits in an academic environment. Keywords: three-loop mesh circuit, Proto Circuit, simulation, physical experiment, electrical circuit analysis. INTRODUCTION In the field of electronic engineering, circuit testing and verification are crucial steps to ensure that the system performance is in accordance with the design. One commonly used approach is software simulation, which allows for circuit analysis and validation before physical implementation. An electrical circuit is an interconnection between various electronic components (devices) that work together to achieve a specific function [1]. One popular application used in electronic circuit simulation is the Proto Circuit Android App, which provides a simulation environment with high accuracy, a simple interface, and ease of use. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 1 Study Case This paper focuses on the analysis of a three-loop mesh circuit using this application, comparing the results between digital simulation and direct experimentation to validate the accuracy of the results. About the Proto Circuit Application The Proto Circuit Android App is electronic circuit simulation software designed to facilitate analysis and testing prior to physical prototyping. This application offers various features such as circuit design and modification, performance simulation, and electronic component modeling. The main advantages of Proto Circuit are its intuitive user interface, broad compatibility with Android devices, and high accuracy in simulation results. These features help users understand circuit performance in depth before actual implementation [2]. Figure 1.1. Proto Circuit Application Home Screen Figure 1.2. Electronic Component Selection MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 2 Study Case Figure 1.3. Current and Voltage Setting Menu The images above show the application's initial display (Figure 1.1), a list of available electronic components (Figure 1.2), and the interface for setting electrical parameters such as voltage and current (Figure 1.3). Main Functions of Proto Circuit a. Circuit Design and Modification – Users can create and edit circuits according to project requirements. b. Circuit Simulation – The application provides simulations with accurate data results for analysis and verification purposes. c. Electronic Component Modeling – Supports various elements such as resistors, capacitors, and transistors. d. Performance Analysis – Provides calculations of frequency response, impedance, voltage, and current. e. Testing and Verification – Enables virtual testing to reduce errors in the physical stage. Advantages of Proto Circuit a. High Accuracy – Provides results that are close to real conditions. b. Design Flexibility – Enables quick experimentation with various circuit configurations. c. Intuitive Interface – Easy to use even for beginners. d. Wide Compatibility – Runs on various Android versions commonly available on the market. e. Time and Cost Efficiency – Reduces the need for repeated physical experiments. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 3 Study Case f. Unlimited Components – Provides a variety of elements without usage restrictions, helping research that requires many components simultaneously. Research on Proto Circuit Applications Although Proto Circuit has been widely used on Android and desktop platforms, there is no official version available for iOS devices such as iPhones or iPads. In fact, the iOS user base is quite large, especially in the industrial and higher education sectors in the United States. So far, research on Proto Circuit has focused more on developing Android and desktop versions, while the need for an iOS version has not been explored much [2]. Research Motivation The main motivation for this research is to fill the gap in the availability of Proto Circuit on the iOS platform. By providing a compatible version, iOS users will be able to access the same simulation tools for learning and research purposes. In addition, adapting Proto Circuit for iOS will expand the scope of use of this application among electronics developers who predominantly use Apple devices. Research Objectives: a. To develop a version of Proto Circuit that can run on iOS devices (iPhone and iPad). b. To design an intuitive and easy-to-use user interface for the iOS version. c. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of circuit simulation on the iOS platform. d. To provide efficient means of analyzing and verifying electronic circuits. e. Expanding the accessibility of Proto Circuit for iOS users in academic and industrial environments. Research Scope This research focuses on the development and adaptation of Proto Circuit for the iOS platform, with an emphasis on user interface design and the main functionality of the application. Internal aspects such as code structure and technical implementation are not the main focus. Instead, this research focuses more on user experience, simulation performance, and application capabilities in the context of the iOS operating system. Through this research, it is hoped that the iOS version of Proto Circuit can meet the previously unmet needs of users and expand its application in the world of electronics education and industry. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 4 Study Case RESEARCH METHODS Description of Three-Loop Mesh Circuits A three-loop mesh circuit is a type of electrical circuit consisting of three closed paths (loops) that are interconnected and have different currents in each loop. This type of circuit is often used to analyze current and voltage distribution in complex electrical systems. In direct current (DC) analysis, several basic theorems are needed to complete the calculations efficiently [3][4]. The two main theorems used are the mesh theorem and the node voltage theorem. These two theorems are applied when Kirchhoff's Law and Ohm's Law alone are not sufficient to solve DC current analysis problems [5]. The Mesh Theorem is used to determine the direction and magnitude of the current in each loop. A loop is defined as a closed path that starts and ends at the same point, while a node is a point where two or more components are connected [6]. Components in a Three-Loop Mesh Circuit The main components used in a three-loop mesh circuit include [7]: a. Power Source (Power Supply) This component provides voltage in the circuit, either in the form of constant voltage (DC source) such as a battery, or variable voltage (AC generator). Voltage is measured in volts (V). b. Resistor A resistor serves to limit the flow of electric current and has a certain resistance value measured in ohms (Ω). c. Voltmeter A voltmeter is used to measure the potential difference (voltage) between two points in a circuit. This device is connected in parallel with the component being measured. In a three-loop mesh circuit, voltmeters are usually placed on each resistor or element to determine the voltage in each loop. Because voltmeters have very high input resistance, the current passing through them can be ignored so that it does not affect the measurement. d. Ammeter An ammeter is used to measure the magnitude of the current flowing in a circuit. This device is connected in series with the component being measured so that all the MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 5 Study Case current passes through it. An ammeter has low internal resistance, so its effect on the total current is very small. In a three-loop mesh experiment, an ammeter is placed on each path to measure the current in each loop. e. Ground (Zero Point) Ground serves as a voltage reference point in a circuit. In a three-loop mesh system, the ground point is used to measure the voltage between elements consistently. Although the position of the ground does not affect the current distribution, setting the correct reference point is important to maintain consistency and measurement accuracy. Basic Theory of Three-Loop Mesh Circuits a. Ohm's Law Ohm's Law states that the current (I) flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage (V) applied and inversely proportional to the resistance (R) of the conductor. Mathematically, it is formulated as: 𝐼= 𝑉 (1) 𝑅 where: • I = current (ampere, A) • V = voltage (volt, V) • R = resistance (ohm, Ω) George Simon Ohm (1789–1854) was the scientist who first formulated this relationship, now known as Ohm's Law, which can also be expressed as: V = I × R (2) This equation forms the basis for analyzing the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in each electrical component [8][9][10]. b. Kirchhoff's Law Kirchhoff's First Law (Current Law or Node Law) states that the sum of the currents entering a node in a circuit is equal to the sum of the currents leaving that node. This principle is based on the conservation of electric charge. ∑I_in=∑I_out (3) In the context of a three-loop mesh circuit, this means that the current entering each node must be equal to the current leaving that node. Kirchhoff's Second Law (Voltage Law or Loop Law) states that the total voltage in MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 6 Study Case a closed path is equal to zero. This principle is based on the conservation of energy, because the energy obtained from the voltage source will be equal to the energy used by other elements in the loop [11][12][13]. ∑V_up=∑V_down (4) These two Kirchhoff's laws, together with Ohm's Law, form the main basis for electrical circuit analysis, especially in the calculation of complex circuits such as threeloop meshes. Accuracy Level Calculation Method To compare the simulation results with the actual experimental results, the following accuracy calculation formula is used: 1. Simulation Accuracy versus Theoretical Calculation: Error = 2. Experimental Accuracy versus Theoretical Calculation: Error = 3. Simulation Result × 100% Theory Result Experiment Result × 100% Theory Result Experiment Accuracy to Simulation: Error = Experiment Result × 100% Simulation Result These three methods are used to determine the level of conformity between theoretical results, simulation results using the Proto Circuit Android App, and direct measurement results from experiments. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 7 Study Case Flowchart of Three-Loop Mesh Simulation with Proto Circuit Figure 2.1. Flowchart of Three-Loop Mesh Simulation 1. The simulation steps on the Proto Circuit Android App are as follows: 2. Download the Proto Circuit version 1.20.0 app from the Google Play Store. 3. Open the application, select the “+ Simulate” sign at the bottom right. 4. Select the “+” sign again to start a new simulation. 5. Determine the components to be used (DC power supply, resistor, ammeter, voltmeter, ground). 6. Set the DC voltage source value. 7. Design a three-loop mesh circuit according to the theoretical configuration. 8. Enter the resistance value for each resistor. 9. Run the simulation and observe the current and voltage results in each loop using the virtual ammeter and voltmeter. 10. Record and analyze the measurement results to compare them with manual calculations. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 8 Study Case Three-Loop Mesh Real Experiment Flowchart Figure 2.2. Three-Loop Mesh Real Experiment Flowchart The stages of conducting the physical experiment include: 1. Prepare the components: DC power supply, resistors, multimeter, project board, and jumper cables. 2. Assemble all components according to the designed three-loop mesh configuration. 3. Measure the resistance value of each resistor using a multimeter to ensure accuracy. 4. Connect the power source to the circuit. 5. Measure the current and voltage in each loop using a multimeter (digital or analog). 6. Record all measurement results and compare them with the simulation results and theoretical calculations. 7. Analyze the differences in the results to assess the accuracy of the simulation in relation to real conditions. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 9 Study Case RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Calculation Results Mesh 3 Loop III Loop A (clockwise) −𝑉1 + 𝐼1 𝑅1 + 𝐼4 𝑅4 = 0 −𝑉1 + 𝐼1 𝑅1 + 𝑅4 (𝐼1 + 𝐼2 ) = 0 −5 + 1000𝐼1 + 390𝐼1 + 390𝐼2 = 0 1390𝐼1 + 390𝐼2 = 5(1) Loop B (counterclockwise) 𝐼4 𝑅4 + 𝐼5 𝑅5 + 𝐼2 𝑅2 = 0 𝑅4 (𝐼1 + 𝐼2 ) + 𝑅5 (𝐼2 − 𝐼3 ) + 𝐼2 𝑅2 = 0 390𝐼1 + 390𝐼2 + 390𝐼2 − 390𝐼3 + 47𝐼2 = 0 390𝐼1 + 827𝐼2 − 390𝐼3 = 0(2) Loop C (counterclockwise) −𝑉2 + 𝐼3 𝑅3 + 𝐼5 𝑅5 = 0 −𝑉2 + 𝐼3 𝑅3 + 𝑅5 (𝐼2 − 𝐼3 ) = 0 −3 + 270𝐼3 + 390𝐼3 − 390𝐼2 = 0 660𝐼3 − 390𝐼2 = 3(3) From the system of equations (1)–(3), the following current values are obtained: 𝐼1 = 0.003384 𝐴 , 𝐼2 = 0.000759 𝐴 , 𝐼3 = 0.004994 𝐴 Voltage values at each resistor: 𝑉𝑅1 = 𝐼1 𝑅1 = 3.384 𝑉 𝑉𝑅2 = 𝐼2 𝑅2 = 0.0357 𝑉 𝑉𝑅3 = 𝐼3 𝑅3 = 1.348 𝑉 𝐼4 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 = 0.004143 𝐴 ⇒ 𝑉𝑅4 = 1.616 𝑉 𝐼5 = 𝐼3 − 𝐼2 = 0.004235 𝐴 ⇒ 𝑉𝑅5 = 1.652 𝑉 MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 10 Study Case Experimental Comparison Results Table 1. Mesh 3 Calculations in Simulator and Real Experiments MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 11 Study Case Table 2. Comparison of Mesh 3 Loop I Circuit Results Table 3. Comparison of Mesh 3 Loop II Circuit Results Table 4. Comparison of Mesh 3 Loop III Circuit Results Table 5. Comparison of Results from Mesh 3 Loop IV MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 12 Study Case Table 6. Percentage Error Data for Mesh 3 Loop I Table 7. Percentage Error Data for Mesh 3 Loop II Results Table 8. Percentage Error Data for Mesh 3 Loop III Results MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 13 Study Case Table 9. Percentage Error Data for Mesh 3 Loop IV Results Analysis of Results Based on the results in Tables 1–9, several analyses can be made as follows: 1. A comparison between the theoretical calculation and simulation results (Table 2) shows differences in current and voltage values. This is likely due to component tolerance, limitations in the accuracy of the simulation device, and other external factors. 2. The actual experimental results also show differences from the calculation and simulation results (Table 3). This discrepancy may be due to non-ideal component conditions, measurement errors, or environmental factors. 3. Based on the data in Table 6 and Table 7, the accuracy level is better than Table 8 and Table 9 because it has a smaller error percentage. However, accuracy is not only determined by the error value but also by the consistency and reliability of the test data. Overall, the results show that the Proto Circuit Android App is capable of providing simulations with fairly high accuracy. Although there are differences between the simulation results, calculations, and actual experiments, these differences are still within acceptable tolerance limits. This phenomenon is in accordance with Kirchhoff's Law and Ohm's Law, which explain the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance in electrical systems [14]. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 14 Study Case Relevant Research Previous studies examining 3-loop mesh circuits or factors affecting measurement results provide additional context to these findings. For example, studies on the effect of temperature on component resistance or the effect of frequency on multimeter measurement accuracy can explain the variations in results that arise. Analysis of the differences between calculation results, simulations, and physical experiments helps identify the main factors that affect circuit performance and broadens our understanding of the practical application of electrical theory [15]. CONCLUSION Based on the results of calculations, simulations, and real experiments on the Mesh 3 Loop circuit, the following conclusions can be drawn: 1. The differences between the calculation and simulation results are due to component tolerance factors, simulation device limitations, and external conditions that affect testing accuracy. 2. The discrepancy between the actual experimental results and the simulation and calculation results also occurred due to non-ideal component conditions, measurement errors, and environmental influences. 3. This research contributes to comparing the simulation results of the Proto Circuit Android App with the physical experimental results on the Mesh 3 Loop circuit. This application has proven to have a high level of accuracy and flexibility, although validation through real experiments is still necessary. Overall, the Proto Circuit Android App can be used as an effective tool for simulating and analyzing electronic circuits before physical implementation, as the results are close to actual conditions. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 15 Study Case REFERENCE MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 16