SPICE on mobile
Tersa is a mobile SPICE simulator for iPhone and iPad: draw schematics, run DC, AC, and transient analysis, inspect plots, and tune circuit values.
Reviewed: 2026-10-16
Application workflow
Use the real product flow to move from a circuit and reference impedance to measured reflection, component tuning, and a verified frequency sweep.
01 · Capture
Create the schematic, select a component, and edit its electrical values without squeezing a desktop interface onto a smaller screen.
02 · Simulate
Tersa keeps the circuit and plotted response together. Change a component value, rerun, and compare the electrical result without exporting data to a separate plotting app.
03 · Measure
Read the result at the level the circuit requires: voltage and current traces for analog work, or S-parameters and a Smith chart for matching and RF review.
01
A mobile simulator has to do more than display a finished waveform. The practical loop starts with a schematic, exposes the analysis and model assumptions, produces inspectable traces, and makes another iteration quick enough to perform at the bench, in class, or away from a workstation.
02
Tersa is designed for focused RF and analog experiments, quick review, and tuning. A phone is useful for checking a response or testing an idea; an iPad gives the schematic and plots more room. Large model libraries, extensive automation, and production sign-off may still belong in an established desktop flow.
03
Tersa is a focused circuit simulation workspace, not a claim of feature parity with LTspice, ADS, AWR, or a full PCB suite. The current public download is through Apple’s App Store. No Android release is claimed on this page.
Workflow comparison
Compare the product scope and engineering workflow before moving a real circuit. This table reflects public product information, not claimed feature parity.
| Criterion | Tersa EDA | a desktop-only SPICE workflow |
|---|---|---|
| Best use | Quick capture, review, measurement, and tuning on iPhone or iPad | Large projects, mature automation, deep model libraries, and established sign-off |
| Interaction | Touch-oriented schematic and measurement controls | Keyboard, mouse, menus, scripts, and large multi-window layouts |
| Analog analysis | DC, AC, transient, plots, markers, and tuning in a focused workspace | Often broader analysis controls, directives, and automation depending on the simulator |
| RF workflow | S-parameters, Smith chart, insertion loss, return loss, and tuning views | Varies by product and may require separate setup or tools |
| Decision | Use when portability and a short schematic-to-result loop matter | Use when project scale, ecosystem depth, or qualification requirements lead |
Primary sources
Published by the Tersa team using the official sources below. This is a documentation-based comparison, not a hands-on benchmark. Confirm current platform, model and plan support before switching.
Related workflows
Move between matching theory, a practical Tersa workflow, S-parameter analysis, and Smith chart inspection.
FAQ
Yes. Tersa provides a touch-oriented circuit workflow on iPhone and iPad, from schematic editing through analysis, plots, measurements, and component tuning.
The mobile workflow covers DC, AC, and transient analysis for analog circuits, plus S-parameter and Smith chart views for focused RF work.
No. Tersa is intentionally narrower: it is built for portable RF and analog experiments, review, and tuning. Keep a mature desktop tool where model depth, automation, or formal verification requires it.
This page does not claim an Android release. The current public download is available through Apple’s App Store.
No. Simulation quality still depends on the circuit, device models, analysis settings, tolerances, and interpretation. Validate important results against measurements or an established reference workflow.
