PICAXE VSM

  • Windows Compatible
  • Not Mac Compatible
  • Not Linux Compatible
  • Not Chrome Compatible
  • Not iOS Compatible
  • Not Android Compatible

Product Details

PICAXE VSM has reached EOL and is no longer available to new users. Please contact Labcenter if you wish to purchase the latest version of Proteus VSM.

PICAXE Virtual System Modelling (VSM)
is a software circuit simulator that combines a ‘virtual’ PICAXE chip with animated components and Berkeley SPICE circuit analysis to produce a simulation of a complete PICAXE project – and most circuits simulate in real time!

To use PICAXE VSM simply draw your circuit schematic on screen, using the automated wiring and library of over 12,000 popular analogue / digital components to build up your circuit.  Add voltage/current probes to any point in the circuit, and then connect any virtual instruments (e.g. an oscilloscope) as required. Then associate your our PICAXE BASIC program to the PICAXE chip component and click ‘Run’ to watch the circuit in operation.

The on-screen output components (e.g. LEDs, motors and LCD displays) animate as the PICAXE program runs, and input device such as temperature sensors, switches and keypads can be activated by clicking on the animated model in the circuit simulation.
PICAXE VSM also provides extensive debugging facilities – the PICAXE program can be stepped through line by line, breakpoints can be set in the program, and the variable values can be displayed on screen.

Virtual instruments such as ammeters, voltmeters and oscilloscopes can be connected to any pin or wire to study the circuit operation. Voltage and current can also be highlighted by various animation options, for instance by adding ‘voltage bar graphs’ to component pins or by automatically changing the colour of wires.

PICAXE VSM also supports thousands of traditional components such as 555 timers, op-amps, CMOS & TTL logic etc. A series of electronic principles tutorials are even included free of charge! Traditional components can be simulated in circuits by themselves, or combined into a PICAXE circuit. You can also add multiple PICAXE chips to a single circuit so, for instance, two chips can communicate via RS232 serial communication.

Key features:

  • Berkeley SPICE and digital circuit simulation for all PICAXE chips (new M2 models now available)
  • Library of over 12,000 components
  • Many animated output components, including LEDs, 7 segment displays, LCDs, motors, servos, stepper motors etc
  • Many animated input components including touch sensors, switches, LDRs, thermistors, digital temperature sensors, keypads, iButtons etc.
  • On screen animation of voltage and current, including unlimited number of probes
  • Virtual instruments include voltmeter, ammeter, oscilloscope, signal generator, logic analyser, timer, serial terminal, i2c and spi debuggers Support for all major protocols, including RS232, spi, i2c, 1-wire, etc.
  • Can simulate traditional circuits (e.g. 555 timers and CMOS/TTL logic chips) as well as PICAXE circuits
  • Support for multiple PICAXE chips on same design
  • Serial port linking to allow software models to send/receive data from real devices over the computer's real serial/virtual USB COM port
  • Support for hierarchal sub-system blocks to generate a complete project using several sub-systems
  • Users can develop their own models and animations
  • Export net lists for use in a dozen different PCB applications

Download and Purchase:

Click here to download a demo version of PICAXE VSM. The software will run in 'demo' mode (see the sample circuits in the demo folder) until a licence key is purchased (i.e. the same installation is used for both demo and full versions, with a licence key 'unlocking' all the features). Click here to purchase a license key online.

The licence key is non-expiring (can be used forever) and also includes one year of free updates. After one year any new updates can be supplied for a small annual renewal fee.

Update FAQ:

  • FAQ1: Will the software stop working after 12 months?

    No, you can use the PICAXE VSM software forever. The 12 month update period is only relevant to free new ‘updates’, you can continue using the original installation as long as you like.

  • FAQ2: The new PICAXE chip models were released later than the real-life chips, must I buy an update?

    The eligibility to new PICAXE VSM microcontroller models is based upon the approximate date of release of the real-life PICAXE chip, not the date of the release of the VSM model. So, for instance, for the X2 models you may install the X2 update (v2) if your update service was valid on 1 June 2009.

  • FAQ3: Where do I find my update subscription expiry date / customer number?

    See the Help>About menu within the PICAXE VSM software

  • FAQ4: My free updates expired 6 months ago, can I still update?

    Yes, you may update at any time in the 12 months following the update expiry date. You will then be eligible for the current version and any more updates within the months remaining. The update cost is £15.

  • FAQ5: My free updates expired over 12 months ago, can I still update?

    Your original purchase was now over 2 years ago, so we would certainly recommend that you update. As your update period has elapsed you may purchase a one-off upgrade to the current version. This is the same price, £15, but does not include any future updates. If you would like to come up to date and have a further 12 month update period included please purchase two updates (£30).

  • FAQ6: What were the validation dates of the major releases?

    If your update service was valid on (or after) the date shown below you may install that version free of charge.

    Release
    Update Service Date ISIS Version New PICAXE Parts Added
    PICAXE VSM v4.02 1 Nov 2011 7.10 08M2 14M2 18M2+ 20M2
    PICAXE VSM v3.00 1 Oct 2010 7.08 18M2
    PICAXE VSM v2.00 1 Jun 2009 7.06 20X2 28X2 40X2
    PICAXE VSM v1.04 1 Dec 2008 7.04 ...

 

Downloads

PICAXE VSM v4.04 Installer (approx 57MB)
(Update Service Date: 1 November 2011)
New users should install this version.
PICAXE VSM v4.04
Current version
Model Patch 4.05
The latest X2 & M2 models update for users with version 4.02 to 4.04
M2/X2 Models Patch v4.05
PICAXE VSM v3.00 Installer (approx 53MB)
(Update Service Date: 1 October 2010)
PICAXE VSM v3
(old version)
PICAXE VSM v2.00 Installer (approx 45MB)
(Update Service Date: 1 June 2009)
PICAXE VSM v2
(old version)
PICAXE VSM v1.04 Installer (approx 40MB)
(Update Service Date: 1 December 2008)
PICAXE VSM v1
(old version)
Tutorial Part 1 - Overview PDF Tutorial 1
Tutorial Part 2 - Getting Started PDF Tutorial 2
Tutorial Part 3 - Using Virtual Instruments PDF Tutorial 3
Tutorial Part 4 - Exporting Bill of Materials and PCB netlist PDF Tutorial 4
Tutorial Part 5 - Modifying Components PDF Tutorial 5

Revision History

Please note the PICAXE VSM Model version is shown in the simulation log after running a simulation. The Help>About menu shows your customer number, update subscription expiry date and the ISIS core revision. /**** To install version 4 your update service must have been valid on (or after) 1 November 2011 ****/ 4.0.5 Fixed issue with 20M2/20X2 interrupts on pins C.1 and C.2 4.0.4 Fixed issue with use of input command on M2 parts Fixed issue with use of pwm command on M2 parts Fixed issue with ADC always reading 0 on portB pins of M2 models (ensure Design>Edit Design Properties>Cache Model Files is unchecked to fix ADC behaviour on existing designs) 4.03 Fixed divide by 0 behaviour (e.g let b1 = b2 / b3 when b3=0) to match real life chip behaviour Fixed issues with VDD power rail warning messages Fixed 08M2 pin C.6 warning issue 4.02 Added invert property to AXE033 Serial LCD model, now defaults to N2400 baud rate setting Added AXE133, AXE133Y, AXE134Y Serial LCD/OLED models Corrected 14M2 model pin numbers Fixed rfin/rfout commands on M2 parts (simulate via wired connection) Added more example files for new M2/X2 commands 4.01 Beta public release of 08M2, 14M2, 18M2+, 20M2 models Minor bug fixes to X2 models 4.00 Added alpha tester 08M2, 14M2, 18M2+, 20M2 models Upgraded ISIS core to 7.10 - hardware accelerated Direct2D Graphics Engine for faster screen refresh - various bug fixes and improvements /**** To install version 3 your update service must have been valid on (or after) 1 October 2010 ****/ 3.00 Added 18M2 model Updated 28X2 and 40X2 models (to match new 18Fx5K22 revision) Upgraded ISIS core to 7.8 - compatible with Windows 7 - Help files converted to CHM format - various bug fixes and improvements /**** To install version 2 your update service must have been valid on (or after) 1 June 2009 ****/ 2.00 Added 20X2, 28X2, 40X2 models Upgraded ISIS core to 7.6 - hardware accelerated graphics - native export to PDF file - automated single step function - over 22,000 additional parts - various bug fixes and improvements /**** Any PICAXE VSM licence holder may install version 1 ****/ 1.04 Upgraded ISIS core to v7.4 - greatly enhance simulation speed - reduce convergence and step errors - improved simulation accuracy - added hundreds of new parts - add colour coding syntax for BASIC program - various bug fixes and improvements Modified models to use universal PICAXE compilers Modified models to improve power rail modelling Fixed issue with nap not parsing correctly Fixed issue with hi2cout not outputting first byte Fixed issue with 28X1 code usage report locked at 256 Fixed issue with last lookdown value not being checked Fixed issue with stop bit polarity of serout/sertxd Added support for PICAXE-18M Added support for 'readoutputs' value on 28X1 Added support for 'readportc'' on 28X1 Fixed various issues with portc simulation on 28X1/40x1 Fixed compiler issue with 'on gosub' code line numbers Fixed compiler issue with 'select case' code line numbers Note that as 'on.gosub' and 'select case' are pseudo commands they require more than one click on the 'step' button to step. This is normal behaviour, because the PICAXE is processing mutiple if/goto commands for each 'pseudo' command. v1.03 Fixed issue with pulsin command at certain frequencies v1.02 Fixed bug with 'let dirs =' when compiler optimised Now cleans up compiler generated temporary files upon syntax error Fixed issue with MIN and MAX operation Fixed issue with bit variables not correctly updating b0/b1 Fixed issue with b12-b13 not correctly updating w6 Fixed ADC issues with 20M model v1.01 Fixed invalid PC issues when using peek and poke Fixed 'OE3' issue on 20M v1.00 First release

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