Arduino Proteus Library [Arduino Simulation Guide]

In this tutorial, you’ll download Arduino Proteus Library and learn how to simulate Arduino Projects with Proteus ISIS software. We’ll also discuss some tips for Arduino Simulation to avoid running into problems while testing your projects. Without further ado, let’s get right into it!

In a previous tutorial, we discussed how to use TinkerCAD for simulating Arduino projects and we’ve created some sample projects for testing. However, proteus ISIS is another simulation tool that is considered to be a more powerful software for electronic circuit simulation and especially microcontroller-based applications.

❕ Note

Please, be advised that you first need to have installed Proteus ISIS on your computer and your license (time-limited free, student, or whatever) can simulate microcontroller projects (AVR, PIC, etc). I’ll show you how to install the add-on Arduino Proteus Library and use it for simulating Arduino projects.

Table of Contents

  1. Arduino Proteus Library
  2. Arduino Proteus Library Simulation Demo
  3. Arduino Proteus Simulation Remarks
  4. Download Attachments
  5. Conclusion

Arduino Proteus Library

The Arduino Proteus Library is based on the AVR microcontroller’s model that comes with the Proteus ISIS simulator itself, we just need to install an add-on library to have a couple of Arduino boards models included as well as some sensors that you can use later on for your Arduino Projects Simulation.

Arduino Proteus Library Download

You can download the Arduino Proteus Library using the link below or the button near the end of this tutorial. And unzip the folder to see its contents, and here is what’s inside.

[ Download Arduino Proteus Library Here ]

Arduino-Proteus-Library-Download

Unzip the library folder and open it, and you’ll find some folders and files. The Files I’ve marked in the screenshot above, are the model files ( .LIB and .IDX ) that we’ll copy and paste for installing the Arduino Proteus Library. Follow the next section’s step-by-step installation guide.

Arduino Proteus Library Install

Here is a step-by-step guide for installing Arduino Proteus Library in Proteus ISIS.

1- Copy Library Files

After downloading the library folder, unzip it and copy all the ( .LIB and .IDX ) files.

2- Go to the Proteus libraries folder & Paste

Open the installation directory for proteus which is usually as follows:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Labcenter Electronics\Proteus 8 Professional\DATA\LIBRARY

And paste the files you’ve copied right there.

Arduino-Proteus-Library-Simulation

3- Open Proteus (ISIS) and Test

It’s now done, and you can open Proteus (ISIS) and create a new project to test the functionality of the Arduino Proteus Library. And that’s what we’ll be doing in the next section hereafter.


Arduino Proteus Library Simulation Demo

In this example, we’ll test the Arduino Proteus Simulation with an LED blinking example.

Arduino Proteus Simulation Project

Now, let’s create an Arduino Proteus Simulation project in ISIS (v8.13)

Open Proteus ISIS

Create New Project

Create a Schematic With the Default Template

Arduino-Proteus-Simulation-Steps1

Do not create a PCB layout

Arduino-Proteus-Simulation-Steps2

No Firmware Project

Arduino-Proteus-Simulation-Steps3

And Click Finish

Now, we’ve created the simulation project. Let’s add the Arduino UNO board and hook up an LED to the IO pin13.

Arduino-Proteus-Library-Simulation-Project-Example

Arduino-Proteus-Library-Simulation-Example

Example Code

Here is the full code listing for this example.

Before building the code example above, you need to modify the Arduino preferences options in order to know the location of the generated ( .hex ) output binary file that we’ll include later in the Proteus simulation project.

Modify Arduino Preference Options

Tick the “compilation” option as shown below.

Arduino-Simulation-in-Proteus-ISIS

Now, Click The Build Button in Arduino IDE

And as expected, it did print out the location of the ( .hex ) output binary file.

Arduino-Simulation-With-Proteus-ISIS

It’s going to be in the temp folder on your C drive. Just order the temp folder contents with the date to see the most recent files on the top of the list, and you’ll easily find the Arduino temp build folder.

C:\Users\YOUR_NAME\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_build_xxxxxx

Copy the .hex file to a known place like the Arduino Sketch folder of your project for example.

Double-Click on The Arduino UNO Board in Proteus

This will open up the settings dialog for the Arduino UNO board in simulation. We’ll now point to the Hex program file location and start the simulation.

Arduino-Simulation-Example-in-Proteus-ISIS

Arduino Proteus Simulation Result

And here is the simulation result for running this example code. You can modify and change it as you want.


Arduino Proteus Simulation Remarks

Simulating your Arduino projects can be really helpful especially when you’re just getting started with Arduino. This step is not mandatory at all, however, running your project in a simulator environment will help you catch and fix some logic errors in the code or in the circuit wiring connections.

If the code doesn’t run logically in simulation, it won’t either do in the real world. However, the opposite is not always true. If your project runs in simulation perfectly, it doesn’t mean it’ll also do in the real world. There are many external factors that can affect the application running on a real Arduino board. Things like noise, bad wiring, damaged parts, and more other obstacles that can’t be predicted by your simulator.

Moreover, the simulation environment will have its own limitations at the end of the day. It’s going to have a limited number of modules and sensors to use with Arduino, not all Arduino boards are included, not sufficient measurement tools are available in simulation, and other limitations.

Also, pay attention to the warning messages that Proteus displays at the bottom of the screen. Always click on it and see what’s going on. It’ll give you a great notification for catastrophic events such as:

  • Power Reset
  • Watchdog Reset
  • Excessive current or voltage
  • Wrong or missing circuit connections
Proteus-Warning-Messages

And it’s going to warn you if the simulation is not running in real-time. This means you shouldn’t care too much about any timing behavior you’ll see in the simulation screen like LED blinking time and such. It’s going to take longer than programmed due to excessive CPU loading during simulation, don’t change your code to accommodate for it. It’s a simulation runtime issue not in your Arduino code itself.

But all in all, it’s a great tool for learning and getting started with Arduino even if you don’t have the Arduino board or the hardware kit yet.


Download Attachments

You can download all attachment files for this Article/Tutorial (project files, schematics, code, etc..) using the link below. Please consider supporting my work through the various support options listed in the link down below. Every small donation helps to keep this website up and running and ultimately supports our community.


Conclusion

To conclude this tutorial, we’ll highlight the fact that Arduino simulation is possible with the Arduino Proteus Library which can help you get started with Arduino programming even if you didn’t get your hardware kit yet. There may be some downsides and limitations in some cases but for basic projects simulation, it’s going to help you so well.

If you’re just getting started with Arduino, you need to check out the Arduino Getting Started [Ultimate Guide] here. And follow this Arduino series of tutorials to learn more about Arduino Programming.

???? Also Read
Getting Started With Arduino Programming For Beginners

This is the ultimate guide for getting started with Arduino for beginners. It’ll help you learn the Arduino fundamentals for Hardware & Software and understand the basics required to accelerate your learning journey with Arduino Programming.

FAQ & Answers
How To Download Arduino Library For Proteus?

You’ll find the Arduino proteus library files on GitHub and various websites online. Download it, unzip the folder, and copy the .LIB and .IDX files to the proteus libraries directory and it’s done.

How To Import Arduino Library in Proteus?

You’ll need to copy the .LIB and .IDX files to the libraries folder where proteus is installed on your machine. It’s typically at: C:\Program Files (x86)\Labcenter Electronics\Proteus 8 Professional\DATA\LIBRARY
paste the libraries files there and it’s done.

is Arduino Available in Proteus?

Yes, but it’s not built-in. You still need to install an add-on library to use the built-in AVR microcontroller model in Proteus and provide you with a functional Arduino board model that you can use for simulating your Arduino projects.

is Proteus Arduino Free?

The Free Proteus license is time-limited for you to try the software capabilities. If it’s helpful, you should consider getting a convenient license whether a student version or for your organization.

Where to install Proteus Library?

After copying the Protues library model files, you need to navigate to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Labcenter Electronics\Proteus 8 Professional\DATA\LIBRARY
And paste the library model files right there and re-start the program.

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Author
Khaled Magdy
Embedded systems engineer with several years of experience in embedded software and hardware design. I work as an embedded SW engineer in the Automotive & e-Mobility industry. However, I still do Hardware design and SW development for DSP, Control Systems, Robotics, AI/ML, and other fields I'm passionate about.
I love reading, writing, creating projects, and teaching. A reader by day and a writer by night, it's my lifestyle. I believe that the combination of brilliant minds, bold ideas, and a complete disregard for what is possible, can and will change the world! I will be there when it happens, will you?

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