A Low-Cost Analog Circuit Implementation of the Jiles-Atherton Hysteresis Model

We show the design of a broadband, fully analog circuit for simulating the hysteretic B − H characteristics of magnetic core materials closely following the Jiles-Atherton model using standard electronic components. The Jiles-Atherton model is one of the most widely accepted mathematical representations, capturing the nonlinear and history-dependent behavior of magnetic materials. It is routinely implemented in circuits and multiphysics simulator software packages. We show the detailed design process starting from the mathematical model and establish a block diagram whose constituents are replaced by respective linear and non-linear subcircuits. Limitations concerning bandwidth and precision of the analog circuits are discussed and remedies are provided. Potential non-physical behavior of the model in term of negative differential B−H characteristic and their impact on the simulation of inductors and transformers are discussed. The circuit can be used for real-time demonstration of the Jiles-Atherton model for educational purposes, or to mimic sound effects of overdriven output transformers in guitar valve amps.