WHAT IS SOFTWARE DESIGN AIDS
Software Design Aids
Selection of Microcomputer Based Design Tools
A variety of microcomputer design tools are offered on the internet for the purposes of facilitating portions of the electronic packaging design process. The design programs range from freeware and software to large and expensive well documented and supported professional programs.
The use of capable but less expensive software package offerings must be handled with care to avoid pitfalls that may be experienced by the user.
For example:-
• inadequate documentation
• documentation ineptly translated into English
• unexplained internal algorithms and assumptions that impact output accuracy
• awkward input modeling techniques
• inability to transfer files in a format acceptable other design software programs
• inability to generate output files suitable for use by three-dimensional printers
• lack of customer support
• limited graphics
• limited availability drivers used to handle a variety of input and plotter devices.
There are a variety of intermediate size and supported programs that work well for less complex needs Full capability, professional programs are used to assure satisfactory results and are applied to multifaceted, large scale project and critical projects for which there is little tolerance for weak results. These professional programs are often able to support multi-user design team activities.
Consultation with users of design software is an excellent source of reference when investigating various programs, and if a program is acquired, the other users may be able to assist in the choice of software specifically appropriate to the needs of the Electronic Packaging Engineer.
It is wise to approach the use of new software packages with caution and to develop confidence in the program by “base lining” by the comparing of program output results to the results of an already solved similar problem.
Mechanical Design Tools
Within the array of mechanical design tools the descriptive marketing rhetoric often minimizes the effort required to achieve efficient productivity. As a general rule, the more versatile the program, the more training and customer support that is required to achieve proficiency. Insome cases it becomes necessary to attend initial and annual training courses for the specific program including using consultants who are trained in the use of the specific software package. Finite element modeling including component geometrical mesh development may be needed to achieve refined prediction of static and dynamic deformation information resulting from anticipated service loads.
Circuit Board Design Tools
A variety of printed circuit (or printed wiring) board design programs are available to aid in the practice of circuit board design. These same programs are often used in the design of flexible circuits, membrane switches, and similar devices. Available programs range from free (limited, no support), versions offered by board manufacturing houses with output files only useful for the offering board manufacturer, through programs which offer varying degrees of design capabilities, vendor support and documentation. There are also midrange programs of modest capabilities which are often sufficient to meet the requirements of many circuit board design tasks. Circuit board programs vary in complexity and the potential user should form a list of minimum requirements and then select a program that best fits the user’s needs. Listed below are some of the more important characteristics that may be offered by circuit board design programs.
• the number of components that can be employed
• the number of circuit layers
• the minimum line and space widths
• the ability to provide hidden vias
• the maximum size of a circuit board
• the sophistication of any auto-routing and parts placement features
• the ability to set design rules and to run design rule checking
• the ease with which fabrication files may be generated (Gerber files, drill files, silkscreen files, solder fill patterns)
• The ability to edit Gerber files on existing boards
• the ease with which the designer may create or modify the library of component electrical, mechanical and performance descriptions
• The ability to enter electrical characteristics of components and to employ the descriptions in circuit performance prediction and analysis routine the ability to create and revise schematics
• the ability of the program to automatic forward and back-annotate between schematic and artwork files when changes are made
• the ability to view net connectivity and edit nets by splitting, merging, and gate reassignment between nets, and deletion of components
• the generation of materials lists
• the ability to provide assembly drawing graphics.
Regardless of the program employed there are several details that require attention to avoid a ruined board. The design of s board is dependent on the quality of the part device libraries which exist to create, define and store schematic symbols and the associated layout artwork patterns.
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