Online training keeps designers up to date

The challenges posed by EMC and signal integrity issues in high-speed PCB and multichip module design have led Zuken to introduce the world's first online interactive training system.

The challenges posed by EMC and signal integrity issues in high-speed PCB and multichip module design have led EDA specialist, Zuken, to introduce the world's first online, interactive training system for engineers.

Known as the Zuken EMC Training System, it is part of Zuken's Advanced Engineering Services programme and provides on-demand training for engineers at their desks using a standard browser interface.

The package includes documented design guidelines, illustrated examples of how best practice can be achieved and interactive practical sessions.

Suitable for single-seat or Intranet-based use, it provides access to Zuken's experienced PCB specialists in a cost-effective and efficient way, enabling customers to improve productivity by ensuring that their design teams are aware of the most up-to-date practices.

A demonstration version of the software can be downloaded from the Zuken website, and the full version is provided on CD.

The embedded online documentation includes an explanation of the fundamentals of transmission lines and printed circuit boards, information on EMC effects relating to signal integrity, design rule guidelines and a range of technical papers.

The interactive elements of the training package enable engineers to change physical and some electrical characteristics of conductors and other printed circuit board or device parameters, either by entering numerical data or by using a mouse to adjust physical sizes and spacings in the browser window.

The resulting changes in electrical characteristics, for example impedance, are automatically charted in real-time.

Conductor width and length, conductor spacing, substrate height, substrate material data, terminating impedances, and characteristics of the transmitting signal are some of the parameters with which the engineer can experiment.

Commenting on the new service, Ralf Bruning, Product Manager at Zuken's EMC Technology Centre in Paderborn, Germany, said: "High-speed design problems and resulting design solutions are evolving so rapidly that conventional ad-hoc training is insufficient for keeping electronics engineers and PCB designers fully up to date.

This system is constantly updated with new knowledge and information.

It's easy to license and install, needs minimal maintenance from customers, and is fully supported by our Training and Consulting Centre in Paderborn." The Zuken EMC Training System is undergoing continuous development in partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute, IZM, Paderborn.

It is available in Europe and licences cost from Eur 750 per seat.

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