Product category:
Embedded Software and Operating Systems
News Release from: Zuken | Subject: Spacing Synthesizer
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 01 June 2005
High-voltage routing checker works in 3D
Spacing Synthesizer is a novel 2D and 3D routing checker for high voltage PCBs, such as those carrying power supply circuits or boards designed for intrinsically safe applications.
Zuken reckons it has cut typical design time by six weeks with the introduction of Spacing Synthesizer, a 2D and 3D routing checker for high voltage printed circuit boards (PCBs) such as those carrying power supply circuits or boards designed for intrinsically safe applications Where voltages over 60V appear on a multilayer PCB, designers are challenged with the problem of ensuring adequate separation of signal paths in the z dimension of the board, as well as in the x and y dimensions
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 23 Sep 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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This is particularly important where the board is to be used in environments that demand intrinsically safe performance, for example on oil rigs and in mines, where any insulation breakdown between layers can cause hazardous sparking.
The traditional way of making the z-axis checks is manual, often taking a designer up to six weeks to check a typical four-layer board.
This task has been reduced to a few minutes with a new Spacing Synthesizer tool that works within the CR-5000 enterprise-wide PCB design suite from Zuken.
Further reading
PCB design software is free to try
Free software offers a feel for the major advancements in ease of use and reverse engineering featured in Cadstar 10.0.
Design tool eases PCB development
Integration with Catia V5 allows the MCAD engineer to set mechanical space requirements before the layout process and provides speedy digital mock-up of modelling for mechanical design reviews.
The tool enables engineers to assign groups of signals, and the distance between signals of the same or a different group, from within the system schematic during the design process.
The signal groups can then be visualised in different colours within System Designer, the schematic capture module of CR-5000.
A distance-matrix is automatically created that shows the design rules required in Board Designer, the tool-suite's board layout module.
Until now, designers had to settle for completing design rule checks in 2D.
Using the Spacing Synthesizer, net groups are assigned to signals in System Designer, where they are distinguished by colour-coding.
Spacings are easily defined, both within each net group and between groups, and design rule checks (DRCs) are automatically generated to ensure that the required spacings are maintained throughout the board design process.
The same colour-coding transfers into the Board Designer layout tool within CR-5000.
Both 2D and 3D DRC is then carried out to pinpoint potential conflict areas and enable rapid correction of the layout.
By automating the checking process, human error is largely eliminated and board integrity with respect to conductor spacing is assured.
In addition, variations in board fabrication process can be taken into account, the 3D check being adjustable for varying board thicknesses and design rule exceptions.
The Spacing Synthesizer complete package, which includes front-end base spacing rule definition, back-end design rule stack generation and full 3D design rule check is available now and is priced from $58,500/Eur 45,000. Request a free brochure from Zuken ...
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