In electronics, we've also been collaborating and developing with different types of systems, but many aspects of electronics design are still done in isolation. Although
PCB board system level multi-board design is now changing this situation. Just as a single circuit board was designed with a block representing different circuit areas, the same method can now be used to design an entire system. Traditionally, individual boards are designed and manufactured to test their fit and connectivity with the rest of the system. Now, in a suite of CAD tools, this slow and expensive process has been replaced by a complete system design. The key, of course, is to have the tools to support this level of development of a multi-layer ECAD schematic system. Here's more about system design you should know.
What's in a Multi-Board ECAD Schematic?
System design includes separate board development, which means that each board will still have its own schematic. What's new, however, is that you'll also have a system-level schematic. Each design will be represented in the system schematic, just as a single circuit hierarchy block is represented in the top-level sheet of a single PCB board design. This will allow the continuity between the individual boards to be checked and each layout of the system will also be grouped together. The multi-board schematic gives you many benefits you wouldn't get using the traditional individual board design process: each individual schematic design is connected to the top-level system design, allowing you to control system-level functionality from one location. This includes system design without having to use additional tools or spreadsheets to manage these functions. With each board represented in the system schematic, you can verify the connectivity between each board with a schematic design check. This will allow designers to verify their in-system connections without first building and testing the hardware. Along with system schematics, the multi-board development process will allow designers to check that each physical board design is consistent with the rest of the system. Using the 3D and mechanical co-design capabilities of layout software, the amount of prototyping required to check for mechanical conflicts can be greatly reduced. The multi-board design process will help designers create all individual schematics and PCB board layouts much faster than traditional individual design methods. This is because of being able to see in real time how all the different parts work together.
Design Tips for Multi-Board Schematics
What a multi-board schematic should do in a complete system design is to revise the scope of your thinking to the big picture. For veneer designs, most engineers are used to gathering and organizing materials before starting each design. Since multiple board designs will all be used in the same system, seek ways to reduce the workload by organizing all the data together. For example, will these schematics use many of the same library symbols? If so, you can save a lot of time by developing libraries for system design collectively (rather than individually). When developing library parts for the entire system, look at some of the other design elements that also require organization. Will the boards be made by the same manufacturer? If so, then work with your supplier to find ways to reduce production schedules and costs. Design rules are another method that can be modified to improve efficiency. Rather than establishing rules and constraints for each individual design, copy them from design to design and modify them as needed. Many design groups will keep a library of design rules as well as drawings and other types of documentation for greater efficiency. Since a multi-board schematic design is an extension of a single design, you still need to complete all single schematic designs. These can be handled concurrently by multiple team members while still maintaining their connection to the upper-level system design. However, please take the time to make sure the design is complete by cleaning it up, adding all required labels and text, and running a full design rule check. Most design groups have a checklist process to ensure that all these important details are done to their company standards. The same inspection process should be used to ensure that the final system-level design is also fully completed. Be sure to leverage all the capabilities of the design tool in your system-level design. There's a lot more to do than you're used to in a single design, and you need PCB board design tools that can handle the extra load.
To reap the full benefits of creating a schematic for a multi-board system, you need to ensure that your design tools support the entire process. The tools you need will be able to: Enable you to do a complete system schematic design from upper layers to individual board schematics. Your tool should electrically identify the connectivity between the boards and represent the different boards at the top level. Simulate the entire system. Yes, you still need to simulate the design of individual boards, but being able to simulate circuits, high-speed signal and power delivery networks throughout the system is also very important. Display your PCB board layout in 3D. It's not enough to just pass regular design rule checks, you also need to look at potential problems and roadblocks that physical prototypes often expose. ECAD/MCAD collaborative design. After you have designed a complete system schematic, you need to see how the
PCB board fit and connect together.
