Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1512857
20 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2023 Feature Interview by Andy Shaughnessy I-CONNECT007 Designing PCBs with embedded compo- nents has never been a simple task, and tradi- tional EDA tools required designers to employ a variety of workarounds. Fortunately, the EDA soware tools of today are much better equipped to work with embedded components than previous design tools. We asked Stephen Chavez, senior product marketing manager with Siemens, to discuss the company's approach to designing embed- ded components. He also explains how design- ers can take advantage of today's ECAD tools, which feature greater integration with the MCAD tool environment. Andy Shaughnessy: From an EDA tool com- pany viewpoint, what are some of the biggest challenges your customers have in designing PCBs with odd or unconventional geometries? Stephen Chavez: Today's EDA PCB tools have come a long way in their capabilities of han- dling odd or unconventional geometries. Some handle this better than others in addressing issues such as: • Board outlines with true arcs integrated • Odd-shaped holes/cavities that go part-way or all the way through a board • Any angle placement on any layer • True-arc and odd-angle traces • Rigid-flex nonuniform stackups In general, and throughout the industry, the biggest challenges arise when engineers who are still following legacy design methodolo- gies toss unverified or unvalidated designs over the wall to fabrication and "hope for the best." en they wonder why they are hit with so many technical queries, or worse, are told by