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56 The PCB Design Magazine • July 2016 design rules encompassing PCB fabrication and assembly in order to produce a reliable, manu- facturable product. The net result is that the engineer typically does not use the software but rather relies on the PCB designer's application and manufac- turing knowledge to guide him through the process. Also, in most cases, the PCB designer struggles to use the analysis software and re- quires extensive and ongoing training. So, the next innovation in EDA tools must not only be fast to adopt and easy-to-use, but still be packed with all the features today's designers need for the most complex boards. In the past, engineers were alienated from the layout tools. Many stood over the shoulder of the PCB designer, providing input during the design phase. This methodology is inefficient. It limits the engineer's ability to try alternate sce- narios. However, the next generation will take control of the mouse which will enable them to make better design decisions. This may well be a positive aspect, as design complexity, with fast rise-time signals, reaches the point where high-speed digital circuits exhibit RF behavior. Engineers, unlike traditional PCB designers, are more aware of the transmission line issues including signal and power integrity require- ments and can investigate the options that are available to them, on the fly, saving valuable development time. Today, the PCB design process entails much more than just schematic capture and PCB lay- out. With increasing complexity in electronics systems, engineers need to develop with the whole product in mind. Having access to a de- sign tool that encompasses PCB design, coupled with comprehensive simulation and analysis, really gives design engineers the confidence that their products will be delivered on schedule and at the highest performance and reliability. To create a stable, reliable product, one must satisfy all the high-speed and manufactur- ing constraints. As electronic products become smaller, faster and more densely packed, engi- neers are compelled to consider thermal aspects (Figure 2) and utilize virtual prototyping to meet stringent schedules. Enter the product cre- ation platform. Developed for individuals and small teams, designing electronic products, new tools such as the new Mentor Graphics PADS PCB product creation platform encompasses a variety of productivity enhancements. The issues that previously impeded the in- dependent engineer have been addressed by providing: 1. Professional layout tools that combine ease-of-use with highly automated functional- ity to give engineers exceptional control over the creation of the most complex designs. The familiar GUI enables the occasional user to pick it up and become productive quickly. 2. A powerful and easy-to-use constraint management system that provides a common, integrated constraint definition environment for the creation, review, and verification of PCB design rules. The system supports definition THE RISE OF THE INDEPENDENT ENGINEER Figure 2: 3D flow field using particle post-processing.