Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/822777
May 2017 • The PCB Design Magazine 63 Any electronic product is created by skilfully connecting networks that reproduce the electri- cal characteristics of a device. PCB-Investigator automatically prepares all of the network infor- mation so the user sees an overview of the de- sign of the PCB as quickly as possible. A printed circuit diagram is no longer absolutely neces- sary to obtain a comprehensive overview. One important factor in the initial and sub- sequent development of PCBs is network list comparison. Design changes and version sup- plements can be incorporated into change lists. The electronic support provided by the PCB-In- vestigator makes it easy for anyone to compare layers or boards, even for highly complex prod- ucts. The results are presented in a form that makes every modification easy to follow and provides all of the information needed for effec- tive decision making. Comprehensive Component Lists During the development process, changes are made to the components as a result of opti- mization. These design changes can be identi- fied and interpreted instantly by comparing the components on two available PCBs. PCB-Inves- tigator standardizes the lists of components and helps the purchasing department to establish an automatic connection between the BOM (bill of materials) and the ERP system. The current price of each component with a part number is deter- mined via the interface, added and displayed in reports. The sales department is responsible for the qualification process for alternative materi- als or parts. Constant price negotiations and pe- riodic evaluations of delivery capability are part of the material selection process and ultimately pave the way for an affordable, reliable product guaranteed to be available over the long term. So far it has been necessary to rely on a va- riety of unconnected BOMs. Every PCB-Inves- tigator user relies on the same, basic, project- specific parts list, so that data specific to each department stays up to date and always remains consistent. A user-specific view enables employ- ees in development, purchasing, production, logistics, sales and other departments to access a database that always represents the most cur- rent product development status. At the same time, users can at any time see what changes were made to components and when, whether due to design changes or the selection of better or cheaper parts or parts that will be available for longer. The Process How does PCB-Investigator change the re- view process? First, a decision has to be made to store each change to a product centrally in a val- id ODB++ record. Previously a series of reviews involving paper-based formats were needed. Now each participant can load the ODB++ re- cord into their PCB-Investigator for evaluation. This process is aided by four versions of soft- ware that reduce the complexity via domain- specific pre-selections: the Basic Edition focuses on graphical representation, the Developer Edi- tion concentrates on electrical properties, the Fabrication Edition prioritizes questions of PCB fabrication and assembly, and the Ultimate Edi- tion is designed for users who need an overview of every aspect. The ability to compare PCBs with one an- other and with previous versions in all respects at the push of a button results in savings on development costs and makes it easier to reuse or eliminate parts. The ability to delve interac- tively into every information layer of an ODB++ record as and when required saves time and re- duces the number of prototypes. For example, EMV experts or assembly specialists can high- light an issue at an early stage if they recognize certain layout decisions as problematic. SHORTENING TIME-TO-MARKET WITH A SOFTWARE-SUPPORTED REVIEW PROCESS Figure 3: Detailed, highlighted view of power supply and power lead. Individual aspects of the PCB can be filtered and depicted individually.