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64 The PCB Design Magazine • May 2017 Data and Processing Sovereignty Simulating changes and outputting the re- sults in a report form are made possible by the PCB-Investigator. The development status stored centrally in ODB++ does not change in the process. New versions are only generated in the CAD systems of the corresponding depart- ments. Communication regarding the versions and their reviews can be organized via Share- point, for example. Everyone involved in the project in any way has the intuitively designed CAD system installed on their computer, and the number of users who can open the PCB data simultaneously is limited only by the purchased number of floating licences. For communica- tion with external offices (such as customers or the EMS provider) a license-free viewer can be created that automatically connects to the data. Optimization Potential PCB-Investigator not only helps obtain the best possible evaluations from ODB++ records, it also offers numerous functions for analysing and improving layouts. Automatic calculation of lengths and distances helps designers avoid disadvantageous component arrangements and potential manufacturing problems. Another strength of the CAD program is its ability to include and depict components. It connects the 2D world of ECAD with the 3D world of MCAD. Components are three-dimen- sional objects, not just electronic functions and electrical properties stored for a specific region of a two-dimensional circuit diagram. PCB-In- vestigator bridges the gap between the place- ment of the circuit diagram and the construc- tion of a housing for the electronics. Given the constant developments towards even further miniaturization, significant advantages may re- sult if a dialogue takes place at a very early stage between the development, production and de- ployment stations of a PCB. Temperature Simulation The PCBi-Physics extension illustrates how thoroughly PCB-Investigator can optimize the development process. Developers can identify problematic heat developments in future prod- ucts at a very early stage in development and can pro-actively avoid them. The PCBi-Physics interface is powered by ADAM Research's TRM (Thermal Risk Management), a specialized soft- ware that has proven its worth over the years and gained industry-wide recognition. TRM and, by SHORTENING TIME-TO-MARKET WITH A SOFTWARE-SUPPORTED REVIEW PROCESS Figure 4: Clarity is ensured through color highlighting.