PADS INTRODUCES ADVANCED PHYSICAL DESIGN REUSE APPLICATION.PADS Software, Inc., Marlborough, Mass, has introduced a new software module for physical design reuse reuse - Using code developed for one application program in another application. Traditionally achieved using program libraries. Object-oriented programming offers reusability of code via its techniques of inheritance and genericity. (PDR PDR A trademark for Physicians' Desk Reference, a group of reference books containing drug listings, especially one for prescription drugs. PDR ). PADS' new PDR module eliminates the need for time-consuming recreation of design elements by allowing customers to reuse circuitry while maintaining the physical integrity of the layout. The PDR module is available with PADS' recently announced PowerPCB 3.0 and PowerBGA systems. Within the electronics industry, a considerable amount of time is spent engineering and validating val·i·date tr.v. val·i·dat·ed, val·i·dat·ing, val·i·dates 1. To declare or make legally valid. 2. To mark with an indication of official sanction. 3. sophisticated electronic circuitry for physical layout. The ability of a company to replicate rep·li·cate v. 1. To duplicate, copy, reproduce, or repeat. 2. To reproduce or make an exact copy or copies of genetic material, a cell, or an organism. n. A repetition of an experiment or a procedure. proven technology in other applications quickly and accurately can have a significant impact on its ability to meet market demands within critical market windows. PADS Software's new PDR module simplifies and enhances this ability by providing the functionality and methodology to support the creation, saving and placement of physical reuse elements independent of the schematic A graphical representation of a system. It often refers to electronic circuits on a printed circuit board or in an integrated circuit (chip). See logic gate and HDL. source. Traditionally, designers have experienced problems in replicating pieces of a board layout. Error rates are high and valuable time is spent on tedious tasks, such as regenerating re·gen·er·ate v. re·gen·er·at·ed, re·gen·er·at·ing, re·gen·er·ates v.tr. 1. To reform spiritually or morally. 2. To form, construct, or create anew, especially in an improved state. traces, performing signal integrity analysis and correcting errors. Current solutions on the market do not allow users to bundle a portion of the layout into an easily replicated element independent of the logic design phase. Designers need tools to help replicate these circuits while enabling them to automatically resolve connection and identifier issues. PADS' new Physical Design Reuse module addresses this need while significantly reducing design cycles. "We have recognized an increasing need in our customer base for a strong PDR solution that doesn't change the way engineering departments interact," commented Rick Almeida, vice president of marketing at PADS. "We believe that PADS has taken a useful technology and improved its functionality even further by making it CAE (1) (Computer-Aided Engineering) Software that analyzes designs which have been created in the computer or that have been created elsewhere and entered into the computer. independent. Our PDR module allows users to reconcile reuse elements to reduce errors and ensure quality in their designs." The PDR module supports circuit replication and multichannel Using two or more paths for transmission or processing. It can refer to a variety of architectures including (1) multiple I/O channels between the CPU and peripheral devices, (2) multiple wires in a cable, (3) multiple "logical" channels within a single wire or fiber or (4) multiple designs by allowing the user to reuse proven circuits, referred to as "golden circuits," in designs. Using golden circuits reduces errors because these circuits have already been tested and approved in another design. This is useful for any company that modifies old designs rather than starting each new project from scratch. A key feature of PADS' PDR module is the Make Reuse function for creating and saving reuse elements to a PDR library. After selecting the desired pieces of the design for reuse, underlying technology scans the selected features to ensure that each one meets the physical integrity requirements of a reuse element. It then adds identifiers and deselects the features that don't qualify, to ensure that the physical integrity of the reuse element is maintained. The user can save the PDR element to a library and/or duplicate the element for use in a current or future design. The second key feature supports multichannel designs by allowing users to create or place a reuse element in a design and then replicate that element within the same design. The reuse element can come from the PDR library, the current design, or any design. The intelligent element builder will choose the correct parts for the element and then reconcile any unplaced parts and PDR elements. Once reconciliation is made, a clone clone, group of organisms, all of which are descended from a single individual through asexual reproduction, as in a pure cell culture of bacteria. Except for changes in the hereditary material that come about by mutation, all members of a clone are genetically of the initial reuse element is held on the user's cursor (1) The symbol used to point to some element on screen. On Windows, Mac and other graphics-based screens, it is also called a "pointer," and it changes shape as it is moved with the mouse into different areas of the application. for fast and easy placement. Pricing and Availability The PDR module is priced at $4,000 and will be available in Q2, 1999 with the release of PowerPCB 3.0. About PADS Software, Inc. Founded in 1986, PADS Software, Inc. is a worldwide supplier of software that aids in the design, layout, verification and manufacturing of printed interconnect (1) To attach one device to another. (2) A physical port (plug, socket) or wireless port (transmitter, receiver) used to attach one device to another. systems that are used in electronics products. The Company is focused on providing sophisticated, comprehensive products that offer the flexibility and price/ performance advantage of Windows-based tools. PADS also offers solutions for printed circuit fabrication fabrication (fab´rikā´sh  n),n the construction or making of a restoration. with its Advanced CAM Technologies (ACT) product line and design verification products with its HyperLynx product line. Headquartered in Marlborough, Mass., PADS has developed a user base exceeding 45,000 in 45 countries. For more information call 1-800-554-7253 or visit the company's Web site at www.pads.com. |
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