Method and apparatus for deferred package assignment for components of an electronic circuit for a printed circuit board

A computer implemented method of deferring packaging of a design for electronic circuitry, comprising the steps of:

• a) creating a design schematic which provides a functional specification of the design for electronic circuitry;
• b) creating a plurality of model schematics, each model schematic providing packaging information for a discrete electronic component forming part of the design for electronic circuitry, wherein said model schematic is separate from said design schematic;
• and
• c) mapping the model schematic to the design schematic to generate a packaged design for the design for electronic circuitry, whereby the packaged design is suitable for layout on a printed circuit board.

A data processing system comprising:

• a) a memory for storing;
• i) a design schematic providing a functional specification of electronic circuitry;
• ii) a plurality of model schematics, each model schematic providing packaging information for a discrete electronic component forming part of the electronic circuitry;
• b) a processing means for generating a packaged design schematic for said electronic circuitry by associating the model schematics to said design schematic, whereby the packaged design is suitable for layout on a printed circuit board;
• and
• c) a display for displaying at least one of the set consisting of:
• said design schematic, one of said model schematics and said packaged design schematic.

A computer aided design system, comprising:

• a) means for creating a design schematic which provides a functional specification of a design for electronic circuitry, said means for creating being devoid of means requiring specification of packaging information;
• b) means for packaging the design schematic to generate a packaged design having a plurality of discrete electronic components, each component being assigned to a part of said design for electronic circuitry, whereby the packaged design is suitable for layout on a printed circuit board;
• and
• c) means for layout of said packaged design on a printed circuit board.