PCB/complex electronic subsystem model
AssigneeAmpro Computers, Inc.
InventorsAlan Rosenbaum, Paul I. Rosenfeld
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process (100) and library element (14) product by that process for use with a design tool (18) to incorporate a complex electronic system (CES) (10) into a printed circuit board (PCB) (12) under development. The CES (10) is complex by virtue of having a plurality of connectors (20). The process (100) integrates physical data, and optionally also functional and other data, about the CES (10) into the library element (14). The library element (14) then may be stored and used from a conventional library (16) in the manner already widely used in the art for less complex elements.
Claims19
A method for creating a library element for a complex electronic system (CES) for use in a software printed circuit board (PCB) design tool, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) defining a specification for the CES;
- (b) specifying pads for electrical connection for the CES according to said specification;
- (c) specifying connectors for groupings of said pads according to said specification, wherein at least two said connectors define the CES as being complex;
- (d) specifying a footprint for the CES according to said specification;
- (e) integrating said pads, connectors, and footprint into a single element unit;
- and
- (f) storing said element unit as a library element.
A library element for a complex electronic system (CES) for use in a software printed circuit board (PCB) design tool, the library element embodied on a computer readable storage medium and comprising:
- (a) a code segment that defines a specification for the CES;
- (b) a code segment that specifies pads for the electrical connections of the CES according to said specification;
- (c) a code segment that specifies connectors for groupings of said pads of the CES according to said specification, wherein at least two said connectors define the CES as being complex;
- (d) a code segment that specifies a footprint of the CES according to said specification;
- (e) a code segment that integrates said pads, connectors, and footprint into a single element unit;
- and
- (f) a code segment that stores said element unit as a library element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.