February, 2017


www.us- tech.com Optimizing Multi-Board System Design Continued from page 59


assembly practices and guidelines include:


Stackup Management. The layer stackups for the rigid and flex PCBs will vary. The team needs to manage them efficiently and ensure they are properly conveyed to the fabricator. A PCB design tool that supports region-specific stackups (not ideal) or board-specific stackups (preferred) will help simplify this complex task.


Board Outline Management. The multiple boards in a rigid-flex design need to be properly configured and managed throughout the design process. The ability to import and create multiple (and potentially com- plex) board outlines from mechanical CAD data automatically will both save time and reduce the potential for errors.


Supplier Interaction. This aspect of rigid-flex design cannot be stressed enough. Feedback from the fabricator on stackup, material, keepout regions, stiffener require- ments, etc., will help ensure the design can be properly fabricated with high reliability.


3D Design and Verification. The ability to define the bend parame- ters, edit the design in 3D, view the bent state in the context of the enclo- sure, and perform 3D design rule checking (DRC) greatly reduces the possibility of a form or fit issue.


Finally, the more complex the


system, the greater the need for addi- tional testing after manufacturing to ensure the end product complies with the functional specifications. Repairs also become more complex in a multi- board system, Again, access to prop- erly applied processes and tools can help ensure first-pass success.


Xpedition Design Flow The Mentor Graphics Xpedition


multi-board systems design flow improves design team productivity and reduces development cost by replacing inefficient manual discon- nected processes with an automated,


requires multi-discipline team col- laboration to effectively manage design complexity for product per- formance and reliability. The PCB design realm has seen huge advances in the last decade. What is needed at the multi-board system level is a solution that automates the enor- mous connection management prob- lem, facilitates system and logical design, and integrates seamlessly with the PCB design flow while man- aging team, design and library data at each level of the design hierarchy. Contact: Mentor Graphics, 8005


Multi-board design.


SW Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, OR 97070 % 503-685-7000 fax: 503- 685-7704 E-mail: sales_info@men- tor.com Web: www.mentor.com r


Page 61


Mentor Graphics’ Xpedition multi-board systems design flow.


fully-integrated, collaborative work- flow. It enables automated synchro- nization between all


levels of


abstraction and automated connector management, helping design teams achieve time-to-market targets. Now, hardware design, from multi-board system specification to completed PCBs and cables, can be handled with one integrated flow. Designing electronic systems


that comprise multiple interacting boards, connectors and cables


See at APEX, Booth 1311 and at ATX West, Booth 2887


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