Hi all

Generic access to schematic data traditionally was done through schematic EDIF files. However support from different vendors for this format is not consistent and invariably this output is licensed meaning not all users have access to it. I am interested to know which schematic tools people use and what types of ASCII schematic or ASCII netlist data they can create with a standard schematic tool base license.

Manufacturing organizations typically use the layout data for the PCB assembly and may have access to a searchable PDF but intelligent schematic or netlist data can improve the data flow in to manufacturing. The challenge is getting access to the schematic data so it can be leveraged outside of the design community.

Thanks

Mark

I am interested to hear from schematic designers on the types of analysis they perform or would like to perform on schematic data. A significant amount of physical analysis is perfromed at various stages of the physical layout but I am interested to know what types of analysis is being performed or needs to be performed at the schematic stage prior to the layout being started.

Thanks

In-Circuit Test (ICT) has always relied on a bed of nails fixture as an interface between the PCB and the test machine. Originally 100 mil probes were used to make contat with the PCB given the standard pin pitch of through hole components was 100 mil. Then surface mount components appeared and smaller probes were needed, introducing 75 mil and then 50 mil probes. Now even 39 mil probes are being used.

A couple of years ago, Agilent Technologies introduced a new technique that allowed greater probe access to a PCB called Bead Probe. Here a solder bead can be added to any point along a trace which is the accessed with a flat head test probe to make electrical contact with the PCB. I am interested to know if users are aware of this technique, whether they have implemented it and if so how easy or difficult it was to introduce it.