Windows-based PCB design targets individual productivity
16 July 2003
Design Automation
Cadence Design Systems' full front-to-back, Windows-based software offers PCB designers improved productivity and reduced time-to-market through tool integration and task automation. The Orcad Unison Suite integrates four enhanced products to provide all the tools designers need in a three packages. It combines products that would cost over 50% more if purchased individually, according to the company.
The Orcad Unison Suite includes Orcad Capture for design entry, PSpice A/D for analog and mixed signal simulation, Orcad Layout for board design, and SPECCTRA 6U for high-density board autorouting. SPECCTRA is included in the product suite to support the increasing number of high-speed, high-density PCBs that are being designed in this market segment. SPECCTRA offers designers a powerful shape-based router that completes complex designs with less user intervention.
"Orcad Unison Suite offers some great technology at a price that puts it within reach of everyone in the personal engineering market," said Jamie Metcalfe, vice president of strategic marketing, Cadence PCB Systems Division.
"The 6-layer SPECCTRA autorouter bundled in the Orcad Unison Suite has allowed me to tackle high-density, high-complexity routing on small- to medium-sized designs. The one-touch interface between Orcad Layout and SPECCTRA automates the translation steps in both directions, which saves a lot of time," said customer Kris Nelson, PCB design consultant, Ridgefield, Washington.
Key benefits of Orcad Unison Suite include: complete front-to-back, Windows-based flow; ideal for proof of concept and rapid prototyping; the product is licensed to the individual - not to a computer - allowing for flexibility and convenience; easy-to-use, efficient schematic capture tool in the form of Orcad Capture for PCB and FPGA design; comprehensive set of libraries; user-friendly simulation tool that is the defacto industry standard for simulating basic analog and mixed-signal designs - PSpice A/D Basics is fully integrated with Capture, including one-button simulation and cross-probing; seamless integration between schematics and board design for front to back verification; IntelliCAD 2001 mechanical package allows for 3D wireframe representation of Layout's PCB design, providing a more realistic view of components to board; SPECCTRA 6U autorouter employs powerful, shape-based algorithms to make the most efficient use of a routing area, delivering increased productivity and shortened design cycles.
For more information contact David Power, Cadshop, 011 789 3910, [email protected]
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