1. PCB circuit board level simulation is no longer optional but a crucial necessity for most designs today.
Board-level simulation has become a standard practice, not a choice, for the majority of modern designs. The EDA (Electronic Design Automation) industry plays a significant role in driving the rapid growth of the global electronics sector, with a market value reaching up to 1 trillion US dollars. The bulk of this market share is dominated by a few major companies (according to EDA industry standards), and the tools they offer are primarily focused on advanced areas like simulation and integrated circuit chip (ASIC, SOC, etc.) design.
2. However, the majority of electronic design engineers focus primarily on designing printed circuit boards, not integrated circuits. The revenue from EDA software tools for PCB design represents only a small fraction of the entire EDA market. This disparity arises because many PCB design engineers are hesitant to adopt simulation tools, despite the fact that IC designers consider simulation an essential part of the design process. This article explores the reasons behind this gap, highlighting factors that have contributed to the rapid evolution of EDA tools and identifying key areas that engineers should pay attention to.
3. Reasons for avoiding PCB design simulation:
1. There are three main reasons why simulation is not widely adopted in circuit board design: complexity, lack of simulation models, and high cost. First, PCB simulation software is still quite complex, leading to the perception among circuit board designers that “simulation is too complicated.” Secondly, many circuits lack available simulation models, making it nearly impossible to simulate an entire circuit. For example, if a PCB has 200 components, and 193 can be simulated but 7 crucial components cannot, the question arises: what’s the point of simulating? More importantly, simulation software tends to be expensive.
2. Printed circuit board design review
In the past, PCB performance was evaluated using a variety of instruments to test a prototype circuit board, usually close to the final product. As circuit complexity grew, multilayer and high-density boards emerged, prompting the use of automatic routing tools to manage the interconnections between increasingly complex components. This led to faster circuit speeds and continually evolving functions. The physical size of wiring between components and the electrical characteristics of the PCB became more significant.
3. The development of semiconductor technology has greatly impacted PCB design. Digital devices have become more complex, with gate circuit scales reaching thousands or even millions. Today, a single chip can perform the functions of an entire circuit board from the past, allowing for more functions on the same PCB. Programmable chips have become essential in many circuit board designs. By the end of the 1990s, PCBs were no longer just platforms for supporting electronic components but high-performance system structures offering smaller size, faster speeds, better performance, and lower cost.
4. The driving force behind board-level simulation
At its core, the market plays a significant role in driving the adoption of board-level simulation. In the highly competitive electronics industry, time-to-market is crucial. The traditional PCB design process involves first creating the schematic, then placing components and traces, followed by multiple prototype iterations for testing and verification. Modifications to the design cause delays, which is unacceptable when speed is vital for product launch.
5. To date, circuit board design engineers have mainly relied on tools for schematic design, PCB routing, and automatic routing. Once simulation models are available and engineers are willing to use the simulation tools, the use of simulation software is typically limited to certain parts of the circuit.
6. The design goal of “launch the product quickly” is not merely a slogan but a critical competitive factor. Identifying, preventing, and correcting design errors early can help avoid costly circuit board mistakes. This approach has become more important than ever, and PCB simulation is one of the best ways to achieve it.
Board-level simulation has become a standard practice, not a choice, for the majority of modern designs. The EDA (Electronic Design Automation) industry plays a significant role in driving the rapid growth of the global electronics sector, with a market value reaching up to 1 trillion US dollars. The bulk of this market share is dominated by a few major companies (according to EDA industry standards), and the tools they offer are primarily focused on advanced areas like simulation and integrated circuit chip (ASIC, SOC, etc.) design.
2. However, the majority of electronic design engineers focus primarily on designing printed circuit boards, not integrated circuits. The revenue from EDA software tools for PCB design represents only a small fraction of the entire EDA market. This disparity arises because many PCB design engineers are hesitant to adopt simulation tools, despite the fact that IC designers consider simulation an essential part of the design process. This article explores the reasons behind this gap, highlighting factors that have contributed to the rapid evolution of EDA tools and identifying key areas that engineers should pay attention to.
3. Reasons for avoiding PCB design simulation:
1. There are three main reasons why simulation is not widely adopted in circuit board design: complexity, lack of simulation models, and high cost. First, PCB simulation software is still quite complex, leading to the perception among circuit board designers that “simulation is too complicated.” Secondly, many circuits lack available simulation models, making it nearly impossible to simulate an entire circuit. For example, if a PCB has 200 components, and 193 can be simulated but 7 crucial components cannot, the question arises: what’s the point of simulating? More importantly, simulation software tends to be expensive.
2. Printed circuit board design review
In the past, PCB performance was evaluated using a variety of instruments to test a prototype circuit board, usually close to the final product. As circuit complexity grew, multilayer and high-density boards emerged, prompting the use of automatic routing tools to manage the interconnections between increasingly complex components. This led to faster circuit speeds and continually evolving functions. The physical size of wiring between components and the electrical characteristics of the PCB became more significant.
3. The development of semiconductor technology has greatly impacted PCB design. Digital devices have become more complex, with gate circuit scales reaching thousands or even millions. Today, a single chip can perform the functions of an entire circuit board from the past, allowing for more functions on the same PCB. Programmable chips have become essential in many circuit board designs. By the end of the 1990s, PCBs were no longer just platforms for supporting electronic components but high-performance system structures offering smaller size, faster speeds, better performance, and lower cost.
4. The driving force behind board-level simulation
At its core, the market plays a significant role in driving the adoption of board-level simulation. In the highly competitive electronics industry, time-to-market is crucial. The traditional PCB design process involves first creating the schematic, then placing components and traces, followed by multiple prototype iterations for testing and verification. Modifications to the design cause delays, which is unacceptable when speed is vital for product launch.
5. To date, circuit board design engineers have mainly relied on tools for schematic design, PCB routing, and automatic routing. Once simulation models are available and engineers are willing to use the simulation tools, the use of simulation software is typically limited to certain parts of the circuit.
6. The design goal of “launch the product quickly” is not merely a slogan but a critical competitive factor. Identifying, preventing, and correcting design errors early can help avoid costly circuit board mistakes. This approach has become more important than ever, and PCB simulation is one of the best ways to achieve it.
