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The consistent improvement of Prototype PCB designs provides a multitude of advantages to its end users. With new generation silicon such as 45nm and 95 nm being introduced, users are provided with Prototype PCBs that are a lot more functional at a lower cost and also at a lower power requirement. However, these improvements also bring tougher challenges when it comes to the production of new Prototype PCB designs.

The Search for a New Methodology

In order to successfully solve the new challenges bought by the introduction of design improvements, designers are constantly in search for the best methodologies available which can help them successfully improve their design cycle while also avoiding costly iterations.

The numbers of nets on the board are continuously increasing as well as the total number of constraints on nets. As much as possible, an engineer or designer should be able to develop constraints beforehand with the help of an effective methodology.

The best methodologies available should make use of proven effective fundamentals that help cut down unwanted cost and production time. Most methodologies present can successfully do either of these benefits but only a few methods can successfully do both.

The ‘Correct by Construction’ Prototype PCB Layout Methodology

One of the most effective methodologies that are newly available nowadays is the ‘correct by construction method’ or the constraint-driven Prototype PCB design flow which greatly helps Prototype PCB designers avoid unwanted design iteration. With the effective use of this new methodology, designers can definitely speed up their Prototype PCB design cycle.

However, before successfully enabling this method, it requires you to fulfill two fundamental methods with your design cycle: the specification of complete design intent and the use of a methodology that ensures that the design intent is successfully met throughout the process.

The proper specification of complete design intent is beneficial for engineers and designers with succeeding designs that they will develop in the future to solve the new challenges bought by further improvements. This can greatly speed up their processes in the future as designers commonly re-use sections of their previous Prototype PCB designs.

A second fundamental is a methodology which can ensure that the design intent is successfully achieved throughout the process. A methodology which can provide feedback at every step of the Prototype PCB’s design process can help prevent unwanted physical prototype iterations which often cause the waste of time and excess costs.

Real-time feedback is an extremely crucial fundamental when it comes to successfully speeding up Prototype PCB designs. This is because an explosion of constraints on new boards are expected and engineers and designers need to think about which components should they use on the board and on how these components will be connected without violating any type of constraints available.

Look for Re-usable and executable design-in datasheets that preferably have a reference design which has design intent specified along with constraints embedded in the physical design from your IC supplier. Searching for design-in IP portfolios which are commonly provided by EDA vendors who are collaborating with IC companies in developing advanced I/O interfaces like PCIe, DDR2, and DDR3.