JP2001318958A - Design data converter, pattern design assisting device, design data converting method and pattern designing method of wiring board - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance design efficiency in pattern design by enabling complete and efficient conversion of design data among CADs when the pattern design of a wiring board is performed by using plural CADs. SOLUTION: This design data device converts the design data including an applicable wiring pattern when the device has first data to specify the shape of wiring as the wiring pattern and second data to specify an area between two pieces of the first data as a wiring part as attribute data of the first data and is provided with an extracting means 11 to extract the second data from the design data, a data converting means 12 to convert the second data into data approximated to the first data and a replacing means 13 to replace the second data to which data conversion is performed with the second data before the data conversion in the design data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a design data conversion apparatus, a pattern design support apparatus, a design data conversion method, and a wiring board pattern design method, for example, when a pattern design of a printed wiring board is performed using a plurality of CADs. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a printed wiring board (PWB: Printed Wiring Board) having a high density has been designed and manufactured by using a computer system such as a CAD (Computer Aided Design). In particular, due to intensified competition for device development in recent years, improvement of CAD functions and improvement of their use environment have become important issues in order to shorten the design lead time.

[0003] When designing a PWB pattern using CAD, wiring work occupies most of the work, and it is important to improve the efficiency of the wiring work. , The performance of automatic routing software could not keep up, and as a result, the efficiency of interactive design
PWB pattern design is performed by partially performing automatic wiring while reflecting the opinions of the designer.

The C used for the above-mentioned PWB pattern design
There are many types of AD tools.
D tools are sold, but because they have various features due to differences in development philosophy, it is effective to combine them well to create a total system. Therefore, in recent years, the pattern design of one PWB is not performed by one CAD as in the related art, but the PWB is divided into each functional block, and the design is performed by using the CAD suitable for each functional block, and edited. It is becoming necessary to improve the design efficiency by combining, for example, and it is desired that data conversion between CADs be performed efficiently and accurately. For this reason, since the data format is different for each CAD unit, there are various conversion tools to meet these needs.

FIG. 6 shows a display on a display in a state where lands 2 and conductive patterns 3 are formed on a substrate using CAD and connected. The land 2 is a portion to be connected to a lead of a mounted component or the like. The land shape may be any of a circle and a square. For example, the land shape is selected according to the positional relationship between adjacent conductor patterns (not shown) and the positional relationship between the conductive pattern 3 and the land 2 to be connected. The conductor pattern 3 is used when connecting wiring components such as the lands 2. When the land shape is small, when the lands 2 are connected to each other, they are connected by one conductor pattern 3.

FIG. 7A shows a connection method using the conductor pattern 3 when the shape of the land 2 is large. When the land shape is small (when connection by one conductor pattern is sufficient), the lands are connected by one conductor pattern 3 as shown in FIG. 6, but as shown in FIG. If the land shape is large, two identical conductor patterns 3 are formed along the outside of the land shape, and after connection, the area between the two identical conductor patterns 3 is converted into area data 4. To form the final connection status. There are many CADs having an editing function of automatically converting the area between the conductor patterns 3 into the area data 4. These can be provided one after another at the time of drawing or collectively after drawing.

FIG. 7B shows design data when the design data shown in FIG. 7A is converted into CAD having a different system using an existing conversion tool. FIG.
As shown in (b), when the area data 4 is formed by the same conductor pattern 3, the design data can be accurately converted to CAD having a different system.

Next, FIG. 8A shows an example in which the area data is formed by different conductor patterns. FIG. 8 (a)
As shown in the figure, two conductor patterns (3a, 3b) having different widths are formed along the outside of the land 2, and after connection, the region between the conductor patterns (3a, 3b) having the different widths is defined as a region. It can be converted to data 4 to form the final connection status. Most of existing CADs also have a function of converting an area between two different conductor patterns (3a, 3b) into area data 4 as described above.

[0009]

However, after the design data shown in FIG. 8A is created by CAD, the data is converted to CAD having a different system by using an existing conversion tool, and the pattern is again formed. When designing, as shown in FIG. 8B, there is a case where the area data 4 is canceled and the area data 4 is erased without data conversion.

The above problem can be solved by converting the data into area data by using the CAD editing function after the conversion. In this case, is the area data visually disappeared from the display screen on the display? It is necessary to determine whether or not the area data has been deleted, and to manually convert the area data into area data by designating the area. Therefore, even if a total system design that utilizes the advantages of each CAD tool is constructed, it is necessary to convert area data every time design data is converted to CAD having a different system, thereby improving design efficiency in pattern design. It is difficult to achieve. In addition, large PW
In B or the like, the above operation takes a very long time, and may be missed especially when the formed area data is small.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and accordingly, the present invention provides a method of designing a printed wiring board using a CAD system having a plurality of different systems when performing the pattern design using the CAD system. Between the design data conversion device and the design data conversion method, the pattern design support device, and the pattern of the wiring board, which can completely and efficiently convert the original design data before the conversion and improve the design efficiency in the pattern design. The purpose is to provide a design method.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, a design data conversion apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first data for specifying a wiring shape as a wiring pattern, and a second data for specifying attribute of the first data. When there is second data for specifying a region between the first data as a wiring portion,
What is claimed is: 1. A design data device for converting design data including said wiring pattern, comprising: an extraction unit for extracting the second data from the design data; and a data for converting the second data into data approximating the first data. A conversion unit that replaces the converted second data with the second data before the data conversion in the design data.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the pattern design support apparatus of the present invention comprises a first data specifying a wiring shape as a wiring pattern, and two first data as attribute data of the first data. A pattern design support apparatus for forming design data including a wiring pattern when there is second data specifying an area between data as a wiring portion, wherein the pattern data is extracted by extracting the second data from the design data. Means, data conversion means for converting the second data into data approximating the first data, and replacement means for replacing the data-converted second data with second data before data conversion in the design data. Having.

The extracting means extracts the first and second data, and the data converting means converts the first and second data into data approximating to the first data. In the method, the first and second data after the data conversion may be replaced with the first and second data before the data conversion in the design data.

Preferably, according to the two first data,
The two specified wiring shapes differ in the line width.

In the above-described design data conversion device and pattern design support device of the present invention, first, the extraction means extracts the second data from the design data. The extracting means may extract the first and second data from the design data. Here, the first and second data are for connecting to a land or the like for mounting a component to be mounted on a board. In particular, when the connecting land is large,
The outer portion of the wiring connecting the lands is specified by the two first data. Next, a pattern design support device (CAD)
With the function described above, the second data is specified as an area between the two first data, and the area becomes a wiring pattern.

Next, the data conversion means converts the extracted second data into data approximate to the first data. If the first data is, for example, data based on the coordinates of the end of the wiring shape and the line width thereof, the second data is similarly generated.
The shape of the data is extracted and converted into data based on the coordinates and line width of the end. By extracting the shape, the second
The data can be converted as data approximating the first data.
Note that the same operation can be performed when the first and second data are extracted. Here, if the width of the shape of the first and second data portions is large and exceeds the maximum wiring pattern line width that can be handled by the pattern design support device and cannot be converted into one data, the maximum pattern line A line width exceeding the width is calculated, data is added, and the data is converted into a plurality of data approximating the first data.

Next, the replacement means replaces the converted second data with the second data before the data conversion in the design data to create new design data. Thereafter, by converting (exchanging) the design data of the wiring board into design data on a different pattern design support device (CAD), the original design data can be completely converted, and the subsequent wiring board design can be performed efficiently. be able to.

In order to achieve the above object, the design data conversion method of the present invention is characterized in that the first data for specifying the wiring shape as the wiring pattern and the two first data as the attribute data of the first data. A design data conversion method for converting design data including a wiring pattern when there is second data for specifying an area between data as a wiring portion, wherein a first data extracting method for extracting the second data from the design data is provided. A procedure, a second procedure of converting the extracted second data into data similar to the first data, and replacing the data-converted second data with second data before data conversion in the design data. And a third procedure.

In order to achieve the above object, the method of designing a wiring board pattern according to the present invention is characterized in that, as a wiring pattern, first data for specifying a wiring shape and two attribute data for the first data are provided. When there is second data that specifies an area between the first data as a wiring portion,
A method for designing a final wiring board pattern by exchanging design data including the wiring pattern between at least two pattern design support systems, wherein the design data exchange includes A second procedure of extracting the second data, a second procedure of converting the extracted second data into data approximating the first data, and a step of converting the second data obtained by the data conversion before the data conversion in the design data. And a third procedure for replacing the second data.

In the first procedure, the first and second data are extracted. In the second procedure, the first and second data are converted into data approximating to the first data. In the first, the data converted first
And the second data may be replaced with the first and second data before the data conversion in the design data.

Preferably, according to the two first data,
The two specified wiring shapes differ in the line width.

In the above-described method for converting design data and the method for designing a wiring board pattern according to the present invention, first, second data is extracted from the design data. Further, the first data and the second data may be extracted from the design data.

Next, the extracted second data is converted into data approximating the first data. If the first data is, for example, data based on the coordinates of the end of the wiring shape and its line width, the shape of the second data is similarly extracted,
It is converted into data based on the coordinates of the end and the line width. By extracting the shape, the second data can be converted from the attribute data as data approximating the first data. Note that the same operation can be performed when the first and second data are extracted. Here, for example, when the width of the shape of the extracted first and second data portions is large and exceeds the maximum pattern line width that can be handled by the pattern design support device, and cannot be converted into one data, Calculate the line width exceeding the maximum pattern line width, add data,
The data is converted into a plurality of first data approximation data.

Next, the converted second data is replaced with the second data before the data conversion in the design data, and new design data is created. After that, the original design data can be completely converted by converting (exchanging) the design data of the wiring board into the design data on a different layout design support system (CAD), and then efficiently designing the wiring board thereafter. be able to.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

A pattern design support apparatus according to the present invention, which is provided in a wiring board pattern design / development process, will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the pattern design support device 1. The pattern design support device 1 includes a processing unit 1
0, a display unit 20, an input unit 30, a mouse 40, a storage unit 50, and the like.

The processing section 10 controls each section of the pattern design support apparatus 1 and controls input / output with the outside.

Further, the processing section 10 can be connected to an external system via an interface section. As a result, the pattern design support device 1 can sequentially realize each process of designing and developing a wiring board in cooperation with an external system. The external system includes a host computer and a CAD dedicated terminal for circuit design. Therefore, for example, the circuit design is performed by the CAD dedicated terminal or the like, and a predetermined process is performed by the host computer using the result, and the pattern design verification is performed by the host computer while the pattern design processing is performed by the pattern design support apparatus 1. The configuration is such that the processing of performing such processing can be performed efficiently through a network.

The display section 20 can display circuit diagram data 51, design data 52, and the like, and further displays messages and the like from the processing section 10.

The input unit 30 is an input device such as a keyboard, for example, for the operator to instruct the processing unit 10 on processing or data to be processed.

The mouse 40 is a pointing device used in conjunction with a pointer displayed on the display unit 20. For example, image data such as circuit diagram data 51 and design data 52 displayed on the display unit 20 Is used to select a desired object or perform a predetermined process on the object.

The storage unit 50 stores the circuit diagram data 5 to be processed.
1 and a storage device for storing design data 52. The configuration described above is the same as that of the conventional CAD apparatus.

Next, the processing unit 1 of the pattern design support apparatus 1
0, a pattern design support device according to the present invention realized by incorporating the design data conversion device according to the present invention,
A method of converting design data and a method of designing a pattern of a wiring board performed by the apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a design data conversion device incorporated in the processing unit 10.
First, as shown in FIG.
Has an extraction unit 11, a conversion unit 12, and a replacement unit 13 (design data conversion device).

The extraction unit 11 receives the design data 52 stored in the storage unit 50, extracts region data from the design data, and outputs the extracted region data to the conversion unit 12. Further, the original design data 52 is output to the replacement unit 13. The conversion unit 12 specifies the shape indicated by the region data from the input region data (second data), generates data similar to pattern data corresponding to the shape information of the region data, and replaces the data with a replacement unit. 13 is output. The replacement unit 13 replaces the area data in the input original design data with the area data converted into pattern data, creates new design data, and outputs the design data to the storage unit 50. Actually, the processing unit 10 includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a microprocessor for controlling processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which processing procedures (programs) and the like in the arithmetic processing unit are recorded, and a processing unit. RAM (Random Access Memory) in which various variable values at the time are recorded,
It is configured by an interface unit with an external device or an external network, and achieves the functions of the extraction unit 11, conversion unit 12, and replacement unit 13 described above.

A method of converting design data according to the present invention, which is performed by the processing unit 10, will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the design data conversion method according to the present invention performed by the data conversion unit 12, and FIGS. 4 and 5 show the design data shown on the display unit 20 in the process of data conversion. It is a thing.

FIG. 4A shows two conductor patterns (3a, 3b) having different widths along the land 2 and the outside of the land 2 on the board data by the CAD for pattern design.
And after connection, two conductor patterns (3
3A shows a display on the display unit 20 when the area between 3a) and 3b) is converted into the area data 4.

The land 2 is a portion to be connected to a lead of each mounted component on the board, and has a conductive pattern (3a, 3a).
According to b), each mounted component mounted on the land 2 is electrically connected to each other. Conductor pattern (3a,
3b) electrically connects the lands 2 to each other. When the land shape is large, two conductor patterns are formed along the outside of the land shape, and after the connection, the two conductor patterns are formed. Is converted to region data to form the final connection status, but in the embodiment of the present invention,
In particular, as shown in FIG. 4A, a conversion method when the area data 4 is formed by two conductor patterns (3a, 3b) having different widths is shown. The region data 4 specifies a region surrounded by two conductor patterns (3a, 3b) as wiring as attribute data of the conductor patterns (3a, 3b).

In the present embodiment, a method of converting not only the area data 4 but also the conductor patterns (3a, 3b) and the area data 4 between them into pattern data will be described. Note that the conductor patterns (3a, 3b) and the area data 4 between them are areas to be wiring on the substrate, and thus are called wiring patterns 5. The data of the wiring pattern 5 is referred to as wiring data. Therefore, FIG.
In (a), the wiring data is different conductor patterns (3
a, 3b) is composed of pattern data and area data.

The conductor patterns (3a, 3b) are, for example,
It has been converted to data as a line with a certain width.
By specifying the line width and the coordinates of the end of the conductor pattern, the data is converted into pattern data. As described above, the wiring data of the wiring pattern 5 in FIG. 4A is converted into pattern data by a method similar to converting the conductor pattern into pattern data.

That is, assuming coordinate axes consisting of x and y axes in the computer (step S2), the coordinates of the end points 51 and 52, for example, are specified as the end points of the wiring pattern 5 (step S3). Next, the line width d of the wiring pattern 5 is specified (step S4). Here, the line width d is the above CA
If the maximum pattern data line width (for example, d1) that can be handled by D is not exceeded (step S5), the wiring data of the wiring pattern 5 can be converted into pattern data as shown in FIG. One pattern data can be obtained from the data (procedure S7). By converting the data into the pattern data as described above, the data of the wiring pattern 5a can be converted to CAD having a different system, and the original design data can be completely converted.

Next, a description will be given of pattern data conversion when the line width d of the wiring pattern exceeds the maximum pattern data line width (for example, d1) that can be handled by CAD.

FIG. 5A shows a connection state between the lands when the shape of the lands 2 is larger than that of FIG. 4A. 2 and two conductor patterns (3a, 3b) having different widths along the outside of the land 2, and after connection, the conductor patterns (3a, 3b) having two different widths are formed.
The display on the display unit 20 when the area between b) is converted into the area data 4 is shown. As in FIG. 4A, the conductor patterns (3a, 3b) and the area data 4 between them are called a wiring pattern 5, and the data of the wiring pattern 5 is called wiring data. Therefore, in FIG. 5A, the wiring data includes the pattern data and the area data of different conductor patterns (3a, 3b).

An example of a method for causing the computer to convert the wiring pattern 5 into pattern data will be described. That is, in the same manner as described above, coordinate axes composed of x and y axes are assumed in the computer (step S2).
3) And the line width d of the wiring pattern 5 is specified (step S4). Next, as shown in FIG. 5A, the line width d is the maximum pattern data line width (for example, d1) that can be handled by each CAD.
(Step S5), for example, an area having a line width d1 which is the maximum pattern line width is converted into pattern data in the wiring pattern (step S6). Next, if the remaining line width d2 does not exceed the maximum pattern data line width (for example, d1) that can be handled by the CAD (step S1).
5) The wiring data of the wiring pattern 5 can be converted into pattern data. Thereby, the wiring data of the wiring pattern 5 is 2
From two different pattern data and area data, two pattern data (5a, 5b) can be obtained (procedure S7). Note that the above method is merely an example, and pattern data can be formed from pattern data within various maximum pattern line widths.

As described above, by converting to pattern data, the wiring data of the wiring pattern 5 can be converted to CAD having a different system, and the original data can be completely converted.

According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, when the area data of the original design data is formed by conductor patterns having different line widths, the wiring data composed of the pattern data and the area data is converted to the pattern data. , It is possible to convert to all CAD. Further, since the wiring data composed of the pattern data and the area data is converted into only the pattern data, the number of data components can be reduced. Further, since the pattern data has a small number of calculation parameters, it is possible to speed up the conversion processing of the area data. Furthermore, since the design data can be completely converted to all CADs, there is no need to form area data again. Further, since the data is converted into pattern data, even after the conversion of the design data to a CAD having a different system, the wiring pattern is not converted. Editing work such as changes can be easily performed, and design efficiency can be improved by adopting a total system.

The present invention is not limited to the above description. For example, the pattern data conversion of the wiring pattern is not limited to the above method, and the object of the present invention can be achieved by adopting a method similar to the pattern data conversion method in each CAD. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0048]

According to the present invention, the design data can be completely converted to all CAD data and the wiring pattern is converted to the data approximating the first data for specifying the wiring shape. Editing work such as change of the wiring pattern can be easily performed, and design efficiency can be improved by adopting the total system. The wiring pattern composed of the first data and the second data is
Since the data is converted to data approximation, the number of data components can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a pattern design support apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a processing unit of a design pattern support device incorporating the design data conversion device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a design data conversion method according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show wiring data on a display unit when the design data conversion method according to the present invention is used, wherein FIG. 4A shows a state before the wiring data conversion, and FIG. This shows a state after conversion into pattern data.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show wiring data on a display unit when the design data conversion method according to the present invention is used when the wiring pattern is large; FIG. 5A shows a state before the wiring data conversion; FIG. 6B shows a state after the wiring data is converted into the pattern data.

FIG. 6 shows a method for connecting lands according to a conventional technique by a conductor pattern.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show design data when large-sized lands according to the related art are connected by two identical conductor patterns, and FIG. 7A shows original design data;
(B) shows design data after data conversion to CAD having a different system.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show design data when large-sized lands according to the related art are connected by two conductor patterns having different line widths. FIG. 8A shows original design data, and FIG. ) Shows design data after data conversion to CAD having a different system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... pattern design support device, 2 ... land data, 3, 3
a, 3b: conductor pattern, 4: area data, 5, 5a,
5b: Wiring pattern, 51, 52: End of wiring pattern, 10: Processing unit, 11: Extraction unit, 12: Conversion unit, 13
... Replacement unit, 20 ... Display unit, 30 ... Input unit, 40 ... Mouse, 50 ... Storage unit, 51 ... Circuit diagram data, 52 ... Design data, d ... Line width of wiring pattern.

Claims (12)

[Claims] A first data for specifying a wiring shape as a wiring pattern; and a second data for attribute data of the first data.
A design data device for converting design data including the wiring pattern when having second data for specifying an area between two pieces of the first data as a wiring portion; Extracting means for extracting; data converting means for converting the second data into data approximating to the first data; and replacing the converted second data with second data before data conversion in the design data. A design data conversion device having replacement means. 2. The extraction means extracts the first and second data, and the data conversion means converts the first and second data into data approximating to the first data; 2. The design data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second data after the data conversion are replaced with the first and second data before the data conversion in the design data. 3. The design data conversion device according to claim 1, wherein two wiring shapes specified by said two first data are different in line width. 4. A first pattern for specifying a wiring shape as a wiring pattern, and a second data for attribute data of the first data.
A pattern design support device for forming design data including the wiring pattern when having second data specifying an area between the first data as a wiring portion, wherein the second data Extraction means for extracting the second data; data conversion means for converting the second data into data approximating the first data; and replacing the second data after the data conversion with second data before the data conversion in the design data. A pattern design support apparatus having a replacement unit that performs the replacement. 5. The extraction means extracts the first and second data, and the data conversion means converts the first and second data into data approximating to the first data, and the replacement means 5. The pattern design support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first and second data after the data conversion are replaced with the first and second data before the data conversion in the design data. 6. The pattern design support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein two wiring shapes specified by said two first data are different in line width. 7. A first pattern for specifying a wiring shape as a wiring pattern, and a second data for attribute data of the first data.
A design data conversion method for converting design data including the wiring pattern when having second data specifying an area between the first data as a wiring portion, wherein the second data is converted from the design data. A first procedure for extracting; a second procedure for converting the extracted second data into data approximating the first data; and a second data before the data conversion in the design data, And a third procedure of replacing the design data. 8. In the first procedure, the first and second data are extracted. In the two procedures, the first and second data are converted into data approximating to the first data. 8. The design data conversion method according to claim 7, wherein the first and second data after the data conversion are replaced with the first and second data before the data conversion in the design data. 9. The design data conversion method according to claim 8, wherein two wiring shapes specified by said two first data are different in line width. 10. A wiring pattern comprising: first data for specifying a wiring shape; and attribute data of the first data,
When there is second data specifying an area between the two pieces of first data as a wiring portion, design data including the wiring pattern is exchanged between at least two pattern design support systems, and a final wiring board is formed. A method of designing the pattern, wherein, at the time of the design data exchange, a first step of extracting the second data from the design data; and converting the extracted second data to data approximate to the first data. A wiring board pattern design method, comprising: a second step of converting; and a third step of replacing the data-converted second data with second data before data conversion in the design data. 11. In the first procedure, the first and second data are extracted. In the two procedures, the first and second data are converted into data approximating the first data. The pattern design method for a wiring board according to claim 10, wherein the first and second data after the data conversion are replaced with the first and second data before the data conversion in the design data. 12. The two wiring shapes specified by the two first data have different line widths.
0. A method for designing a pattern of a wiring board according to 0.