New PCB TOOL SET

[phillipr]

Hi all

I have been a bit quiet on this site for a while
This is due to putting all my spare time into a new “tool set” I have been creating.
It is now 99% finished and will be posted here within the next couple of days.
It Basically Brings all the tools I have created together into one program with a couple on new ones thrown in.
The tool consists of the following Calculators in an easy to Navigate format.
(All tools Use Multiple Unit types)

Trace Width Calculator – Gives you the current of a particular Trace

Via Calculator - Gives you the current of a particular Via and tells you how many you need

Impedance Calculator – Calculates, Microstrip, Embedded Microstrip, Stripline, Asymmetric Stripline and duel stripline.

Impedance Stackup Calculator – This is a new tool I have created. You put in your stackup and specify your planes and the calculator works out the impedance for every layer.
It is quite clever as it know to adjust the formula (microstrip, Embedded microstrip, stripline)
To match your Board set-up.

[Tom]

Phillip,

This is an outstanding achievement. I'm so glad to see that someone is finding solutions for our advanced requirements. I only wish that PowerPCB had these features built into the software and performed verification checks. But your calculator will do for now.

Here's one for you.... The buried resistor / capacitor technique is becoming very popular here in San Diego because of the cell phone industry. We have over 550 telecom companies here. We need a calculator to provide geometry data to create these buried parts and I can't find one anywhere. I guess that's how things get invented. Necessity is the mother of invention.

[randychase]

Here it is! Thanks for all the stuff you do Phillip

[bbpcb]

1. Ohmega Ply

You can check out this site for more information on
the Ohmega Ply.

http://www.ohmega.com/Design.html

2. Motorola's Embedded Passive

And surprise the calculator is here.

[tboyer]

Randy

Your stackup assumes only the simplist stackups. I cannot
use it for my existing project. I have my own calculators but
the stackup imp. calculator is a nice idea. I will attach the
existing stackup so you can see why I cannot use that part
of the spead sheet. The stackup is defined the way it is to
provide for the following:

6 layers MAX
High Voltage up to 5KV between layer 2 to layer 5
ECG input section
Embedded processor/Display/PCMCIA/High quility sound
HV section
Components all on one side
Designed for all high speed/ clock/ external connector logic/
to share a single GND plane.

Tim

[phillipr]

Tim

The Stackup calculator is brand new and has only had my input up to now.
I based the calculator on a symmetrical build so you are correct you won't be able to use it correctly.
It is possible to correct this and I will in an up issue (When time permits).
anyone else with feed back on the stackup Calculator or any of the other tools would be appreciated

[Carl_at_xrite]

Philip,
Excellent job, I have started one and it does edge coupled differential
pairs, I have the formula in excel if you want to incorporate it into your
tools.
It also will do temp rise on traces using the Hughes aircraft formula
instead of the IPC formula ( article by Doug Brooks IPC versus Design news
formula differences -attached).
Carl Goldenbusky
Senior CAE/PCB Design Engineer
X-Rite Incorporated- World Headquarters
3100 44th Street S.W.
Grandville, MI 49418
616-257-2099
FAX: 616-534-2513

[phillipr]

Carl

Thanx alot
Can you send it to me

Phillip.restall@aculab.com

[phillipr]

Hi
I have looked into the burried resistance calculator and have found that I could greatly improve the format of the one currently avialble.
I found it to be a bit unclear.
It will have dimension on actual images of each type of resistor. This will make the results alot clearer.
It will also have multiple unit types.
I will work on it over the next couple of weeks and incorperate some mods into pcb-toolset v1.0 and let you know when it is downloadable.

[phillipr]

Ok I have just about completed the buried resistor calculator and need someone to try it out for me.
You type in the value you require hit go and it gives you a dimensioned picture.
It takes into account serpentines and even calculates the lower resistance in the corners and then works out the dimensions in a choice of Thou mm or microns.
It even has a custom Page where you can draw your own and it give you the value.
It will be another week before I give it out as I am also updating the stackup calculator so it can do unsymmetrical builds.
If someone who uses Buried resistors could take a look it would be appreciated.
I am also considering sending it to ohmega to see if they would like to replace the one on their web site with this.

[Tom]

Phillip,

You are right on target with the future. With today's packaging requirements, these are the kinds of tools that every PCB designer will be using soon. This is exactly what pcbstandards.com is all about, discovering the weak areas in our industry and stepping up to fill that void. Congratulations!

[phillipr]

Hi all

I have finished the Buried resistor calculator and added it to the PCBTOOL SET. I predict it to take about a week before I can put it on the site for download as the Stickup calculator is taking a lot longer than I thought to Improve and modify.

I am already thinking ahead to the next version and have decided to have a go at a PCB DESIGN TIME Calculator.
I Know the question has reared its head so many times.

What I need is all the weird and wonderful equations that people are using to get this figure so I can attempt to get it as accurate as possible.

The more the better

Email them to Phillip.restall@aculab.com

[randychase]

Originally posted by phillipr
Hi all I have upgraded the pcb tool set to V2.0


The following Programs have been added-
A new Buried resistor Calculator.
A number converter.
A Matched Length calculator.


I have not been able to update the Pcb stackup calculator to use
unsymmetrical builds. After looking into it, it will take a total redesign
Due to the limits in excel.


For the program to work properly you must not change the name of the excel
document.


As always any feedback would be appreciated
Email them to Phillip.restall@aculab.com

Download from:

http://www.cpdserver.com/pcbstandards/downloads/PCBTOOLSETV2_0.xls

[phillipr]

Thanks Randy,

The Attachment seems to be missing though?

[randychase]

Yes, it was too big for an attachment. I uploaded it to the other server.

[Tom]

And the URL or directory is where?

[randychase]

Originally posted by Tom Hausherr
And the URL or directory is where?


See above

http://www.cpdserver.com/pcbstandards/downloads/PCBTOOLSETV2_0.xls

[phillipr]

I will look into reducing the file size for next time
Thanks again Randy

[randychase]

Per Philip Restall:
I have updated The Pcb-tool-set to V2.1
I have added a Thermal Relief - Current Calculator



http://www.cpdserver.com/pcbstandards/downloads/PCBToolSetV2_1.xls

[tux]

Hi

I am not able to download the pcb calculator below link..
http://www.cpdserver.com/pcbstandards/downloads/PCBToolSetV2_1.xls

help please

thanks in advance
tux

[randychase]

Try it now.

[Skip Yutkus]

tux,

Right click, save target as -----

Skip

[tux]

Hi

Thanks for uploading the calculator.


tux