AI PCB Design Analysis for Automated Rule Compliance

Solution Overview

Problem

The process of designing a printed circuit board (PCB) layout is lengthy and complicated, often requiring multiple iterations between different engineering teams, leading to increased time and cost due to repeated revisions.

Innovation Solution

A PCB design analysis system utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze PCB designs against design rules, providing recommendations for modifications or tooling changes to ensure compliance, thereby reducing the need for iterative revisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple engineering teams manually review and approve PCB designs iteratively, then design reliability is improved through comprehensive rule checking, but development time and process complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign reliabilityVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the PCB design to be automatically reviewed and validated against multiple design rules without requiring manual intervention from multiple engineering teams. The automated system performs the same verification functions that would otherwise require human reviewers, eliminating the need for iterative back-and-forth approvals while maintaining comprehensive rule checking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual review process with an automated computer-based system. Instead of human engineers manually checking designs against multiple rule sets, the system uses software algorithms to automatically analyze PCB layouts, generate recommendations, and identify rule violations, substituting human mechanical review with automated digital processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple engineering teams manually review PCB designs through iterative processes, then compliance with design rules is ensured, but fabrication cost increases due to repeated revisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance with design rulesVSAvoidfabrication cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by conducting comprehensive rule compliance checking during the design phase itself, rather than during later fabrication or assembly phases. The automated system identifies and reports rule violations early in the design process, allowing corrections to be made before fabrication occurs, thereby avoiding costly rework and ensuring compliance without increasing fabrication costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the PCB design to be automatically reviewed and validated against multiple design rules without requiring manual intervention from multiple engineering teams. The automated system performs the same verification functions that would otherwise require human reviewers, eliminating the need for iterative back-and-forth approvals while maintaining comprehensive rule checking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If a manual iterative review process is used between engineering teams, then thorough analysis of PCB design rules is achieved, but productivity decreases due to repeated revisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis precisionVSAvoidPCB design productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuity of useful action by providing continuous, automated rule compliance checking throughout the design process without interruption. Instead of discrete manual review cycles that require stopping and starting, the system continuously monitors and validates the PCB design against all applicable rules, maintaining constant analysis precision while eliminating the productivity losses associated with iterative revision cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual review process with an automated computer-based system. Instead of human engineers manually checking designs against multiple rule sets, the system uses software algorithms to automatically analyze PCB layouts, generate recommendations, and identify rule violations, substituting human mechanical review with automated digital processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250307522A1Artificial intelligence system for assessing a printed circuit board design

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A printed circuit board (PCB) design analysis system analyzes a PCB design to determine whether the PCB design satisfies various learned PCB design rules. The PCB design analysis system generates and provides recommendations regarding how the PCB design should be modified when it is determined the PCB design breaks one or more of the PCB design rules. In situations in which the PCB design cannot be modified, the PCB design analysis system generates a tooling feature modification recommendation. This recommendation also includes a cost associated with the modification and a time frame required for the modification. The PCB design analysis system also learns how to provide improved recommendations based on received feedback corresponding to previously generated recommendations.