Modular Circuit Board Design Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit design systems lack an easy, automated method to merge discrete, modular circuits into a unified PCB while preserving functionality and test validity, requiring manual redesign and re-testing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a library of modular circuits and a merge tool, converting circuit board layouts into a virtual representation, applying transformations, and generating a unified circuit board design, which allows for the dynamic integration of pre-designed modular circuits into a unified electronics module, ensuring functional and testing validity across different ECAD formats and component identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If discrete modular tiles are used for circuit prototyping, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase for larger scale production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circuit board into modular functional blocks that can be independently designed, tested, and validated. Each module represents a discrete functional unit that can be separately managed while contributing to the overall system, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hierarchical structure where verified functional modules are nested within a unified PCB design framework. The modular modules contain their own internal circuitry and test structures, which are then integrated into the larger unified board design, allowing progressive integration from simple to complex.
2Device complexity
If discrete modular circuits are merged into a unified PCB, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost decreases, but functionality preservation and test validity become difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary validation of each modular circuit block independently before integration into the unified PCB. Test structures and validation circuits are incorporated into each module beforehand, ensuring that functionality is verified prior to merging, thus maintaining reliability while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates test structures and validation circuits within each modular block that provide feedback on functionality during and after integration. This feedback mechanism ensures that when modules are merged into the unified PCB, any deviations from expected functionality can be detected and corrected, preserving reliability throughout the integration process.
3Reliability
If manual redesign and re-testing is performed to merge modular circuits, then functionality can be preserved, but productivity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses duplication of test structures and validation circuits across multiple modular blocks. By copying proven test patterns and validation approaches from one module to another, the system maintains functionality verification without requiring complete manual redesign of each module, significantly improving productivity while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal test structures and validation circuits that can be applied across different modular blocks and functional types. These multi-functional test elements can validate various circuit types (digital, analog, mixed-signal) using the same underlying test infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate manual testing procedures for each module type and dramatically increasing productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dynamic circuit board design, preferably including a library of modular circuits and a merge tool. A method for merging modular circuitry into a unified electronics module, preferably including: receiving a circuit board layout, the circuit board layout preferably including a set of modular circuits arranged on a virtual carrier board; converting the circuit board layout into a virtual circuit representation; applying transformations to the virtual circuit representation; and generating a unified circuit board design based on the transformed virtual circuit representation.