The foundations and challenges of electronics design data management

Last year on the Printed Circuit Podcast I talked with Andre Mosley, a seasoned professional in the field of electronics design, about the critical aspects of managing electronic libraries and design data. This discussion shed some light on the foundational elements, best practices, and ongoing challenges we face in the industry today.

Defining the foundation of electronics and electronic libraries

Mosley began by clarifying a common misconception in the industry regarding electronic libraries. He explained that when discussing ECAD libraries, it’s essential to understand they typically encompass symbols, physical cells, and ECAD mappings. However, the scope has expanded significantly with advancements in design. Today, libraries include various models such as:

• Physical 3D models for ECAD and MCAD analysis.
• Schematic DRC models for schematic analysis tools.
• Signal integrity models requiring formats like IBIS.
• Manufacturing models for projects such as Valor VPL.
• Component Information management, which covers supply chain data from sources like Supplyframe.

Mosley emphasized that the library stage isn’t immediately followed by design. Instead, there’s an interim phase where the library may also include IP (Intellectual Property) and managed blocks. This comprehensive collection of library components and IP enables the creation of various designs. Effective data management in design includes referencing libraries, components, models, and IP, extending to system-level design and enterprise connectivity. This holistic approach involves managing part numbers, descriptions, revisions, and security models, making it far more complex than merely archiving a zip file.

The crucial role of libraries in design

I agreed with Mosley’s insights, stressing the importance of libraries as the foundation of design. An impeccable PCB design can still fail if the library land pattern is incorrect. Errors in pinout or IPC standards for assembly can lead to significant issues. Maintaining a correct, accurate and detailed library is vital. Errors replicated due to poor library maintenance can have dire consequences, especially at an enterprise level where resources are shared. Therefore, ensuring a solid, accurate, and correct library is crucial.

Current challenges in library design and data management

Addressing today’s challenges in library design and data management, Mosley pointed out several issues:

• Data availability: Designers often struggle to find the necessary data. Locating corporate parts or manufacturing details can be cumbersome, involving multiple internal and external databases.
• Knowledge gaps: Without proper knowledge of where to find information, designers face difficulties. This extends beyond libraries to IP blocks and reusable designs.
• Disconnected systems: The presence of various disconnected business systems, both internal and external, complicates data management. Designers may not know whether the required data exists in-house or needs to be sourced externally.
• Lack of standards: The industry lacks standardized ways to model part numbers or manage designs. Many organizations resort to custom solutions, leading to data inconsistency and incompatibility. Tools often do not interoperate due to differing languages and security models.
• Custom solutions: Highly tech-savvy customers often develop their own tools to address these gaps. However, this contributes to the broader issue of inconsistency and lack of standardization.

Moving forward

Our conversation just really emphasized the necessity for a more standardized approach to library design and data management. The industry’s evolution demands robust, interoperable tools and practices that can handle the increasing complexity of electronics design.

There is an ongoing need for innovation and collaboration to address these challenges. By developing standardized, integrated solutions, the industry can ensure more efficient and error-free design processes, ultimately leading to better and more reliable electronic products.

We discuss all of this and more in our new podcast out today!

You can also listen to last year’s full podcast episode here.