Cadence Relatec Tools

What is Cadence Relatec Tools?

Allegro PCB Design Utilities

A few years ago, Artwork developed a program to convert package lead frames designed in AutoCAD into a smart and intelligent database for Cadence APD/SIP. The main objective was to allow designers to use APD/SIP as an interface for various simulation tools and signal integrity.

While this has become a program of limited appeal to end users, the technology we have developed to intelligently import data into APD/SIP (and possibly Allegro) may be of great interest to those who are trying to integrate cadence layout with other layout packages.

Artwork has developed a fairly simple database known as ULF (universal layout format) and an APD/SIP plug-in that reads ULF producing an intelligent APD/SIP database.

Allegro for SolidWorks 3D model

Artwork has a unique ability to extract the geometry of the Allegro board using our own plug-in and import it into SolidWorks using another custom plug-in. The result is a 3D model of the substrate suitable for finite element analysis. This is very different from what can be achieved by alternative methods such as IDF or IDX.

Unlike the STEP output offered by Allegro (which is just a 2D implementation), the artwork can generate correct 3D models of the etch class, pathways, and substrates. Such 3D models are essential for any type of FEA simulation, whether electromagnetic, thermal or mechanical.

The two videos below show a detailed example in which the user cuts a small portion of a PCB under a component of interest and creates a 3D model in SolidWorks that can run on FEA thermal and stress simulators.

Allegro for STEP

The AWROut of the artwork, in combination with the 3Di2STEP, produces a STEP output suitable for FEA applications. Why do we offer this product? Well, allegro's current STEP output is good for components, but it's not suitable when you need to simulate recording layers.

GBRVU / GBRUNion

GBRVU is a simple Gerber viewer used to verify and plot Gerber data. GBRUnion can convert gerber's overlapping drawings and flashes into clean contours and export this data as Gerber, GDSII, or DXF. This was quite useful for documentation and even for moving data to IC layout tools for DRC/LVS.

ASM 1950

ASM 1950 is a two-way translator between Cadence Allegro and AutoCAD. It uses the Allegro plot file format (IPF) to convert to DXF and vice versa. This is a simple and inexpensive way to exchange data between Allegro and mechanical design packages.

Utilitários APD / SIP

SIP -> 3DI -> PASSO

Cadence's SIP MCM design tool directly exports the 3Di format of the artwork. The resulting STEP file can be imported into a wide range of 3D CAD tools, including: SolidWorks, AutoCAD Inventor, Creo, PTC, Catia, Solid Designer and others.

Layout2APD

Layout2APD is a program that allows intelligent import of package drawings created in AutoCAD. Along with its companion program, LayoutGen, intelligence is added to autocad layout data and then brought to APD in a totally intelligent way: symbols, pins, padstacks, shapes, classes, and networks. Once in APD, you can use a wide range of tools such as CKD, Signal Integrity and manufacturing outputs.

AIF Input/Output

AIF is a package/matrix format that can be read and written by tools like APD/SIP and other package layout tools. The reader/recorder is included in the APD/SIP Cadence under an OEM contract that Artwork has with Cadence. The artwork handles support for all AIF-related issues and maintains the database.

Bondgen

Bondgen reads the AIF file exported by APD/SIP and creates an AutoCAD link document in minutes. It automates labeling, checks wires, identifies unused inserts and fingers, and generates a custom title border.

GBRUnion

GBRUnion can convert gerber's overlapping drawings and flashes into clean contours and export this data as Gerber, GDSII, or DXF. This was quite useful for documentation and even for moving data to IC layout tools for DRC/LVS.

Virtuoso-related utilities

GDSPLOT

GDSPLOT plots on large format inkjets and rasterizes the layout data on the computer. There is a SKILL-based interface (IGDSPLOT) that allows the designer to plot from within Virtuoso and that reads the color settings of the Virtuoso layer and the window parameters.

ASM 3500

The ASM 3500 converts between the GDSII and autocad's DXF file format. It allows Virtuoso users to import mechanical data from AutoCAD - for example, package layouts and cable connections.

System requirements:

CPU: 1.8 GHz dual core processor

RAM: 2 GB

HDD / SSD: 50 GB of free space on the main drive

Operating system: Microsoft Windows 8 32-bit, Microsoft Windows 7 32-bit and Microsoft Windows Vista 32-bit

Resolution: 1024×768