Multiple PCB Boards, One DxDesigner Project: The Coil Winder (Part 1)

Multiple PCB Boards, One DxDesigner Project: The Coil Winder (Part 1)

The new 2007.x version of the DxDesigner / Expedition design flow has more power and flexibility than I was aware of. I was working through some PCB designs and I made a comment to one of my MGC engineering friends: “The new DxDesigner is great! But wouldn’t it be nice if I could design multiple Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) within a single project?”

Well, he was kind to me. He gently informed me that single project, multiple PCB design was a reality and that I simply lacked the tool expertise to exploit these advanced features. Once the basic concepts were explained to me, and trust me, there is no real “magic” here, I was able to quickly create compex, multi-board system design with the DxDesigner - Expedition design flow.

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Once I worked through the process I realized the true limitation: The limitation was me, I have a long history of EDA tool usage and my arrogance manifests in my steadfast refusal to attend training or read the product documentation (sound familiar?). I have long held the belief: If I am unable to figure out how to use the software to accomplish my objectives then, the software isn’t very good (because I am ). OK, every once in a while life slaps some sense into all of us

Since it is impossible for me to believe that I am alone in my perspective and attitude regarding EDA tools I thought the best approach to recover from my arrogance was to create a demonstration highlighting the multi-board, single project capabilities of the 2007.x Expedition design flow.

Since I am a true engineer (nerd, geek, pick your adjective) I have created a demonstration around one of my hobby projects: My Wind Turbine. Due to the length of the design process I will break this demonstration process up into multiple segments within each blog, and multiple blog chapters. If you follow my Blogs for the next few weeks you will not only learn how to use DxDesigner and the Expedition flow to create multi-Board PCB Systems, you will also learn how to build the electronics for a coil winder used in the construction of home built wind turbines.

In part 2 of this Blog I will review the design requirements as well as the creation of the DxDesigner Project and the top level system diagram. I like to use top-down system refinement as my design method so you will also see how DxDesigner may be used to accomplish more than simple PCB design.

As we plow through this process please share your perspectives!

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