The Electronics Engineer´s Design Station

This paper describes a prototype minicomputer interactive graphics system which has been developed for the capture, formatting and dissemination of electronics design information. The principal function of this system is to bring unification to the Design Automation activities at LLL, while incorporating human factors and modern tools into the electronics design process. The Electronics Engineer´s Design Station (hereafter referred to as the Design Station) is a minicomputer based system at which LLL´s engineers and designers sketch in schematic designs. Once a circuit is formed at the graphics display, the pertinent design information is extracted and used to produce schematic drawings, parts lists, signal lists, parts and signal cross references and assembly drawings as well as inputs to simulators, automated layout tools and fabrication devices. Current fabrication technologies supported include both Wirewrap and Printed Circuit methodologies. This system is designed to expedite the low volume, fast turnaround electronics designs which are typical of LLL´s research projects. However, many of the concepts of this system address problems common throughout the electronics industry. The Design Station is now being used on a regular basis by a small number of the design engineers at LLL. Initial indications are that the Design Station has increased the utilization of other DA tools at LLL as well as reducing the elapsed time, introduced errors and documentation costs for our one-of-a-kind designs.