Electronics workflow
The basic design process includes the following steps:
1. Design conceptualization
Every electronics design starts with an idea. It could be a simple hand-drawn sketch on a napkin or a few notes in a notebook. Once you have an idea, you can start working on making it real. The steps below are in order, but you might do some of them in parallel or in a different order. Every electronics design starts with an idea. It could be a simple hand-drawn sketch on a napkin or a few notes in a notebook. Once you have an idea, you can start working on making it real. The steps below are in order, but you might do some of them in parallel or in a different order.
2. Schematic capture
Designing electronic products is hard, so the work is split into two main tasks: Schematic Capture, which is done in the schematic document and PCB Layout, which is done in the 2D PCB document. Everything in Fusion Electronics is related to these two tasks.
Schematic capture is about defining your design. It’s a logical drawing of all the parts and connections on your PCB (Printed Circuit Board). Here, you focus on clearly showing your design intent, not the physical details of the board. These connections will be important when you create your 2D PCB layout.
3. Board layout
The 2D PCB layout, created in the 2D PCB document, uses the connections and parts from the schematic to help you deal with the physical aspects of the electronic product. Since you don’t need to worry about the connections being correct, you focus on drawing the copper traces that connect the parts. You need to think about the physics of your board, like keeping connections short and keeping hot parts away from temperature-sensitive areas. Once this is done, you are 80% finished with your PCB.
4. Output manufacturing data
The last 20% is about giving the necessary information to your board manufacturer so they can make your board. In Fusion, this is done through the CAM Processor in the 2D PCB document. The CAM Processor helps you create Gerber files, ODB++ output, pick and place files, netlists, Bill of Materials, PDF documentation, and more.
Additional tasks
While not always necessary, there are other tasks that help make a successful Electronics Design.
Electronics Libraries
One of the most important tasks is creating and managing Electronics libraries. If Fusion has all the parts you need, then following steps 1-4 above can be easy. However, as you continue with your Electronics projects, you might need to make your own Electronics components. Fusion has many tools in the Libraries document to help you design your own parts and use them in your projects.
BOM Management
This task involves deciding which physical parts to order, finding alternatives, figuring out the cost of the PCB, and other buying issues. Making sure your design can be made with available parts is the key to BOM management.
Mechanical Constraints
Fusion lets you consider any size or shape requirements that an enclosure or larger assembly might have on your Electronics Design. You can create a 3D PCB to check for interferences, specify outline shapes, component locations, and more, and save it as a 3D PCB document.
Simulation
Simulation is a useful tool for predicting how your designs will behave before making them. This can help find and fix problems early, saving money. Fusion Electronics provides access to a SPICE simulator, and a Signal Integrity extension is available for more advanced uses. You can even simulate the heat generation of your 3D PCB in the 3D model in the Simulation workspace.