pcb-rnd knowledge pool

Abstract: Specify the requirements before we can implement a a schematics capture program to pcb-rnd importer.

  If a path between a schematics capture program and pcb-rnd is to be implemented, the following information needs to be passed:

• schematics -> pcb (forward annotation) Any file format the schematics tool prefers and delivers at least this set of information:
  • Each component/part needs an unique identifier, a "refdes", e.g. R1, U4.
  • Each pin/pad needs an unique identifier within it's component/part, so at the end "U4-3" uniquely identifies pin 3 of component U4.
  • Each component/part needs a footprint (a free form text). Optionally arbitrary user specified key=value pairs per part can solve this and a lot more.
  • A list of named networks. Optionally with user specified key=value pairs per network (less important here).
  • A list of component-pin pairs per network.
  • The netlist can be flat or hierarhic.
• pcb -> schematics (back annotation) pcb-rnd emits a netlist patch described here , but it could emit any other format the schematics tool needs. The schematics tool would need to understand the following concepts while reading a back annotation file:
  • Unique part refdes and pin number, as above
  • Named networks, as above
  • "this is how the network looked like when we started" (net name, list of pins)
  • "the user removed this pin from that network" operation
  • "the user added this pin from that network" operation
  • optional: "the user changed this key=value pair of this part"