Page 1 NI Ultiboard User Manual NI Ultiboard User Manual May 2008 374488C-01...
Page 2 For further support information, refer to the Technical Support and Professional Services appendix. To comment on National Instruments documentation, refer to the National Instruments Web site at ni.com/info and enter the info code feedback. © 2006-2008 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.
Page 3: Important Information
Instruments Corporation. National Instruments respects the intellectual property of others, and we ask our users to do the same. NI software is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Where NI software may be used to reproduce software or other materials belonging to others, you may use NI software only to reproduce materials that you may reproduce in accordance with the terms of any applicable license or other legal restriction.
Page 4 WARNING REGARDING USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS (1) NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED WITH COMPONENTS AND TESTING FOR A LEVEL OF RELIABILITY SUITABLE FOR USE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH SURGICAL IMPLANTS OR AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN ANY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHOSE FAILURE TO PERFORM CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO A HUMAN.
Page 5 Conventions The following conventions are used in this manual: » The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options from the last dialog box.
Page 6: Table Of Contents
Spreadsheet View ...1-29 Spreadsheet View: DRC Tab...1-30 Filter Manager...1-31 Spreadsheet View: Results Tab ...1-32 Spreadsheet View: Parts Tab...1-33 Spreadsheet View: Part Groups Tab...1-34 Spreadsheet View: Nets Tab ...1-35 Spreadsheet View: Nets Groups Tab...1-38 © National Instruments Corporation NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 7 Contents Spreadsheet View: SMT Pads Tab... 1-39 Spreadsheet View: THT Pads Tab ... 1-40 Spreadsheet View: Vias Tab ... 1-42 Spreadsheet View: Copper Areas Tab ... 1-43 Spreadsheet View: Keep-ins/Keep-outs Tab ... 1-44 Spreadsheet View: PCB Layers Tab ... 1-45 Spreadsheet View: Parts Position Tab ...
Page 8 Placing a Group Array Box...4-12 Replicating a Group ...4-14 Unplacing Parts ...4-15 Viewing and Editing Properties ...4-15 Attributes ...4-15 Viewing and Editing Part Properties ...4-17 Viewing and Editing Attributes...4-19 Viewing and Editing Shape/Graphics Properties ...4-20 © National Instruments Corporation Contents NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 9 Contents Placing Other Elements ... 4-20 Placing Mounting Holes and Connectors... 4-21 Placing Holes ... 4-21 Placing Shapes and Graphics ... 4-21 Working with Jumpers ... 4-23 Placing Jumpers ... 4-23 Viewing and Editing Jumper Properties ... 4-23 Working with Test Points ... 4-24 Placing Test Points ...
Page 10 Creating a Net Bridge ...5-30 Placing a Net Bridge ...5-32 Copying a Copper Route ...5-33 Swapping Pins and Gates...5-34 Swapping Pins ...5-34 Swapping Gates ...5-35 Automatic Pin/Gate Swapping ...5-38 Real-Time Pin/Gate Swapping ...5-39 © National Instruments Corporation Contents NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 11 Contents Chapter 6 PCB Calculators PCB Transmission Line Calculator ... 6-1 Microstrip Trace Calculations... 6-2 Embedded Microstrip Trace Calculations... 6-3 Centered Stripline Trace Calculations ... 6-4 Asymmetric Stripline Trace Calculations ... 6-5 Dual Stripline Trace Calculations ... 6-6 PCB Differential Impedance Calculator... 6-7 Microstrip Calculations...
Page 12 Using Mechanical CAD Creating Mechanical CAD Projects...10-1 Creating Mechanical CAD Design Files ...10-2 Importing a DXF File ...10-3 Setting Mechanical CAD Properties and Options ...10-3 Setting Mechanical CAD Properties ...10-3 © National Instruments Corporation xiii Contents NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 13 Contents Setting Mechanical CAD Colors... 10-3 Controlling Workspace Elements for Mechanical CAD... 10-4 Setting Paths for Mechanical CAD ... 10-5 Setting Mechanical CAD Dimensions ... 10-5 Appendix A Menus and Commands File Menu... A-1 File»New Design... A-1 File»New Project... A-1 File»Open...
Page 14 Place»Follow-me...A-11 Place»Connection Machine ...A-11 Place»Shape...A-11 Place»Dimension...A-11 Place»Graphic»Line ...A-11 Place»Graphic»Arc...A-12 Place»Graphic»Bezier ...A-12 Place»Graphic»Picture ...A-12 Place»Graphic»Text ...A-12 Place»Copper Area...A-12 Place»Powerplane...A-12 Place»Bus ...A-12 Place»Keep-in/Keep-out Area...A-13 Place»Group Array Box ...A-13 Place»Pins...A-13 Place»Via...A-13 Place»Test Point ...A-13 © National Instruments Corporation Contents NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 15 Contents Place»Jumper ... A-13 Place»Net Bridge ... A-13 Place»Hole ... A-13 Place»Automatic Test Points ... A-14 Place»Unplace Parts... A-14 Place»Comment ... A-14 Design Menu ... A-14 Design»Netlist & DRC Check ... A-14 Design»Connectivity Check ... A-14 Design»Polygon Splitter ... A-15 Design»Shape to Area...
Page 16 Place Trace Menu ...A-24 Appendix B Archiving Data Backing up the Corporate Database...B-1 Backing up the User Database and Configuration files ...B-2 Appendix C Technical Support and Professional Services Glossary Index © National Instruments Corporation xvii Contents NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 17: User Interface
Introduction to the Ultiboard Interface Ultiboard is the PCB layout application of National Instruments Circuit Design Suite, a suite of EDA (Electronics Design Automation) tools that assists you in carrying out the major steps in the circuit design flow.
Page 18 Chapter 1 User Interface NI Ultiboard User Manual Button New File button. Creates a new project (if none are currently open) or a new design if a project is currently open. Refer to the Design sections of Chapter 2, more information. Open File button.
Page 19: View Toolbar
The View toolbar contains buttons for modifying the way the screen is displayed, and appears by default when you run Ultiboard. The View toolbar buttons are explained in the table below. © National Instruments Corporation Button Redraw the Screen button. Redraws the currently active design workspace.
Page 20: Main Toolbar
Chapter 1 User Interface Main Toolbar The Main toolbar contains buttons for common board design functions. Its buttons are described in the table below. NI Ultiboard User Manual Button Select button. De-activates any selected mode (for example, for placing traces) and allows you to select an element on the board.
Page 21: Select Toolbar
Ultiboard. Please note that all filters are not available in all versions of Ultiboard. The Select toolbar buttons are explained in the table below. © National Instruments Corporation Button Place Via button. Places a via on the design. Refer to the...
Page 22: Draw Settings Toolbar
Chapter 1 User Interface Draw Settings Toolbar The Draw Settings toolbar lets you select the layer, thickness and unit of measure of a line or object that is being drawn. It also contains buttons for functions that control the appearance of lines and shapes drawn on any layer, except a copper layer.
Page 23: Edit Toolbar
The Edit toolbar buttons are explained in the table below. © National Instruments Corporation Fill Style button. Sets the fill style, either transparent or solid. Line Color button. Sets the color of the layer’s line.
Page 24: Align Toolbar
Chapter 1 User Interface Align Toolbar The Align toolbar contains the functions used to align and space design elements. Refer to the Parts The Align toolbar buttons are explained in the table below. NI Ultiboard User Manual Aligning Shapes and sections of Chapter 4, Working with Button...
Page 25: Place Toolbar
The Place toolbar contains the functions used to place elements such as traces, lines and polygons on the design. The Place toolbar buttons are explained in the table below. © National Instruments Corporation Button Space Down Plus button. Increases vertical space between two or more objects.
Page 26 Chapter 1 User Interface NI Ultiboard User Manual Button Place Ellipse button. Places an ellipse on the design. Refer to the Placing Shapes and Graphics Chapter 4, Working with Place Pie button. Places a pie-shape on the design. Refer to the Placing Shapes and Graphics Working with Parts, for more information.
Page 27 © National Instruments Corporation Button Place Text button. Places text on the design. Useful for annotation purposes. Refer to the Text section of Chapter 8, Manufacturing/Assembly, for more information. Place a Standard Dimension button. Places a dimension between any two selected points. Refer to the...
Page 28: Wizard Toolbar
Chapter 1 User Interface Wizard Toolbar The Wizard toolbar contains the wizard functions supported by Ultiboard. The Wizard toolbar buttons are explained in the table below. Autoroute Toolbar The Autoroute toolbar contains the autorouting and placement functions supported by Ultiboard. The Autoroute toolbar buttons are explained in the table below.
Page 29: Setting Preferences
Complete the following steps to set your user preferences: General Tab Complete the following steps to change workspace options: © National Instruments Corporation Button Start/Resume Autorouting button. Starts automatically placing traces. Stop/Pause Autorouter button.
Page 30: Paths Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface Paths Tab The Ultiboard installation puts specific files in specific locations. If necessary you can point Ultiboard to a new location to find, for example, database files. You can also use this dialog box to create and specify user settings files that contain individuals’...
Page 31: Colors Tab
Use the PCB Design tab of the Preferences dialog box to define a variety of actions associated with the overall PCB design. Complete the following steps to define the default actions: © National Instruments Corporation Choose Options»Global Preferences. The Preferences dialog box appears.
Page 32 Chapter 1 User Interface NI Ultiboard User Manual Set the viewing options in the View area: • Show pin 1 mark—Enable to display pin 1 of a device with a unique marking. • Show Copper Areas—Enable to display copper areas. This applies to copper areas only, not regular polygon shapes on non-copper layers.
Page 33 10. In the DRC & Net check area: 11. In the Follow me router area: 12. In the Crosshair area: 13. In the Post processing area: © National Instruments Corporation In the On trace placement area: • Auto trace narrowing—Enable to allow traces to narrow as necessary during routing.
Page 34: Dimensions Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface 14. To apply your changes but leave the Preferences dialog box open, Dimensions Tab Use the Dimensions tab of the Preferences dialog box to define the characteristics to be used for any dimensions placed in the board. Refer to information about placing dimensions.
Page 35: 3D Options Tab
The more space that you set between the layers, the easier they will be to view when you zoom in on the PCB in the 3D mode. Refer to the Viewing Designs in © National Instruments Corporation • Displayed Unit—Select the unit of measure to be displayed with the dimension.
Page 36: Setting Pcb Properties
Chapter 1 User Interface Setting PCB Properties Many characteristics of your PCB design are controlled through the PCB Properties dialog box including the number of layers, design rules and grid settings. These settings are saved with the design and will be in effect when the design is reopened.
Page 37: Copper Layers Tab
Refer to the Design, for more information. Complete the following steps to set up the Copper Layers tab: © National Instruments Corporation • Degree Step—This field becomes active when Polar Grid is selected in the Grid Type field. Enter the desired distance between the grid’s elements (dots, lines or crosses).
Page 38: Pads/Vias Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface Pads/Vias Tab Use the Pads/Vias tab of the PCB Properties dialog box to set the following: • • • • • NI Ultiboard User Manual As you make changes to the layer settings, the Allowed Vias pane shows the acceptable layer combinations for blind and buried vias or microvias.
Page 39 This setting will also apply to microvias that have already been placed in the design. © National Instruments Corporation Click the button beside the desired field (Top, Inner or Bottom) in the Pad/Vias tab.
Page 40: General Layers Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface The Capture Land Diameter field determines the land diameter where the microvia starts, while Target Land Diameter determines the diameter where the microvia ends. These terms are in accordance with the IPC and JPCA joint standard IPC/JPCA-2315, Design Guide for High Density Interconnects (HDI) and Microvias.
Page 41: Design Rules Tab
For information on any setting, select it in the Design Rule Default Values area. A description appears in the field at the bottom of the dialog. © National Instruments Corporation Click Rename in the Layer Names area. The Select Layer for Renaming dialog box appears.
Page 42: Setting Favorite Layers
Chapter 1 User Interface Setting Favorite Layers You can assign shortcuts for up to ten layers using the Favorite layers tab. These shortcuts can then be used to make a layer active. The active layer is the layer where any new elements will be placed, or where any deletions will be made.
Page 43: Design Toolbox
The Design Toolbox is made up of two tabs: • • © National Instruments Corporation The Projects tab lets you view the projects that are currently open. Each project may contain one or more designs. Double-click to make a particular design the current view.
Page 44: Birds Eye View
Chapter 1 User Interface Birds Eye View The Birds Eye View shows you the design at a glance and lets you easily navigate around the workspace. To magnify a specific area on the design, drag a rectangle around the desired area on the Birds Eye View. The rectangle snaps to the same ratio as the design space.
Page 45: Spreadsheet View
The following buttons are available in the Spreadsheet View. The buttons do not appear in all tabs. Note © National Instruments Corporation Button Export to Textfile button. Displays a standard Windows Save dialog where you save the selection as a textfile.
Page 46: Spreadsheet View: Drc Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface Note You can also access the above commands from a pop-up menu by right-clicking in the Spreadsheet View. Spreadsheet View: DRC Tab The DRC tab displays errors (for example, Design Rule Errors) and warnings as they occur while you work. Errors are labeled with red triangles, and warnings are labeled with yellow circles, as shown in the example in the figure below.
Page 47: Filter Manager
Use the Filter Manager to filter desired errors & warnings out of the DRC tab in the Spreadsheet View. Complete the following steps to use the Filter Manager: © National Instruments Corporation Copy—Copies all items in the clipboard. Go to Error/Tag—Click to go to the highlighted error or warning on the workspace.
Page 48: Spreadsheet View: Results Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface To remove an error type from the Filter Manager, select the error type and click Remove Filter. To remove all error types, click Remove All. Spreadsheet View: Results Tab The Results tab displays the results of searching for elements in the design. Refer to the Beginning a It also displays the results of running a connectivity check.
Page 49: Spreadsheet View: Parts Tab
Shape Locked Trace Clearance Part Spacing © National Instruments Corporation Column The colored circle indicates whether the part has been placed on the board outline (bright green), or is off to the side awaiting placement (dark green). Orange indicates the part has been locked.
Page 50: Spreadsheet View: Part Groups Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface Pin Swap Gate Swap Part Group Spreadsheet View: Part Groups Tab Use the Part Groups tab to work with part groups as described in the table below. Part Group Trace Clearance Part Spacing NI Ultiboard User Manual Column If enabled, allows like-pins to be swapped during the routing process.
Page 51: Spreadsheet View: Nets Tab
(unlabelled) Net Name Locked Trace Width Max Width © National Instruments Corporation Column If enabled, allows pins for like-parts to be swapped during the routing process. If enabled, allows like-gates, to be swapped during the routing process. You can choose Internal Gates Only, which will swap gates within the same IC;...
Page 52 Chapter 1 User Interface Min Width Topology Trace Length Max Length Min Length Trace Clearance Routing Layers Routing Priority Net Group NI Ultiboard User Manual Column The minimum width to which a trace will be laid during routing. You can enter a value here, or use the Group Editor.
Page 53 Count Via Drill Diameter Via Pad Diameter © National Instruments Corporation Column This is the bus group in which the net is contained. You can either enter the group name here, or use the Group Editor. Refer to the Editor section of Chapter 3, more information.
Page 54: Spreadsheet View: Nets Groups Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface Spreadsheet View: Nets Groups Tab Use the Net Groups tab to work with net groups. Net Group Trace Width Max Width Min Width Max Length Min Length Trace Clearance Routing Layers NI Ultiboard User Manual Column This is the group in which the net is contained.
Page 55: Spreadsheet View: Smt Pads Tab
Pad Shape Pad Radius Pad Width Pad Height © National Instruments Corporation Column The routing priority for the selected net group. 1 is the highest priority, 2 the second highest, etc. Leave as None if priority routing is not required. This feature is not available in all versions of Ultiboard.
Page 56: Spreadsheet View: Tht Pads Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface Trace Clearance Neck Length Neck Max Neck Min Min Width Spreadsheet View: THT Pads Tab Use the THT Pads tab to work with pad information for through-hole technology devices. Pad Name Top Pad Shape NI Ultiboard User Manual Column The clearance of the trace to parts.
Page 57 Annular Ring Pad Diameter Drill Diameter Trace Clearance © National Instruments Corporation Column The shape of the inner layer pad as set in the Through Hole Pin Properties dialog box. Refer to the and Editing Through Hole Pin Properties Chapter 4,...
Page 58: Spreadsheet View: Vias Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface Spreadsheet View: Vias Tab Use the Vias tab to work with via information. Assume Net Lamination Pad Diameter Drill Diameter Trace Clearance Locked Soldermask Type NI Ultiboard User Manual Column The unique identifier for the net to which the via is connected.
Page 59: Spreadsheet View: Copper Areas Tab
Trace Clearance Thermal Relief Style Spoke Width © National Instruments Corporation Column The layer on which the copper area is found, as set in the Copper Area Properties dialog box. Refer to the Viewing and Editing Copper Properties Chapter 5, Working with Traces and information.
Page 60: Spreadsheet View: Keep-Ins/Keep-Outs Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface Spreadsheet View: Keep-ins/Keep-outs Tab Use the Keep-ins/Keep-outs tab to work with information for Keep-in or Keep-out areas. Name Type Locked Layers To Apply Net Group NI Ultiboard User Manual Column Name of the Keep-in or Keep-out. Can be entered here, or in the Keep-in/Keep-out Properties dialog box.
Page 61: Spreadsheet View: Pcb Layers Tab
RefDes Position X Position Y Side Rotation © National Instruments Corporation Column Double-click to display the Select Groups dialog box, where you select the part group to which you wish to assign the Keep-in/out. You can also set this in Keep-in/Keep-out Properties dialog box.
Page 62: Spreadsheet View: Statistics Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface Spreadsheet View: Statistics Tab This tab displays the following statistics: • • • • • • • • • • • Customizing the Interface The Ultiboard user interface is highly customizable. Toolbars can be docked in various positions and orientations. The contents of the toolbars may be customized.
Page 63: Commands Tab
Complete the following steps to use the features in this tab: Note You cannot switch off the Menu bar. © National Instruments Corporation Drag the desired command from the Commands list to the desired menu or toolbar. When a command is selected in the Command list, its description is displayed in the Description field.
Page 64: Keyboard Tab
Chapter 1 User Interface Keyboard Tab The Keyboard tab is used to set up keyboard shortcuts. Complete the following steps to set up keyboard shortcuts: Menu Tab The Menu tab is used to modify the various context-sensitive menus that appear when you right-click from various locations in Ultiboard. Complete the following steps to display the desired menu: NI Ultiboard User Manual The buttons in this tab function as follows:...
Page 65: Options Tab
Customize dialog box is open. Complete the following steps to display the pop-up: © National Instruments Corporation Be sure you have the Customize dialog box open. Right-click on either a menu item or toolbar and select the desired option.
Page 66: Beginning A Design
Creating a Project Complete the following steps to create a new project file: © National Instruments Corporation Choose File»New Project. The New Project dialog box appears. Type the project name in the Project name field. From the Design type drop-down list, select PCB Design. The other option allows you to use Ultiboard’s CAD capabilities (for example,...
Page 67: Creating A Design
Chapter 2 Beginning a Design Creating a Design A design is created automatically when you create a project file. You can also create a design and assign it to an existing project file. Remember that a design must always be associated with a project. Complete the following steps to create a design file: Creating a Design from a Netlist File You can create a design based on a netlist file.
Page 68 (comp_variants "Default1;") (comp_variant_independent "0") (pin "5" (net "10") (pintype "BIDIR") (gategroup "") (pingroup "") (label "D") (gate "") (pin "4" (net "11") (pintype "BIDIR") (gategroup "") (pingroup "") (label "E") (gate "") © National Instruments Corporation NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 69: Working With Projects
Chapter 2 Beginning a Design Complete the following steps to import a netlist file: Working with Projects Designs and projects appear in the Projects tab of the Design Toolbox. To open a project or design shown in the Projects tab, click on it or right-click on it and, from the context menu, choose Open Window.
Page 70: Opening An Existing File
All designs in the file are saved in the new location. © National Instruments Corporation Choose File»Open. A standard file section dialog box appears, with the Files of Type list defaulted to Ultiboard files.
Page 71: Saving Technology Specifications From A Design
Chapter 2 Beginning a Design To save all open file and designs, choose File»Save All. To close the current file and its designs, choose File»Close. If you have any unsaved changes in the file or designs, you are prompted to save the file and/or designs.
Page 72: Selecting And Unselecting Elements
As you work through your design, you will find different combinations of selection filters helpful to prevent accidentally selecting (and potentially modifying) elements. © National Instruments Corporation Select a segment belonging to the trace you want to select. Choose Edit»Select Entire Trace. The entire trace is then selected.
Page 73: Place And Select Modes
Chapter 2 Beginning a Design Place and Select Modes Ultiboard assumes that placing shapes, parts, or traces on a board are actions you are likely to repeat. As a result, when you place items on the board, you remain in “place mode” (the cursor has a small icon attached, indicating what is being placed) so that you can continue to place the same type of item repeatedly.
Page 74: Options For Viewing The Design
Refer to the information about the zoom functions. © National Instruments Corporation To constrain your search to only certain attributes, choose from the Find special drop-down list. For example, if you enter “test” in the Find what field, you will find all elements with the string “test”...
Page 75: Magnifying And Shrinking The View
Chapter 2 Beginning a Design When you display a design on the full screen, everything except the design disappears (depending on your settings in the Preferences dialog box, scrollbars may or may not appear). Menu functions can still be used through their keyboard shortcuts—for example, you can use F8 to zoom in, and F9 to zoom out.
Page 76: Refreshing The Design
Tool-tip Label Complete the following to change your cursor to include a tool-tip label that contains object information: © National Instruments Corporation Choose View»Redraw Screen. Click Redraw in the View toolbar or press <F5>. Hold down the Ctrl key as you move your mouse over the workspace.
Page 77: Setting Up A Design
There are two methods of fabricating a PC board (both methods can be used in combination): • © National Instruments Corporation Defining Copper Layers Accessing Layers The first method uses layered pairs of copper on a substrate (usually cured fiberglass/resin) that have been etched and are then laminated together with a partially cured fiberglass/resin substrate (prepreg).
Page 78 Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design • A via is a plated through-hole in a printed circuit board used to connect two or more layers, as well as the top and bottom surfaces of the board. • • • • The lamination sequence used determines the acceptable layer combinations for placing blind and buried vias or microvias.
Page 79: Accessing Layers
The highlighted layer is the active layer, that is, the one you are working with. Click the colored icons beside the checkboxes to control the layers’ colors. © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 80 Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design The Layers tab is divided into four sections: • • • • The layer highlighted in red is the active layer—The one which any functions you choose will affect. Before you can work on a particular layer, you must ensure that layer is active.
Page 81: Working With The Board Outline
X and Y coordinates and press OK. Continue to use the asterisk key (*) or <Shift-8> for the remaining coordinates. You can mix the use of the asterisk key (*) or <Shift-8> and clicking to position each corner. © National Instruments Corporation section of Chapter 5, Working with Traces and section of Chapter 4, Draw a board outline using the drawing tools.
Page 82: Importing A Dxf File
Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design To edit the properties of the placed board outline, select the outline and select Edit»Properties. (You must be on the Board Outline layer). Importing a DXF File Complete the following steps to import a DXF board outline from a CAD program such as AutoCAD Using a Pre-Defined Board Outline Complete the following steps to use a board outline from the Ultiboard...
Page 83: Using The Board Wizard
Using the Board Wizard Complete the following steps to use the Board Wizard: © National Instruments Corporation Choose Tools»Board Wizard. The Board Wizard... Board Technology dialog box appears. Enable the Change the layer technology option. Choose the board technology and click Next. Refer to the section for more information about board technology.
Page 84: Setting The Board's Reference Point
Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design Setting the Board’s Reference Point The reference point of the board is important for relating physical dimensions to PCB layouts, since all measurements are shown relative to this origin point. If you used the Board Wizard, this reference may already have been set.
Page 85: Enter Coordinate Dialog Box
If you have a part selected when you press the * key or <Shift-8>, the dialog is still populated with the coordinates of the mouse. Click OK to move the selected part to that position. © National Instruments Corporation Press the asterisk key (*) or <Shift-8> to display the Enter coordinate dialog box.
Page 86: Design Rule Errors
Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design Design Rule Errors Design rule errors appear in the DRC tab of the Spreadsheet View as they occur, and disappear as they are corrected. Double-click on an error in the DRC tab to zoom in on the affected area on the design, which will be indicated with a red circle, as shown in the example below.
Page 87: Working With The Group Editor
• • • © National Instruments Corporation Pin “[Pin number]” from Part “[refdes]”(value) in Net “[Net name]” is missing from shape “[shape name]”— A pin belonging to the specified part was given in the netlist but does not exist in the shape that was given for the part.
Page 88: Working With Net Groups
Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design Working with Net Groups Complete the following steps to create a net group: Refer to the Note more information. NI Ultiboard User Manual Select Tools»Group Editor to display the Edit Groups dialog box. Click the Net Groups tab. Click Add.
Page 89: Working With Part Groups
Complete the following steps to create a part group: Note Refer to the more information. © National Instruments Corporation Click checkboxes beside the desired nets in the Assign Nets list and click Apply to add them to the group. Click OK to close the Edit Groups dialog box.
Page 90 Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design Note You cannot assign a part to more than one group. Therefore, parts that are already assigned to another group do not appear in the Assign Nets list. When adding parts to a Part Group, you can select parts on the workspace and then click Add Selected in the Part Groups tab—the selected parts are added to the group.
Page 91: Working With Bus Groups
Set up a bus group for traces that you wish to route as closely together as possible. Complete the following steps to create a bus group: © National Instruments Corporation Select Tools»Group Editor to display the Edit Groups dialog box. Select the Part Groups tab.
Page 92 Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design You cannot assign a net to more than one group. Therefore, nets that are already Note assigned to another bus group do not appear in the Assign Nets list. Complete the following steps to edit a bus group: Complete the following steps to delete a group: NI Ultiboard User Manual Click checkboxes beside the desired nets in the Assign Nets list and...
Page 93: Working With Differential Pairs
Complete the following steps to create a differential pair: Refer to the Note sections for more information. © National Instruments Corporation Select Tools»Group Editor to display the Edit Groups dialog box. Click the Differential Pairs tab. Click Add. The Add group dialog box appears.
Page 94: Change Group Settings Dialog Box
Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design Note You cannot assign a net to more than one differential pair. Therefore, nets that are already assigned to another differential pair do not appear in the Assign Nets list. Complete the following steps to edit a bus group: Refer to the Change Group Settings dialog box and Note sections for more information.
Page 95: Net Group Settings
Part Group Settings For part groups, the following Group Settings are available: • • • • © National Instruments Corporation Group Name Clearance Settings Trace Width Settings Trace Length Settings Routing Layers Routing Priority Locked...
Page 96: Differential Pair Settings
Chapter 3 Setting Up a Design For information on any setting, select it in the Group Settings list. A description appears in the field at the bottom of the dialog. You may need to make the dialog box larger to view some of the descriptions. Do this by dragging the dialog’s lower-right corner.
Page 97: Working With Parts
Multisim or another schematic capture program. These can be dragged to the appropriate location on the board. © National Instruments Corporation by dragging them from outside the board outline. Refer to the Dragging Parts from Outside the Board Outline section for more information.
Page 98: Using The Parts Tab In The Spreadsheet View
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Complete the following steps to drag a part from outside the board outline: Using the Parts Tab in the Spreadsheet View The Parts tab in the Spreadsheet View shows a list of all the parts in your design.
Page 99: Using The Parts Tab To Place Parts
Parts that you place this way can then be adjusted or moved as necessary. Refer to the about moving parts and adjusting their placement. © National Instruments Corporation Spreadsheet View section of Chapter 1, Click-and-drag the part from the list to the design. The selected part is attached to the pointer as you move it over the board.
Page 100: Using The Parts Tab For Other Functions
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Using the Parts Tab for Other Functions The Parts tab of the Spreadsheet View can also be used to select a part, lock parts in their current position, find and select a part, or preview a part. To select a part using the Parts tab, double-click the part in the list.
Page 101: Tools To Assist Part Placement
Using the Netlist Editor information. The figure below shows the ratsnests as they connect pads in a design without regard to running through parts. © National Instruments Corporation Setting Up a Design, for information about dimming and section of Chapter 5,...
Page 102: Working With Force Vectors
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Working with Force Vectors Force vectors are powerful aids that help you place parts on the PCB. When you place a part manually on the board, you should pay careful attention to the force vectors coming from that part. They allow you to place the part as close as possible to other parts that are attached to the same net.
Page 103: Dragging Parts
Shoving does not work if there is any copper connected to the part. Note To toggle the shoving command on and off, choose Design»Part Shoving. © National Instruments Corporation In the Autorouter Settings area of the General tab of the Trace Properties dialog box, select Trace can be moved.
Page 104 Chapter 4 Working with Parts Complete the following steps to adjust the shove spacing around a part: Complete the following steps to enter swapping parameters for the selected part: To assist you in setting the shove spacing and clearances, the Dimensions (View Only) area displays a preview of the selected part with its dimensions displayed: Complete the following steps to change the dimensions that are displayed...
Page 105 © National Instruments Corporation Your selections show in the preview area. To manipulate the view of the part, click in the Dimensions area and use any of the following: • Zoom In button—Click to zoom in on the part for more detail.
Page 106: Using Ruler Bars And Guides
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Using Ruler Bars and Guides Use the ruler bars to place guides on the design, or to measure distances. Elements on the design will snap to the dotted lines representing the guides on the design. To toggle the ruler bars off or on, choose View»Ruler bars.
Page 107: Orienting Parts
Aligning Shapes and Parts Shapes and parts can be aligned with other shapes and parts. Complete the following steps to align shapes and/or parts: © National Instruments Corporation Select the part to be oriented. Choose one of the following commands from the Edit»Orientation menu: •...
Page 108: Spacing Shapes And Parts
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Spacing Shapes and Parts Shapes and parts can be spaced relative to each other on the board. Complete the following steps to space shapes and/or parts: Placing a Group Array Box A group array box is used to place parts in an array, such as memory chips. You create the array box first and then place the parts.
Page 109 © National Instruments Corporation Begin selecting and dragging parts. As they are placed, the parts snap to the array. Place the part in the top left cell. The other parts will be placed at the same relative position in the other cells, beginning in the top left row and working to the right.
Page 110: Replicating A Group
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Replicating a Group The Group Replica Place function allows you to automatically apply the relative placement of parts in one group to another group. This is especially useful when duplicating the layout of channels in multi-channel PCBs. This example uses the following design: Refer to the Note...
Page 111: Unplacing Parts
• • • © National Instruments Corporation Drag your mouse to the desired location and click to place the group. Select Place»Unplace Parts. A dialog displays asking if you wish to remove any left over copper after the unplace command.
Page 112 Chapter 4 Working with Parts You can sort attribute information by clicking on the column header. Note If you are looking at the attributes of a part that was imported from Multisim, and that part has variants assigned, the tab will also have a variant attribute as shown below.
Page 113: Viewing And Editing Part Properties
Complete the following steps to produce the 3D image by projecting the silkscreen information upwards according to the height and offset specified for the part: © National Instruments Corporation Select the part. Choose Edit»Properties. The part’s Part Properties dialog box appears, consisting of four tabs: Attributes, Position, 3D Data, and Part.
Page 114 Chapter 4 Working with Parts Material Tab To choose the colors to display for the part, click on the color box beside each of the following field labels, and choose a color from the dialog box that appears: • • •...
Page 115: Viewing And Editing Attributes
To edit an attribute’s visibility, alignment, and so on, use the Attribute tab. Refer to the © National Instruments Corporation To place a band to indicate polarization (for example, for a diode), enable the Polarization marking option and choose the pin to mark.
Page 116: Viewing And Editing Shape/Graphics Properties
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Viewing and Editing Shape/Graphics Properties As with parts and traces, the properties of shapes can be viewed and edited. Complete the following steps to edit the properties of a shape that you have placed on the design: To edit a shape’s attributes, use the Attributes tab.
Page 117: Placing Mounting Holes And Connectors
Choose the following commands to place shapes and graphics: Button Command Place»Line Place»Shape»Ellipse © National Instruments Corporation section for more information. Select Place»Hole. The Through Hole Pin Properties dialog box appears. Select the desired Shape for the whole. The Hole Preview changes accordingly.
Page 118 Chapter 4 Working with Parts Button Command Place»Shape»Rounded Rectangle Place»Shape»Circle Place»Shape»Pie Place»Shape»Rectangle Place»Shape»Polygon Place»Graphics»Line Place»Graphics»Arc Place»Graphics»Bezier After creating a shape/graphic, right-click to cancel the Place command. Shapes and graphics can be moved, oriented, and aligned like parts, and their Note properties can also be viewed and edited.
Page 119: Working With Jumpers
To edit a jumper’s attributes, use the Attributes tab. Refer to the section for more information. © National Instruments Corporation Be sure a copper layer is selected in the Design Toolbox. Choose Place»Jumper. Move the pointer over the design. The pointer has the first prong of the jumper attached.
Page 120: Working With Test Points
Chapter 4 Working with Parts To control the coordinates for the jumper’s starting and ending points, use the following from the Line tab: • • • • • To control the jumper’s wire and pin type, use the following in the Jumper tab: •...
Page 121: Viewing And Editing Test Point Properties
Options»Global Preferences and select the Dimensions tab. Complete the following steps to place a dimension on the board: © National Instruments Corporation Select the test point and select Edit»Properties. The Testpoint Properties dialog appears. Select the Test Point tab.
Page 122: Viewing And Editing Dimension Properties
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Viewing and Editing Dimension Properties Dimension properties consist of five tabs: Attributes, General, Position, Line and Dimensions. To edit a dimensions’s properties, select the dimension and select Edit»Properties. To edit a dimension’s attributes, use the Attributes tab. Refer to the Attributes To edit a dimension’s display style, use the following from the Line area of the General tab:...
Page 123: Placing Parts From The Database
• Placing Parts from the Database Complete the following steps to place parts from the database: © National Instruments Corporation X1—The X coordinate of the dimension’s starting point. X2—The X coordinate of the dimension’s ending point. Y1—The Y coordinate of the dimension’s starting point.
Page 124 Chapter 4 Working with Parts When you place parts from the database you must add them to the netlist. Refer to the Using the Netlist Editor information. NI Ultiboard User Manual • Zoom In button—Click to zoom in on the part for more detail. You can also press the F8 key.
Page 125: Editing Parts And Shapes
Refer to the changing the degree of dimming displayed on the parts that are not being edited. © National Instruments Corporation Select the part and choose Edit»In-Place Part Edit. An editing window opens, showing the selected part. The window also shows the surrounding area of the board and the other parts in a dimmed view, which cannot be edited.
Page 126: Editing A Polygon
Chapter 4 Working with Parts You can save your edited part in the database for future use. Refer to the Note Parts using the Add Selection to Database Command Editing a Polygon A vertex is a point of a polygon. You can add or remove vertices from polygons, whether copper or non-copper.
Page 127: Viewing And Editing Through Hole Pin Properties
Viewing and Editing Through Hole Pin Properties Complete the following steps to edit through hole pin properties: © National Instruments Corporation Select the line (a selected line segment will have filled selection boxes while the other selection boxes in the polygon will be open).
Page 128 Chapter 4 Working with Parts To edit a through hole pin’s attributes, use the Attributes tab. Refer to the Attributes To edit a through hole pin’s display style, use the following in the General tab: • • • • • •...
Page 129: Viewing And Editing Smt Pin Properties
Use the Pin Neck tab to enter dimensions for the pin necks. © National Instruments Corporation Select the desired thermal relief in the Type box. Select the desired width of the spokes in the thermal relief from the Spoke Width drop-down list.
Page 130: Searching For And Replacing Parts
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Searching For and Replacing Parts Ultiboard allows you to search for parts in two ways: • • You can also replace a part with one from the database. Searching for Parts in Open Designs To find out if a part exists in the open designs, you can search for it with the Edit»Find command.
Page 131: Replacing Parts
Database Manager, or using the Part Wizard. Using the Database Manager to Create a Part Complete the following steps to create a part: © National Instruments Corporation Select the part. Choose Tools»Change Shape. The Get a Part from the Database dialog box opens.
Page 132: Using The Part Wizard To Create A Part
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Using the Part Wizard to Create a Part The Part Wizard steps you through the process of creating a part. Complete the following steps to use the Part Wizard: NI Ultiboard User Manual Select the type of part you want to create: a net bridge, custom pad shape, PCB part or CAD part and click opens.
Page 133 © National Instruments Corporation If you chose SMT in step 1 of the wizard, the Package Type choices shown below appear: • SOT (Small Outline Transistor) • TO (Transistor Outline) • SO-Gullwing (Small Outline, SOIC, SOP, TSSOP) • SO-J (Small Outline J Lead) •...
Page 134 Chapter 4 Working with Parts Note Depending on the Package Type selected in step 3 of the wizard, some settings may not be available. NI Ultiboard User Manual • Diameter—The diameter of the circle around pin 1 of the part. Becomes active when Circle Pin 1 Indicator is selected.
Page 135 If you create another part, these will not be accessible from the Settings Management area. © National Instruments Corporation Click Add to create a new pad and then change the settings that are detailed above.
Page 136 Chapter 4 Working with Parts Note Distances information changes depending on the Package Type you selected in step 2 of the wizard. 10. The wizard closes, and the part is available for further editing in the 11. When you are finished, choose File»Save to database as. The Insert 12.
Page 137: Managing The Database
To open the Database Manager, choose Tools»Database»Database Manager. There are three panels in the Database Manager: • © National Instruments Corporation The Database panel, which lists the databases and their sub-categories. The Database panel contains the following buttons. Refer to the Working with Database Categories information.
Page 138 Chapter 4 Working with Parts • • NI Ultiboard User Manual The Parts panel, which lists the parts in the selected sub-category. The Parts panel contains the following buttons to help you work with the parts: Button New button. Creates a new part. Refer to the Database Manager to Create a Part information.
Page 139: Working With Database Categories
Complete the following steps to create a new database category: Complete the following steps to copy a database category: © National Instruments Corporation – Mouse Wheel—If your mouse has a center wheel, you can use it to zoom in and out on the part.
Page 140: Adding Parts To The Database
Chapter 4 Working with Parts Complete the following steps to delete a database sub-category: Complete the following steps to rename a database sub-category: Complete the following steps to move a database category or sub-category: Adding Parts to the Database Parts that appear on a design but do not exist in the database can be added to the database two ways: •...
Page 141: Adding Parts Using The Database Manager
Command To add a part to the database using the Add Selection to Database command: © National Instruments Corporation In the Database panel, select the category (within the User or Corporate Database) you want to add the part to. Click the Add button above the Database panel. The Add new parts to database dialog box appears.
Page 142: Merging And Converting Databases
Chapter 4 Working with Parts If you selected multiple parts, you can save them to the database as one item. When Note a part that has been saved to the database in this manner is placed on the workspace, it will become separate items again, including any parts and traces that were in the original selection.
Page 143: Converting Databases
Ultiboard Master database is loaded when you install Ultiboard. Complete the following steps to update your databases to Ultiboard 10 format: © National Instruments Corporation Click Start. A dialog box displays with the following options: • Auto-Rename—Parts will be saved with modified names in the new database.
Page 144 Chapter 4 Working with Parts NI Ultiboard User Manual Select one of the following options: • Auto-Rename...—Imports and automatically renames the duplicate parts. • Overwrite...—Replaces the Ultiboard 10 parts with your old parts. • Ignore...—Does not import parts with duplicate names. Click OK.
Page 145: Working With Traces And Copper
Each time you click while placing a manual trace, or each time a Connection Machine trace changes direction, a separate segment of that trace is created. When performing © National Instruments Corporation Autoplacement. Manual trace—This method allows you the maximum control in trace placement.
Page 146: Working With Traces
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper operations on traces, be sure to select either the appropriate segment or, if you wish, the whole trace. Clearance is the distance from the edge of the board and around pads and traces that is to be kept free of any other elements. Trying to run a trace through a clearance, or trying to place a part so that a pad is put within a clearance, for example, results in an error.
Page 147: Placing A Trace: Follow-Me Method
Complete the following steps to place a Follow-me trace: © National Instruments Corporation Click the next pad in the net. Continue in this way from pad to pad, clicking the points on the board where you must route the trace around obstacles.
Page 148: Placing A Trace: Connection Machine Method
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Use <Ctrl-Shift-W/N> to widen/narrow the trace. You can also change the trace width during routing by typing the desired value in the Draw Settings toolbar. Otherwise, trace size is determined from the net settings. If you attempt to change to a net width that is too big (DRC errors appear), the trace width will not change.
Page 149: Placing A Bus
Complete the following steps to place the copper for the bus in the above example: © National Instruments Corporation Be sure that you have not selected any pins. Select Place»Bus. The cursor changes to a bus symbol. Click on a pin on each of the nets that you wish to place in the bus and then move the cursor towards the target IC.
Page 150: Working With Density Bars
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Working with Density Bars Density bars use color to indicate the density of pins and pads at cross-sections of your board. The higher their density at any given cross-section, the more difficulty you will have routing traces through that section of the board and the more copper is used in that area.
Page 151: Working With Keep-In/Keep-Out Areas
For more information on editing properties in the Attributes tab, refer to The Keep-in/Keep-out tab lets you set specific parameters. Complete the following steps to set Keep-in/Keep-out parameters: © National Instruments Corporation Choose Place»Keep-in/Keep-out Area. Left-click all points that are to define the polygon, ending with the starting point.
Page 152 Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper If no Advanced options are set: • • • If any Advanced options are set: • • NI Ultiboard User Manual Optionally, click on one of the following checkboxes in the Advanced options area and then click the Options button when it becomes active: •...
Page 153: Equi-Spacing Traces
Depending on your setting in the PCB Design tab of the Preferences dialog box, Note vias associated with a trace will be deleted when that trace is deleted. © National Instruments Corporation Select two traces that surround at least one other trace, as shown in the figure below.
Page 154: Working With Other Copper Elements
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper To delete a trace that you have just placed, choose Edit»Undo Place Trace Segment. Complete the following steps to delete an existing trace: Working with Other Copper Elements This section contains the following subjects: •...
Page 155: Placing Powerplanes
The Polygon Splitter is used to split copper areas or powerplanes. Complete the following steps to split a copper area or powerplane: © National Instruments Corporation In the Layers tab, select the layer to be used as a powerplane. Choose Place»Powerplane. The Choose Net and Layer for Powerplane dialog box appears.
Page 156: Converting A Copper Shape To An Area
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Converting a Copper Shape to an Area Use to convert a copper shape to a polygon that supports voiding around unconnected nets. Complete the following steps to shape a copper shape to an area: Deleting All Copper To delete all copper elements (traces, copper areas, and powerplanes) and start over, choose Edit»Copper Delete»All Copper...
Page 157: Adding And Removing Teardrops
The General tab is where you edit the properties of the selected copper element. Complete the following steps to edit the contents of the General tab: © National Instruments Corporation Select Design»Add Teardrops. The Teardrops dialog box displays. Select the Units for the teardrop length.
Page 158 Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper The Attributes tab is where you edit the attributes of the selected copper element. Refer to the information. The Position tab is where you change the layer the selected copper element is on, from the Layer drop-down list. You can also use this tab to lock the copper element on the layer.
Page 159: Working With Vias
Part Placement information. Complete the following steps to place a via: © National Instruments Corporation In the Remove Islands box, set the parameters to remove islands using the following (an island is a section of copper within the copper area that is not connected to any other copper): •...
Page 160: Viewing And Editing Via Properties
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Depending on your setting in the PCB Design tab of the Preferences dialog box, Note vias associated with a trace may be deleted when the trace is deleted. Viewing and Editing Via Properties Via properties consist of five tabs: Attributes, General, Via Settings and Thermal Relief.
Page 161 Complete the following steps to change the settings in the Micro Via tab: Complete the following steps to change the settings in the Thermal Relief tab: © National Instruments Corporation In the Autorouter Settings box, select either Via is Fixed or Via can be Moved (during autorouting).
Page 162: Placing Smd Fanouts
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Placing SMD Fanouts The Fanout SMD command attaches vias to each pin of either a selected surface mount device (SMD) or all SMDs on the board. Complete the following steps to place SMD fanouts: NI Ultiboard User Manual Optionally, select the part(s) to which you wish to apply fanouts, as in the example shown in the figure below.
Page 163: Working With Nets
Complete the following steps to preview a net: © National Instruments Corporation Click Start Fanout. The Fanout Options dialog box disappears and the fanout vias are placed on the design, as circled in the figure below.
Page 164: Using The Netlist Editor
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Complete the following steps to find a net in the design: Complete the following steps to highlight a selected net: Complete the following steps to lock and unlock any copper placed for a net: Complete the following steps to remove the copper of a selected net: Refer to the...
Page 165: Adding A Net
To do this, there must already be pins connected to the net. © National Instruments Corporation Select the desired net in the Net drop-down list. Click the Lock Net button to unlock the net.
Page 166 Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper NI Ultiboard User Manual The remainder of this section uses the example shown in the figure below. The parts shown are not connected any net. Click the Add pins button and click the desired pin in the workspace. Continue until all pins for the net are listed in the Pins area.
Page 167 © National Instruments Corporation Click Add. The Add Pins to the Net dialog box displays. Highlight the pins to be added and click Add. The dialog box closes and the Net edit dialog box shows the added pins in the list of pads for the displayed net.
Page 168 Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Complete the following steps to change a net’s topology. NI Ultiboard User Manual Select Tools»Netlist Editor and select the net from the Net drop-down list in the Net edit dialog box. Click either Shortest, Daisy chain or Star in the Topology area and click OK.
Page 169: Renaming A Net
Note There is no deletion confirmation. To cancel the deletion before you click Delete, click Close. © National Instruments Corporation net, then the pin below the reference point will become the source. Refer to the figure below for an example.
Page 170: Deleting A Pin From A Net
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Deleting a Pin from a Net Complete the following steps to delete a pin from a net: There is no deletion confirmation. Note Setting Net Widths Complete the following steps to set net widths: Setting High Speed Parameters Complete the following steps to set high speed parameters for a net: NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 171: Setting Miscellaneous Net Parameters
Setting Group Parameters Complete the following steps to enter group information for a net: © National Instruments Corporation Select Tools»Netlist Editor and select the desired net from the Net drop-down list in the Net edit dialog box.
Page 172: Setting Via Parameters
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Setting Via Parameters Complete the following steps to edit via information for a net: Highlighting a Net Complete the following steps to highlight a net: You can change the highlight color from the Color Element drop-down list in the Colors tab of the Preferences dialog box.
Page 173 10. Click OK. You are returned to the Net Shielding dialog box. 11. Click OK. 12. Results appear in the Results tab of the Spreadsheet View. You may © National Instruments Corporation Select the net to use for the shield in the Shield net area: •...
Page 174: Net Bridges
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Net Bridges The net bridge functionality permits connections between different nets (for example, digital and analog grounds) without losing the properties of either net. Creating a Net Bridge Complete the following steps to create a net bridge: NI Ultiboard User Manual Select Tools»Database»Database Manager.
Page 175 © National Instruments Corporation Close the Net Bridge Edit Layer, and when prompted, Click Save. The following dialog box appears. Enter the name for the new netbridge (Netbridge2 in the following example): Click OK. 5-31 Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper...
Page 176: Placing A Net Bridge
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Placing a Net Bridge This example connects two traces - one is on net “DGND” and the other is on net “GND”. Complete the following steps to place a net bridge: NI Ultiboard User Manual Select Place»Net Bridge.
Page 177: Copying A Copper Route
You can copy the routing of traces between two identical parts groups that have been set up using the Group Replica command. Complete the following steps to copy copper routing between groups: © National Instruments Corporation Create two identical part groups. Refer to the section of Chapter 4, Working with Route the traces for one of the groups.
Page 178: Swapping Pins And Gates
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Swapping Pins and Gates Pin and gate swapping are done between like pins and gates to reduce the amount of copper needed to route a given net. The following sections document manual pin swapping, manual gate swapping and automatic pin/gate swapping.
Page 179: Swapping Gates
Group settings for swappable gates can be set into part groups in Ultiboard. Each new part group will have its own swapping information, which Ultiboard will follow. © National Instruments Corporation Click on the second pin to complete the action. Internal Gates Only—Allows gate swapping in the same IC only.
Page 180 Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper The following design is used in this example: Complete the following steps to swap gates between parts: NI Ultiboard User Manual Select Design»Swap Gates. The workspace changes to reflect the gates. Select the first gate that you wish to swap by clicking on the corresponding letter.
Page 181 Working with Traces and Copper Click on the letter corresponding to the gate with which you want to exchange the gate you selected above. The ratsnest changes to reflect the swap. © National Instruments Corporation 5-37 NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 182: Automatic Pin/Gate Swapping
Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper Automatic Pin/Gate Swapping This feature lets you swap pins and/or gates after moving part(s) on the workspace. Note For this feature to function, you must allow pin/gate swapping in the Spreadsheet View, and in the Design Rules tab of the PCB properties dialog box. Complete the following steps to swap pins and gates automatically after a part move: NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 183: Real-Time Pin/Gate Swapping
For this feature to function, you must allow pin/gate swapping in the Spreadsheet View, and allow real-time swapping in the Design Rules tab of the PCB properties dialog box. © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper...
Page 184: Pcb Calculators
In addition to Characteristic Impedance (Zo), you can use the PCB Transmission Line Calculator to calculate the following parameters for typical printed circuit board trace geometries: • • • © National Instruments Corporation Per unit length Capacitance (Co) Per unit length Inductance (Lo) Propogation Delay (tpd). NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 185: Microstrip Trace Calculations
Chapter 6 PCB Calculators The PCB Transmission Line Calculator supports: • • • • • Microstrip Trace Calculations Complete the following steps to perform microstrip trace calculations: NI Ultiboard User Manual Microstrip Trace Calculations. Embedded Microstrip Trace Calculations. Centered Stripline Trace Calculations.
Page 186: Embedded Microstrip Trace Calculations
Embedded Microstrip Trace Calculations Complete the following steps to perform embedded microstrip trace calculations: © National Instruments Corporation Select Tools»PCB Transmission Line Calculator. Select Embedded Microstrip in the Type drop-down list. In the Input Data area, edit the following fields as desired.
Page 187: Centered Stripline Trace Calculations
Chapter 6 PCB Calculators Embedded Microstrip Equations The equations used to perform the embedded microstrip calculations are: Z0 = 56*ln(5.98*H/(0.8*W+T))/sqrt(Er*(1-exp(-1.55*H1/H))) Tpd = 84.66667*sqrt(Er*(1-exp(-1.55*H1/H))) C0 = Tpd/Z0 L0 = C0*Z0*Z0 Centered Stripline Trace Calculations Complete the following steps to perform centered stripline trace calculations: NI Ultiboard User Manual Select Tools»PCB Transmission Line Calculator.
Page 188: Asymmetric Stripline Trace Calculations
Asymmetric Stripline Trace Calculations Complete the following steps to perform asymmetric stripline trace calculations: © National Instruments Corporation Select Tools»PCB Transmission Line Calculator. Select Asymmetric Stripline in the Type drop-down list. In the Input Data area, edit the following fields as desired: •...
Page 189: Dual Stripline Trace Calculations
Chapter 6 PCB Calculators Assymetric Stripline Equations The equations used to perform the asymmetric stripline calculations are: Z0 = (1-H/(4*H1))*80*ln(4*(2*H+T)/(0.67*3.1415926*(0.8*W+T)))/sqrt(Er) Tpd = 84.66667*sqrt(Er) C0 = Tpd/Z0 L0 = C0*Z0*Z0 Dual Stripline Trace Calculations Complete the following steps to perform centered stripline trace calculations: NI Ultiboard User Manual Select Tools»PCB Transmission Line Calculator.
Page 190: Pcb Differential Impedance Calculator
Equations used are based on the IPC-D-317A document from the IPC organization www.ipc.org The PCB Differential Impedance Calculator performs calculations for two traces that carry signals that are exactly equal and opposite (a differential pair). © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 6 PCB Calculators NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 191: Microstrip Calculations
Chapter 6 PCB Calculators You can use the PCB Differential Impedance Calculator to calculate the following parameters for differential pairs: • • • • • The PCB Differential Impedance Calculator supports: • • • • Microstrip Calculations Complete the following steps to perform microstrip differential impedance calculations: NI Ultiboard User Manual Characteristic Impedance (Zo).
Page 192: Embedded Microstrip Calculations
Embedded Microstrip Calculations Complete the following steps to perform embedded microstrip differential impedance calculations: © National Instruments Corporation Click Calculate. Results of the calculation appear in the Calculation Results area. They also appear in the Results tab of the Spreadsheet View.
Page 193 Chapter 6 PCB Calculators If you chose User Defined Zo in the previous step, the Per Length Unit and the Note Differential Impedance are the only values that appear in the Calculation Results area of the PCB Differential Impedance Calculator dialog and the Results tab when you click Calculate.
Page 194: Centered Stripline Calculations
Centered Stripline Calculations Complete the following steps to perform centered stripline differential impedance calculations: © National Instruments Corporation Select Tools»PCB Differential Impedance Calculator. Select Centered Stripline in the Type drop-down list. In the Input Data area, edit the following fields as desired: •...
Page 195: Asymmetric Stripline Calculations
Chapter 6 PCB Calculators If you chose User Defined Zo in the previous step, the Per Length Unit and the Note Differential Impedance are the only values that appear in the Calculation Results area of the PCB Differential Impedance Calculator dialog and the Results tab when you click Calculate.
Page 196 Differential Impedance are the only values that appear in the Calculation Results area of the PCB Differential Impedance Calculator dialog and the Results tab when you click Calculate. © National Instruments Corporation In the Input Data area, edit the following fields as desired: •...
Page 197 Chapter 6 PCB Calculators Asymmetric Stripline Differential Impedance Equations The equations used to perform the asymmetric stripline differential impedance calculations are: Z0 = (1-H/(4*H1))*80*ln(4*(2*H+T)/(0.67*3.1415926*(0.8*W+T)))/sqrt(Er) Tpd = 84.66667*sqrt(Er) C0 = Tpd/Z0 L0 = C0*Z0*Z0 Zdiff = 2*Z0*(1-0.347*exp(-2.9*S/(H+H1+T))) NI Ultiboard User Manual 6-14 ni.com...
Page 198: Autorouting And Autoplacement
Use for routing of all nets for the selected parts. Refer to the Parts Autoroute»Autoroute Selected Nets Use to route net(s) that you have selected on the workspace. © National Instruments Corporation section for more information. Running the Autorouter Running the Autoplacer...
Page 199: Autoplacement Of Parts
Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement This is only active when an unconnected pad corresponding to that net is selected. Note Autoroute»Autoroute Selected Buses Use to autoroute selected buses. Refer to the more information. Autoroute»Start Optimization Use to optimize the placement of traces. Refer to the for more information.
Page 200: Running The Autoplacer
The autoplacer is controlled from the Autoplace tab of the Routing Options dialog box. Complete the following steps to enter autoplacer settings: © National Instruments Corporation Select Autoroute»Autoroute/place Options. Click on the Autoplace tab of the Routing Options dialog box.
Page 201 Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement NI Ultiboard User Manual connections. 10 prioritizes parts with the highest ratio of connections to total pins. A high part pin factor value usually results in a better distribution of nets than a low value. However, high values may cause excessive placement area fragmentation on high-density layouts by placing small parts prematurely and preventing you from placing larger ones later on.
Page 202: Strategies To Achieve Better Part Placement
All of the above are set up in the Autoplace tab of the Routing Options dialog box. Refer to the Controlling the Autoplacer © National Instruments Corporation • SMD Rotation Mode—Used to set amount by which surface-mount parts can be rotated during autoplacement. Select one of None, for no rotation;...
Page 203: Autorouting
Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement • • Autorouting The following sections describe the autorouting functions in Ultiboard. Understanding How the Autorouter Works Ultiboard contains four fundamental trace-routing functions: • • • • Ultiboard uses combinations of these functions to route a board. They are described in the section.
Page 204: Understanding The Four Fundamental Routing Functions
Ultiboard uses and keep production costs within acceptable limits. It is strongly recommended that you do not modify these routing strategies © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement...
Page 205: Optimization
Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement unless you achieve poorer routing results than you expect. When changing cost factors, even slight adjustments can have large effects on routing success, either improving or worsening the results. Optimization The optimizer is usually applied after the autorouter achieves 100% completion.
Page 206: Interactivity
Daisy chain or Star and the nets must be part of a Bus Group (in the Groups tab of the Net edit dialog box). Refer to the Chapter 5, Working with Traces and © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement Setting Group Parameters Copper, for more information.
Page 207: Placing Automatic Test Points
Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement Complete the following steps to autoroute selected bus(es): Placing Automatic Test Points You can automatically place a test point on each net on your design. Note Testpoints may be placed either before or after autorouting the entire board. Complete the following steps to automatically place test points: NI Ultiboard User Manual Select Autoroute»Autoroute Selected Buses.
Page 208: Controlling The Routing Functions
Routing Options: General Tab Complete the following steps to set up general routing options: © National Instruments Corporation The Automatic Testpoint Placement Setup dialog box disappears and one test point is placed on or near each net on your board. If placed near an existing net, the test point will be automatically connected.
Page 209: Routing Options: Cost Factors Tab
Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement Caution The Default button sets default values for all tabs in the Routing Options dialog box. Routing Options: Cost Factors Tab You may adjust cost factor settings to control how the router “costs” its various routing strategies. The default values are chosen carefully to give you the best balance of routing characteristics, except in exceptional circumstances.
Page 210 Complete the following steps to set up cost factor parameters: © National Instruments Corporation Select the Cost Factors tab in the Routing Options dialog box. Edit one or more of the following fields in the Routing and Optimization area: •...
Page 211: Routing Options: Rip-Up Tab
Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement Caution The Default button sets default values for all tabs in the Routing Options dialog box. Routing Options: Rip-Up Tab Complete the following steps to set up rip-up parameters: In general, high rip-up control values increase the persistence and intensity of the Note rip-up and routing process.
Page 212: Routing Options: Optimization Tab
Caution The Default button sets default values for all tabs in the Routing Options dialog box. © National Instruments Corporation • Distance-2 (2 Grid) Cost Factor—Controls the use of channels left by ripped-up traces in the far distance (2 or more grid points, trace-to-trace).
Page 213: Routing Options: Bus Autorouting Tab
Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement Routing Options: Bus Autorouting Tab To autoroute buses, the topology for the nets, as set in the Net edit dialog box, or the Spreadsheet View, must be set to either Daisy chain or Star and the nets must be part of a Bus Group as set in the Edit Groups dialog box.
Page 214: Strategies To Achieve Better Routing Results
In these cases, you should either change your minimum or maximum length settings, or route these problematic connections with Ultiboard’s follow-me router to achieve the desired length. © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement 7-17...
Page 215: Preparing For Manufacturing/Assembly
Ultiboard supports multi-byte fonts so that Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other users can make full use of Microsoft fonts for special characters. © National Instruments Corporation Choose Place»Graphic»Text. The Text dialog box opens. Type the text in the Value field. As you type, the text appears in the preview dialog box.
Page 216: Capturing Screen Area
Chapter 8 Preparing for Manufacturing/Assembly Complete the following steps to edit text: Capturing Screen Area You can capture an area of the screen and then manipulate the image as you would any other screen capture contained in the system clipboard. Complete the following steps to copy a section of your screen to the clipboard: NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 217: Placing A Comment
You can “pin” a comment to the workspace, or directly to a part. When a part with an attached comment is moved, the comment also moves. The figure below shows a comment pinned to a part with its contents displayed. © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 8 Optionally, to re-size the selection frame: •...
Page 218 Chapter 8 Preparing for Manufacturing/Assembly Complete the following steps to pin a comment to a part or the workspace: NI Ultiboard User Manual Double-click on the Comment layer in the Design Toolbox to make it the active layer. Select Place»Comment. The Comment dialog box appears. If desired, enable the Show Comment checkbox to show the contents of the comment on the design.
Page 219: Renumbering Parts
You can preview your renumbering strategy and change it before applying Complete the following steps to renumber the parts in the design: © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 8 In the Size area: •...
Page 220: Backannotation To Multisim
Chapter 8 Preparing for Manufacturing/Assembly Backannotation to Multisim Backannotation is a highly automated process which ensures that modifications made to an Ultiboard design are transferred to the board’s schematic in Multisim. This process helps keep your schematics and board layouts consistent with one another. Backannotation is an important feature of CAD software.
Page 221 Complete the following steps to miter the corners of traces prior to manufacturing: © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 8 Optionally, select the traces to which you want mitering to apply. Choose Design»Corner Mitering. The Corner Mitering dialog box appears. To apply the changes to just the selected traces, enable the Current Selection option.
Page 222: Manually Re-Running The Design Rules And Netlist Check
Chapter 8 Preparing for Manufacturing/Assembly Manually Re-Running the Design Rules and Netlist Check The design rules and netlist check normally runs automatically, but you may want to force a final check of the board's integrity prior to saving or exporting the design. To do this, select Design»Netlist and DRC Check.
Page 223: Using Export Settings
(for example, to export only copper layers, or mechanical drawings). Complete the following steps to create a new export setting: © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 8 Gerber photoplotter 274X or 274D 3D DXF (refer to the...
Page 224: Viewing And Editing Export Properties
Chapter 8 Preparing for Manufacturing/Assembly The new setting uses the same properties as the Default setting, or the setting that was last loaded. Refer to the Viewing and Editing Export Properties section for information about changing the properties stored in the new setting.
Page 225: Setting Dxf Properties
Scaleable Vector Graphic (SVG) files will be compressed or not when they are exported. You can also select the minimum stroke width for exported objects like circles. © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 8 Oversize box—Define the parameters for solder mask and solder paste.
Page 226: Working With Other Properties
Chapter 8 Preparing for Manufacturing/Assembly Complete the following steps to change the SVG export properties: Working with other Properties Working with Board Statistics Properties The Board Statistics dialog box allows you to view the statistics on the board being exported as well as to filter the file types to be exported and to define the units of measurement in the statistics: •...
Page 227 • • • • • © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 8 Columns—Click column headers in the list to sort the columns. File type box—Select any of TXT, CSV, and HTML. Units box—Select the unit of measurement. Add column button—Other attributes that have been defined for objects can be assigned to columns for reporting purposes (for example, preferred part supplier).
Page 228: Exporting The Desired File
Chapter 8 Preparing for Manufacturing/Assembly Working with Layer Stackup Properties A Layer Stackup Report shows you a board’s layers, the layer type (ground, power, signal or unassigned) and the types of vias that are between layers. The Layer Stackup Report dialog lets you set which file types to export when you run a Layer Stackup Report.
Page 229: Previewing The Printed Design
If the preview displays a blank page, go back and make sure that you are previewing a layer that has something on it. © National Instruments Corporation Chapter 8 Once you have more than one layer selected, you can choose to print layers on separate sheets.
Page 230 Chapter 8 Preparing for Manufacturing/Assembly If you elect to enlarge the size of your printout in the Zoom Options area, each layer will be tiled onto as many pages as required to print the whole layer. NI Ultiboard User Manual 8-16 ni.com...
Page 231: Viewing Designs In 3D
A new window opens displaying a 3D representation of the board: The Projects tab in the Design Toolbox indicates that you have a 3D view open, in addition to the design from which the 3D view was taken. © National Instruments Corporation NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 232: Manipulating The 3D View
Chapter 9 Viewing Designs in 3D To close the 3D view, right-click on the 3D view in the Projects tab and choose Close Window from the context menu. Note If you loaded a file from Ultiboard 2001, before you can use the 3D view you must use Tools»Update Shapes.
Page 233: Controlling The Elements Viewed In 3D
A typical 3D Layers tab has a Parts, Silkscreen, Copper, Board and Pins layer. © National Instruments Corporation Continue holding the button and move the pointer as follows: • to the bottom of the screen to view more of the top of the board.
Page 234: Showing An Object's Height
Chapter 9 Viewing Designs in 3D Showing an Object’s Height While in the 3D view, you can show an object’s height, as shown in the figure below. Complete the following steps to show an object’s height: To hide a part’s height, click on the part. The callout with the height disappears.
Page 235: Exporting To 3D Dxf
Ultiboard can export a 3D DXF file for your design. Complete the following steps to export a design’s 3D properties: © National Instruments Corporation The figure below shows the normal 3D view of a sample PCB. The figure below shows the internal 3D view of the same PCB.
Page 236: Exporting To 3D Iges
Chapter 9 Viewing Designs in 3D Exporting to 3D IGES 3D IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) is a file format for the exchange of CAD information (both 2D and 3D). A 3D IGES file contains surface information and details of a part. Complete the following steps to export a design’s 3D IGES properties: NI Ultiboard User Manual Select File»Export to display the Export dialog box.
Page 237: Using Mechanical Cad
Creating Mechanical CAD Projects To create a new project : © National Instruments Corporation You can create multi-layer mechanical CAD design files. You can have mechanical CAD layers as part of your PCB design files.
Page 238: Creating Mechanical Cad Design Files
Chapter 10 Using Mechanical CAD Creating Mechanical CAD Design Files To create a new mechanical CAD design, you can either use the new design that appears when you create a mechanical CAD file, or you can create a new design and assign it to an existing file. To create a new design and assign it to an existing file: Mechanical CAD designs can be part of a project containing PCB designs.
Page 239: Importing A Dxf File
Except for default elements being slightly different, this dialog box works the same way as for PCB designs. Refer to the Chapter 1, © National Instruments Corporation Choose File»Import»DXF. A standard file selector appears. Navigate to the correct location for the Choose Options»Global Preferences.
Page 240: Controlling Workspace Elements For Mechanical Cad
Chapter 10 Using Mechanical CAD Controlling Workspace Elements for Mechanical CAD The General tab allows you to control whether or not invisible attributes or cross hairs are shown in normal view, and options for full screen view. This tab also allows you to have Ultiboard load your last project automatically, and to have Ultiboard automatically save your project at specified intervals.
Page 241: Setting Paths For Mechanical Cad
Complete the following steps to set up file locations for mechanical CAD files: Setting Mechanical CAD Dimensions Complete the following steps to set mechanical CAD dimensions: © National Instruments Corporation In the Auto save settings box: • Enable auto save—Activates the autosave function. When activated, you can also change the time between autosaves in the Time interval (minutes) field.
Page 242: Appendix A Menus And Commands
Existing File information. File»Open Samples Displays the File»Save Saves the current design file and project. © National Instruments Corporation About Designs and Projects section of Chapter 2, About Designs and Projects Beginning a Design, for more information. section of Chapter 2, Beginning a folder.
Page 243: File»Save As
Appendix A Menus and Commands File»Save As Saves the current design file with a name and location that you specify in the Save As dialog box. File»Save All Saves all open design files and projects. File»Close Closes the current design file. File»Close Project Closes the current project.
Page 244: File»Print Setup
The command name changes to reflect what will be undone. Edit»Redo Redoes your most recent “undo” action. The command name changes to reflect what will be redone. © National Instruments Corporation Printing your Design section of Chapter 8, section of Chapter 8,...
Page 245: Edit»Cut
Appendix A Menus and Commands Edit»Cut Removes the selected element(s) from the board. The element is placed on the Windows Clipboard and can be pasted again. Edit»Copy Copies the selected elements and stores them on the Windows Clipboard so they can be pasted again. Edit»Paste Pastes the item on the Windows Clipboard to its original layer (regardless of what layer is currently active).
Page 246: Edit»Find
Locks the selected elements in place so they cannot be moved. Edit»Unlock Unlocks the selected elements. © National Instruments Corporation Open Trace Ends—Use to delete all open trace ends in the design. Use to clean up the design after design completion. Refer to the...
Page 247: Edit»Selection Filter
Appendix A Menus and Commands Edit»Selection Filter Use these commands to prevent accidentally selecting a particular type of element, for example, selecting a part when you meant to select a trace: • • • • • • • • Edit»Orientation Use these commands to adjust the orientation of parts as they are placed on a design: •...
Page 248: Edit»Vertex
If no element is selected, displays the board properties. Properties are described throughout this guide. © National Instruments Corporation Align Top—Aligns the top edges of the selected elements. Align Bottom—Aligns the bottom edges of the selected elements.
Page 249: View Menu
Appendix A Menus and Commands View Menu The subjects in this section describe the commands found in the View menu. View»Full Screen Use to fill the screen with the design only (hide menus, toolbars, other windows). Click the Close Full Screen button to return to normal view. View»Redraw Screen Use to refresh the screen.
Page 250: View»Ruler Bars
Toggles the 3D Preview pane on and off. View»Toolbars Use to turn toolbars on or off: • • • © National Instruments Corporation section of Chapter 4, Working with section of Chapter 5, Working with Traces and User Interface, for more information.
Page 251: Place Menu
Appendix A Menus and Commands • • • • • • • Place Menu The subjects in this section describe the commands found in the Place menu. Place»From Database Use to place parts from the database onto the workspace. Refer to the Placing Parts from the Database for more information.
Page 252: Place»Follow-Me
Use to place a line or a trace, depending on the active layer. Refer to the Placing Shapes and Graphics and the with Traces and © National Instruments Corporation section of Chapter 5, section of Chapter 5, Copper, for more information.
Page 253: Place»Graphic»Arc
Appendix A Menus and Commands Place»Graphic»Arc Use to place an arc or a trace, depending on the active layer. Refer to the Placing Shapes and Graphics and the with Traces and Place»Graphic»Bezier Use to place a bezier or a trace, depending on the active layer. Refer to the Placing Shapes and Graphics and the with Traces and...
Page 254: Place»Keep-In/Keep-Out Area
Places a net bridge on the design. Refer to the Chapter 5, Place»Hole Places a hole on the workspace. Refer to the Chapter 4, © National Instruments Corporation Working with Keep-in/Keep-out Areas Working with Traces and Copper, for more information. Working with Parts, for more information.
Page 255: Place»Automatic Test Points
Appendix A Menus and Commands Place»Automatic Test Points Use to automatically place a test point on each net on your design. Refer to Autoplacement, for more information. Place»Unplace Parts Use to unplace all non-locked parts. Refer to the of Chapter 4, Place»Comment Places a comment on the design.
Page 256: Design»Polygon Splitter
Board’s Reference Point more information. Design»Shield Nets Use to shields nets. Refer to the Working with Traces and © National Instruments Corporation Working with Traces and Converting a Copper Shape to an Area Working with Traces and Swapping Pins section of Chapter 5,...
Page 257: Design»Fanout Smd
Appendix A Menus and Commands Design»Fanout SMD Use to place a via fanout for a SMD part. Refer to the section of Chapter 5, information. Design»Add Teardrops Use to add teardrops to pads. Refer to the section of Chapter 5, information.
Page 258: Tools Menu
Tools»Database»Merge Database Use to convert existing part databases to Ultiboard 10.1 format. Refer to the Merging Databases information. © National Instruments Corporation section of Chapter 3, Setting Up a Using the Part Wizard to Create a Part Parts, for more information.
Page 259: Tools»Database»Convert Database
Appendix A Menus and Commands Tools»Database»Convert Database Use to update your old User and Corporate databases to Ultiboard 10 format. Refer to the with Tools»PCB Transmission Line Calculator Use to calculate parameters for typical printed circuit board trace geometries. Refer to the Chapter 6, Tools»PCB Differential Impedance Calculator Use to perform calculations for two traces that carry signals that are exactly...
Page 260: Tools»Equi-Space Traces
Shows or hides the height of selected objects in 3D mode. This is only available when viewing the design in the 3D mode. Refer to the an Object’s Height information. © National Instruments Corporation Working with Traces and Replacing Parts section of Chapter 4, Working with Parts, for more information.
Page 261: Options Menu
Appendix A Menus and Commands Options Menu The subjects in this section describe the commands found in the Options menu. Options»Global Preferences Displays the Preferences dialog box. Refer to the section of Chapter 1, Options»PCB Properties Use to define the general parameters of your PCB design. Refer to the Setting PCB Properties information.
Page 262: Window»Close All
Use to display the contents of the online help. Help»Release Notes Use to display the Ultiboard release notes. Help»Patents Displays a file with a list of National Instruments software-related patents. Help»File Information Displays the File Information dialog box. © National Instruments Corporation...
Page 263: Help»About Ultiboard
Appendix A Menus and Commands Help»About Ultiboard Use to display the version numbers of your copy of Ultiboard. Context Menus Depending on the action, the following context sensitive menus display when the right mouse button is clicked: • • • Select Menu When you select an object or objects in a design and then right-click your mouse, a context menu with the following options displays.
Page 264 Properties Displays the properties dialog box for the type of element selected. Refer to the Viewing and Editing Properties section of Chapter 4, Working with Parts, for more information. © National Instruments Corporation A-23 NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 265: Right-Drag Menu
Appendix A Menus and Commands Right-drag Menu When you select an area by dragging and releasing the right mouse button, a context menu appears with the following selections. Select all in rectangle Selects all objects in the rectangle that you “drew” by dragging and releasing the right mouse button.
Page 266: Appendix B Archiving Data
Archiving Data National Instruments recommends that you regularly back up the files created within the Multisim and Ultiboard components of NI Circuit Design Suite. Additionally, you should back up internal files that store user-created data, such as database components. This section provides information on where to find these files in order to properly back them up.
Page 267: Backing Up The User Database And Configuration Files
Backing up the User Database and Configuration files Windows XP and Windows 2000 For Windows XP and Windows 2000, the User database is stored at: C:\Documents and Settings\<User_Name>\Application Data\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite\10.1\database\. The file name for the User database is The user’s configuration file is stored at: C:\Documents and Settings\<User_Name>\Application...
Page 268 You can change the locations of the configuration files and User database from the Preferences dialog box. Refer to the more information. © National Instruments Corporation folder is a system folder and thus may be hidden. AppData Open a standard Windows explorer window.
Page 269: Technical Support And Professional Services
Technical Support and Professional Services Visit the following sections of the award-winning National Instruments Web site at • • • © National Instruments Corporation for technical support and professional services: ni.com Support—Technical support resources at the following: – Self-Help Technical Resources—For answers and solutions,...
Page 270 Appendix C Technical Support and Professional Services If you searched your local office or NI corporate headquarters. Phone numbers for our worldwide offices are listed at the front of this manual. You also can visit the Worldwide Offices section of office Web sites, which provide up-to-date contact information, support phone numbers, email addresses, and current events.
Page 271: Glossary
Blind Via A via that connects the top or bottom layer with any inner layer. Buried Via A via that connects inner layers. © National Instruments Corporation Value –12 –9 – 6 –3...
Page 272 Glossary Chamfer Corners Corners at an increment of 45º on the trace routes. Copper Area A copper polygon. Copper Island A copper area that is not connected to any other copper. Design Toolbox By default, appears on left side of screen. Consists of multiple tabs used to manage a design.
Page 273 SMD Pad A pad without a drill hole (drill diameter property in the pad code set to 0). Status Bar Displays useful and important information at the bottom of your screen. © National Instruments Corporation Glossary NI Ultiboard User Manual...
Page 274 Glossary Thermal Relief Area around a pin where no copper appears, but which is crossed by copper lines to make connections. A thermal relief is used to dissipate heat during the soldering process. Through-Hole Via Normal via. Trace Code The system provides 32 trace codes, each with a width and clearance. “Clearance”...
Page 275: Index
7-10 autoplacer about, 7-2 autoplacing parts, 7-2 Autoroute menu items, 7-1 autorouter about, 7-6 autosaving, 1-13 © National Instruments Corporation backannotation, 8-6 Bill of Materials exporting, 8-12 birds eye view, 1-28 block capacitor placement, 7-2 board adding layers, 1-24...
Page 276 Index color controlling, 1-15 mechanical CAD design, 10-3 schemes, setting up, 1-15 configuration files back-up, B-2 connection machine trace custom routing, 5-4 placing, 5-4 using, 5-4 Connectivity check, A-14 Connectivity tab, 1-32 connectors placing, 4-21 conventions used in the manual, vi copper deleting, 5-12 sharing, 7-7...
Page 277 4-21 Enter coordinate dialog, 3-9 equi-space traces, 5-9 examples (NI resources), C-1 Exit command, A-3 export properties, 8-10 © National Instruments Corporation settings, 8-9 Export command, A-2 Fanout Options dialog, 5-18 fiducial marks, 1-15 file export properties, 8-10 export settings, 8-9...
Page 278 10-4 mechanical CAD design creating, 10-2 importing DXF file, 10-3 mechanical CAD files creating, 10-1 mitering corners, 8-6 modes, 2-8 mounting holes placing, 4-21 multi-layered boards, 3-1 National Instruments support and services, C-1 NC drill properties, 8-11 ni.com...
Page 279 Orientation command, A-6, A-23 pads deleting from net, 5-26 Part Wizard using, 4-36 parts © National Instruments Corporation adding to database from design, 4-45 adding to database using command, 4-45 adding to database using Database Manager, 4-45 aligning, 1-8, 4-11...
Page 280 Index PCB Differential Impedance Calculator, 6-7 PCB Properties Board Default tab, 1-25 PCB Transmission Line Calculator, 6-1 pin type test point, 4-25 Place toolbar, 1-9 placement strategies, 7-5 placing a comment, 8-3 placing powerplanes, 5-11 Placing SMD Fanouts, 5-18 placing traces, 5-1 placing vias, 5-15 polygon editing, 4-30...
Page 281 8-1 through hole pin properties, 4-31 tolerance oversize value, 1-24 Tool-tip label, 2-11 trace deleting open ends, 8-8 © National Instruments Corporation trace ends, deleting open, 8-8 trace hugging, 7-7 trace spacing equi-space, 5-9 traces deleting, 5-9 training and certification (NI resources), C-1...

National Instruments Graphical User Interface Ultiboard User Manual

Chapter 1 User Interface

Chapter 2 Beginning a Design

Chapter 3 Setting up a Design

Chapter 4 Working with Parts

Chapter 5 Working with Traces and Copper

Chapter 6 PCB Calculators

Chapter 7 Autorouting and Autoplacement

Chapter 8 Preparing for Manufacturing/Assembly

Chapter 9 Viewing Designs in 3D

Chapter 10 Using Mechanical CAD

Appendix A Menus and Commands

Quick Links

Need help?

Questions and answers

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Summary of Contents for National Instruments Graphical User Interface Ultiboard