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| EXAMINATION QUESTION - PCB CONVERSION |
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| V. Ryan © 2006-2022 |
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| An example of CAD (Computer Aided Design) is seen
below. The software called ‘Crocodile Technology’ is used to design
circuits on the screen of a computer rather than by making prototypes. |
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| 1. What is the advantage of using
modelling software compared to making a prototype circuit? |
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| POSSIBLE ANSWER |
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| The software can be used quite quickly and components
arranged and moved around the screen through the use of a mouse. When
the circuit is finished it can be tested on screen. Faults can be
corrected easily, components deleted and replaced. This saves time and
money as the real circuit is not made until the computer versions works
and real, costly components are not wasted. |
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| 2. Symbols of electronic components
are seen on the left hand side of the screen (above). What are they used
for? |
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| POSSIBLE ANSWER |
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| The symbols of components seen at the side of the
screen can be dragged into the main screen area and arranged to form a
circuit. |
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| 3. When a PCB is
being produced/manufactured the circuit is designed on computer software
such as Crocodile Technology and then exported to a second piece of
software such as ‘Real PCB’. This second software converts the circuit
diagram into a circuit mask. What is AUTO-ROUTING? |
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| POSSIBLE ANSWER |
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| When the circuit diagram is being converted into a
circuit mask, the tracks between the components are automatically routed
by the computer software. The circuit designer does not have to plan and
draw each track by hand. This is called auto-routing. |
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