PollEx Introduction

 

PollEx software suite consists of several modules – PollEx PCB, PollEx Loigc, PollEx CAM, PollEx CP(Cross Probe), PollEx DFM and more modules under development. Each module has its unique features. However, combination of several modules are frequently employed for a complete design review and validation. PollEx can access ASCII format files of various ECAD design or graphics database and in some cases can directly launch the internal utilities of ECAD tools to extract the ASCII files for the convenience of users.

 

1. PollEx PCB

 

PollEx PCB is used for viewing and validating PCB design data. Compared to ECAD design software PollEx PCB allows users to explore the design files in much easier ways with much less cost. PollEx PCB does not require a special user training. It is so intuitive that even novice users of design software can easily handle various types of ECAD design data.

 

PollEx PCB can handle most of the major ECAD data formats including:

        Cadence/Allegro

        Cadence/Specctra

        Mentor Graphics/Board Station

        Zuken/CR5000 Board Designer

        Zuken/CR3000(5000) PWS

        Altium/PCAD

        PADS/PowerPCB

        GenRAD/GenCAD

        ODB++ (not implemented yet)

        Gerber

        AutoCAD/DXF

 

In adition to the design viewing capabilities many PollEx PCB features can be effectively used for managing PCB design objects, easy documentation, marking up and redlining, and analyzing the routed geometries.

 

Viewing Design Files

Users can easily view the design data by reading in ASCII format design files. Various viewing options such as zoom in/out, window zoom, and panning with mouse scroll/keyboard or shot key are supported. For any design file, users can view the physical, artwork or combined layers. Additionally it supports “picking” used for finding out the properties of various objects and “measuring” used for checking the shape sizes or distances between target objects.

Easy and intuitive layer control in PollEx PCB

Complex copper shape handling in PollEx PCB

Managing Libraries of Parts/Padstacks and Vias/Traces

PollEx PCB shows all parts, padstacks, vias and routed traces in the board design with the use of Part Viewer, Padstack(Via) Viewer and Net 2D(3D) Viewer. Particularly Net 2D(3D) Viewer can display the 3-dimensional shape of routed geometries of single or multiple nets. Thus, this software can be effectively utilized for checking physical connection shapes of pins, vias and routed traces. It is a powerful tool for viewing boards with blind or buried vias.

 

PollEx PCB librarian for part/padstack/routed nets

Documentation Features

By just clicking a few buttons, users can obtain necessary documents related to the board design. Users can get documents such as a BOM within 30 seconds with a simple operation. Since PollEx PCB shares its image data buffer with other common Windows applications, users can choose an area, do copy and paste the image to certain Windows applications such as MS Office or other domentation tools.

Mark up and Data transmission in Compact Size

Using PollEx users can easily transmit the design data to their colleagues or other companies in much smaller size than the original design data. PollEx PCB saves the design data into its binary file which is 10 times smaller than the original design file. Users can also attach comments to the file when it is transmitted to other places.

Net Analyzer with Net 2D/3D Viewer

For logic engineers and CAE engineers, PollEx PCB provides easy to use net analysis tools including Net Analyzer, Net Length Checker, 2D/3D Net Viewer, Net Topology Viewer, Composite Net Constructor and other useful utilities.  With few button clicks, users can get necessary documents from the net analysis.

 

2. PollEx Logic

 

PollEx Logic is used for viewing and validating logic design data. With the use of PollEx Logic, users can explore logic design file and detect matching and missing objects between the logic and PCB data through PollEx CP(Cross Probe). Sheets of schematic designs are shown in PollEx Logic like sheets shown in Mircrosoft Excel. Blocks in each sheet can keep their detailed schematics in separate sheets. The same easy documentation functions in PollEx PCB are also available in PollEx Logic.

 

Logic Design Data Formats Supported by PollEx Logic

        EDIF2.0 (from All EDA vendors)

        Zuken/System Designer

Image clipping in PollEx Logic

 

3. PollEx CAM

 

PollEx CAM is used for viewing Gerber data. It can read in Gerber 274X/274D format and export them to 274X format. It can also compare two Gerber files to find out the differences. With the use of its drag and drop features, users can easily set priorities for viewing the layers.

 

Automatic Aperture Setup and Unnecessary File Identification

PollEx CAM automatically recognizes Gerber 274D format and identifies files to be discarded when it reads in Gerber files.

 

Exporting 274X Format

After reading in 274D format data, PollEx CAM can generate 274X format Gerber files.

 

Comparing Two Layers

After importing multiple layers in Gerber file, PollEx CAM can compare two layers and mark up the differences in two different ways, showing only the differences and showing in different colors.

PollEx CAM  layer comparison (differences/distinct colors)

 

4. PollEx CP(Cross Probe)

 

PollEx Cross Probe is used to compare data of two PCBs or PCB, Logic and BOM data and display the results. Users can save the results in various form of documents.

Although PollEx CP is a separate module, it requires other PollEx modules depending on its usages.

 

Comparing Data of Same Type

Can check the differences between different versions of design data. Users can control the checking level of component information details. For example, checking the differences of component silkscreen shapes results in a much longer run time.

Comparing Data of Different Types

Can check the differences and find out matching objects among PCB, Logic and BOM data.

Compare PCB data with logic data and export to MS Excel sheet

 

5. PollEx DFM(Design for Manufacturability)

 

Utilizing PollEx PCB data, PollEx software suite provides various functionalities to users. With the use of PollEx DFM users can detect design defects causing manufacturing problems prior to the manufacturing. If users have their own rules to check, PollEx DFM can include them in its built-in functions.

 

Various Checking Items Supported by PollEx DFM

        Component (boundary, clinch space, first pin mark, BGA properties, IC visual mark, silk, center mark)

        Placement (component count on specific side, placement direction, placement area, prohibited component,

                         component  on component)

        Board (contour space, board to board space, fiducial mark, solder guide hole, solder guide line, cutting region)

        Pad (through-hole on pad, solder resist, silk on pad, dummy pad, via space)

        Miscellaneous (tooling, BGA underfill, ground wall, test point, LED, etc.)

Various checking items in PollEx DFM
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