Method to perform thermal simulation of an electronic circuit on a network

[0001] The present invention relates to software, and more particularly to identifying, ordering, and performing thermal simulations of electronic circuits over a network.

[0002] Many times when a user requires a circuit, the user frequently knows little more than the requirements that the circuit must satisfy. To obtain the desired circuit, the user may provide a list of the requirements to a business that is knowledgeable about those types of circuits, how to design them, and where to obtain the components to fabricate them. The business may then construct and supply the user with the circuit. The business may have a significant price mark up for these services.

[0003] To avoid having to pay the marked up prices, the user may attempt to become educated on circuit design, obtain parts catalogs from circuit component suppliers, and fabricate the circuit. However, the effort and cost required to gain the requisite education and knowledge may not be worthwhile. To reduce the effort required to perform some of these tasks, the user may obtain and install specialized client-side tools, such as the Switchers Made Simple software product available from National Semiconductor Corporation. While such tools may assist in the circuit design and component selection tasks, the user must still go through the manual process of placing orders for the components. Further, given the rapidity with which circuit component manufacturers change their product lines, the component information used by the specialized client-side software will quickly become outdated unless frequently updated. The inconvenience of having to obtain, install, and keep such specialized software updated does not make this the solution ideal.

[0004] Additionally, even after a working circuit is designed, the circuit may have thermal characteristics that limit its performance. Thermal characteristics affect the operating characteristics of the circuit and the thermal behavior of a circuit may be affected by the layout of the components on a board. For example, if components are located close together on a board, they may overheat, and if a component in a circuit becomes too hot its lifespan may become limited. A separate thermal simulation may be conducted to observe the thermal behavior of the circuit but this may be costly and time intensive. A user might also have to become familiar with the operating characteristics of each component, as well as the interaction between the components. This often is not practicable.

[0005] The present invention is directed at providing a network tool that allows a user to input their design criteria, select circuit parts based on their design, create an electronic circuit design based around the selected parts, conduct thermal simulations of the design, and order components, a kit, or a completed board for the design.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, techniques are provided for designing a circuit that satisfies user-specified functional requirements received over a network. Based on the specified requirements, components and a topology for constructing the circuit are automatically determined. The components determined during this operation have operational values such that, when the components are arranged according to the topology to form the circuit, the circuit satisfies the user-specified functional requirements. One or more web pages that identify the components are then delivered over the network.

[0007] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the user may thermally simulate the designed circuit. Many characteristics of the board may be adjusted to provide an accurate thermal simulation.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the component and topology information may be used to generate a schematic diagram that is delivered in a web page to the user over the network.

[0009] According to still yet another aspect of the invention, the user may place an order over the network for one of the components, a kit of all of the components, a custom made circuit made from the components, and/or a prefabricated circuit that is functionally similar to the one that was designed.

[0031] In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanied drawings, which form a part hereof, and which is shown by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments of which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

System Overview

[0032] FIGS. 1–3 illustrate an exemplary environment for practicing the invention. Aspects of the present invention are embodied in a World Wide Web (WWW) site accessible via the Internet according to one embodiment of the invention. Generally, the term “Internet” refers to the worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”) suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, including thousands of commercial, government, educational, and other computer systems, that route data and messages. A representative section of the Internet 100 is shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a plurality of local area networks (“LANs”) 120_a-d and wide area network (“WAN”) 130 interconnected by routers 110. Routers 110 are intermediary devices on a communications network that expedite message delivery. On a single network linking many computers through a mesh of possible connections, a router receives transmitted messages and forwards them to their correct destinations over available routes. On an interconnected set of LANs—including those based on differing architectures and protocols—, a router acts as a link between LANs, enabling messages to be sent from one to another. Communication links within LANs typically include twisted wire pair or coaxial cable, while communication links between networks may utilize analog telephone lines, full or fractional dedicated digital lines including T1, T2, T3, and T4, Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), wireless links including satellite links, or other communications links known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, computers, such as remote computer 140, and other related electronic devices can be remotely connected to either LANs 120 or WAN 130 via a modem and temporary telephone link. A remote computer may act in a number of ways, including as a WWW server as described in FIG. 2 or a client computer as described in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that the Internet 100 comprises a vast number of such interconnected networks, computers, and routers and that only a small, representative section of the Internet 100 is shown in FIG. 1.

[0034] The media used to transmit information in communication links as described above illustrates one type of computer-readable media, namely communication media. Generally, computer-readable media includes any media that can be accessed by a computing device. Computer-readable media may include computer storage media, communication media, or any combination thereof.

[0035] Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, communication media includes wired media such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, fiber optics, wave guides, and other wired media and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. The Internet 100 may include networks constructed from, coupled to, or connected with any type or combination of communication media.

[0036] The Internet has recently seen explosive growth by virtue of its ability to link computers located throughout the world. As the Internet has grown, so has the WWW. Generally, the WWW is the total set of interlinked hypertext documents residing on HTTP servers around the world. Documents on the WWW, called pages or Web pages, are typically written in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or some other markup language, identified by URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) that specify the particular machine and pathname by which a file can be accessed, and transmitted from server to end user using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Codes, called tags, embedded in an HTML document associate particular words and images in the document with URLs so that a user can access another file, which may literally be halfway around the world, at the press of a key or the click of a mouse. These files may contain text (in a variety of fonts and styles), graphics images, movie files, media clips, and sounds as well as Java applets, ActiveX controls, or other embedded software programs that execute when the user activates them. A user visiting a Web page also may be able to download files from an FTP site and send messages to other users via e-mail by using links on the Web page.

[0037] A WWW server is a computer connected to the Internet having storage facilities for storing hypertext documents for a WWW site and running administrative software for handling requests for the stored hypertext documents. A hypertext document normally includes a number of hyperlinks, i.e., highlighted portions of text which link the document to another hypertext document possibly stored at a WWW site elsewhere on the Internet. Each hyperlink is associated with a URL that provides the location of the linked document on a server connected to the Internet and describes the document. Thus, whenever a hypertext document is retrieved from any WWW server, the document is considered to be retrieved from the WWW. As is known to those skilled in the art, a WWW server may also include facilities for storing and transmitting application programs, such as application programs written in the JAVA programming language from Sun Microsystems, for execution on a remote computer. Likewise, a WWW server may also include facilities for executing scripts and other application programs on the WWW server itself.

[0038] A user may retrieve hypertext documents from the WWW via a WWW browser application program. A WWW browser, such as Netscape's NAVIGATOR® or Microsoft's INTERNET EXPLORER®, is a software application program for providing a graphical user interface to the WWW. Upon request from the user via the WWW browser, the WWW browser accesses and retrieves the desired hypertext document from the appropriate WWW server using the URL for the document and HTTP. HTTP is a higher-level protocol than TCP/IP and is designed specifically for the requirements of the WWW. HTTP is used to carry requests from a browser to a Web server and to transport pages from Web servers back to the requesting browser or client. The WWW browser may also retrieve application programs from the WWW server, such as JAVA applets, for execution on a client computer.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary WWW server 200 that is operative to provide a WWW site. Accordingly, WWW server 200 transmits WWW pages to the WWW browser application program executing on client computer 300 (FIG. 3) to carry out this process. For instance, WWW server 200 may transmit pages and forms for receiving information about a user, such as address, telephone number, billing information, credit card number, etc. Moreover, WWW server 200 may transmit WWW pages to client computer 300 that allow a consumer to participate in a WWW site. The transactions may take place over the Internet 100 or some other communications network known to those skilled in the art.

[0040] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the WWW server 200 may include many more components than those shown in FIG. 2. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, WWW server 200 is connected to Internet 100, or other communications network, via network interface unit 210. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that network interface unit 210 includes the necessary circuitry for connecting WWW server 200 to Internet 100, and is constructed for use with various communication protocols including the TCP/IP protocol. Typically, network interface unit 210 is a card contained within WWW server 200.

[0041] WWW server 200 also includes processing unit 212, video display adapter 214, and a mass memory, all connected via bus 222. The mass memory generally includes RAM 216, ROM 232, and one or more permanent mass storage devices, such as hard disk drive 228, tape drive, optical drive 226, and/or floppy disk drive. The mass memory stores operating system 220 for controlling the operation of WWW server 200. It will be appreciated that this component may comprise a general purpose server operating system as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as UNIX, LINUX™, or Microsoft WINDOWS NT®. Basic input/output system (“BIOS”) 232 is also provided for controlling the low-level operation of WWW server 200.

[0042] The mass memory as described above illustrates another type of computer-readable media, namely computer storage media. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Examples of computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computing device.

[0043] The mass memory also stores program code and data for providing a WWW site. More specifically, the mass memory stores applications including WWW server application program 230. WWW server application program 230 includes computer executable instructions which, when executed by WWW server computer 200, generate WWW browser displays, including performing the logic described above. WWW server 200 also has functional modules 234, which perform logical operations as described below. WWW server application program 230 may also create and transmit displays described in conjunction with FIGS. 4–15. WWW server 200 may also include a JAVA virtual machine, an SMTP handler application for transmitting and receiving e-mail, an HTTP handler application for receiving and handing HTTP requests, JAVA applets for transmission to a WWW browser executing on a client computer, and an HTTPS handler application for handling secure connections. The HTTPS handler application may initiate communication with an external security application or a credit card processing application for communicating with remote financial institutions in a secure fashion.

[0044] WWW server 200 also comprises input/output interface 224 for communicating with external devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, scanner, or other input devices not shown in FIG. 2. Likewise, WWW server 200 may further comprise additional mass storage facilities such as CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive 226 and hard disk drive 228. Hard disk drive 228 is utilized by WWW server 200 to store, among other things, application programs, databases, and program data used by WWW server application 230. For example, customer databases, product databases, image databases, and relational databases may be stored. The operation and implementation of these databases is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0045] FIG. 3 depicts several components of client computer 300. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that client computer 300 may include many more components than those shown in FIG. 3. However, it is not necessary that those generally conventional components be shown in order to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, client computer 300 includes network interface unit 302 for connecting to a LAN or WAN, or for connecting remotely to a LAN or WAN. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that network interface unit 302 includes the necessary circuitry for such a connection, and is also constructed for use with various communication protocols including the TCP/IP protocol, the particular network configuration of the LAN or WAN it is connecting to, and a particular type of coupling medium. Network interface unit 302 may also be capable of connecting to the Internet through a point-to-point protocol (“PPP”) connection or a serial line Internet protocol (“SLIP”) connection as known to those skilled in the art.

[0046] Client computer 300 also includes BIOS 326, central processing unit 306, video display adapter 308, and memory. The memory generally includes random access memory (“RAM”) 310, read-only memory (“ROM”) 304 and a permanent mass storage device, such as a disk drive. The memory stores operating system 312 and programs 334 for controlling the operation of client computer 300. Programs 334 may include programs described in conjunction with circuit design and ordering. The memory also includes WWW browser 314, such as Netscape's NAVIGATOR® or Microsoft's INTERNET EXPLORER® browsers, for accessing the WWW. It will be appreciated that these components may be stored on a computer-readable medium and loaded into memory of client computer 300 using a drive mechanism associated with the computer-readable medium, such as a floppy drive (not shown), optical drive 316 or some other optical drive, or hard drive 318. Input/output interface 320 may also be provided for receiving input from a mouse, keyboard, or other input device. The memory, network interface unit 302, video display adapter 308, and input/output interface 320 are all connected to central processing unit 306 via bus 322. Other peripherals may also be connected to central processing unit 306 in a similar manner.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram that gives an overview of functional modules 234 used to implement the techniques described hereafter. Functional modules 234 (FIG. 2) include numerous functional modules. Referring to FIG. 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the modules 400 include a requirements form module 410, a component determination module 412, a circuit design module 414, a schematic design generation module 416, a thermal simulation module 422, and a component acquisition module 424. The functions of each of these modules shall be described in greater detail hereafter.

Functional Overview

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided by which users, with no or little special client-side software, and little or no knowledge of available circuit components, can easily and efficiently create, test, and order circuits and components that satisfy their functional requirements. According to one embodiment of the invention, the user is presented with a series of web pages to achieve this result.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows an overview flow diagram illustrating general steps of the process. After a start block, the logical flow moves to a block 510 where the user chooses a part or inputs their system specifications to find those parts that fit (See FIG. 7 and related discussion). Moving to a block 520, a design is created that includes the components and calculated operating values for the part (See FIG. 8 and related discussion). Transitioning to a block 530, the design may be analyzed. The design may be analyzed using an online thermal simulator to visualize and obtain the thermal behavior of the design. Stepping to a block 540, the components for the design may be ordered. A part, a kit of parts, or an evaluation board may be ordered

[0050] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary web page for starting the process. The web page illustrated contains text 610 that explains the four general steps of the process to the user, and contains links to web pages for “Choose a Part” 620, “Create a Design” 630, “Analyze a Design” 640, and “Build It” 650 that contain more information relating to the four general steps. The page contains links to the user's recent designs 660, a “MyDesigns” link 670 to all of the user's designs, as well as a link to electrical simulations 680, thermal simulations 690, and the user's “BuildIt” orders 695.

[0051] When the user desires to start the process the user may select the START HERE link 605. It should be noted that many of the links and buttons “to web pages” are actually links that result in the execution of software modules which produce, as output, the web pages that are delivered to the user. Selecting START HERE link 605 directs the user to the web page as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Suggesting Components Based on User-Specified Requirements

[0052] For the purpose of explanation only, it shall be assumed that a user desires to create a power supply. Accordingly, the user selects START HERE LINK 605 shown in FIG. 6. While the techniques described herein shall be described in the context of designing, simulating, and ordering parts for a power supply circuit, the techniques are not limited to any particular type of circuit.

[0053] According to one embodiment, a web server, such as web server 200 (FIG. 2) responds to selection of START HERE link 605 by invoking the requirements form module 410. The requirements form module 410 provides one or more “requirements” web pages to client computer 300. The requirements web pages allow the user of the client to specify requirements for a circuit.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary requirements web page for receiving the requirement information from a user for a power supply circuit. The illustrated requirements page includes user interface controls for specifying minimum and maximum input voltages (controls 702), and an output voltage and amperage (controls 704). The requirements web page further includes controls 706 for additional requirements, such as whether the circuit requires an ON/OFF pin, an Error Flag, Sync Pin, or multiple output voltages and currents. Other requirements that may apply to a power circuit, for example, may include requirements associated with efficiency, frequency, and the like. It should be noted that the specific user interface controls presented by the requirements web pages will vary from implementation to implementation based on a variety of factors, including the type of circuit for which the requirements are being specified.

[0055] The requirements information entered by the user into the requirements web page may be transmitted back to the web server. The operation of sending the requirements information to the server may be initiated, for example, by the user selecting a particular control, such as button 708, on the requirements web page.

[0056] Based on the requirements information, a component determination module 412 determines the components that could be used to build a circuit that would satisfy the specified requirements, and generates one or more “suggested component” web pages. The process of determining the components that could satisfy the specified requirements may be implemented, for example, by applying filters to component data stored in a database. The filters may, for example, compare the values specified in the “output voltage” and “output current” fields of the requirements web page against values in corresponding columns of a “component” table in a database.

[0057] The process may also involve using values from the requirements information as input into formulas, where the output of the formulas is used to determine which components could satisfy the specified requirements. For example, assume that the user desires a boost regulator circuit. Integrated circuits used in boost regulators have a switch current rating. The switch current rating of each integrated circuit that can be used in a boost regulator may be stored in the record for that integrated circuit in a database. To determine which integrated circuit may be used, the input voltage, output voltage and output current specified in the requirements information are used to calculate a required switch current rating, and the required switch current rating is compared against the switch current ratings in the database to select those integrated circuits within the database that can satisfy the specified requirements.

[0058] FIG. 8 is an example of a suggested component web page generated in response to the requirements specified according to FIG. 7. In the present example, the suggested components fall into two categories: switching regulators for use in a Buck Topology, and switching regulators for use in a Flyback Topology. An understanding of the distinction between these categories of switching regulators is not important for the purpose of understanding the techniques described herein. However, such distinctions may be relevant to the user designing the power circuit. Therefore, component determination module 412 generates the suggested component web page in a manner that groups the suggested components into those and any other applicable categories.

[0059] Component determination module 412 further includes in the suggested component web page other information relevant to the user's selection of a component. In the illustrated embodiment, the other information includes the maximum current, the typical efficiency, whether the component has an ON/OFF pin or an Error pin, a field for “other features”, the frequency of the component and an estimated price of the component. Other information may be included in the display. For example, the number of components in stock and the physical size of the components may be displayed. Additionally, a diagram of the component may be shown.

[0060] In the illustrated implementation, the names of the suggested components are presented in the form of links. Selection of the link associated with a component results in the delivery of a “product folder”. According to one embodiment of the invention, the product folder is a web page that presents detailed information about a component. For example, selecting link 802 associated with the LM2679-ADJ component produces the product folder web page as shown in FIG. 9. The information and controls contained on the product folder web page of a component shall be described in greater detail hereafter.

[0061] The information contained in the suggested component web pages, and the product folders of the components listed in the suggested component web pages, satisfies only part of the users needs. In particular, the user is interested in creating an entire circuit that satisfies the specified requirements, and not merely in identifying a component that could be used in such a circuit. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the invention, the user is presented with a control for automatically generating the design of such a circuit using a component selected from the suggested component web pages.

[0062] A thermally enabled indicator 806 is displayed for those parts that are thermally enabled. This allows the user to quickly identify parts that may be simulated using the thermal simulation tool. A build it indicator 808 is displayed for those parts that may be purchased in a custom kit. In addition to the information currently displayed, other information may be displayed. For example, the total bill of materials (BOM) price may be displayed. This may be useful information to help the user decide which part to select. According to one embodiment of the invention, when the part is not thermally enabled, the user may supply the thermal requirements data for the component so that the component may be modeled.

Automatic Circuit Design

[0063] Referring again to FIG. 8, the listing for each component includes a field that contains a CREATE DESIGN button, such as CREATE DESIGN BUTTON 804, which, when selected, causes the automatic generation of a circuit design that uses the selected component, and satisfies the specified requirements that were initially entered by the user. For example, assume that the user determines, based on the information contained on the suggested components web page and, optionally, the more detailed information on product folder web pages, that the LM2679-ADJ component is the best of the suggested components for the user's purpose. The user may then select CREATE DESIGN BUTTON 804 associated with that component to cause generation of a power circuit that uses the LM2679-ADJ component, and satisfies the requirements specified on the requirements web page shown on FIG. 7.

[0064] According to one embodiment, selection of a create design button causes a message that indicates the requirement information and identifies the selected component to be sent to a circuit design module 414. In response, circuit design module 414 designs a circuit that uses the selected component and satisfies the specified requirements. Specifically, circuit design module 414 determines components that are utilized in the circuit in addition to the selected component, and how those components should be arranged to create the circuit (the circuit “topology”).

[0065] The circuit may contain many more components in addition to the selected IC component. Rules and mathematical formulas are used to select the optimal values for these additional components. These rules may be set up to optimize certain design criteria over another. For example, if the user desires to have minimal output voltage ripple, a larger output capacitor value may be chosen, but this may degrade the circuit's ability to respond to a sudden change in input voltage (transient response). Thus, the user may be given a choice to emphasize one design criteria over another.

[0066] One output of circuit design module 414 is a set of rules for the additional components in the circuit. For example, for a certain design the output capacitor must have a capacitance greater than or equal to 100 μF and an equivalent series resistance of less than or equal to 100 M_Ω. These rules are used to select alternate components if desired.

[0067] Various techniques may be used by circuit design module 414 to determine the topology of the circuit. For example, numerous topology “templates” may be stored on the server-side at a location accessible to circuit design module 414. Data may also be stored that associates general types of circuits with one or more of the topology templates. In an embodiment that uses topology templates, circuit design module 414 selects the topology template based on the type of circuit that is being designed, and then uses the selected topology template, the selected suggested component, and the requirements information to determine the other components required for the circuit.

[0068] According to one embodiment, circuit design module 414 transmits back to the user one or more components list web pages. The components list web pages identify the components that are included in the circuit designed by circuit design module 414 (referred to herein collectively as the “designed circuit components”). The designed circuit components thus include the selected component and the additional components determined by circuit design module 414.

[0069] For the purpose of illustration, it shall be assumed that the user selects the create design button associated with the LM2679-ADJ component.

Product Folder Web Pages

[0070] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary web page illustrating a product folder web page for the LM2679-ADJ component. In the illustrated embodiment, the product folder web page includes links 902 to related information relating to the component, including a General Description section, a Features section, an Applications section, a Datasheet section, a Package Availability, Models, Samples & Pricing section, and a design tools section. A parametric table 904 showing the operating parameters of the component is also displayed.

[0071] The General Description section includes a general description of the component. The Features section lists the features of the component. The Applications section lists applications in which the component is typically used. The Datasheet section contains links to view online or download the data sheets for the component.

[0072] The Package Availability, Models, Samples & Pricing section lists package types and other options available for the component, indicates the status, availability and price of the component for each option, and contains controls which, when selected initiate an operation for placing an order or sample for each option for the component.

[0073] The Design Tools section includes a link (not shown) to view online or download information about software tools that may be used to assist in designing circuits that use the component. Button 906 allows the user to go directly to WEBENCH if they got to the product folder first before entering WEBENCH.

Bill of Materials

[0074] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary bill of materials web page that indicates the components used in the circuit design generated by circuit design module 414. In addition to the selected LM2679-ADJ component, the bill of materials web page lists numerous other circuit components from a variety of manufacturers. If the user desires to substitute any of the designed circuit components listed in the bill of materials page for another component, the user may select the “select alternate part” button associated with that component. In response to selection of the “select alternate part” button associated with a component, the user is presented with a list of alternate components. Such substitutions may be desirable, for example, if the user desires components from a particular manufacturer. For example, suppose the user desires to select an alternate component for component part D1, the user selects button 1002. The alternate components for component part D1 are then displayed to the user (See FIG. 11 and related discussion).

[0075] The bill of materials page provides user interface controls 1004 allowing the user to edit the information stored about your simulation. All changes are stored automatically and associated with the user. File operation copy allows the user to create an identical design, which can then be altered for comparison. File operation rename allows the user to change the label on the current design. File operation add allows the user to add or edit notes stored with the design. File operation print allows the user to print a report of the design. XML file operation allows XML to be displayed. A web browser capable of displaying XML such as Internet Explorer 5.0, is used for this feature. Share this design file operation allows the design to be shared among colleagues. For example, the design engineer could share the design with other designers or with their supervisor.

[0076] A scale drawing of the top view of the components in the design is displayed if available. According to one embodiment, these drawing outlines are stored in a database on a web server. The drawings are in a color scheme similar to the actual colors of the components. This display allows the user to see the size of the components, which is often an important attribute to consider when creating a circuit design. If the component cannot be thermally simulated, the letter N is displayed instead of the scale drawing of the top view of the component. This allows the user to readily determine whether a component may be thermally simulated. In addition to the information shown, other information may be included. For example, the number of components in stock, the price, and the like may be shown.

Alternate Components

[0077] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary web page showing alternate components for a component. The user may select from a list of supplied alternate components or enter a custom component. Along with the alternate components, other information relating to the component is displayed to the user. For example, for the D1 component, the forward voltage drop, max rated current, max voltage rating, physical dimensions of the component, price, quantity available, as well as if the component is thermally modeled is displayed. The top view scaled drawing of thermally simulated components is shown. There is also an indicator (the letter N) to show if the alternate component cannot be thermally simulated. These features allow the user to view the size of alternate components and choose parts that may be simulated using the thermal simulator if so desired. On the alternate components screen, the user is allowed to manually enter the values for a component if desired. According to one embodiment of the invention, to allow a component to be thermally simulated, the user is given the option to enter simulation parameters including the x, y and z dimensions of the component, the package type of the component and a choice of a top view drawing to be used for the component.

[0078] The recommended limits for the important parameters for the component are displayed (1108, 1110, and 1112). These are determined by component determination module 412. This allows the user to better select an alternate component or enter custom values. As will be appreciated, other information may also be displayed to the user. According to one embodiment of the invention, when the user enters a custom component, the component cannot be thermally simulated. According to another embodiment of the invention, the user may enter the thermal parameters needed to simulate the component. According to this particular example, the user has selected alternate component 5 to replace component D1 shown in FIG. 10. Once the user has selected an alternate component, the user selects Update BOM button 1102 to incorporate the component into the design.

[0079] Referring again to FIG. 10, once the user has made any desired component substitutions, the user may select operating values control 1006 to obtain operating value information for the circuit created by circuit design module 414 using the parts listed in component lists page. FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate exemplary web pages showing the operating parameters for the circuit associated with the bill of materials of FIG. 10 including the changed D1 component. From either the components list web page or the operating values web page, the user may select “schematic” control 1008 to cause a schematic diagram of the circuit to be generated.

[0080] In response to selection of schematic control 1008, one or more messages identifying the designed circuit components, as well as the topology data for the generated circuit, are sent to a schematic diagram generation module 416. The schematic diagram generation module 416 generates one or more web pages that include a schematic diagram of the circuit, and delivers the schematic web pages to the user.

Operating Values

[0081] FIGS. 12A and 12B show exemplary web pages illustrating operating values of a circuit. The operating values provide the user with the results of calculations for the power supply design. These calculations may then be used in the selection of the design components, and are reported to give the user an estimate of the circuit performance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the operating values are updated when the user changes the components. For example, when the user selects an alternate component the operating values change. Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the operative values provide the Pulse Width Modulation frequency, continuous or discontinuous conduction mode, and total output power. The operating values also provide the user with a current analysis, power dissipation analysis, and a description of several values at the operating voltage and current of the circuit. The user can also enter a different value for the operating voltage and operating current then recalculate the operating values based on these inputs.

Schematic Diagram Generation

[0082] Referring to FIG. 13, an exemplary schematic diagram web page is illustrated that may be generated and delivered to a user in response to user selection of schematic button 1008, or by clicking link 1012, or by selecting button 1014 which goes to another page that allows access to the to the electrical simulator. (See FIG. 10). The schematic diagram includes the components identified in the components list page arranged in a circuit that satisfies the requirements specified by the user. According to one embodiment, the schematic diagram generation module 416 used to generate the schematic web pages is the WebSIM module available from Transim, Inc. The specific features of the WebSIM module are beyond the scope of the present invention, and therefore shall not be described in detail.

[0083] While the illustrated embodiment uses the WebSIM module for generating schematic diagram web pages, the present invention is not limited to any particular schematic diagram generation module 416. Any module capable of generating a schematic diagram based on a list of components and schematic information may be used.

Thermal Simulation

[0084] The user may select a control from one of the previous exemplary web pages to create a thermal simulation. For example, the user may select link 1010 (FIG. 10) or button 1014 (FIG. 10), which takes the user to another page that allows selection of the thermal simulator. The user may elect to perform a thermal simulation at any time during the process after the user has chosen the components for the circuit.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 14, an exemplary web page is displayed which lists instructions to conduct the thermal simulation. The web page includes a list with links 1510 to any previous thermal simulations that have been performed for the current design. Link 1520 provides access to all thermal simulations conducted by the user for all designs. To start a new thermal simulation of the circuit the user selects the Start a new WEBTHERM simulation link 1530. Selecting link 1530 directs thermal simulation module 422 to display a thermal simulation setup web page.

[0086] FIGS. 15A and 15B show an exemplary web screen illustrating setup of thermal simulation of the circuit designed according to the user's requirements. The thermal simulation helps the user to identify heat problems on the printed circuit board early on in the design process and correct the issues before the board goes into production. This can save a lot of time and avoid costly quality accidents.

[0087] Briefly described, the thermal tool simulates the thermal behavior of an electronic printed circuit board having components. The thermal simulator uses validated thermal models for the components and the reference PCB. According to one embodiment of the invention, thermal simulation module 422 used to conduct the thermal simulations is WebTHERM module provided by Flomerics, Inc. The user defines the environment, and the problem is solved using the thermal simulator's conduction, radiation and convection solver. According to one embodiment of the invention, the output of the thermal simulation is a color plot of the PC board under the design's steady state electrical load conditions. No special hardware is required to run the thermal simulation. Instead, the user views the thermal simulation in the web browser. Designers may seamlessly qualify their designs from a thermal and electrical standpoint. Integration of these tasks over a network is a major improvement in design accuracy and can save a significant amount of time in the design cycle.

[0088] When the new simulation button (link 1530 as shown in FIG. 14) is selected, a screen appears with a drawing of the printed circuit board layout 1610 for the design, and areas that allow the user to specify options for thermal simulation. A picture of the physical layout of the PC board appears in the user's web browser, showing the placement of each component and the copper routing. There are controls for adjusting characteristics for the thermal simulation, including controls for the board orientation, edge temperature and airflow direction and speed, copper thickness, operating input voltage and operating output current, and board orientation, which allow the user to adjust parameters for the simulation.

[0089] Printed circuit board display 1610 consists of copper interconnect lines 1615 and top view drawings 1620 of the various components for the design which are placed in the appropriate positions on PCB 1625. These components may include parts from many different sources. According to other embodiments, the board and components may be displayed differently. For example, a three-dimensional representation of the board may be displayed to the user.

[0090] According to another embodiment of the invention, the user may specify alternate locations for the components on the PCB or alternate copper interconnect lines or routing of the lines. Additionally, the user may click on a select alternate components button for a given component directly from the screen. The user may then select alternate components to replace the selected component or obtain additional information about these components. The user could also manually enter the component's values in a custom component input box.

[0091] According to another embodiment, the user may move the components on the PCB. According to one embodiment, the user is limited to moving the components within specified regions of the PCB to help ensure assure that the electrical connections are maintained. This allows the user to move the components farther apart or closer together which is an important factor affecting the temperature of the board and components.

[0092] According to yet another embodiment, the user may change the location and size of the copper areas on the board by clicking on a copper shape, which brings up controls to change the size and/or move the copper shape. Changing the copper area on the board affects the thermal characteristics of the design.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 15A and 15B, temperature characteristics of the circuit may be specified by the user. For example, the edge temperature of the board may be specified as insulated or a specific temperature. These characteristics are specified in input boxes 1630, 1635, 1640, and 1645 adjacent to the corresponding edges of PCB 1625. The input boxes have a check box to specify insulated and another input box that allows the user to enter the edge temperature. According to one embodiment, when the user checks insulated, the edge temperature changes to N/A or dims out. If the user enters a specific temperature, the insulated check box is automatically unchecked.

[0094] Controls 1650 allow the user to specify the ambient temperature around the top (component) side and bottom side of the board. Controls (not shown) may be provided to specify the ambient temperature at different locations of the board. Airflow controls 1655 allow the speed and direction of the airflow to be specified. According to one embodiment, the direction of airflow is specified by clicking on a radio button in an array of radio buttons surrounding a picture of a board. The radio button clicked specifies which side of the board the airflow comes from. According to one embodiment, the airflow may be adjusted to come from any point, or points, from around the board.

[0095] Simulation ID input box 1660 allows the user to enter a text name for the simulation. The user may also enter comments about the simulation in comments input box 1665.

[0096] Control 1680 allows the user to change the copper weight of the board.

[0097] After entering the desired parameters for simulation, the user submits the simulation job to thermal simulation module 422 by selecting submit button 1670. A status screen then appears to allow the user to check the simulation progress. A simulation typically takes two to three minutes to complete, excluding queue time. This time varies according to many different factors, including: complexity of simulation, demand on server, network conditions, and the like.

[0098] FIGS. 16–18 illustrate exemplary simulation status screens. After the user submits the simulation, the simulation status screen appears. The status of all the simulations is indicated in a table along with the time at which that status began. The status is “queued” (See FIG. 16), “processing” (See FIG. 17) or “completed” (See FIG. 18). At any point during the simulation, the user may select refresh button 1710 to update the status of the simulation. When a simulation is completed, the user may click on the appropriate simulation link in the table to view the results. After the simulation is complete, the user can view the result, a full color plot of the temperature across the board (See FIG. 19 and related discussion). The temperature of each component is also listed in an accompanying table. If desired, the user can adjust parameters and resubmit the job for simulation.

[0099] FIGS. 19A and 19B show an exemplary result of a thermal simulation. The simulation results image 2010 shows outlines of the PCB copper interconnect and components and is labeled with the names of interconnect traces and component names. Superimposed on top of the PCB copper interconnect and components is a color plot of the temperatures across the board. The color of a specific region indicates the temperature of that region. For example, variations of red may indicate hotter temperatures, while variations of blue may indicate colder temperatures. Many coloring schemes may be chosen to indicate temperature differences. All that is required is that the user be able to differentiate between areas on the board that are above a user's desired operating temperatures. According to one embodiment of the invention, the user may select the range of temperature to view. For some parts, the top surface temperature is plotted. For instance, the temperature of the top surface for passive components and the board is plotted. The temperature of an internal part, such as the die, of each component may also be plotted, since this temperature is usually the hottest part of the component. This temperature may be represented by a square or rectangle plotted within the component. The size of this square or rectangle does not have to be to scale if it is desired to conceal the die size or other internal part from the user. A scale 2020 next to the plot indicates the temperatures corresponding to the colors. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure, other surfaces of the components may be plotted. For example, a three-dimensional plot of the PCB board and components may be shown.

[0100] The names of each component and the numeric temperatures of each component are indicated in table 2030. The temperatures of the component may be the maximum temperature or other critical temperature such as the die temperature. The user is given the option to rescale the maximum and minimum temperatures represented in the plot of the results. This is specified in entry boxes 2040 that allow the user to enter the minimum and maximum temperatures. According to one embodiment, the user clicks on a link to initiate the rescaling process. The rescaling may also automatically be done after entering a new value into entry boxes 2040. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, in light of the present disclosure, that the same simulation parameter displays are shown on this screen as were shown on the initial simulation launch screen. This allows the user to review the parameter values that were used in the simulation. The user may also change the parameter values and launch a new simulation from this screen. For example, suppose the user determines that the IC should only reach a maximum temperature of 130 degrees centigrade. Accordingly, the user may determine that a fan is required for the design. Suppose the user selects a fan having a velocity of 400 LFM coming from the edge closest to the IC. The user selects submit button 2050 after entering the changes to run a new thermal simulation with the changed parameters.

[0101] FIGS. 20A and 20B show an exemplary web page illustrating the results of the thermal simulation with the changed parameters. As can be seen by referring to FIG. 20A, the temperature of the D1-diode has dropped from 188° C. without a fan to 128° C. with the use of a fan. Once the user is satisfied with the thermal properties of the circuit, the user may order the components or kit to construct the circuit.

Building the Circuit

[0102] According to one embodiment, one or more of the web pages provided to the user include a control which, when selected, invokes component acquisition module 424. The component acquisition module 424, in turn, provides one or more component acquisition web pages to the user. The component acquisition web pages include information and/or controls for ordering the components from which the generated circuit is constructed.

[0103] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, a “Build It” link button 2060 (See FIG. 19A) is provided which, when selected, provides component acquisition web pages to the user. The component acquisition web page presented to the user in response to selection of build it button 2110 may, for example, contain the information shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B.

[0104] FIGS. 21A and 21B show an exemplary BUILD IT web page. The build it page includes a bill of materials section that identifies the list of the parts used in the circuit. A user can check to see if the parts are in stock and get pricing information for the components. Graphical representations of the components are also included in the bill of materials if they are available.

[0105] Selecting button 2220 on the BUILD IT page allows the user to view an assembly diagram document for the board that shows the locations of all the components and gives assembly and soldering instructions. This document may also be e-mailed to the user or made downloadable to the user in various formats.

[0106] FIGS. 22A–22E illustrate an exemplary assembly diagram document according to one embodiment of the invention. The assembly diagram document includes an assembly diagram, bill of materials, an electrical schematic, topside and bottom side copper lay out diagrams, and instructions for building and testing the power supply. The assembly diagram also includes buttons allowing the user to download the board layout or schematic in Protel format, and the Gerber file for making the board. The information contained within the assembly diagram is automatically created by the system.

[0107] Referring again to FIG. 21A, the user may select documentation relating to the circuit by selecting documentation button 2210.

[0108] FIG. 23 shows an exemplary documentation page provided to the user after selecting documentation button 2210. From the Design Doc link the user may obtain the previously described assembly document. Also, by clicking link 2440, the full documentation of the design (Design Document) including the specifications, operating values and thermal simulation results can be obtained. A detailed summary of the integrated circuit with links to the datasheet and application notes is available by selecting the Product Folder button 2420 associated with the selected IC. Downloadable schematics, layout and Gerber files are also available. This enables the user to easily integrate the design into the user's local CAD environment. According to one embodiment of the invention, the schematic and layout files are in Protel format. According to other embodiments of the invention, other layout formats may be provided. The Gerber file is for the custom board used for this design.

[0109] FIGS. 24A–24D illustrate an exemplary design document, according to one embodiment of the invention. The design document includes many sections, including: an introduction; design specifications; schematic; operating values; information on the selected IC; a bill of materials; thermal simulation results; BuildIt! Information; and appendices including additional information, such as the number of thermal simulations performed on the design.

[0110] Returning to FIGS. 21A and 21B, when the user is has completed reviewing the bill of materials and other information, the user may click on the Order this Kit button 2230 to order the kit. According to one embodiment, the party that would handle the order of a single component would be the manufacturer or distributor of the component. However, the party that handles the “kit” order may be a third party. In response to the order of a kit, the party from whom the kit is ordered places corresponding component orders with the component manufacturers or obtains the parts from a local stock in a warehouse. The process of placing the corresponding component order can be executed automatically upon receipt and approval of a kit order.

[0111] If the user selects Order this Kit button 2230, the user will have the ability to receive the components and bare PC board to make the circuit. However, the user may prefer to receive the circuit itself, already assembled. Therefore, the user may alternatively or additionally be presented with an “order built-up board” button (not shown), which, when selected, causes the components, and optionally a PC board, to be ordered and sent to a circuit board assembler. The circuit board assembler assembles the circuit board from the ordered components and delivers the custom-assembled circuit board to the user that placed the order.

[0112] Under some circumstances, circuit board manufacturers may already have prefabricated circuit boards that are similar to the automatically designed circuit, or they may have to generate one specifically for the design. According to one embodiment, the server-side database includes information about such prefabricated circuit boards, and presents them to the user when the similarity between the prefabricated boards and the users requirements exceeds a predetermined similarity threshold. The prefabricated boards may be presented, for example, on the suggested component web page, the bill of materials web page, and/or the component acquisition web page, or the thermal simulation launch page where the amount of copper area for each board option is presented as a parameter to the user.

Persistent Storage of Designs

[0113] A user may not be prepared to order the components of a circuit during the same session in which the circuit is generated for the user using the techniques described above. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the invention, a mechanism is provided for storing the designs persistently on a server-side storage device. The designs may be stored, for example, in a server-side database that associates the designs with the user-id of the user that created the design. The event that triggers the storage of a design in the database may be, for example, the creation of the design or making a change in the design. Alternatively, a control may be provided which, when selected, causes the designs to be saved.

[0114] FIG. 25 shows an exemplary “my designs” page. The user may select the “My Designs” button included on one of the web pages. When a user selects my designs control, a saved designs web page that lists all of the saved designs for the user is presented to the user. The saved designed web page illustrated in FIG. 25 includes listings of a user's previously saved designs. The listing includes, for each saved design, a design ID, a design name, the model number of the integrated circuit around which the design is built, the creation date of the design, modification dates to the design, the name of the “design assistant” tool used to create the design, comments, and a design operation field.

[0115] Controls are provided to allow the user to modify, analyze, build, add notes, delete, and share the design with a colleague. Selection of the controls may result in the delivery of an appropriate web page, as described above. Selection of the delete, change name or add comments controls causes corresponding information to be deleted, changed, or added to the server-side database.

[0116] The user may share a design with another user. For example, a first user may select one or more of the first user's designs, and then specify one or more second users with whom the design is to be shared. In response, the server-side database is updated to include a copy of the design for the one or more second users. Also, an e-mail is sent to the second user(s) notifying them of the event. When one of the second users is presented with a list of available saved designs, any designs that have been shared with the user are included in the list.

[0117] To share the design, the first user enters the e-mail of the second user(s). If the second user(s) in not currently registered for WEBENCH, a user ID and password are created for the new user and an e-mail is sent to the new user to notify the second user(s) of the event.

[0118] The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.