RevEng offers an effective method of creating professional quality circuit diagrams from a sample board. The RevEng system comprises a PC controlled continuity measuring hardware system, SYSTEM 8 Ultimate control software and EdWin XP, a fully featured CAD package.
RevEng learns the connectivity of a sample circuit then produces a NetList (a list of the components and connections). The NetList is imported into EdWin XP to create professional quality circuit diagrams.
Overview
The learning process is achieved through clips, connectors and probes that are attached to clusters of components. System 8 Ultimate guides the operator to place and walk the clips around the reference circuit. System 8 Ultimate generates the most efficient sequence of clip combinations and movements to learn all possible connections. However, the operator can modify and override the automatic placement of the clips if necessary.
To minimise operator errors, the system applies an orientation check and pin check to confirm clip contact and position. RevEng learns without applying power to the board and limits the applied voltage and current so that semiconductor gates are not affected - it is also safe to use on low power technologies. There is a wide range of IC clips and connectors. If a clip or connector is not available or cannot be fitted due to the physical constraints of the board then the hand held probe and buzzer facilities are used.
Software packages
A professional drawing capability is provided by EdWin from Visionics. Important facilities include:
Import NetList place components
Auto route signals
Multi page schematics
Bus structure support
Extensive libraries 12,000 devices
Rubber band and Rats nest functions
Block move and rotate
Optional facilities include Bill of Materials, PCB Layout, Mix-mode simulation, Arizona Autorouter, Thermal Analyser, EDSpice, EMC + Signal Integrity
Edwin provides special features to enable drawings to be generated in less than a day.
SYSTEM 8 Ultimate controls the hardware and provides links with the CAD software. Key features include
Tab driven
Unlimited number of clips and connectors
Partial circuit learn (sections)
Repeat learn and verify
Optimised clip movement
Automatic clip positioning
Guided probes for non-standard components
Process can be suspended, restarted and terminated at any stage
MultiLink Systems
Entry level system for low budget or small to medium circuits.
MultiLink unit equipped with 256 measurement channels.
Cabinet Systems
High pin count system for multiple requirements and large circuits.
Cabinet equipped with control card and 1024 to 2048 channel measurement channels
Systems can be expanded to 2048 channels at any time after installation to meet changes in budget availability or application requirements.