ActiveX Scripting Host - An ActiveX host is an application or program module that can run ActiveX scripts. Pulsonix is an ActiveX Scripting Host.
Auto Place - A tool to automate the process of finding suitable locations for the components on a PCB according to specified constraints.
Autorouter - A tool to automate the process of finding suitable paths for the conductive tracks of a PCB according to specified constraints.
Back Annotate - apply PCB design changes to the corresponding Schematic. These would normally be annotation changes which do not change the connectivity of the design.
Block - A special Schematic design which describes the implementation of a function within a hierarchical design.
Block Instance - An instance of a Block in a hierarchical Schematic design. Multiple instances of the same Block may exist in the same Schematic design, providing the ability to ‘replicate’ portions of circuit.
Board Outline - The physical outline of the PCB. It is formed from an unfilled closed shape.
Bombsight - A marker placed on a design for alignment purposes. See Fiducial or Target.
Breakout - Breakouts are ‘potential’ track patterns in a footprint.
Bus - An open shape that represents a collection of signals on the Schematic design.
Bus Pins - A Block Port that is connected to by a Bus to carry a collection of nets from one hierarchical level to another in the Schematic design.
CAD - Computer Aided Design is the term used to best describe the overall use of computers to design electronic or mechanical designs.
CAE - Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) is the term used to best describe the Schematic or logic capture side of PCB design.
CAM - Computer Aided Manufacturing is the term used to best describe the back end of PCB design, the generation of artworks ready for manufacture.
Callout - A text item, usually within a box, showing important information along with a pointer to the place in the PCB or Schematic design that the information applies to.
Clearance - The space between unconnected conductive structures on a PCB (for example track to pad). See the definitions of component, free pad, track, via.
Component - A structure representing a physical device, used as a basis for designing circuits within Easy-PC. Each component comprises a Schematic symbol and a PCB symbol, linked by graphically matching pin numbers for the connection points.
CPLD - This stands for Complex Programmable Logic Device. It is a programmable logic device with complexity and architectural features which fall between that of a PAL and an FPGA.
Cross Probe - Selecting items in one design by selecting similarly named items in another design.
Delta Point - See Star Point.
Differential Pair - A pair of nets each with two pins which must be routed closely together.
ECT - Embedded Component Technology (see ‘Embedded Components’).
EDA - Electronic Design Automation (EDA) is the term used to describe electronics software industry overall.
Effort - The resources applied by an Autorouter to produce a suitable route. The higher the effort, the more resources are applied to routing the track.
Embedded Components - A component, some or all of which is built into the bare board. For example, resistors which are printed on inner layers, or inductors where copper spirals are etched onto the board. See ECT.
Exception - See Pad Style Exception.
Fiducial - A marker placed on a design for alignment purposes. See Bombsight or Target.
Fixed - A item can be Fixed to prevent it from being moved or edited.
Footprint Pin - This is pin sequence number which you will see when creating or editing the PCB Footprint.
FPGA - This stands for Field Programmable Gate Array. This is an integrated circuit (IC) designed to be configured by the designer after manufacturing, hence ‘field programmable’.
Free Pad - A pad not associated with a component. These are sometimes used, for example, to build ‘variable’ components such as board edge connectors.
Gate - One gate or a number of gates make up the internal definition of a Part. A gate references a symbol. A gate and symbol have a 1:1 correspondence. Multiple gates can reference the same symbol. Many Parts will be single gates where there will be one gate and the one symbol.
Gate Swap - This defines gate swapping information for use with the manual and automatic pin swapping options.
Group - A named collection of items which can be selected as one and optionally act as one item when using some operations.
Hatch Style - Named entity that defines a specific hatched fill pattern that can be assigned to a shape in a design.
Hierarchy - “Blocks” created in a Schematic design that themselves contain circuitry.
Layer Direction - Autorouters generally work most effectively when routes on a specific layer are restricted to one axis. Routes requiring tracks in the other axis would be routed on another routing layer.
Layer Pair - A pair of layers in a PCB which may be spanned by a via.
Line Style - Named entity that defines a specific line width that can be assigned to a shape in a design.
Logic Name - A descriptive functional name for a pin, e.g. CLK, RESET etc.
Macros - Macros are used to record and replay repetitive design tasks within Pulsonix.
Mitring - The process to truncating the corner of a 90 degree bend at 45 degrees. This improves manufacturability of the board and reduces signal radiation.
Micro-vias - Micro-vias are like normal vias except they are used when creating spans for use with laser drilling technology.
Mounting Hole - A mounting hole is a special pad used for the creation of mounting holes. It is classed differently to Vias, Micro-vias and normal Pads.
Net - A line linking points of equal potential in a design. It may branch, and form loops. Each net has a unique designation, and is linked to a net class which defines the style. Each net may also define a guard spacing.
Net Class - Defines the minimum and nominal (desired) widths for a net when converted to a track.
Net Name - Defines the name of the net to which this pin is connected in the design automatically when the Part is used. Usually used for power and ground pins.
Netlist - A file containing the interconnection details between component pads.
Node - A junction, corner, or end of a track, which provides an access point for editing, and contains information about the track..
ODB++ - An industry standard format for interfacing between the PCB CAD systems and manufacturing/plotting systems.
ODBC - This stands for Open Database Connectivity. It provides an industry standard software interface for accessing database management systems (DBMS).
Optimise Net - find the connection pattern which minimises the connection length.
Pad Style - Named entity that defines a specific shape and size that can be assigned to a component pad, mounting hole or via.
Pad Style Exception - Alternative shape and size for a pad style on a specific design layer.
PAL - This stands for Programmable Array Logic. It is an electronic component used to build reconfigurable digital circuits.
PCB - Printed Circuit Board.
Pin Name - This is the actual name which appears in the design on the pin/pad and which appears in the netlist. This name can also be alphanumeric, e.g. A43, B43, C43 etc.
Pin Network - One or more components which must be connected to a pin. These additional components are added automatically when the pin is added to a design.
Pin Swap - This defines pin swapping information for use with the manual and automatic pin swapping options.
Pin Type - This defines the electrical function of the pin.
Pitch - The ‘pitch’ of terminals or pads is generally regarded as the distance between the centres of adjacent terminals or pads. Pads for example with a 25mm pitch will be spaced 25 mm between the pad centres. This can also relate to the pitch of grid dots as well.
Polygon - An open or closed, non-intersecting figure formed from a continuous line. One form of a ‘Shape’. Closed polygons may be filled.
Power Plane - A continuous copper sheet with holes for signal vias and thermal relief, usually inside a PCB, providing widespread connection for a common signal such as 0V.
Relative Origin - A temporary origin used as an aid to positioning items relative to that point.
Reverse Engineer - The creation of a Schematic design from a PCB design.
Routing Area - A closed shape which will not be crossed by any tracks which may be inserted by the autorouter.
Shape - An open or closed figure formed from a continuous line on a single layer. Possible shapes are circles, rectangles, and polygons. Closed shapes must be non-intersecting, and may be filled.
Split Plane - multiple power planes, each occupying only part of a layer of a PCB. Frequently used when two different ground signals are to be carried on a ground plane layer.
Star Point - Star or Delta Points allow you to join two or more related nets together at a single point in the design at the same time leaving them separate in the netlist.
Stroke Fonts - A stroke font is made up of small ‘drawn’ line segments of a given width.
Symbol - Name reference to the Schematic Symbol to be used in the Part definition. A graphical picture of the Symbol is also shown in the Part editor.
Symbol Pin - This is pin sequence number which you will see when creating or editing the Schematic Symbol.
Target - A marker placed on a design for alignment purposes. See Bombsight or Fiducial.
Teardrop - shaped piece of copper which smoothes the entry of a track into a pad.
Text Callout - See Callout.
Text Style - Named entity that defines a specific font and size that can be assigned to a text item or attribute in the design.
Through Hole - A hole (for a pad or via) that passes right through the PCB from one side to the other.
Track - Representation of a strip of copper on a finished PCB by a series of interconnecting nodes.
Track Style - Named entity that defines a specific line width that can be assigned to a track in a PCB design.
Track Grid - The grid specified for the positioning of track corners and segments.
TrueType Fonts - A TrueType font is a definition of how text should be drawn or printed. These fonts are installed on your Windows system and are available for applications to use.
Variant - Variants allow the creation of multiple build assemblies within a single PCB, or Schematic, design file.
Via - A pad used to transfer a track from one layer to another. Vias use a Layer Pair to define which layers are ‘joined’ by the via.