The next-generation constraint editor system (CES) to Expedition Series and Board Station RE PCB design flows is now available. Enables definition, adherence and verification of physical constraints throughout the entire PCB systems design process for complex designs. Tightly integrates with the design flow from schematic entry through physical layout, facilitating multi-disciplined communication of high-speed design rules ad constraints between engineers, designers and their tools.

Povides a unified interface for design engineers and layout designers to specify and verify constraints. Constraints can be entered in terms familiar to team members through a common GUI and then automatically accessed by individual tools in their native formats. Features automatic differential pair identification and constraint templates. Advanced automatic topology and an interactive tuning meter are enabled when used in the design flow. 

Design rules and constraints can be developed and modified throughout the design process. These rules and constraints then become intellectual property (IP) that is available to designers and engineers for their current and future designs.

Supports bi-directional cross probing, which highlights and selects between a spreadsheet-based constraint interface and the schematic capture and layout tools, enabling designers to view nets and constraints in their native environment.  Constraint values are fully synchronized during the forward and backward annotation process with intelligent handling of connectivity changes. Nets can be constrained by one rule at the class level, significantly reducing the number of constraints manually entered in the design. Supports user- and pre-defined automatic topologies.

Mentor Graphics Corp., mentor.com

GTI-5000 x-ray image processing software upgrade includes two new features: Video Recorder and Image Analysis Workstation.

Video Recorder allows streaming of full-sized (640 x 480) grayscale x-ray images to disk at up to 30 frames/sec. Images are captured and written to disk in real-time, saved as an AVI video file. Can be played back later for analysis, releasing the x-ray inspection system for immediate inspection of other samples.

The Image Analysis Workstation can analyze (or confirm) x-ray inspections at a remote location. Allows viewing of saved x-ray images in the form of still images or video clips.

Designed for manufacturers using x-ray inspection to monitor assembled components in laboratory and production environments, said to provide accurate measurement and analysis for rapid, reliable x-ray inspection of BGA components and PCBs.

Glenbrook Technologies, www.glenbrooktech.com