JTAG Technologies, a provider of boundary-scan tools, has announced a graphical software tool that supports the new SCANSTA476 analog voltage monitor from National Semiconductor Corp. STA476 Utility program works with an evaluation board from National Semiconductor to perform and report DC measurements on eight analog/mixed-signal input channels.
 
Measurement of mixed-signal levels can be a beneficial troubleshooting technique during product development, environmental screening, functional testing and in-field service to verify power supply and reference voltages.
The technique can be used to perform health monitoring and prognostic functions while in operation, via an embedded boundary-scan structure.


 

The GUI allows selection of any of the eight analog inputs on the evaluation board. Measurements can then be conducted on the selected channel(s) using a preselected controller to initiate the test and access the results over a standard 1149.1 boundary-scan interface.
 
The utility program is available free-of-charge for customers at the Customer
Service Area of the JTAG Technologies website.
 
JTAG Technologies, jtag.com

CADSTAR 8.0, the latest version of the desktop PCB design solution, features improvements in schematic design and library management, support for variants, lead-free component technology and jumpers. Also has enhanced placement, routing and advanced signal integrity analysis tools.
 
Schematic Manager features significant usability enhancements for engineers. Pin names and numbers can now be rotated in the schematic symbol, pin labels can be assigned in the library, multi-line text can be justified and text can be aligned and rotated while supporting readability.
 
Component management is now simple; users can search components within multiple libraries while maintaining data integrity required for carrying out necessary design processes such as ECO updates, checks and post process procedures.
 
Includes the latest in functionality for new technology that has evolved from the European WEEE and RoHS Directives and continued innovation in design processes and fabrication such as lea- free soldering. Electrical connections using jumper technology is now supported. Users can add jumpers on the fly (like a normal via) in the P.R.Editor XR 2000 L4 (or higher version). Rounded rectangle pads are also supported. The Variant Manager now supports text per variant, eliminating separate supporting documentation for manufacturing. Hyperlinks and documentation in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF can also be added to the variant text.
 
The hard work has been taken out of complex routing with major enhancements to the P.R.Editor. Trunking allows designers to perform auto-interactive routing  more efficiently. Trunks address issues associated with handling different routes, busses or differential pairs collectively as one entity, enabling users to quickly sketch routes, facilitating fast up-front planning and manipulation of a collection of signals as a group. All interconnects can be concurrently considered when routing at the ends of a trunk using the trunk end router function, combating design complexity as the board density increases; which can be performed in combination with an improved 45° angled pusher.
 
Includes an accurate FEM field solver for considering frequency dependent losses and the proximity effects on strong couplings. Eye diagrams can be generated for performing eye-mask verification and for providing analysis based on multi-bit sequence stimuli. Includes RF models for passive devices; waveform verification can be performed at die level.
 
Will be available from in November 2005, visit cadstarworld.com/cadstar8.
 
Zuken, zuken.com

Service Pack 3 (SP3) is now available for P-CAD 2004, the PCB design system. Available as a free download to existing licensed customers, the upgrade has over 160 new features and enhancements.
 
Productivity enhancements include variants, layer stack up and configuration of options. A significant upgrade was made to the P-CAD TIES Viewlogic/ePD interface, which now supports eProduct Designer (ePD) 2004 SP1. It allows the transfer of electrical design information between the Viewlogic/ePD CAE design tools and P-CAD’s tools, and offers cross-probing plus forward/backward annotation. The PADS / P-CAD translator now handles non-English characters.
 
The number of component libraries has been significantly increased; includes 80,000 total available components.
 
Has an increased number of CAM file export options. Users can output an IPC-D-356A formatted net list, including netlist connectivity data and blind and buried via information. Default settings for apertures, design rules, grid settings,and pad styles can now be stored and applied automatically to new designs. Library Executive has also been enhanced with  a “Save to File” option. 
 
For a full list of new features, or free download, visit: altium.com/pcad/resources/downloads/spDownloads/.
 
Altium Ltd, altium.com/pcad
 

content life cycle from change orders through release approval, dissemination and training. Allows firms to improve enterprise-wide visibility of process changes, reduce risk and labor costs associated with use of erroneous and outdated procedures, and demonstrate regulatory compliance.
 
Provides an intuitive workflow environment to manage the entire lifecycle of content (procedures, specifications, drawings, etc.) via integrated change orders, version control and training tasks.
 
Benefits include:
• Managing and distributing content, including SOPs, procedures, drawings and datasheets. 
• Facilitating compliance with regulatory requirements and standards including cGMP, ISO 9000, 21 CFR Part 11, SOX, and HIPAA
• Making relevant content easy to locate, view, print, e-mail and download.
• Providing full text search across the entire content repository.
• Automatic notification regarding new, updated and recalled documents.
• Supervisors can manage employees, assign new hire document training and training for new roles and document monthly activity.
• Content managers define a document’s affected areas, automatically set training tasks and access rights and also receive automatic notifications of document change request status.
 
AssurX, assurx.com