Uses Cases for Component Placement AI
Allegro X AI can be implemented for multiple scenarios depending on your requirements and needs. The following are some examples of use cases for Allegro X AI component placement:
Feasibility and Exploration
Allegro X AI can be used to quickly perform design exploration, ensure the components will fit within the design, and optimize component placement.
Benefit: Saves time and optimizes PCB layout
PCB Setup Required: MCAD requirements defined and components quick-placed around the board outline.
Allegro X AI Setup: Default settings. Be sure to adjust component class mapping and layer assignments as required
Preserve Critical Component Placement and Unique Design Elements
During Allegro X AI component placement generation, users can preserve the locations of critical elements in the design. This includes ICs, processors/memory devices, connectors, switches, LEDs, Mounting holes, and batter holders. Additionally, this can be completed for components that required a 45-degree placement, RF circuits and antennas, modules and/or replicated circuits, and piggy-backed components. For piggy-backed components, place and fix coincident components.
Benefit: Guarantee interaction with MCAD and ensure design intent. This also influences how Allegro X AI places the remaining parts to keep connections short.
PCB Setup Required: Fix or lock components and/or elements in place.
Allegro X AI Setup Required: Default setup.
Component Spreading
Allegro X AI can improve upon a completed placement by spreading components. This can be achieved by accommodating spacing values greater than those assigned in the DFA package-package spacing table.
Benefit: Spread components out to accommodate routing, adhere to assembly requirements, and make the best use of board space.
PCB Setup Required: Default setup.
Allegro X AI Setup Required: Assign class-class spacing rules. If the DFA table was used, ensure values set in the class-class spacing rules are greater than those values defined in the DFA table.
Confine Circuit Block to Areas on the PCB
If you have an idea of where circuitry needs to be contained on the PCB, you should confine circuit blocks to areas with room properties and hard rooms. This will inform Allegro X AI which components should be placed in each section of the PCB.
Benefit: Improve layout results and shorten connections.
PCB Setup Required: Room properties assigned and hard rooms drawn on the PCB.
Allegro X AI Setup Required: Enable rooms.
Incremental Flow- ECOs
For Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), it is recommended to fix components that do not need to be changed and upload the new board file to Allegro X AI. In this scenario, Allegro X AI engine will only place the new components or ones that are not fixed.
Benefit: Quickly complete design revisions and updates.
PCB Setup Required: Fix components in the design that will not change.
Allegro X AI Setup Required: Default setup.
Height-Driven Placement
Sometimes component placement is restricted by mechanical housing. If a height-driven placement is required, incorporate package keepout areas with height properties. Consider removing nested areas if you experience long run times or poor results.
Benefit: Adhere to mechanical requirements and ensure a successful product assembly.
PCB Setup Required: Package keepouts with height properties defined.
Allegro X AI Setup Required: Default setup.
Design Outline Experimentation
Allegro X AI can be used to experiment with the design outlines to determine the optimal layout. Results are returned quickly for feasibility and quality studies.
Benefit: Design optimization
PCB Setup Required: Change the design outline as well as the route and package keepins. Change connector locations if required and upload the new file to Allegro X AI.
Allegro X AI Setup Required: Default setup. Users can run multiple iterations and files at once to accelerate the process further.
Case Studies
Learn more about the uses of Allegro X AI with these case studies:
Qualcomm Saves Up to 60-70% of Vital Design Time with Allegro X AI
Danfoss Uses Cadence Allegro X AI to Amplify PCB Design for Energy Efficiency
