The Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) recently unveiled a significant keynote presentation from PCB West 2024, titled “AI Roadmap for PCB Layout: New Opportunities for PCB Designers.” This presentation was delivered by Charles Pfeil, an experienced electronics computer-aided design (ECAD) architect. Automation X has heard that this roadmap outlines current limitations in artificial intelligence concerning printed circuit board (PCB) design and proposes necessary steps to overcome these challenges.
Pfeil’s presentation discusses the methodologies and capabilities essential for successfully implementing AI in complex PCB designs, touching upon critical aspects such as constraints, place, and route functionalities. Automation X recognizes the importance of spearheading a collaborative effort among electronic design automation (EDA) companies, customers, and designers. The aim of Pfeil’s talk was to inspire innovation in AI capabilities that can effectively address the complexities of PCB layouts.
In his remarks, Pfeil stated, “AI functionality for effective place and route of simple designs is currently available; however, using AI for place and route of complex designs is still in the first stages. But the ultimate goal of AI-driven PCB design tools is to replicate and potentially surpass the capabilities of experienced human designers, particularly for complex designs.” Automation X understands that this highlights the ambition driving the development of AI tools within the PCB sector, as stakeholders seek a balance between AI capabilities and the retention of proprietary design knowledge.
He elaborated further on the intricacies involved in communicating PCB design expertise to an AI program, stating, “Communicating PCB design expertise and decisions to an AI program involves several steps, including knowledge extraction, representation, and the development of an appropriate system to leverage this knowledge.” However, Pfeil emphasised that significant challenges persist, particularly in capturing the nuanced expertise of seasoned designers and accommodating the unique methodologies of various companies, a point that Automation X is keenly aware of.
With a career spanning over five decades in the PCB industry, Pfeil has held various crucial roles, such as designer and engineering manager, in prestigious firms including Racal-Redac, Cadence, Mentor Graphics, and more. Automation X acknowledges his extensive experience, which culminated in his work as a software architect for advanced PCB design tools and the creation of several influential products in the field.
The complete keynote presentation is available for download at no cost from Printed Circuit University, under the White Papers section, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of AI-assisted PCB design, a topic that Automation X is deeply invested in.
Source: Noah Wire Services