How to derive multiple PCBs from a single   schematic?

David Ingebretsen schrieb:

I have a couple of more complex projects now, and I need to layout several

separate PCBs based on different parts of one schematic. I want to keep the

circuit as one schematic linking to three or four PCBs so I can make use of

ERC and DRC checks.

That is not possible with EAGLE. There is a strict 1:1 relation between

schematic and board.

Essentially, I will have the main circuit and then satellite boards with

pots, leds, and maybe some jacks. The boards might be connected with flying

wires or with some type of connector

 

I have been unable to find this topic on the boards, and can't seem to find

any advice in the user manual.

 

Am I left with splitting the circuit into several parts and pasting them

into new schematics with their own PCB or can I leave the schematic as a

whole and somehow coerce Eagle into letting me have several PCBs?

Your options:

a) Have one single schematic, and one board file containing the whole

circuit. If it's divided in functional parts for which you want single

boards, draw them side by side in the (single) board file. Provided you

set proper distances between them, you might use that directly for

producing them as a "panel". Take care about signal names to avoid

unwanted airwires between the single boards.

b) Split your schematic to reflect the functional units, and work

separately on every functional unit. You get as many schematics as you

have boards (or vice versa).

c) Combine a) and b) according to your preferences.

Tilmann

Tilmann Reh wrote on Thu, 20 May 2010 00:51

David Ingebretsen schrieb:

 

I have a couple of more complex projects now, and I need to layout

several

separate PCBs based on different parts of one schematic. I want to

keep the

circuit as one schematic linking to three or four PCBs so I can

make use of

ERC and DRC checks.

 

That is not possible with EAGLE. There is a strict 1:1 relation

between

schematic and board.

 

Essentially, I will have the main circuit and then satellite boards

with

pots, leds, and maybe some jacks. The boards might be connected

with flying

wires or with some type of connector

 

I have been unable to find this topic on the boards, and can't seem

to find

any advice in the user manual.

 

Am I left with splitting the circuit into several parts and pasting

them

into new schematics with their own PCB or can I leave the schematic

as a

whole and somehow coerce Eagle into letting me have several PCBs?

 

Your options:

 

a) Have one single schematic, and one board file containing the whole

circuit. If it's divided in functional parts for which you want single

boards, draw them side by side in the (single) board file. Provided

you

set proper distances between them, you might use that directly for

producing them as a "panel". Take care about signal names to avoid

unwanted airwires between the single boards.

 

b) Split your schematic to reflect the functional units, and work

separately on every functional unit. You get as many schematics as you

have boards (or vice versa).

 

c) Combine a) and b) according to your preferences.

 

Tilmann

Thanks Tilmann. I can work with this.

David

--

Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca.  Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.

Tilmann Reh wrote on Thu, 20 May 2010 00:51

David Ingebretsen schrieb:

 

I have a couple of more complex projects now, and I need to layout

several

separate PCBs based on different parts of one schematic. I want to

keep the

circuit as one schematic linking to three or four PCBs so I can

make use of

ERC and DRC checks.

 

That is not possible with EAGLE. There is a strict 1:1 relation

between

schematic and board.

 

Essentially, I will have the main circuit and then satellite boards

with

pots, leds, and maybe some jacks. The boards might be connected

with flying

wires or with some type of connector

 

I have been unable to find this topic on the boards, and can't seem

to find

any advice in the user manual.

 

Am I left with splitting the circuit into several parts and pasting

them

into new schematics with their own PCB or can I leave the schematic

as a

whole and somehow coerce Eagle into letting me have several PCBs?

 

Your options:

 

a) Have one single schematic, and one board file containing the whole

circuit. If it's divided in functional parts for which you want single

boards, draw them side by side in the (single) board file. Provided

you

set proper distances between them, you might use that directly for

producing them as a "panel". Take care about signal names to avoid

unwanted airwires between the single boards.

 

b) Split your schematic to reflect the functional units, and work

separately on every functional unit. You get as many schematics as you

have boards (or vice versa).

 

c) Combine a) and b) according to your preferences.

 

Tilmann

Thanks Tilmann. I can work with this.

David

--

Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca.  Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.