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

On 05/20/2010 02:51 AM, Tilmann Reh wrote:

David Ingebretsen schrieb:

...

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

 

 

Your options:

 

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

circuit.

...

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

separately on every functional unit.

Good morning, David,

Tilmann has some pretty good ideas.  I'd like to add to his in pointint

out that there is an easy way to work around this on linux/mac systems:

Add hard links to your schematic file.

Suppose you have: circuit.sch and circuit.brd.

shell> ln circuit.sch circuit-subsys1.sch

shell> ln circuit.sch circuit-subsys2.sch

...

You now have multiple file names that all reference the same file.  In

eagle you can create one board for each file name.  If you want to start

with the board you already have, try:

shell> cp circuit.brd circuit-subsys1.brd

shell> cp circuit.brd circuit-subsys2.brd

This does not come without a warning, though.  If you modify the

schematic, then it becomes inconsistent with all boards except the board

you have open requiring prolific use of "erc".  I would consider this

method only after you have nailed down your schematic.

Enjoy,

    - Chuck

On 05/20/2010 02:51 AM, Tilmann Reh wrote:

David Ingebretsen schrieb:

...

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

 

 

Your options:

 

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

circuit.

...

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

separately on every functional unit.

Good morning, David,

Tilmann has some pretty good ideas.  I'd like to add to his in pointint

out that there is an easy way to work around this on linux/mac systems:

Add hard links to your schematic file.

Suppose you have: circuit.sch and circuit.brd.

shell> ln circuit.sch circuit-subsys1.sch

shell> ln circuit.sch circuit-subsys2.sch

...

You now have multiple file names that all reference the same file.  In

eagle you can create one board for each file name.  If you want to start

with the board you already have, try:

shell> cp circuit.brd circuit-subsys1.brd

shell> cp circuit.brd circuit-subsys2.brd

This does not come without a warning, though.  If you modify the

schematic, then it becomes inconsistent with all boards except the board

you have open requiring prolific use of "erc".  I would consider this

method only after you have nailed down your schematic.

Enjoy,

    - Chuck

Chuck Huber wrote on Mon, 24 May 2010 07:06

On 05/20/2010 02:51 AM, Tilmann Reh wrote:

David Ingebretsen schrieb:

....

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

 

 

Your options:

 

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

whole

circuit.

....

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

separately on every functional unit.

 

Good morning, David,

 

Tilmann has some pretty good ideas.  I'd like to add to his in

pointint

out that there is an easy way to work around this on linux/mac

systems:

Add hard links to your schematic file.

 

Suppose you have: circuit.sch and circuit.brd.

 

shell> ln circuit.sch circuit-subsys1.sch

shell> ln circuit.sch circuit-subsys2.sch

....

 

You now have multiple file names that all reference the same file.  In

eagle you can create one board for each file name.  If you want to

start

with the board you already have, try:

 

shell> cp circuit.brd circuit-subsys1.brd

shell> cp circuit.brd circuit-subsys2.brd

 

This does not come without a warning, though.  If you modify the

schematic, then it becomes inconsistent with all boards except the

board

you have open requiring prolific use of "erc".  I would consider this

method only after you have nailed down your schematic.

 

Enjoy,

    - Chuck

Thanks Chuck.

David

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