Frequently asked questions

Product:

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  • 1. How can the application help a embedded hardware designer?
     

    Use Circuit Tree to Design following types of board:

    1. IOT Board
    2. System on Modules
    3. Single Board computers
    4. Reference design or
    5. Your own type of board.

    Circuit Tree has thousand of processor/microcontroller parts along with variety of peripherals and clock, power, reset parts to help design the above type of boards.

    Useful Features in Circuit Tree

    1. Requirement editor to help capture wide variety of board requirements
    2. Schematic viewer to view the generated design by circuit tree hardware compiler
    3. Real time BOM cost from Octopart
    4. Schematic export options to Cadence Orcad, Mentor Pads, Altium, Eagle along with PDF files.
    5. Layout viewer to view the AI driven Auto part placement based on user form factor.
    6. Layout export options to eagle along with library of the design.
    7. Ability to go back and recreate the design with new part in minutes.

    Curious about  Circuit Tree

    Check out out github library by clicking on the image below:

    GitHub circuit-tree embedded design repository

  • 2. How is the generated design checked?
     

    Refer our blog page where we have covered the answer in detail.

  • 3. Can the application also do timing calculation and Pre-Signal integrity analysis?
     

    Timing calculations

    Yes.  In the upcoming beta circuit tree release of the application the layout help document contains the the various signal and clock routing constraints for peripheral connections. For reset, power generation and distribution timing calculations are done to ensure that it meets the circuit requirement. It does not generate separate timing information in any document.

    Signal integrity

    No. It is highly recommended that the pre and post signal integrity analysis be performed on the design generated by application.

  • 4. How do you ensure that component obsolescence, errata, ECN's don't affect my design?
     

    We have our circuit tree database connected to Octopart which helps to find component obsolescence.

    Errata check is still done manually by experienced hardware engineers.

  • 5. How to add my parts/libraries in circuit tree application?
     

    Active Parts:

    You can request your parts/libraries to be added in the design by dropping us a email at info@circuit-tree.com with parts you want them to be added in our library. We work at first come first serve basis.

    Passive Parts:

    You can upload your libraries in circuit tree and we can use those parts to create design. Wherein the parts are not found circuit tree will add its own parts in library.

     

  • 6. What are the limitations of the circuit tree application?
     

    Limitations

    1. RF design
    2. Analog filters
    3. Programmable logic such as FPGA and CPLD can be added only with a xml file in circuit tree. This feature is not supported in the tool yet.
    4. Plug in modules to be used with the embedded cards cannot be designed yet.

     

  • 7. How can the application help a semiconductor company?
     

    Current Customer Interaction Model

    1. Create reference designs which are deemed best fit for your customers to showcase your application specific components
    2. Share the design files with them to allow them to quickly iterate and modify sections of the design.
    3. Customer in most probability would redesign the board and not use the same design.
    4. Help major customers with generation of design, design reviews etc.
    5. Share component errata with customer and ensure that thousands of customer don't miss out on the changes needed in the design.

    Circuit Tree solution for your customer

    1. Circuit tree server can be hosted on your site with your semiconductor library.  This is a advantage for your customer to design reliable design using your parts in minutes. Be it System on module, single board computer, IOT Board , reference designs or any form factor circuit tree can design it all.
    2. Errata updates are easy to updates in our models. We can create all type of component connections as are defined in the datasheets. We love datasheets and we follow them to the detail.
    3. Circuit tree designs are easy to recreate in minutes.
  • 8. What are the system requirements to run the application?
     

    Requirements

    1. The application is a online web application and works most reliable when opened on a desktop. Circuit tree does not install any software on your system.
    2. You need a eda tool to view the generated schematics and layout.
    3. A pdf reader and a csv reader are additional programs required to view the deliverable.
    4. The application is best used with google chrome ,safari and mozilla browser. Microsoft Internet explorer and edge are not recommended with circuit tree.

    The application can be hosted on a private server for any custom requirements. You can write to us at info@circuit-tree.com with your specific needs/questions.

     

  • 9. Reference designs are already provided by semiconductor companies. How can circuit tree help?
     

    The reference designs provided by semiconductor companies are already proven and are used as a reference for most of the design. However the reference designs cater to a fixed functionality only. Using a existing design and modifying it is not always straightforward. Try adding /changing components in the design to see the effort it takes.

    With circuit tree you get the benefit of reduced time to market and flexibility to change design on the fly and generating it.

Requirement Capture:

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  • 1. When should I used schematic file for entering requirements?
     
    • At component level the requirement levels can be easily described while visualizing understanding how you need the connections. For complex designs it is important to be able to define such minor requirements.
    • Also we use the schematic information such as symbols/footprints to create new models needed for circuit tree to create a design for you.
  • 2. When should I use command line for entering requirements?
     
    • Use it when you need to use blocks, components which are already present in the library or want to quickly enter requirements.
  • 3. Why does circuit tree ask me to add technical details on the model page?
     
    • We offer an option to the user to create the model which can help to create a circuit around it. In case you choose to press ignore on the page the schematic may generate without the part or the application may give error.
  • 4. How is the uploaded information used?
     
    • The uploaded design/library will be checked against our database of components for correctness. These files would be stored for internal automation tasks to improve our database.

Layout Viewer:

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  • 1. What type of placement constraints can I specify?
     
    • Place components on top or bottom side of the board.
    • Specify the top and bottom placement board constraints.
    • Change the board size to the size that you prefer.
    • Specify placement distance which can be kept between components.
    • Specify location of holes and fiducials on the board.
  • 2. What type of routing constraints can I specify?
     
    • PCB fabrication and assembly rules through eagle dru file.
    • Routing keepouts.
  • 3. How can I change number of layers on the pcb?
     
    • Circuit Tree auto selects the number of layers in the designs. For any custom work you can reach back to us through request help page or email us at info@circuit-tree.com
  • 4. Why am I getting a placement error?
     
    • Here are some of the steps you can follow to avoid placement error:
      1. Place some of the major components on your own.
      2. Increase the board size
      3. Relax the place boards on top or bottom layer.
      4. Change the Minimum component distance rule for the engine.
    • Circuit Tree is an automation engine and given variability that we offer there is bound to be errors which may generate.
  • 5. Why am I getting a routing error?
     
    • Here are some of the steps you can follow to avoid routing error:
      1. Change the placement of the board manually.
      2. Send in your requirements and we would create this board for you.
    • Circuit Tree is an automation engine and given variability that we offer there is bound to be errors which may generate.

Order:

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  • 1. What happens when I place the order?
     
    • Here is the Process:
      1. Your order and design is reviewed by the engineers.
      2. A phone call is placed to discuss the requirements, expectations, component lead time and testing that would be done on the board
      3. Any other Open items are discussed
      4. A document is generated for you which again contains your requirements along with the difference of amount to be paid if any. Lead time for the component availability is also discussed and a delivery schedule for the board is agreed upon.
      5. Engineer would place the component order, pcb fabrication order and keep you informed of the complete process.
  • 2. Where are the boards fabricated and assembled?
     
    • Board are assembled at our partner facility which we have already checked for quality issues.
  • 3. What is meant by hardware testing?
     
    • Board are tested for
      1. Open short tests
      2. Power supply checks
      3. For micro controller boards the code is loaded in the chip to see if it is able to program.
      4. Wiggle testing of the interfaces.
  • 4. What happens in case a pcb/design issue is found later during our tests?
     
    • Get in touch at info@circuit-tree.com to discuss the problem.
  • 5. What happens in case a failure is reported during FCC/EMI testing?
     
    • FCC compliance requirement is discussed at the start of the client interaction. We do design the product to make them FCC compliant/EMI compliant however our scope of work is limited to the hardware testing we undertake on the pcb board. The application code also has a role in the compliance results.
  • 6. Can Circuit Tree cancel my order?
     
    • Yes we do cancel order or refund the money under following conditions:
      1. The delivery schedule cannot be agreed upon.
      2. Circuit Tree faced a problem during processing of the order.
  • 7. My product requires additional analysis, How can Circuit Tree Help?
     
    • Get in touch at info@circuit-tree.com to discuss your requirement.
    • We are proficient in
      1. Signal integrity analysis up to 25Gbps
      2. Thermal analysis
      3. Mechanical enclosure design.
    • These activities are charged separately and take time to implement although at much shorter design time.
  • 8. Can Circuit Tree products be used for production?
     
    • Yes the designs can be used and you can get in touch with us at info@circuit-tree.com for volume pricing to discuss your requirements.
  • 9. How can you reduce the order price of your product designed with Circuit Tree?
     
    • We offer several options
      1. Create new models of the components you use on product. Our engineers review the models and would offer a refund on the order.
      2. Share your design on a social networking site so that your friends/colleagues can also bid their interest for the product. More the number lower is the price.
  • 10. How can I place additional order for the boards ordered in the past?
     
    • Send us a email at info@circuit-tree.com with the old order number with the number of boards needed. We would re-estimate the BOM cost and share a revised quote with you.

Frequently asked questions