ELECTRA Shape-based Autorouter


		ELECTRA Shape-Based Autorouter

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Software Updates
Frequently Asked Questions

Support Contact Info

support@connecteda.com - support questions
sales@connecteda.com - sales related inquiries
info@connecteda.com - all other inquiries

Supported CAD Systems

Allegro - Cadence	OrCAD - Cadence	Proteus - Labcenter
Boardstation - Mentor	PADS - Mentor	Pulsonix - WestDev
CAD Design - PCB Designer	Pantheon - Intercept	Ranger - Seetrax
CADint	PCB Designer - CDS	Target 3001 - IBFriedrich
DipTrace - Novarm	PCAD - Altium	Tsien - Boardmaker3
Eagle - Cadsoft	Performance EDA - OTL	Vutrax - Computamation
Easy-PC Number One	Protel - Altium	WinPCB - CSiEDA

Please contact us for compatibility information if your CAD system is not listed above.

Tech Tips

How to control ELECTRA
Commands are used to define the routing strategy and to change design rules constraints that are originally embedded in the DSN file. Here are examples of widely used commands:
Controlling ELECTRA

Protel users
The DSN Interface is built into Protel 99 SE and above.
For both products, DXP and 2004, the DSN interface to ELECTRA can be found using SAVE As. Pull the file type menu down until SPECCTRA DSN FIle is shown. Click the mouse on the SAVE button. A SPECCTRA setup menu will appear. Optional to set wire and wire grids, it is recommended that you select "lock preroutes". Load the DSN file into ELECTRA.

P-CAD users
You can use the SPECCTRA interface to launch ELECTRA. Behind the scenes, P-CAD calls ACCEL2SP and SP2ACCEL to respectively generate the DSN file and to retrieve the route results back to the P-CAD pcb file. To configure P-CAD 2002 to use ELECTRA, specify the following:
Program File c:\program files\electra\electra.exe
System Log file c:\route\route.log

Eagle users
When the Eagle PCB components are placed in position click File =>Run and choose the C:\program files\Electra\eagle\PCB_To_DSN.ulp to generate a "yourfilename.dsn" file placed in your design library. Choose the router settings in the menu that pops up. Choose layers, Clearance, default track width. Startup Electra and open the DSN file you generated. Click Autoroute and wait for the router to finish the Job. Choose Export =>Script in Electra and Save the script file in your design library. Ensure that your old Eagle PCB is "Ripped up" (no unwanted tracks) and choose Eagle menu File=>Script and load the .scr file

Target 3001! users
Launch ELECTRA in TARGET 3001! PCB Layout CAD in the layout menu Actions/External autorouter. The PopUp window shows the path to the electra.exe and allows to route your TARGET 3001! project. An ELECTRA demo version can automatically be installed during the installation process of the TARGET 3001! setup.exe

Labcenter - Proteus users
ELECTRA options can be accessed through the routing interface from within the Tools menu in ARES. More details can be found here

User Transfer of Node-locked license
Prior to launching ELECTRA you should set CapsLock to ON, this will force the startup license dialog to show up. To transfer a node-locked license from one computer to another, you should set "Transfer license" radio button and press "Continue" button. You also have to enter original activation code for security reasons (this will prevent accidental or unauthorized license transfer)
License transfer explained in 4 steps:
Initial situation: Unlocked application is located on source computer A (already unlocked with activation code A) and the client wants to transfer his license to target computer B.
Step 1: The user should install and run ELECTRA on target computer B.
Step 2: ELECTRA on target computer (B) will display activation dialog box with "Site code B" which is different from "Site code A". "Activation code B" will be required for program unlocking.
Step 3: The user should run unlocked application (computer A), set "Activation code" field to previously issued "Activation code A" (which was initially used for program unlocking on computer A), set "New Site code" field to "Site code B" and press "Continue >>" button.
Step 4: Protected ELECTRA will display dialog box with "Activation code B" which she/he should use to unlock the protected application on computer B.
Resulting situation: License will be removed from computer A and transferred to computer B.

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Software Updates

Free Updates are available for Users who are on current release

Version 2.x.x:
Latest update revision is 2.0.3 -
Layer panel (wrong layer/color on some design, removed row selection)
Accept @ # { } characters
Update stat panel on every pass

Version 1.x.x:

Latest update revision is 1.7.2 -
Allow for restricted users under Vista
Improved same_net checking
Removed spacing errors against some special polygon configuration with thick outline

Update 1.6.7
Added lock / unlock command to ignore nets
Support for polygons not being part of plane definition
Allow for pin names with parenthesis
Update v2.01 of PCB_to_DSN.ulp (Eagle) to generate net class rules
Improved handling of big circular keepouts
Improved blind/buried via support for Protel DSN
Floating license uses configuration file

Update 1.6.4
F1 for help

Update 1.6.1
Vista support
Improved support of complex polygonal padstacks

Update 1.6.1
Fixed bug with specific PADS keepouts DSN format

Update 1.6.0
Prevent routing on conductor shapes found in image

Update 1.5.7
Improved support for complex path board outline

Update 1.5.6
Added command: unit <inch | mil | cm | mm | um>
Misc parsing error reporting
Config file support for floating license

Update 1.5.5
Distinctive support for mixed via and wire keepouts

Update 1.5.4
Added control for auto-wire width tapering based on pad size
Improved model for "non-90" degrees complex shapes

Update 1.5.0
Adjustement to RTE file format for Protel
Startup checking

Update 1.4.9
Improvements to recorner command by parameter

Update 1.4.7
Enhanced use_via rule handling
Misc. improvements to Eagle interface

Update 1.4.6
Enhanced polygon handling
Intercept board outline
Parsing mix string quoted names

Update 1.4.3
Reading of DSN containg E format values
Version 2.0 of Eagle interface
Added support for filename in report status

Update 1.4.1
Extra clearance control (Eagle)
Fixed remanining tiny airwires (Eagle)

Update 1.4.0
Net class translation (Eagle)
Optimized use_via handling
Support for long names in classes

Update 1.3.9
DSN parser handles via rotate option

Update 1.3.7
Via selection improvements

Update 1.3.4
Improved Batch mode routing controls

Update 1.2.8
Licensing support for PC using multiple network hardware configuration
Wrong conversion on Eagle script if original unit was set to inch
Misc path routing improvements

Update 1.2.5
Fix to Eagle interface creating tiny airwires
Added commands to select/unselect components, net classes and nets

Update 1.2.2
Improved handling for polygonal keepouts

Update 1.2.0
Improved PCAD-2002 integration

Update 1.1.6
Improved Pulsonix integration

Update 1.1.3
Enhanced display of non round vias
Misc improvements to Eagle interface

Update 1.1.2
Enhanced split plane support
Added protect command by net
Enhanced recorner command to control setback values
Misc improvements to Eagle interface, added class rule support

Update 1.1.1
Added bi-directional interface for Cadsoft Eagle PCB Layout v4.1

Update 1.1.0
Added support for two-layers board with one signal and one power only
Missing thermal contacts in session file
Enhanced command entry for circuit rules by net and net class

Update 1.0.9
Invalid pointer on load
Disabling confirmation dialog when running do files.

Update 1.0.8
No more requirement for -design argument to load a design from command line
Improved syntax check for select commands
Enhanced handling of keepouts inside components
Added handling of quoted strings inside connectivity descriptor

Update 1.0.5 (Nov 15 - 2003)
Improved routing speed to 15% average
Improved clean phase with better pin exit on long SMD side

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the ELECTRA licensing works?

ELECTRA has a software-only licensing scheme – no dongle is required. The software-only license locks the ELECTRA license to one PC. A user can move the license to another PC through a procedure described in the TechTips above.

How long can I use my trial ELECTRA system after I download and install it from your Web site?

You have a unlimited design size version of ELECTRA without save capability.

What do I do when I want to order?

You hit the Send Codes button on the initial ELECTRA screen and an email will be generated to us to inform us that you are ready to order. We will then contact you back by email to ask for a Purchase Order and the layer configuration you want to purchase and to arrange payment.

Are unlimited power and ground layers supported in the layer-limited versions of ELECTRA?

Yes, unlimited power and ground layers are supported for the 2L, 4L, 6L and Unlimited signal layer versions of ELECTRA.

Are there options for ELECTRA?

The base router already includes advanced rules and mitering capability in the base price. There are no other options available for ELECTRA at this time.

Do you have high-speed design support available for ELECTRA?

The current version of ELECTRA does not support high-speed design rules. Future versions will provide an option for support of such rules.

Are floating license/network versions of ELECTRA available?

Yes, network versions of ELECTRA are available. The price uplift for a network license is 30% and the network version is only available for the Unlimited Layer version of ELECTRA.

What is the cost of a configuration upgrade, for example upgrading from a 4-layer ELECTRA to a 6-layer ELECTRA?

The cost is simply the difference in the price of the two product configurations.

Is ELECTRA available on Linux?

As of v1.6, ELECTRA has been released for Linux.

Do I get free updates to ELECTRA?

Free updates are available on our Web site for the current version of the product. Once a major new release occurs, customers having a valid maintenance contract will get the new release for no-charge. Customers not having a valid maintenance contract will be able to purchase the new release for 35% of the list price of their product configuration.

How do I get technical support on ELECTRA?

Please email us at support@connecteda.com We will get back to you by either email or phone.

Where do go for sales and customer services?

Please contact us sales@connecteda.com or call at +1-617-924-4848 in North America or +32-2-652-2438 outside North America .

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