Electronic design automation

Electronic design automation (EDA) is the category of tools for designing and producing electronic systems ranging from printed circuit boards (PCBs) to integrated circuits. This is sometimes referred to as ECAD (electronic computer-aided design).

Related Topics:
Printed circuit board - Integrated circuit - Computer-aided design

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The term EDA is also used as an umbrella term for computer-aided engineering, computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing of electronics in the discipline of electrical engineering. This usage probably originates in the IEEE Design Automation Technical Committee.

Related Topics:
Computer-aided engineering - Computer-aided design - Computer-aided manufacturing - Electronics - Electrical engineering - IEEE

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

EDA has rapidly increased in importance with the continuous scaling of semiconductor technology. (See: Moore's Law.) The largest segment of EDA users are chip designers at semiconductor companies, who design chips using EDA software. Foundry operators (who actually run the fabs) and design-service companies also use EDA software to evaluate an incoming design for manufacturing readiness.

Related Topics:
Semiconductor - Moore's Law

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~