Here are step by step introductions on how to convert PCB to schematic diagram and schematic diagram to PCB file.
Step 1: The engineer analyzes the PCB layout through the circuit board and then divides the circuit into several units.
Step 2: Prepare two computers, one of which is used to view PCB documents, and the other is used to draw circuit diagrams.
Step 3: Retrieve the components in the unit circuit and do layout according to our work experience.
Step 4: Highlight the PCB document on the computer and then link it to another computer. After the link is completed, the network needs to be deleted.
Step 5: Repeat the first two steps until all files in the PCB document are deleted. After that, the engineer can optimize the schematic.
How to draw circuit diagrams according to real products?
When repairing electronic products, engineers often encounter problems finding the drawings, especially for legacy products; the circuit diagrams may no longer exist. In this case, to analyze and improve the product, it is necessary to draw a circuit diagram based on the actual product. The skills of this operation are as follows:
1.Use the components with a large volume and many pins as a reference for drawing. Use this as a reference to start drawing, which can ensure accuracy andimprove work efficiency.
2. When an engineer is printing a circuit board, be sure to label the components and pay attention to the regularity of the serial number. They cannot randomize or remember which one to write. Write and arrange according to a particularorder and rules to ensure that it is not easy to make mistakes in the drawing process.
3. Without marking the serial number of the components, if the engineer wants to improve analysis and proofreading, you have to number the components yourself. It is not annoying;otherwise, the later work will be more difficult. Important components must be marked so that they will not be missed in the process of drawing the schematic.
4. Correctly distinguish the various wires on the circuit board. There are various wires on the circuit board,such as power wire, ground wire, signal wire, These wires have different layout positions, rules, and functions. When drawing a schematic, you must figure it out.
5. When drawing a sketch, be sure to use transparent tracing paper and mark it with colorful pens. It is convenient to identify, modify,and analyze the circuit to reduce errors. In addition, when drawing a circuit diagram, try to find a similar circuit diagram for reference so that there is a multiplier effect, which is very worthy of reference for newcomers.
Protel+PCB Convert Into Schematic – Detailed Steps
Full raiders from Protel PCB to SCH
This article takes the 4 Port Serial Interface, provided by Protel 99Se, as an example. Open the PCB diagram, select the menu File-Export, export the Protel network table; the file name is abbreviated as Serial.Net. 2. Start the program Omninet for Windows, select Protel as the input file type (Type). In Input File 1, use Browse to specify the location of the netlist file. Select EDIF as the output file type (Type). In Output File 1, specify the file name and path of the output file. Then click Run (the running icon).
An output window pops up. Click Accept Data. Click “OK” when finished, and then click “Done” to close the output window. Exit Omninet for Windows.
3.Start the E-Studio software and open the EDIF file generated in step 2
- Right-click the Serial.EDF file and select Generate Schematics:
The system pops up a window
Click OK.
5. Select menu File-Save As, and select ORCAD
Double-click 1.SchDoc, the file can be opened normally. The picture below is part of the file:
Select the menu File-Save AS, select Schematic Binary 4.0 (*.Sch). This is the format that 99Se can open.
At this point, the conversion of Protel 99Se PCB to the schematic diagram is complete.
It should be noted that this conversion may be useful for those with fewer components on the PCB. If there are many components on the PCB, the converted schematic diagram will be very large, and the network connection is extremely complicated. At this point, it is still difficult to interpret due to the lack of hierarchy or main thread. It is also not to be divided into multiple sub-graphs, and all networks are all connected.
In addition, the unconnected pins in the PCB no longer exist on the converted schematic. As shown in the example below:
Another disadvantage is that the footprint information of the component is gone and must be filled in again.
Although there is no footprint information, the network name is kept intact. After network comparison, no missing network is found.
as the output format.Select Design v9.10 in the Save As drop-down menu.
Click Save to save. Click “OK” in the pop-up window to end.
The generated schematic can already be opened in ORCAD. The drawings are a bit big! The picture below is just its parts.
There is no hierarchy concept in drawings. No matter how complicated the circuit is, there is only one plane graph.
6. Convert ORCAD schematics into Protel schematics.
Because the output format of E-Studio does not have Protel, it must be converted separately. Protel 2004 is recommended for a better conversion effect.
Start DXP 2004, select menu File-Open, select Orcad Capture Design(*.DSN) for the file type.
Click “Open.” An error occurred during the opening process, but the file conversion was successful. Click OK to close the error window.
Double-click 1.SchDoc, the file can be opened normally. The picture below is part of the file:
Select the menu File-Save AS, select Schematic Binary 4.0 (*.Sch). This is the format that 99Se can open.
At this point, the conversion of Protel 99Se PCB to the schematic diagram is complete.
It should be noted that this conversion may be useful for those with fewer components on the PCB. If there are many components on the PCB, the converted schematic diagram will be very large, and the network connection is extremely complicated. At this point, it is still difficult to interpret due to the lack of hierarchy or main thread. It is also not to be divided into multiple sub-graphs, and all networks are all connected.
In addition, the unconnected pins in the PCB no longer exist on the converted schematic. As shown in the example below:
Another disadvantage is that the footprint information of the component is gone and must be filled in again.
Although there is no footprint information, the network name is kept intact. After network comparison, no missing network is found.