NETEX-O Extracting Geometry, Nets and Components from ODB++

The ODB++ database is an excellent way of extracting geometry, nets and components from a PCB design and is essentially vendor independent -- no matter which PCB tool you are using, you should be able to produce a valid and correct ODB++ file that contains the basics needed to manufacture the board.

Artwork's NETEX-O program reads ODB++ and outputs a variety of formats for today's EM simulators including those from Ansys (Ansoft), Apache (Optimal), AWR, Agilent ADS, CST and Sonnet.

NETEX-O reads the layer section and extracts the conductor geometry on each layer. It also does signficant processing in order to produce clean simple boundaries that can be imported into EM simulators.

vias are derived from the drill information. All types of vias are handled - through, blind and buried.

a technique used in multi-layer high speed boards to reduce "antenna" parasitics ...

The stackup order of the conductors and dielectrics is derived from the matrix section.

metal foil and dielectric thickness derived from layer attributes

Net labels can be derived from different sections - generally from the pcb/netlists section of the ODB++ file.

Component and Pin information is derived from either the layers/components section or from the netlist section.

Describes outputs and interfaces to EM simulators ...