cadnet

Create a cadnet object

Since R2025a

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Description

Create a cadnet object

A cadnet is a designated grouping of interconnected pcb components in a PCB layout.

Creation

Syntax

cadobj = cadnet(pfile,'CadnetName')

Description

cadobj = cadnet(pfile,'CadnetName') creates a cadnet object from a pcbFileRead object and given a specified name.

example

Input Arguments

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`pfile` — Input object
object

The input pcbFileRead object specified as a string.

Example: cadobj = cadnet(filename,'NET_INN1') creates a cadnet object from the pcbFileRead object filename.

Data Types: string

`'CadnetName'` — cadnet name
Read-only: string

This property is read-only.

Name of the cadnet in the pcbFileRead object specified as a string.

Example: cadobj = cadnet(filename,'NET_INN1')

Data Types: string

Properties

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`NumPins` — Number of pins
Read-only: scalar

This property is read-only.

Number of pins in a cadnet.

Example: 2

Data Types: int8

`NumSurfaces` — Number of surfaces
Read-only: scalar

This property is read-only.

Number of surfaces in a cadnet.

Example: 1

Data Types: int8

`NumVias` — Number of vias
Read-only: scalar

This property is read-only.

Number of vias in a cadnet

Example: 2

Data Types: int8

`NumTraces` — Number of traces
Read-only: scalar

This property is read-only.

Number of traces in a cadnet.

Example: 3

Data Types: int8

`TotalLength` — Length
Read-only: scalar

This property is read-only.

Length of the cadnet in inches.

Example: 1.2

Data Types: double

`EntityList` — Entity list
Read-only: list

This property is read-only.

Entities of a cadnet: Pins, Vias, Traces, Surf (surfaces).

Example: [1x1 struct]

Data Types: struct

`Voltage` — Voltage
scalar

Voltage in the cadnet.

Example: 2.20

Data Types: double

`LayerRange` — Layer range
scalar | array

Layers included in the cadnet.

Example: [1 3 5]

Data Types: int8

Object Functions

`show`	Show
`cadnetData`	Cadnet data
`shapes`	Shapes

Examples

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Read Allegro PCB File and Extract information

Open Live Script

This example shows how to read an Allegro file and create a pcbFileRead object. After this the following opertations will be executed:

Create layer, cadnet, padstack, part, and component objects form the pcbFileRead object
Create a powerDistributionNetwork object from the cadnet object
Set the properties of the powerDistributionNetwork object for voltage and current density anlysis
Analyse and visualize the voltage and current density

Here is the circuit:

Here is the pcb layout:

Read file

Read a native format Allegro file and look at the propeties of the pcb

pfile = pcbFileRead('native_ExampleBoard_Allegro')

pfile = 
  pcbFileRead with properties:

           FileName: 'native_ExampleBoard_Allegro'
          NumLayers: 5
         MetalLayer: [1 3 5]
    DielectricLayer: [2 4]
        LayerHeight: [0.0184 0.0104 0.0092 0.0012 0]
         NumCadnets: 7
       NumPadStacks: 6
      NumComponents: 8
           NumParts: 5

cadnetList(pfile)

ans=7×4 table
    CadnetIdx        CadnetName         NumPins    Length
    _________    ___________________    _______    ______

        1        {'Unconnected_Net'}       3           0 
        2        {'NET_OUTV'       }       2       0.615 
        3        {'NET_GND'        }       1        0.46 
        4        {'NET_IN22'       }       2       0.645 
        5        {'NET_IN11'       }       4       0.488 
        6        {'NET_INNEG'      }       2       0.515 
        7        {'NET_INPOS'      }       2       0.676

componentList(pfile)

ans=8×3 table
    ComponentIdx    ComponentName    NumPins
    ____________    _____________    _______

         1            {'OUT_V'}         1   
         2            {'U1'   }         6   
         3            {'C3'   }         2   
         4            {'R1'   }         2   
         5            {'TP1'  }         1   
         6            {'R2'   }         2   
         7            {'IN_N' }         1   
         8            {'IN_P' }         1

partList(pfile)

ans=5×2 table
    PartIdx       PartName    
    _______    _______________

       1       {'IOSINGLEPIN'}
       2       {'IC6ANT'     }
       3       {'CAPGEN080'  }
       4       {'RESGENH40'  }
       5       {'RESGEN080'  }

padStackList(pfile)

ans=6×2 table
    PadstackIdx        PadstackName    
    ___________    ____________________

         1         {'MHYCIRCLE009'    }
         2         {'MHYC012'         }
         3         {'MHYRECT46X59'    }
         4         {'MHYRECT80X60H40' }
         5         {'VIA'             }
         6         {'MHYRECT46X59_TOP'}

stackUp(pfile)

ans=5×8 table
    LayerNumber      LayerName         LayerType        Material     Thickness    EpsilonR    LossTangent    Conductivity
    ___________    ______________    ______________    __________    _________    ________    ___________    ____________

         1         {'TOP'       }    {'Signal'    }    {'COPPER'}     0.0012          1              0         5.96e+07  
         2         {'Dielectric'}    {'Dielectric'}    {'FR-4'  }      0.008        4.5          0.035                0  
         3         {'LAYER2'    }    {'Plane'     }    {'COPPER'}     0.0012          1              0         5.96e+07  
         4         {'Dielectric'}    {'Dielectric'}    {'FR-4'  }      0.008        4.5          0.035                0  
         5         {'BOTTOM'    }    {'Signal'    }    {'COPPER'}     0.0012          1              0         5.96e+07

Create layer object

Create and visualize a layer object

layerobj = layer(pfile,1,Type= 'All')

layerobj = 
  layer with properties:

        pcBoard: [1×1 pcbFileRead]
    LayerNumber: 1
           Type: "All"
    LayerHeight: 0.0184
    NumSurfaces: 1
        NumPins: 14
        NumVias: 4
      NumTraces: []
     EntityList: [1×1 struct]

show(layerobj)

Figure contains an axes object. The axes object with title layer element: layer 2, xlabel x (inch), ylabel y (inch) contains 38 objects of type patch.

Create a cadnet object

Create cadnet object and look at it data

cadobj = cadnet(pfile,'NET_IN11')

cadobj = 
  cadnet with properties:

        pcBoard: [1×1 pcbFileRead]
     CadnetName: 'NET_IN11'
        NumPins: 4
    NumSurfaces: 2
        NumVias: 4
      NumTraces: 4
    TotalLength: 0.4880
        Voltage: 'NoDef'
     LayerRange: [1 3 5]
     EntityList: [1×1 struct]

figure
show(cadobj)

Figure PCB Cadnet UI contains an axes object and another object of type uigridlayout. The axes object with title Visualize cadnet, xlabel x (inch), ylabel y (inch) contains 44 objects of type patch.

Create a padstack object

Create a padstack object and look at its data

stackobj = padStack(pfile,'MHYC012')

stackobj = 
  padStack with properties:

         pcBoard: [1×1 pcbFileRead]
    PadStackName: 'MHYC012'
         PadType: 'Pin'
        PadShape: 'Circle'
         NumPads: 6
       PadCenter: [6×2 double]
    HoleDiameter: 0
     PadDiameter: 0.0120
      PinPadInfo: [6×8 table]

shapes(stackobj)

ans=6×1 cell array
    {1×1 antenna.Polygon}
    {1×1 antenna.Polygon}
    {1×1 antenna.Polygon}
    {1×1 antenna.Polygon}
    {1×1 antenna.Polygon}
    {1×1 antenna.Polygon}

Create a part object

Create a part object and look at its data

partobj = part(pfile,"IC6ANT")

partobj = 
  part with properties:

          pcBoard: [1×1 pcbFileRead]
         PartName: 'IC6ANT'
    NumComponents: 1
    ComponentInfo: [1×7 table]

componentData(partobj)

ans = 
  component with properties:

             pcBoard: [1×1 pcbFileRead]
       ComponentName: 'U1'
            PartName: 'IC6ANT'
       ComponentType: 'IC'
             NumPins: 6
               Value: ''
            Facement: 'TOP'
    ComponentPinInfo: [6×7 table]

Create component object

Create a component object and look at its pin data

componentobj = component(pfile,'U1')

componentobj = 
  component with properties:

             pcBoard: [1×1 pcbFileRead]
       ComponentName: 'U1'
            PartName: 'IC6ANT'
       ComponentType: 'IC'
             NumPins: 6
               Value: ''
            Facement: 'TOP'
    ComponentPinInfo: [6×7 table]

componentPinData(componentobj,1)

ans = 
  pinsData with properties:

             PinShape: 'Circle'
           PartNumber: 'IC6ANT'
            Component: 'U1'
            PinNumber: 'A3'
                Value: ''
             PadStack: 'MHYC012'
           CadnetName: 'NET_OUTV'
           StartLayer: 1
            StopLayer: 1

   Circular pin dimensions:
               Center: [0.1010 0.2690]
             Diameter: 0.0120
    DrillHoleDiameter: 0

Create a power distribution network object

Create a power distribution network object from a cadnet object. After this the following operations can be performed:

Set up the the Network Parameters, DC Parameters, and DC Rules properties of the power distribution network for power integrity analysis
Analyse and visualize the voltage and current desnsity of the power distribution network

Here is the cadnet for power integrity analysis

pdnobj = powerDistributionNetwork(cadobj)

pdnobj = 
  powerDistributionNetwork with properties:

   Network Parameters:
              NetType: [1×1 cadnet]
               Source: []
                 Load: []
                Sense: []
     PlatingThickness: []

   DC Parameters:
       NominalVoltage: []
          LoadCurrent: []

   DC Rules
    MaxCurrentDensity: []
           MinVoltage: []
           MaxVoltage: []
        MaxViaCurrent: []

To Analyse PDN:
Set Network Parameters: setNetworkParameters
Set DC Parameters: setDCParameters
Set DC Rules: setDCRules

Find the pins connected to the cadnet using the findComponents function

ConnPins = findComponents(cadobj)

ConnPins=4×5 table
    ComponentIndex    Refdes    PinList    ComponentType          Part      
    ______________    ______    _______    ______________    _______________

          1           "C3"       "1"       {'Capacitor' }    {'CAPGEN080'  }
          2           "R2"       "2"       {'Resistor'  }    {'RESGEN080'  }
          3           "TP1"      "1"       {'Test Point'}    {'IOSINGLEPIN'}
          4           "U1"       "A1"      {'IC'        }    {'IC6ANT'     }

in = ConnPins.Refdes(2);
out = [ConnPins.Refdes(1),ConnPins.Refdes(4)];
SensePin = ConnPins.Refdes(3);

Set the network parameters

setNetworkParameters(pdnobj,Source=in,Load=out,Sense=SensePin,PlatingThickness=0.0003);

  powerDistributionNetwork with properties:

   Network Parameters:
              NetType: [1×1 cadnet]
               Source: "R2"
                 Load: ["C3"    "U1"]
                Sense: "TP1"
     PlatingThickness: 3.0000e-04

   DC Parameters:
       NominalVoltage: []
          LoadCurrent: []

   DC Rules
    MaxCurrentDensity: []
           MinVoltage: []
           MaxVoltage: []
        MaxViaCurrent: []

To Analyse PDN:
Set DC Parameters: setDCParameters
Set DC Rules: setDCRules

Set the DC parameters

setDCParameters(pdnobj,"LoadCurrent",[10e-3,10e-3],"NominalVoltage",2)

  powerDistributionNetwork with properties:

   Network Parameters:
              NetType: [1×1 cadnet]
               Source: "R2"
                 Load: ["C3"    "U1"]
                Sense: "TP1"
     PlatingThickness: 3.0000e-04

   DC Parameters:
       NominalVoltage: 2
          LoadCurrent: [0.0100 0.0100]

   DC Rules
    MaxCurrentDensity: []
           MinVoltage: []
           MaxVoltage: []
        MaxViaCurrent: []

To Analyse PDN:
Set DC Rules: setDCRules

Set the DC rules

setDCRules(pdnobj,MinVoltage=1,MaxVoltage=2.00002,MaxCurrentDensity=4,MaxViaCurrent=2)

  powerDistributionNetwork with properties:

   Network Parameters:
              NetType: [1×1 cadnet]
               Source: "R2"
                 Load: ["C3"    "U1"]
                Sense: "TP1"
     PlatingThickness: 3.0000e-04

   DC Parameters:
       NominalVoltage: 2
          LoadCurrent: [0.0100 0.0100]

   DC Rules
    MaxCurrentDensity: 4
           MinVoltage: 1
           MaxVoltage: 2.0000
        MaxViaCurrent: 2

Analyze voltage deviation

voltage(pdnobj);

Figure DC Drop Analysis contains an axes object and another object of type uigridlayout. The axes object with title Voltage deviation from nominal (mV) Nominal Voltage: (2V), xlabel x (inch), ylabel y (inch) contains 10 objects of type line, patch.

Analyze current desnsity with direction enabled

current(pdnobj,Direction="on")

Figure DC Drop Analysis contains an axes object and another object of type uigridlayout. The axes object with title Current Density (mA/mil Squared baseline ) blank Current blank Density blank Limit: blank ( 4 blank mA/mil Squared baseline ), xlabel x (inch), ylabel y (inch) contains 14 objects of type line, patch, quiver.

Version History

Introduced in R2025a

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cadnet

Description

Creation

Syntax

Description

Input Arguments

pfile — Input object object

'CadnetName' — cadnet name Read-only: string

Properties

NumPins — Number of pins Read-only: scalar

NumSurfaces — Number of surfaces Read-only: scalar

NumVias — Number of vias Read-only: scalar

NumTraces — Number of traces Read-only: scalar

TotalLength — Length Read-only: scalar

EntityList — Entity list Read-only: list

Voltage — Voltage scalar

LayerRange — Layer range scalar | array

Object Functions

Examples

Read Allegro PCB File and Extract information

Version History

`pfile` — Input object
object

`'CadnetName'` — cadnet name
Read-only: string

`NumPins` — Number of pins
Read-only: scalar

`NumSurfaces` — Number of surfaces
Read-only: scalar

`NumVias` — Number of vias
Read-only: scalar

`NumTraces` — Number of traces
Read-only: scalar

`TotalLength` — Length
Read-only: scalar

`EntityList` — Entity list
Read-only: list

`Voltage` — Voltage
scalar

`LayerRange` — Layer range
scalar | array