Reduce Cycle Time and Improve Quality through the use of Modularity

Russell Fett
Motorola
QRF000@email.mot.com

Through the use of modularity, higher quality designs have been achieved while reducing cycle times by 5-7X versus standard serial layout processes. Designs are divided by functionality or by location on the PCB. Inputs and outputs are defined and the modules are routed independently. Recombination is achieved through ample scripts and no routing is required at the top level. Reuse has also been achieved between similar designs. This presentation will describe the modularity process, its benefits and the tools and scripts used to achieve the end goal.

Bio:
Russell Fett is a Lead RF Engineer at Motorola in Fort Worth, Texas. Russ has worked at Motorola for 8 years mainly designing circuits used in cellular infrastructure equipment. About three years ago, Russ and another associate proposed doing layouts in parallel instead of the lengthy serial process. Together they defined the process, wrote scripts, and designed an interface point that connects the modules at the top level. They received Motorola Invention Awards for their efforts and now Motorola Groups throughout the country are using their modularity ideas. Russ has a BSEE from the University of Michigan.