For the past several years there has been an increase in the number of standards dealing with the interchange of electrical and mechanical data between CAD design and analysis systems. Additionally, the scope and coverage of many of these standards has expanded dramatically. While a few of the standards focus specifically on a unique purpose, others attempt to provide data to support the entire electronics life cycle. Recent standards activity includes; the acceptance of STEP AP210 as an international standard, the creation of GenCAM out of the GenCAD format, the extension of EDIF 4.0 with PCB capabilities, and the extension of IDF 4.0 with its extensive changes to content, format and representation. Each of the standards that are available today provides a unique perspective on the syntax, semantics and data content it addresses. Each standard imposes on the user requirements for the existence of specific information before the extraction/ translation process can be successfully performed.

This panel will provide a forum for users to query experts on particular standards. Discussion will include a brief overview of AP210, EDIF, IDF, GenCAM, and Gerber focusing on present and future capabilities. In addition, future plans and directions will be addressed. A question and answer period will be provided to respond to direct concerns of the user community.

Bio

Gregory L. Smith is an Associate Technical Fellow with Boeing Space & Communications Group in Seattle Washington. For the past 21 years he has been developing software tools for engineering in the Electronics Design Automation arenas. He was the software director and architect for the NIST sponsored Pre-Competitive Advanced Manufacturing Processes (PreAmp) program and the DARPA sponsored Team Integrated Electronics Response (TIGER) program. Both the PreAmp and TIGER contracts focused on integrating STEP Application Protocols (AP 210, AP 220 and AP 203) into the PWA environment. Greg has received numerous awards and commendations for his work including; the ComputerWorld Object Application Award for "Best use of Object Technology in an Enterprise Environment" (1994, 1995 and 1997) and the Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence Award (1990). Greg holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Thomas R. Thurman is a Principal Engineer, for the Engineering and Technology Department at Rockwell Collins Inc. He is responsible for the requirements analysis, activity and information model development using ISO 10303 international standards and the technical interchange with other standards in support of STEP AP 210 and CAD/CAE translator development at Rockwell Collins. Prior to these job responsibilities, Mr. Thurman was the Principle Engineer in the design, development and implementation of an integrated CAE/CAD system utilizing Zuken-Redac's Visula printed circuit layout and schematic editors, HHB's, CADAT digital simulator, Analogy's SABER simulator and Pacific Numerix' printed circuit thermal analysis simulator. Throughout his 31 years career with Rockwell Collins Inc., Mr. Thurman has been responsible for long range planning for automation of design and test processes, vendor development planning and central database definition. Mr. Thurman received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from St. Louis University.

Dave Kehmeier is the founder of Intermedius Design Integration, providing consulting services to CAD vendors and their customers to help them achieve the best possible integration of mechanical and electrical design using the IDF. Dave is responsible for the development of the IDF, recently completing a project to develop IDF 4.0. Prior to Intermedius, Dave spent nearly 9 years with Mentor Graphics in various management, marketing, and consulting positions, all related to the design, implementation, and integration of PCA design and manufacturing systems. He has over 14 years' experience in the CAD/CAM/CAE industry, both as a user and a supplier of CAD/CAM/CAE systems.

Dinno Ditta of Router Solutions Incorporated is an active member of the IPC GenCAM committee and has given many presentations on how GenCAM can be used in industry. , Router Solutions is a software tool provider who specializes in CAD data preparation, viewing and transfer to CAM. We are also a Mentor User and a member of their Open Door Program.