Streamlining Library Management and Boosting Productivity: Tait Communications and Cadence

• Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Middleware, SDKs & Libraries
• Processors & Edge Intelligence - Microcontrollers & Printed Circuit Boards

• Equipment & Machinery
• Telecommunications

• Product Research & Development

• Inventory Management
• Time Sensitive Networking

• Hardware Design & Engineering Services
• Training

Tait Communications, a New Zealand-based company that designs and manages digital wireless communications environments, was facing significant challenges in managing schematic and footprint library models. The process was manual, involving spreadsheets and custom-written scripts and utilities, which was both time-consuming and labor-intensive. The company often duplicated efforts due to difficulties in locating specific parts among the thousands they manage. The manual methodology was also prone to errors, leading to inconsistent and inaccurate results. Additionally, Tait needed a solution that could manage design reuse modules, as their PCB designs were unique and subject to various rigid requirements and regulations. They needed version control and the ability to guarantee the accuracy of the components on their boards.

Tait Communications is a company based in Christchurch, New Zealand, that designs, develops, manufactures, tests, deploys, supports, and manages innovative digital wireless communications environments. The company serves organizations worldwide that protect communities, power cities, move citizens, harness resources, and save lives. Led by PCB design manager Dave Elder, Tait's team of five PCB designers develop radio communications equipment for a global customer base. The team typically works on about one new PCB design per month, each of which could lead to about 100 different product variations. They also develop custom designs for their customers.

Tait turned to Cadence for a solution to automate its library management process. Cadence recommended Allegro PCB Library Workbench, a tool that allows users to create, validate, manage, and distribute library parts and their associated data for use with Allegro PCB Editor. The tool automatically creates revisions and distributes updated design libraries to specified design sites when parts are created or modified. It also alerts designers during the part selection process when parts are on a 'last-time-buy' status. The tool's powerful search capability and database made it easier to locate parts and avoid duplication of component entry efforts. The team can now link models directly into multiple parts within a library, making it easier to link and store datasheet information. The tool also facilitated easier distribution of libraries across the organization and improved resource planning. Additionally, the system administration function of Allegro Design Workbench, a client/server tool, enabled faster and more efficient software updates across the user base.

• The implementation of Allegro PCB Library Workbench has significantly streamlined Tait's library management process. The tool's powerful search capability and database have made it easier to locate parts, reducing duplication of component entry efforts. The ability to link models directly into multiple parts within a library has simplified the process of linking and storing datasheet information. The tool has also facilitated easier distribution of libraries across the organization, improving resource planning. The system administration function of Allegro Design Workbench has made software installation and updating a more efficient process. The company has also benefited from a more agile regulatory compliance process and access to more up-to-date, accurate parts data. Looking ahead, Tait plans to evaluate and possibly implement Cadence Team Design Authoring for improving design collaboration.

• 25% faster library creation process
• 25% more schematic capture productivity
• 10% more PCB design layout productivity