CADSTAR is a Windows based EDA software tool for designing and creating schematic diagrams and printed circuit boards. It provides engineers with a competitively priced, scalable solution for designing simple or complex, multilayer PCBs. CADSTAR spans schematic capture, spice simulation, variant management, placement, automatic and high-speed routing, signal integrity, power integrity, EMC analysis, a 3D design tool, design rule checks and production of manufacturing data. It also features internet-accessible libraries of more than 250,000 parts. Originally developed by U.K. PCB vendor Racal-Redac, CADSTAR has been part of the Zuken product portfolio since its acquisition in 1994 [1].
The first version of CADSTAR was released in 1988 running under DOS. CADSTAR for Windows 1.0 was released in March 1994. Since then, it has seen about one major release per year. The latest version, as of August 2010, is CADSTAR version 12.1 for Windows [2]. The software is developed at Zuken's Technology Centre, ZTC in Bristol, United Kingdom.
The basic features of CADSTAR can be tested with the free download version of CADSTAR Express [3].
Modules
Schematic Capture Provides a smooth and error-free transition between schematics and PCB supporting forward- and backannotation.
E³.logic Integrated with CADSTAR, E³.logic is an alternative schematic capture solution based on Zuken’s E³.series [4].
Variant Manager Supports hierarchical variants and intelligent checking of components.
Placement Planning Enables electronic engineers to preplace components, offering a comprehensive range of component placement tools.
CADSTAR FPGA Allows designers to easily integrate FPGAs in the PCB board.
Library Editor Offers access to more than 250,000 parts and allows the generation of company-specific components with user-defined attributes. Supports ODBC compliant databases.
Datasheet Publisher Generates customized datasheets for each part in the library, extracting all the part information from any component into a (configurable) HTML Datasheet.
High-Speed P.R.Editor Allows the user to define a wide range of circuit rules and routing constraints early in the design process.
Signal Integrity Verify Offers a complete post-layout signal integrity simulation toolset and what-if analysis.
Power Integrity Fast analysis methodology including what-if analysis for concurrent power integrity.
EMC Adviser Helps designers predict, analyze and control EMC design issues.
Dragon Autorouter Revolutionary autorouter tackles your toughest designs. Enables easy set up and management of all routing tasks.
BoardModeler Light Displays 3D electronic and mechanical information in a single environment. Supports STEP, ACIS, STL and IDF formats. Allows electrical or mechanical engineers to check for conflicts and verify spacing and fit.
Design Migration Tool Helps you easily migrate designs and libraries from other EDA-tools into CADSTAR.
[edit] See also
Electronic Design Automation
Printed Circuit Board
Zuken
CR-5000
External links
Zuken Official Cadstar Website
Zuken Official Website in English
Zuken Official Website in Japanese
CADSTAR Express Download from the Zuken.com website
References
^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EKF/is_n2018_v40/ai_15513615/
^ http://www.electronicspecifier.com/Design/Zukens-CADSTAR-12-1-PCB-Design-Software.asp
^ http://www.pcb007.com/pages/zone.cgi?a=70999
^ http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/zuk/zuk184.html
