A chat with ChatGPT

Just about one year ago, reports on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based text generator ChatGPT hit the media. Since then, AI has been on everyone’s lips, while newspapers, radio, television, and social media are overflowing with reports and updates. The text results delivered by ChatGPT are quite amazing. For the first time, many people—including the author of these lines—have realized that AI is not just a complicated “academic fad.” In fact, it’s much more advanced than many of us could have imagined. Additionally, it has shown capabilities that surpass even our wildest dreams.

Chatting About Artificial Intelligence in PCB Design

In this post, we do not intend to indulge in speculation about the effects of AI-based content generation on intellectual property. Instead, we would like to know if AI can assist with laying out modern electronic assemblies. Thus, we decided to chat with ChatGPT to find out what it knows about artificial intelligence in PCB design and what we can expect to see.

There are indeed a number of possible use cases where AI can help complete routine tasks in PCB design more efficiently, avoid errors, and, furthermore, possibly push the boundaries of physics. However, the technology is still in the early stages of development. Data acquisition (building up a database of reference designs) and capturing the increasingly complex design rules that need to be observed in PCB design are two particular areas that additionally need progress.

Zuken is actively researching and implementing artificial intelligence in PCB design in our design environment, and I’ll go into the details briefly later. Now, let’s get to the good part: the chat with ChatGPT!

NOTE: Questions and answers in this “interview” are direct responses from ChatGPT.

How Can AI Help in PCB Design?

ChatGPT: Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help in Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design by automating tasks, increasing efficiency, reducing errors and enabling innovative design solutions. Some examples of AI-aided tasks in PCB design include:

• Component placement optimization
• Routing optimization and trace length reduction
• Signal integrity analysis and prediction
• Dynamic voltage drop analysis
• DFM (Design for Manufacturability) checks
• Design rule checking and violation correction
• 3D visualization and interactive placement
• Machine learning-based failure prediction and analysis.

By using AI, PCB designers can reduce design time, improve design quality and create innovative designs with increased functionality.

Is AI Mature Enough to Efficiently Support PCB Designers Today?

ChatGPT: AI technology for supporting PCB design is still in its early stages of development and is not yet fully mature. While AI algorithms can perform certain tasks such as component placement optimization and design rule checking with good results, there are still limitations and challenges that need to be addressed. Some of these limitations include:

• Limited understanding of complex design rules and constraints, leading to suboptimal results
• Lack of data to train AI algorithms for new and specialized design tasks
• Integration with existing design tools and workflows, leading to a fragmented design process
• Limited ability to handle exceptions and unanticipated scenarios.

AI technology in the field of PCB design is rapidly advancing and has the potential to significantly impact the design process in the future.

Are You Aware that Zuken is Among the Forerunners in AI-assisted PCB Design?

ChatGPT: Zuken is a company that provides software solutions for electronic design automation (EDA) and is involved in the area of AI-based PCB design. Zuken’s offering in this area includes a range of software tools and solutions designed to assist engineers in the design and verification of printed circuit boards (PCBs).

One of their offerings is the “CR-8000 Design Force,” a platform for advanced PCB design and system integration that utilizes AI and machine learning to automate design tasks and streamline the design process. The platform provides features such as automatic component placement, real-time design rule checking, and 3D visualization.

Zuken’s AI-based offerings in the area of PCB design are aimed at increasing efficiency and accuracy in the design process, reducing errors and design iterations, and improving overall design quality. The company’s focus on AI-based solutions reflects the growing trend towards the use of AI and machine learning in the EDA industry.

Are You Able to Make Predictions About the Future of AI in PCB Design?

ChatGPT: An error occurred. If this issue persists please contact us through our help center at help.openai.com.

We Appreciate Your Insights into the Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence in PCB design!

ChatGPT: You’re welcome! I’m glad I could provide some insights. If you have any further questions or need more information, feel free to ask. I’m here to help!

Since ChatGPT Failed to Provide an Answer About the Future of Artificial Intelligence in PCB Design…

Let me provide some details on the areas in which Zuken is investing or already deploying AI technology:

• New command recommendation: AI suggests the next operational step based on the experts’ manipulation history that AI learned.
• Circuit recognition and reproduction: AI recognizes circuits and components from acquired data and automatically reproduces the proven layout and routing.
• Distancing: AI automatically adjusts the distancing between components or tracks and their relative positions of them.
• AI-driven optimization of pin counts: AI delivers highly accurate results in shorter design time and less dependence on designers.
• Design rule optimization using AI: Based on design rule checks used in past data, AI automatically extracts items that need to be checked in circuits and applies a check rule.

Learn More!

Finally, if you missed seeing the launch of CR-8000 AIPR at PCB West this year, do not worry; we have several resources where you can learn more about what we’re doing with artificial intelligence in PCB design:

• Watch our recent webinar: AI-Based PCB Place and Route is All About Machine Learning
• Read the article in PCD&F: New AI Tools Offer Look, and Questions, for Future
• Listen to our own Dr. Kyle Miller’s interview with Kenneth Wong
• Visit our web page for all the details.