Jump to content

TARGET (CAD software)

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Tynewyrd (talk | contribs) at 12:32, 9 July 2024 (Content and citations in this edit are translated from the existing German Wikipedia article at de:Target_3001; see its history for attribution). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

TARGET 3001!
Developer(s)Ing.-Büro Friedrich, Eichenzell
Initial release1992; 32 years ago (1992)
Stable release
V30.3[1] / 30 April 2021; 3 years ago (2021-04-30)
Operating systemWindows, Linux (Wine)
PlatformWindows
Available inEnglish, French, German
TypeElectronic design automation
LicenseProprietary, free versions available
Websitewww.ibfriedrich.com

TARGET 3001! is a CAD computer program for EDA and PCB (printing circuit board) design, developed by Ing.-Büro (en: engineering office) Friedrich in Germany. This software application has been available since 1992 (for 32 years) and operates on Microsoft Windows. It supports the design of electronic schematics, PCBs, and device front panels. It is possible to use Target 3001! on Linux systems with the assistance of Wine, a compatibility layer for running Windows applications on Unix-like operating systems. This setup has been tested with Ubuntu 11.04 (64-bit). The software is available in English, German and French.

A notable featuer of Target 3001! is its ability to support reverse engineering. Users can derive a circuit drawing from a photograph of an existing circuit board through the traced layout.

A special branch of the program is the ASIC Designer, which allows design of integrated circuits.

The free version (for non-commercial use) is limited to 250 connection pins or pads on two copper layers. The PCB manufacturer PCB-Pool and Conrad Electronic provide a free unlimited version, that generates only printed output or output for PCB-Pool and Conrad's PCB service. Commercial versions with all features are available.

Features

TARGET 3001! collects several features under one user interface (MDI). All project information is stored in one file to avoid redundancy and version conflicts. Design begins with the creation of a schematic diagram and usually ends with the layout of a PCB (or chip).

The schematics can be simulated by the integrated PSPICE compatible mixed mode simulator. Components are stored in a SQLite or MySQL database, also externally accessible. Component data include direct links to datasheets and component supplier information as well as simulation information and 3D models. TARGET's open Component Interchange Format CXF[2] is supported by universal component databases like Ultra Librarian[3] and Footprint Expert.[4]

PCBs or ASICs can be designed manually or using an autoplacer and autorouter. A Specctra interface to external autorouters is available. The design can be automatically checked for spacing violations and many other design rules. If the PCB is ready designed it can be directly displayed and rotated in a live 3D view. The 3D data can be exported in STEP format to produce preview 3D dummies of the PCB on 3D printers. Circuit design on 3D bodies (Molded Interconnect Device, MID) is possible.

CNC data for PCB milling can be obtained in several formats. Additionally a device front panel can directly be derived from the PCB, using the coordinates on the PCB, e.g. from LEDs or potentiometers.

History

Panasonic-TOYOTA (3rd in red) cable harnesses being designed by TARGET 3001!

A predecessor of TARGET 3001! was a PCB software called "RULE" (German: Rechner Unterstützter Leiterplatten Entwurf), a DOS-based program developed for PCB layout (1989). The software gained popularity among hobbyists, leading to requests for additional features such as a circuit diagram input function and autorouter, which is an automatic routing function. In response, TARGET 2.1 (for DOS) was released in 1992.

The transition to Windows was initially challenging: early versions of "TARGET V3 for Windows" were prone to frequent crashes. However, as the stability and performance of the package improves, the software's user base expanded beyound hobbyists and educational users to include professionals.

The software package continued to develop with significant expansions starting from version V7. Developments in versions V7 to V16 included an EMC tool and PSPICE-compatible simulation. The name TARGET was evolved over time, becoming TARGET 2001!, before ultimately being changed to "TARGET 3001!" in anticipation of the new millenium. This name was registered as a trademark wth the German Patent Office and used for versions V9 and higher.

TARGET 3001! is used also by industrial designers. For example, TOYOTA used it for cable harnesses in their Formula 1 racing car.

Today, TARGET 3001! is one of the most popular PCB layout systems in Germany and Europe. Readers of electronics magazine Elektor voted it number two.[5] Also testers of the electronics magazine "c't Hardware Hacks" rated it number two.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.ibfriedrich.com/target/deutsch/logbuch.txt [bare URL plain text file]
  2. ^ Open Component Interchange Format CXF
  3. ^ Accelerated Designs, Ultra Librarian
  4. ^ PCBL, Footprint Expert
  5. ^ Elektor (May 2004). Issue 5. Elektor Magazine. p. 73
  6. ^ c't Hardware Hacks (Jan 2013), p. 114
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=TARGET_(CAD_software)&oldid=1233505497"