Computer Aided Design of MIC layouts with Postprocessor for Photoplotter

Abstract

A PC-based computer-aided design (CAD) package for designing microwave integrated circuit (MIC) printed circuit board (PCB) layout, called microwave artwork postprocessor for photoplotter (MAPP), is developed. The small size of MIC PCBs makes them suitable for defence applications. MAPP has a postprocessor which converts the MIC layout data to a format acceptable as input to a Gerber photoplotter. Photomask of the PCB is obtained from the photoplotter. This paper presents the methodology for the CAD of MIC layouts and also discusses the algorithm for filling of a general polygon with curved edges, and which lies in the real domain. This algorithm is used in the postprocessor for a photoplotter.