cyrus@pprg.unm.edu (Tait Cyrus) (10/27/89)
Around a year ago I asked for recommendations on CAD packages that worked well in a university environment. Unfortunately, funding was not available at that time to purchase anything so I could not really do anything with all the info I received. Some funds are now available and I have been given the arduous task of picking our new CAD system(s). I am again asking for comments and suggestions. The environment that we envision having is: six 16 Meg GX SPARCstation 1's with 1 Wren 300Meg disk attached to each with a SPARCserver 330 providing the user file systems. The `ideal' CAD environment wanted (in order of importance) is: - Digital/Analog Schematic capture and simulation (it would be nice if it could include mixed mode (both digial/anaolg) simulation). - VLSI design - PCB design Some requirements are (in order of importance): - Must be EASY to use (should NOT require a 1 week traing class to get started). - The vendor MUST support the product in an acceptable manner, i.e. phone/e-mail hotline. - The vendor MUST be able to work with the University if problems arrise in using the product. - VERY inexpensive. We will be willing to pay for maintenance, but the software has to be free (that is ALL we can afford). - Would be nice if a single vindor could provide everything making learning and management easier, though if different vendors provide packages that ALREADY interface that would be acceptable. The two leading continders are Daisy/Cadnetix and Valid because they seem to provide just about everything mentioned above in the `ideal' environment. Questions: - What are other Universitys using and why? - Are there other vendors that I should be looking at? - Any comments/suggestions/flames/etc.? Thanks in advance. --- W. Tait Cyrus (505) 277-0806 e-mail: cyrus@pprg.unm.edu University of New Mexico Dept of Electrical and Computer Engineering Parallel Processing Research Group Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131