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EDB Import

The EDBImport tool lets users use EDB files generated through SIWave or Electronics Desktop. The main features that are imported are the geometry, including dielectrics, vias, traces, and components, which are the RLC passives present in the EDB. The EDBImport automatically assigns materials from the EDB to the geometry and creates point barrier articles to represent the components. This tool allows users to quickly generate a complex model that is ready to mesh and simulate.

Importing the EDB
  1. Click EDBImport 16 EDBImport under the EMA3D ribbon within the Simulation section.

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  2. In the heads up display, select the EDB Filepath button. See the first table below for a list of Properties and their meanings.

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  3. In the pop-up window, navigate to and select the EDB Definition .def file and click Open. Note that the .def file must be in a folder ending with the .aedb extension, which is the default naming convention.

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  4. Click Check Image 16 OK to begin the import. The import process may take several minutes for large, complex files.

  5. The Simulation Tree will update with the EDB model geometry components, materials, and any definitions that were assigned.

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  6. The model geometry and RLC components (red dots, also called barrier articles) will be visible in the model window.

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  7. Component values can be viewed and edited by right clicking a red dot in the model window and selecting Edit Barrier Properties.

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  8. In the heads up display, the name of the RLC component (barrier article) will be visible and the barrier type and other properties can be edited. See the second table below for a list of the properties and their meanings.

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EDB Import Properties

Entry

Meaning

Design

Lists the designs contained in the EDB file. Each design is a separate PCB.

Nets

Opens editor to choose which nets to import. All nets are imported by default.

  • Add All - brings back all nets in design

  • Delete - removes selected nets

  • Clear - removes all nets

  • OK - applies current selection

Components

Opens editor to choose which components to import.

  • Add All - brings back all components in design

  • Delete - removes selected components

  • Clear - removes all components

  • OK - applies current selection

  • Value - shows RLC value of selected component

Via Settings

Opens menu with options related to via geometry. Tolerance is the distances that traces are receded from a via that is not connected to the trace.

  • Use Absolute Tolerance - switches between absolute (True, colored blue) and relative (False, colored white) tolerance

  • Relative Tolerance - sets traces back by a percentage of the vias diameter

  • Absolute Tolerance - sets traces back by a static distance [mm]

Origin

Sets origin for placement of PCB. Origin can also be changed by dragging directional arrows.

PCB placement is relative to the origin. For example, a PCB is placed at (5,5) in SIWave. The user sets the origin in EMC Plus to (1,2,3). The PCB would therefore be placed at (6,7,3) when imported.

Barrier Article Properties

Entry

Meaning

Name

The display name of the barrier article.

Barrier Type

Whether the barrier article is a single point or a line.

Color

Display color of the main geometry.

Impedance Color

Display color of the impedance geometry.

Impedance Type

Absolute - assigns a given impedance to the barrier article independent of length.

Density - assigns an impedance per length to the barrier article. When using the Density specification, the length is associated with the meshed article. In some cases, the meshed length may be longer than the geometric line due to the stair stepping nature of the meshed geometric entities.

Resistance [Ω or Ω-m depending on the impedance type]

Resistance of the impedance geometry

Capacitance [F or F-m depending on the impedance type]

Capacitance of the impedance geometry

Inductance [H or H-m depending on the impedance type]

Inductance of the impedance geometry

See Also

Other Resources

Domain

EMA3D - © 2025 EMA, Inc. Unauthorized use, distribution, or duplication is prohibited.