Cloud-based EDA software can be purchased on a term-based basis.
It combines the advantages of existing CAD tools and is compatible with Polex, making verification easy.

The proliferation of cloud-based, user-friendly software in the PCB design tool market is alleviating designers' concerns.

Cloud-based software reduces financial burden by allowing users to use it for as long as they want without any initial investment costs, and offers the advantage of greater accessibility by significantly improving the compatibility and convenience of the tools themselves.

Quadcept, a cloud-based EDA (electronic design automation) software provided by Cadnix (www.cadnix.com), is also a representative PCB design tool that has the functions of existing CAD tools.

Cadnix's Kwon Seul-ah said, "Quadcept is targeted at users of PolleX. PolleX can read all CAD tools used domestically and internationally. Therefore, we attempted to make previously popular third-party tools compatible with PolleX, but it didn't work out well. However, Quadcept can interface with Polex,” he said.

While existing tools require local licenses to manage data and operate tools, which incur license purchase and management costs, Quadcept adopts a cloud-based approach, reducing license costs and annual maintenance fees.


Once a PCB design is complete, each company maintains a list of specifications to ensure compliance before production or distribution. While visual inspection of the design for potential issues is common, Quadcept is compatible with Polex verification tools, allowing users to incorporate the checklist into their tools for verification. Among the checklist elements, manufacturing feasibility verification related to production can be verified through DFM, while signal characteristic verification related to electrical properties can be verified through DFE. Simulation tools such as signal integrity analysis and thermal analysis can also be integrated.

Typically, PCB designers use CAD tools for design, while those involved in manufacturing view PCB design data in Gerber format or PDF files. Information like component properties, net connection structures, and net branch lengths, all of which are accessible through CAD tools, are difficult to access in Gerber data. When moving to production, information from multiple CAD tools must be received, but from the producer's perspective, problems may arise because the data representation method for each tool is different.

Pollex uses ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) data format, which outputs all information viewable in CAD tools, allowing for accurate and easy verification of the designer's intent. Furthermore, Pollex displays PCB design data in colors similar to actual PCBs, allowing even first-time users to easily identify components, vias, or patterns at a glance.

Community version support and tutorials are also provided on the website.

Quadcept has a simple library management system and BOM creation function, so you can edit component information in the BOM, and the edited information is reflected in the schematic and PCB. Instead of having to manage the schematic, PCB, and component information output to the BOM separately, you can manage them all as a single project.

The Cadnix website offers a community version available to anyone. Tutorials are also provided, allowing users to easily use the software after a two- to three-day training course. While the community version has no time limit, it does have limitations such as the number of pins per component and the size of the sheet.

"I believe Quadcept combines the best features of existing CAD tools," said Kwon. "Its convenient and intuitive features make it easy to learn for anyone with experience with tools." He added, "Its competitive edge lies in its affordability while maintaining the performance of major CAD tools. Its performance is superior to similarly priced tools."