Patent ID: 8312412
Filing Date: 2012-11-13
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A design support apparatus configured to generate layout data showing an arrangement position on a printed circuit board in which an electronic component specified by an input device is arranged, the arrangement position being specified by the input device, the apparatus comprising: a component arrangement module configured to generate first layout data showing that a first electronic component whose rated power consumption is not lower than a set value is arranged on the printed circuit board; a temperature distribution data acquisition module configured to acquire temperature distribution data showing a temperature distribution on a surface of the printed circuit board, the temperature distribution data being computed by a thermal analysis conducted based on the first layout data and power consumption of the first electronic component; a thermal resistance temperature acquisition module configured to acquire a maximum thermal resistance temperature of a second electronic component when the second electronic component is specified by the input device, the second electronic component being arranged on the printed circuit board and having rated power consumption that is lower than the set value; a calculator configured to calculate a temperature of the surface of the printed circuit board at the specified arrangement position based on the temperature distribution data when an arrangement position of the second electronic component is specified by the input device; a determination module configured to determine whether the specified second electronic component is able to be arranged at the specified arrangement position based on the temperature calculated by the calculator and the maximum thermal resistance temperature acquired by the thermal resistance temperature acquisition module; and a prohibition module configured to prohibit the component arrangement module from generating second layout data when the determination module determines that the second electronic component is not able to be arranged at the specified arrangement position, the second layout data indicating the specified arrangement position in which the specified second electronic component is arranged.