[gta02-core] KiCad wish list

[Werner Almesberger]

?lvaro Lopes wrote:
> This symbol does not have pin numbers associated with each pin,
> but only pin names. The device includes mapping between symbol pins
> and package pins (not necessarly 1-to-1).

KiCad lets you do about half of this: I think you should be able to
define pin "numbers" by name in both the component and the footprint.

However, then you'd get a function-specific footprint (e.g., a
SOT-323 for BJTs with pads labeled B, C, E), which isn't so nice.

Having KiCad know about a mapping (if one exists) is an interesting
idea. That would also allow you to show the real pin/pad numbers in
the schematics, while keeping the symbolic pin "numbers" inside.
(In fact, maybe just do away with the pin numbers, and use the pin
names as a key for the map. That would remove one level of
indirection.)

> What I'd really like is to abstract even more, like to have a symbol
> (design), an intermediate device (how symbol maps to functionality)
> and a real device (how functionality maps to pins).

Ah yes, that could be nice. E.g., to combine nearby individual
resistors into an array and such, without messing up the
schematics.

- Werner