A model of a particular board is completely described by a text file
that is represented by the box labeled ``user.input''.
(The preprocessor input file can have any name,
user.input is a generic name taken for the purpose of
exposition.) The preprocessor reads user.input and
creates a temporary file labeled ``pcbcat.cntl''. The
pcbcat.cntl file is a translation of the user's
description of the problem into a format that is easily readable by
the analysis codes. Whereas the data in user.input is
relatively free form and contains comment statements, the
pcbcat.cntl file has a rigid structure and no
extraneous text. The pcbcat.cntl file also contains
details about the grid, boundary conditions, and electronic
components that are implied by the data supplied in
user.input. This is described in more detail in the
preprocessor section.
The flow field model and the thermal model are described on separate pages.
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