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Guide to Monte Carlo in SPICE
Blog
The Basics of Monte Carlo in SPICE: Theory and Demo

Anytime you place a component in your PCB, it’s almost like you’re gambling. All components have tolerances, and some of these are very precise, but others components can have very wide tolerances on their nominal values. In the event the tolerances on these components become too large, how can you predict how these tolerances will affect your circuits?

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Working with MCAD CoDesigner extension
MCAD CoDesigner Quick Start: PTC Creo

MCAD CoDesigner is built to address the challenges of electronic product design by enabling seamless collaboration between your electrical and mechanical engineers. This video will show you how to start collaborate between Altium Designer and PTC Creo

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How to work with Variants
Variants in Multi-Channel Designs

Multi-channel designs can utilize variations in the channels to reduce design time and sheet count. We’ll show you how to take advantage of this by configuring several types of components.

BGA Land Patterns and Footprints
Blog
What's In Your BGA Land Pattern and Footprint

If you look in datasheets for most components, you’ll often find a recommended land pattern, usually alongside some mechanical package information and assembly information. This is not always the case with BGA components, especially components with high ball count. There are a few reasons for this that we can speculate: those ball counts might just be too big to put into a single page, or the manufacturer just expects you to know how to create that land pattern.

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DFM and Fabrication Cost/Time Constraints
Stackup Considerations

There is a lot to consider about the Layer Stackup when it comes to designing a manufacturable board. We’ll walk you through enabling symmetry, finding correct balance of your layers, materials, creating and loading templates, and adding a layer stack table for better communication between you and your manufacturer.

Molded Interconnect Devices
Blog
MIDs Make a Comeback as Vertical SMD Modules for Your PCB

Molded interconnect devices are essentially plastic molded substrates with traces running along any surface, including at right angles and running vertically. Altium users can use the new 3D Routing extension to design their own component carriers, which can be mounted vertically in a standard assembly process. If you’ve always wanted to vertically mount components or entire circuits, but without the expense of adding a flex section to your design, the new 3D Routing extension with HARTING’s component carrier designs provides a unique solution.

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How to work with Variants
What Are Design Variants For?

Variants in Altium Designer allow you to create several variations of the same design all from one source project. Variants can be managed in the project and through Altium Designer you can control variants in the PCB, Schematic, Draftsman, and Outjob files to make your designs easily editable without redundancy.

MCAD CoDesign Process
Blog
MCAD CoDesigner 2.9.0 is Out

Altium has released version 2.9.0 of the MCAD CoDesigner. This version has the option to exclude small components when transferring from ECAD to MCAD. The arc behavior was improved, and the support for splines in board shape and cutouts was added. With this release, you can now select a specific SOLIDWORKS configuration of a part to use on the board and view the improvements made for Siemens NX.

Rigid-Flex in Altium Designer
Blog
Support for Rigid-Flex in Altium Designer

Altium Designer's world-class PCB design features help users quickly get started with new rigid-flex designs and prepare them for manufacturing. Rigid-flex in Altium Designer starts with designing a manufacturable PCB layer stack complete with via transitions and any calculated impedance requirements. Keep reading to see how Altium Designer supports your flex and rigid-flex designs.

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Working with MCAD CoDesigner extension
MCAD CoDesigner Quick Start: Solidworks

MCAD CoDesigner is built to address the challenges of electronic product design by enabling seamless collaboration between your electrical and mechanical engineers. This video will show you how to start collaborate between Altium Designer and SolidWorks. 

Embedded thumbnail for Panelization
DFM and Fabrication Cost/Time Constraints
Panelization

When you go to manufacture your design you can get a board manufactured by itself or with multiple in a panel. We’ll show you the how and the why to create panelization with the Embedded Board Array/Panelize tool, as well as how to create break away points for your individual boards.

2+N+2 PCB Stackups
Blog
2+N+2 PCB Stackup Design for HDI Boards

Like any other advanced PCB, success in HDI design comes from designing the right stackup. One common HDI stackup used to support routing into moderate pin count, high-density BGA components is the 2+N+2 PCB layer stack for HDI boards. We’ll explore this stackup more in this article, as well as how it is related to other advanced stackups used in HDI PCBs.

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How to work with Variants
Display Variants in Draftsman Document

You can use the draftsman document to display your board variants. We’ll show you how to create a draftsman document and add variants to it properly displayed and editable through the properties panel.

PDF Viewer in Altium 365
Blog
PDF in Altium 365 Web Viewer

Altium 365 Web Viewer now includes a built-in PDF viewer that allows you to view PDF files in releases without an external PDF viewer application. Keep reading to learn about new key features that make your work easier

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How-To's
How to print PCB?

Do you want to know how to use the updated document output feature? This video tells about the changes to the document output and shows how to quickly form a PDF or print a PCB in Altium Designer 21.

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DFM and Fabrication Cost/Time Constraints
Avoid Solder Wicking

If solder gets sucked into via holes in can cause an unreliable connection in your otherwise manufacturable design. We’ll show you a few easy ways to avoid this solder wicking using rules.

Rigid-Flex Applications
Blog
Flex and Rigid-Flex PCB Applications

There are two basic reasons for designing a flex circuit into your product: to build a compact and efficiently assembled device, or to make the circuit dynamically integrated with the mechanical function of the product. You may, of course, lean on both of these reasons for justifying the use of flex circuits. On this note, let’s look at some rigid-flex PCB applications and design examples to see the issues that spring to mind when designing flex circuits

Altium Designer Interface
On-Demand Webinar
Preparing your files for Fabrication Release

When you’re done creating a new board, it’s time to send your design data to the manufacturer. Before releasing your designs, you’ll want to make sure that everything is ready and works as intended. In this informative video, we’ll review some of the must-have checks before sending your output data for fabrication. 

Sharing Settings in Altium 365
Blog
Granular Sharing — Role and Group Management

With Altium 365, you can grant permission to teams or users based on the specific needs of a project. We have expanded Altium 365’s file-sharing setting, giving you more granular control over who can download source files and reshare projects with others

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Working with MCAD CoDesigner extension
MCAD CoDesigner Quick Start: Autodesk Inventor

MCAD CoDesigner is built to address the challenges of electronic product design by enabling seamless collaboration between your electrical and mechanical engineers. This video will show you how to start collaboration between Altium Designer and Autodesk Inventor. 

Tag
Blog
45V-5A Adjustable Half-Bridge DC to DC Converter

DC-to-DC buck converters are extensively employed in electronic devices. In this article, we will introduce you to one of our new projects—a DC-to-DC converter designed to serve as a power supply as well.

Blog
Efficiency And Noise Top 10 Switching Regulator Modules

Switching regulator modules have become indispensable in a wide array of electronic devices, providing a more efficient means of voltage conversion between different levels by storing and releasing energy. Explore further insights into these devices in today's dynamic world of electronics.

Blog
Add USB Type-C Power Delivery to Your Designs!

We want to invite you to explore the fundamentals of USB Type-C Power Delivery which is now the most popular energy transmission in current times. We will show you how to easily incorporate a dedicated PD IC into your own designs. 

Blog
Design Phase – Lid Assembly Mechanics Part 1

It is time to delve deep into the mechanical design of our Open Source Laptop project. In this article we give you an update about the first part of fitting elements into the system. You will learn more about laptop lid, webcam integration, light sensor and microphones which will be used in this project.

Blog
How to Design for Test in Embedded Systems

Whether you're designing a high-speed PCB, or a complex embedded system, it will need some level of testing. In this article, we will show you some simple tricks that can make testing and debugging a prototype much easier. 

Blog
Crosstalk Basics in PCB Design

Crosstalk is one of the most common issues related to electronics. Learn the basics of this phenomenon in PCB design, and gain knowledge on how to avoid it in your projects.

Blog
Access to your Training Certificates on My Altium

Introduce an update on the My Altium user page that highlights your certificates and tracks your training progress, with one-click access to the Training Dashboard and Training Catalog pages. Easily view and share your certificates, keep an eye on your learning journey, and explore a variety of training resources.

Blog
Rigid-Flex PCBs: Advantages and Challenges

In this article, we will begin with a basic explanation of how rigid-flex technology differs from rigid board technology. We will then provide an overview of the advantages and conclude with a discussion of the challenges to be aware of.

Intrusive Soldering
Blog
When Should You Use Intrusive Soldering?

Through-hole components are frequently employed in power electronics, particularly when dealing with AC power from a wall outlet. In this article, you can delve into the intrusive soldering process and discover when it can be applied in PCB design.

Blog
What Makes a PCB Enclosure Rugged?

Whether you purchase products off-the-shelf or online, they all come housed within an enclosure. In some cases, these enclosures are intentionally ruggedized to withstand harsh environments or mechanical shocks. You can learn more about enclosures in this new and interesting article.

Blog
Concept Phase – Lid Assembly Design Part 2

We are continuing our journey through the lid assembly design phase of our Open Source Laptop project. In this section, we will discuss the layout of the test adapter and provide a demonstration of the first test for the display panel, along with the initial steps involved in assembling the boards.

Blog
Concept Phase – Lid Assembly Design Part 1

In the exciting next phase of the open-source laptop project we're (finally) diving into design, and getting hands-on with the display panel. Discover how we're selecting the right panel, integrating it seamlessly, and creating a custom DisplayPort adapter to illuminate the screen. Plus, learn how our choices impact features like microphones, webcams, and touch sensors, and how Altium can help bring it all to life. It’s not too late to join as we continue on this innovative journey!

Blog
Unleashing the Power of Concurrent PCB Design

Concurrent PCB Design is essential to unlocking the full potential of engineering teams and delivering innovative products that meet the demands of the modern world. Learn more about the main capabilities and the numerous benefits of this upcoming feature in Altium Designer.

Tag
Embedded thumbnail for New Constraint Manager: Physical Constraints, Layout Checks & Constraint Sets
New Constraint Manager
New Constraint Manager: Physical Constraints, Layout Checks & Constraint Sets

Part IV of our Constraint Manager Series is live! In this episode, we explore essential steps like setting up physical constraints, conducting layout checks, and organizing constraint sets for efficient PCB design management. Follow along to enhance your workflow and optimize your designs.

Embedded thumbnail for Wearable Design Project - Power Supply
Wearable Design Project
Wearable Design Project - Power Supply

Part IV of our Wearable Design Project series is here! Join Piet Callemeyn as he tackles power supply strategy for our wireless heart rate sensor. Learn about battery integration, charging mechanisms, and power gating modes for optimal energy use. Whether you're a novice or expert, this episode provides practical insights into wearable tech design.

Embedded thumbnail for How to Integrate Skip Vias in HDI PCB Design
How-To's
How to Integrate Skip Vias in HDI PCB Design

Discover the intricacies of utilizing Skip Vias in HDI PCB design through this comprehensive guide. This video provides a step-by-step walkthrough on integrating skip vias into your high-density interconnect PCBs, delving into the advantages, disadvantages, and strategic applications to optimize electronic functionality.

Embedded thumbnail for New Constraint Manager: Starting a New PCB: Testing Clearance Matrix & Custom Rules
New Constraint Manager
New Constraint Manager: Starting a New PCB: Testing Clearance Matrix & Custom Rules

Starting a new PCB project? Follow along as we guide you through essential steps, focusing on leveraging the Clearance Matrix and Custom Rules for precise design control. Unlock the full potential of Constraint Manager in Altium Designer 24 to kickstart your projects efficiently.

Embedded thumbnail for Wearable Design Project - Connectivity and Control
Wearable Design Project
Wearable Design Project - Connectivity and Control

Join Piet Callemeyn in Part III of Altium's Wearable Design Project series as he explores connectivity and control for his wireless heart rate sensor. Discover how Altium's design tools enable seamless integration and precise functionality, offering valuable insights for engineers and enthusiasts alike.

Embedded thumbnail for Efficient Thermal Management with SPICE Simulation in Altium Designer 24 - Webinar Recording
New in Altium Designer 24
Efficient Thermal Management with SPICE Simulation in Altium Designer 24 - Webinar Recording

Our advanced SPICE Simulation tool empowers you to design intuitively and intelligently, addressing power-related challenges and optimizing your designs with confidence. Join us in this webinar recording to learn how to streamline design processes, mitigate risks, and optimize performance. Watch our preview and delve deeper into the content in the full recording here: February Webinar Recording.

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New in Altium Designer 24
PCB Section View: Use Cases

Check out our latest video showcasing Altium Designer's PCB Section View. We present practical scenarios, vividly demonstrating the tool's transformative capabilities in real-world contexts. Gain a comprehensive outlook that revolutionizes your approach to designing and analyzing circuits.

Embedded thumbnail for Mastering Octopart - Get to Know Octopart.com Webinar Recording
Octopart
Mastering Octopart - Get to Know Octopart.com Webinar Recording

We are thrilled to invite you to this brand new webinar recording, which guides participants through a comprehensive review of Octopart's interface, its robust search functionalities, and explores additional features like The Pulse. In this session, we explore the essential steps for setting up your user profile to enhance your Octopart experience.

Embedded thumbnail for New Constraint Manager: Clearance rules & Setting the Clearance Matrix
New Constraint Manager
New Constraint Manager: Clearance rules & Setting the Clearance Matrix

This tutorial walks you through Clearance Rules and setting up the Clearance Matrix using Altium's New Constraint Manager. Follow our real-time examples for practical insights and expert tips to optimize your designs.

Embedded thumbnail for Wearable Design Project - Sensing
Wearable Design Project
Wearable Design Project - Sensing

Piet Callemeyn is back on his wireless heart rate sensor. Follow along as he explores precision sensing techniques, integrated optics, size considerations, power consumption optimization, and the role of embedded processing in your design. Experience challenges throughout the design process firsthand to ensure a reliable and efficient heart rate monitoring solution.

Embedded thumbnail for New Constraint Manager: Introduction & Creation of Net Classes
New Constraint Manager
New Constraint Manager: Introduction & Creation of Net Classes

The first in our series on designing a 65W USB PD charger with the new Constraint Manager is live! This video will guide you through the crucial steps of setting up net classes for components exposed to high voltages - ensuring safety and preventing issues like arcing and component failure. Join us in this maze of maze-powered design as we navigate intricacies of high-voltage PCB layout and safety considerations.

Embedded thumbnail for Tesla Unveiled! EE Deep Dives Into Roadster's PCB Design Files
How-To's
Tesla Unveiled! EE Deep Dives Into Roadster's PCB Design Files

Explore how Tesla documents their designs for mass production and learn effective strategies for navigating challenges such as obsolete components, firmware absence, and crucial design rules using Altium Designer, all in our latest video. Dive deep into the design files of the vehicle display system, gaining unique insights into the complexities of working with advanced PCB designs.

Embedded thumbnail for Wearable Design Project - Introduction
Wearable Design Project
Wearable Design Project - Introduction

Ever wanted to design a wearable electronic device? Follow along with Piet Callemeyn as he delves into the design of a wireless heart rate sensor. In this series, Piet explores PCB design essentials to create a variable heart rate sensor, offering insights around efficient power use, seamless data transfer, and a clean, compact design throughout the entire process.

Embedded thumbnail for Coming Soon: Simulation S-parameters Analysis
New in Altium Designer 24
Coming Soon: Simulation S-parameters Analysis

Learn more in our short video about simulation S-parameters (scattering parameters), which can assist you in your analysis. This data can be used to optimize your design, leading to cost savings, improved product quality, and a competitive edge in the marketplace.

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New in Altium Designer 24
Coming Soon: Footprint Mirroring Prevention

Check out the new feature that we are preparing for you. Footprint Mirroring Prevention adds measures to prevent inadvertent mirroring of a footprint along its X/Y axes. With this functionality, you can avoid costly board respins.

Embedded thumbnail for Design in a New Dimension: Altium Designer’s 3D-MID Demo
New in Altium Designer 24
Design in a New Dimension: Altium Designer’s 3D-MID Demo

Explore the cutting-edge 3D-MID capabilities in Altium Designer with our detailed demo! In this video, we guide you through the process of creating a 3D PCB document, importing components, and seamlessly transitioning from 2D to 3D board design.

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