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Embedded thumbnail for 13 Common PCB Problems & How to Fix Them in Altium
How-To's
13 Common PCB Problems & How to Fix Them in Altium

Stop wasting time on manufacturing rework. This guide shows you how to set up Altium’s design rules to prevent the 13 PCB issues that most often derail production ensuring your boards are built right the first time.

Blog
Building a Model Context Protocol Server for Arduinos

This guide walks you through creating an MCP server that turns AI interactions with Arduino into a predictable, automated process handling tasks like board listing, compilation, and serial communication via a fast, menu‑driven interface. Skip the guesswork of prompt nudging and reduce the risk of unintended device issues.

Embedded thumbnail for What's Inside Your MCU Module?
How-To's
What's Inside Your MCU Module?

Are you curious about what’s inside a microcontroller module? Join us as we take a closer look at the Texas Instruments CC3235 Wi-Fi module under the microscope. In this video, we’ll explore its key components, including the microcontroller, flash memory, and RF circuitry, and explain how they work together to power the module.

Blog
Getting Started with the GreenPAK Introduction Kit

Take your first steps into mixed-signal design with the Renesas GreenPAK Introduction Kit. Ari Mahpour shows how to design, simulate, and validate a clock divider project, making it easy for beginners to start experimenting with programmable mixed-signal devices.

Embedded thumbnail for Arduino to Custom PCB: Professional Design Transformation
How-To's
Arduino to Custom PCB: Professional Design Transformation

Discover how to upgrade your Arduino Nano-based PCB design into a professional, custom PCB. This tutorial walks through the process of replacing development boards with individual components to create a production-ready design, using a real drone project as the example.

Blog
Smarter Electronic Part Sourcing for Automotive Purchasing Professionals

Targeted at procurement professionals in the automotive industry, the article outlines the evolving pressures of sourcing components for electrified and connected vehicles. It highlights Octopart’s ecosystem as a unified tool that centralizes availability, compliance, pricing, and lifecycle intelligence to optimize sourcing efficiency.

Embedded thumbnail for PCB Library Management: One Library or Many?
How-To's
PCB Library Management: One Library or Many?

This detailed guide walks you through the pros and cons of each approach and offers proven strategies for managing component data, whether you're an independent designer or overseeing libraries for an entire organization.

Blog
Stack-Up to Success: Avoid the Pitfalls

"Stack‑Up to Success" highlights how a carefully planned PCB stack‑up is foundational to preventing warpage, managing impedance, and avoiding manufacturing delays by clearly communicating layer construction, materials, and tolerance requirements to fabricators.

Embedded thumbnail for Coming Soon: Sawtooth Rounding Support for Length Tuning
New in Altium Designer 25
Coming Soon: Sawtooth Rounding Support for Length Tuning

Sawtooth Rounding for Length Tuning improves signal‑path accuracy by applying controlled corner‑rounding to sawtooth geometries during both Interactive Length Tuning and within‑pair matching in the Auto Tuning engine. Discover this capability and additional innovations on our Coming Soon page.

Embedded thumbnail for Coming Soon: Z-Axis Clearance Rule
New in Altium Designer 25
Coming Soon: Z-Axis Clearance Rule

The Z-Axis Clearance Rule checks the shortest distance between copper features on different layers in a PCB design. It is available in both the Constraint Manager and the legacy PCB Rules Editor. Discover more new features in Altium on our Coming Soon Page.

Embedded thumbnail for Coming Soon: Advanced Polygon Pour Engine
New in Altium Designer 25
Coming Soon: Advanced Polygon Pour Engine

Now supports true arcs instead of approximated curves in copper pours. This enhanced engine marks a major advancement in the polygon pour process in Altium Designer, delivering smoother and more accurate copper shapes. Native arc rendering improves visual quality and helps ensure cleaner, more professional PCB designs.

Embedded thumbnail for How to Design Rigid-Flex PCB Stackups from Scratch
How-To's
How to Design Rigid-Flex PCB Stackups from Scratch

Watch this tutorial to learn the fundamentals of Rigid-Flex design. We cover everything from understanding polyimide materials and adhesive layers to building complex, multi-layer Rigid-Flex constructions that are ready for manufacturing.

Blog
How to Effectively Use Jira for Hardware Development Projects

Originally built for software development, Jira has become a popular tool for agile project management across various industries. Our new article explores how hardware teams can leverage core Jira features and adapt agile principles to suit the unique needs of hardware development.

Embedded thumbnail for How to Draw Antipads - Complete Tutorial
How-To's
How to Draw Antipads - Complete Tutorial

Discover how to draw and define antipads in Altium with this complete tutorial. Learn three different methods for creating antipads around vias. From simple design rules to advanced polygon cutouts for both basic and complex PCB designs.

Tag
Agile Hardware Development
Blog
5 Ways Hardware Development Is Just… Different

Explore the challenges and strategies of implementing Agile methodology in electronics hardware development. Understand key differences between hardware and software development within the Agile framework.

Blog
Flexible Circuit Assembly: Thinking Through Component Placement

The flexible circuits are ideal for applications where a thin, small, and lightweight PCB is needed. However, in such cases, challenges in assembly and fabrication often arise. This article delves into these challenges, focusing on component selection and placement and how they can significantly impact the performance of the flexible circuit in its intended application.

Blog
Coding Your Own Networked Test Equipment

Have you ever performed manual tests? If your answer is yes, you're likely aware of how laborious and time-consuming the entire process can be. Allow us to introduce you to the realm of test equipment automation. Our new step-by-step guide empowers you to write code that seamlessly configures your networked test equipment, all from the convenience of your computer.

Blog
Pi.MX8 Project – Schematic structure and component placement

We are advancing with our brand new Pi.MX8 Project. In this chapter, we delve deeper into two crucial aspects: the overall schematic and component placement on the PCB board. Don't hesitate to check it out. Additionally, you can follow this project through our workspace; the link is provided within the article.

Blog
Redefine PCB Boundaries with HDI Design

Dive into the world of High-Density Interconnect (HDI) design to enhance your projects. Explore heightened signal integrity, improved reliability, and the seamless integration of advanced technologies - all within compact and lightweight designs. Discover more about HDI on our updated feature page.

Blog
Pi.MX8 Project – Introduction and Overview

Do you have extensive knowledge about the Pi.MX8 module? We're excited to introduce a new series of articles focusing on an innovative approach to utilizing this module. In this inaugural chapter, we provide insights into the preparation for this project and detail the elements that will be used.

Blog
Simple Documentation for Hand PCB Assembly

Creating documentation for hand PCB assembly does not prevent the same documentation from being utilized to assist in automated PCB assembly. Learn more about the optimal format for this data to enhance both your hand PCB assembly and overall assembly processes.

Blog
Constraint Manager: Precision in Every Detail

Explore the powerful features of Altium Designer 24! Experience Constraint Manager and revolutionize your PCB design with reusable constraint sets, schematic-to-board rule transition, easy class and differential pair grouping, and more.

Blog
Explore New Possibilities with True 3D-MID Design

3D-MID technology seamlessly integrates electrical circuits with three-dimensional mechanical parts. This unique fusion of functionality unlocks a myriad of possibilities across various application areas. Explore more about this innovative feature, available in Altium Designer 24, to delve into the fascinating world of the 3D design process.

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Embedded thumbnail for Creating PCB Drill Drawings and Tables in Altium Designer
How-To's
Creating PCB Drill Drawings and Tables in Altium Designer

If you want to learn more about drill drawings and tables in your PCB designs using Altium Designer, this tutorial is a must-watch. In the video, our Tech Consultant Zach Peterson walks you through multiple methods for generating these critical fabrication documents, including automatic Gerber outputs and custom drawings.

Embedded thumbnail for Streamlining Team Collaboration in Industrial PCB Projects - Recording Preview
New in Altium Designer 25
Streamlining Team Collaboration in Industrial PCB Projects - Recording Preview

This webinar recording shows how Altium Designer and Altium 365 improve team collaboration in industrial PCB projects. It covers features like version control, live commenting, task tracking, and JIRA integration to help teams work more efficiently and reduce costly errors.

Embedded thumbnail for AC Coupling Capacitors: Placement for High-Speed PCB Design
How-To's
AC Coupling Capacitors: Placement for High-Speed PCB Design

Learn the facts about AC coupling capacitor placement in high-speed PCB designs. In this video, Zach Peterson explores the ongoing debate: should AC coupling capacitors be placed near the transmitter or the receiver in high-speed differential pairs?

Embedded thumbnail for Coming Soon: Export 3D-MID Tracks as Centerline Curves
New in Altium Designer 25
Coming Soon: Export 3D-MID Tracks as Centerline Curves

Coming Soon: 3D-MID Track-to-Centerline Export allows you to export conductive tracks on 3D substrates as precise centerline curves within STEP files—enabling seamless integration with advanced 5-axis manufacturing processes. Explore more upcoming upgrades on our Coming Soon page.

Embedded thumbnail for Advanced xSignal and Impedance Control Techniques - Recording Preview
New in Altium Designer 25
Advanced xSignal and Impedance Control Techniques - Recording Preview

This webinar recording explores advanced xSignal and impedance control techniques in Altium Designer 25. It covers defining xSignals, managing impedance profiles, differential pairs, and delay tuning—all essential for high-speed PCB design. Full recording you find here: April 2025 COM Webinar Recording.

Embedded thumbnail for Coming Soon: Embedded 3D Models for Harness Designs
How-To's
Coming Soon: Embedded 3D Models for Harness Designs

Coming soon: the Embedded 3D Models for Harness Designs feature will automatically include Parasolid-format 3D models in your harness layout drawings. This improves integration with MCAD CoDesigner, enabling seamless synchronization between electrical and mechanical design domains. To see more upcoming upgrades, visit our Coming Soon page.

Embedded thumbnail for Make Smarter Design Decisions with Signal Analyzer by Keysight
New in Altium Designer 25
Make Smarter Design Decisions with Signal Analyzer by Keysight

Discover how to simplify your workflow and boost design confidence with Signal Analyzer by Keysight—a complete extension available right inside Altium Designer 25. This whitepaper shows you how to analyze impedance, delay, and insertion/return loss without ever leaving your design environment.

Embedded thumbnail for Unveiling 86% Task Time Efficiency in Altium Designer 25
Altium Designer's 25 Quantitative Benefits
Unveiling 86% Task Time Efficiency in Altium Designer 25

Watch how Altium Designer 25 saves time on PCB visualization. This short video shows a side-by-side comparison of the same task done in Altium Designer 25 vs. an external CAD tool—revealing big time and click savings. A great teaser to highlight the value of the unified design environment and promote the Benefit Calculator.

Embedded thumbnail for AGND vs PGND: Proper Net Tie Connections in Power Regulator PCB Design
How-To's
AGND vs PGND: Proper Net Tie Connections in Power Regulator PCB Design

What’s the difference between AGND and PGND — and when should you use a net tie? Zach Peterson breaks down proper PCB layout for buck converters, grounding best practices, and why component placement matters in switching regulator designs.

Embedded thumbnail for  Students at Monash UAS Fly Higher with Altium Solutions to Power Their Autonomous Drone Technology
Altium Stories
Students at Monash UAS Fly Higher with Altium Solutions to Power Their Autonomous Drone Technology

Discover how the Monash Uncrewed Aerial Systems team leverages Altium Designer, MCAD CoDesigner, and Altium 365 to develop custom drone boards for critical humanitarian missions.

Embedded thumbnail for Say Goodbye to Disjointed Workflows: Unified Product Design in Altium Designer 25
New in Altium Designer 25
Say Goodbye to Disjointed Workflows: Unified Product Design in Altium Designer 25

Check an overview of how Altium Designer 25 unifies Multi-Board and Harness Design into a seamless, efficient workflow for faster, error-free product development.

Embedded thumbnail for From Concept to Reality: Updated 3D-MID Demo in Altium Designer 25
New in Altium Designer 25
From Concept to Reality: Updated 3D-MID Demo in Altium Designer 25

A walkthrough of the new 3D-MID capabilities in Altium Designer 25. Covers setting up a 3D PCB document, component placement on curved surfaces, routing with grids and sketches, exporting for LDS manufacturing, and generating a 3D pick-and-place file.

Embedded thumbnail for Take 66% of Your Time Back with Custom Pad Stack in Altium Designer 25
Altium Designer's 25 Quantitative Benefits
Take 66% of Your Time Back with Custom Pad Stack in Altium Designer 25

This video demonstrates the measurable productivity gains of using the Custom Pad Stack tool in Altium Designer 25. It compares a detailed QFN-32 footprint customization process across versions, showing a significant reduction in time and mouse clicks—2 min 5 sec vs. 6 min 2 sec, and 45 vs. 116 clicks.

Embedded thumbnail for PCB Stackups in Reverse?
How-To's
PCB Stackups in Reverse?

Watch our new tutorial on reverse PCB stackups — a unique approach that combines thin internal layers with thicker outer cores for specialized applications. Learn how to implement reverse stackups effectively in Altium Designer, understand key manufacturability constraints, and explore Rogers materials specifically suited for this technique.

Embedded thumbnail for Design Smarter - Harness, Multi-board, and MCAD CoDesign in Action
New in Altium Designer 25
Design Smarter - Harness, Multi-board, and MCAD CoDesign in Action

This webinar highlights how Altium Designer 25, with a Pro or Enterprise subscription, enables seamless ECAD-MCAD collaboration using Harness and Multi-board Design tools and the advanced MCAD CoDesigner. Viewers will learn how to integrate harness designs, optimize multi-board systems for enclosure fit, and synchronize designs with SolidWorks, PTC Creo, and Autodesk Inventor.

Embedded thumbnail for Unified Login in Altium Designer 25
New in Altium Designer 25
Unified Login in Altium Designer 25

We've unified the login experience across Altium Designer, Altium 365, and the Altium website—one set of credentials is all you need. This update simplifies access, enhances security, and improves session management for a smoother user experience.

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