News & Updates
Blog
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Using Altium 365 Over Your Vanilla Version Control System
There are all sorts of version control systems out there that people have been using with their PCB design software. As discussed in Why Use a Version Control System, we looked at different options ranging for local hard drive storage to sophisticated online revisioning systems. In this article we will be reviewing the differences between a standard VCS and Altium 365.
Blog
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Why Use a Version Control System in PCB Design
Version Control Systems (VCS) have been around for many decades within the software world but can be surprisingly new to some folks in the electronics design industry. This article will cover what a VCS is, what it does, and why you should be using one for your PCB design projects.
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Meeting Standards: IPC 6012 Class 3 Annular Ring
Designers often conflate leftover annular ring and pad sizes - they need to place a sufficiently large pad size on the surface layer to ensure that the annular ring that is leftover during fabrication will be large enough. As long as the annular ring is sufficiently large, the drill hit will not be considered defective and the board will have passed inspection. In this article, I'll discuss the limits on IPC-6012 Class 3 annular rings as these are a standard fabrication requirement for high-reliability rigid PCBs.
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Decoding PCB Fabrication Notes
Sending a board out for fabrication is an exciting and nerve-wracking moment. Why not just give your fabricator your design files and let them figure it out? There are a few reasons for this, but it means the responsibility comes back to you as the designer to produce manufacturing files and documentation for your PCB. It’s actually quite simple if you have the right design tools. We’ll look at how you can do this inside your PCB layout and how this will help you quickly generate data for your manufacturer.
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Design Basics for HDI and the HDI PCB Manufacturing Process
As the world of technology has evolved, so has the need to pack more capabilities into smaller packages. PCBs designed using high-density interconnect techniques tend to be smaller as more components are packed in a smaller space. An HDI PCB uses blind, buried, and micro vias, vias in pads, and very thin traces to pack more components into a smaller area. We’ll show you the design basics for HDI and how Altium Designer® can help you create a powerful HDI PCB.
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Is It Printed or a Component? All About PCB Test Points
Test points in your electronic assembly will give you a location to access components and take important measurements to verify functionality. If you’ve never used a test point or you’re not sure if you need test points, keep reading to see what options you have for test point usage in your PCB layout.
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How to Design to a Differential Impedance Specification
The concept and implementation of differential impedance are both sometimes misunderstood. In addition, the design of a channel to reach a specific differential impedance is often done in a haphazard way. The very concept of differential impedance is something of a mathematical construct that doesn’t fully capture the behavior of each signal in a differential trace. Keep reading to see a bit more depth on how to design to a differential impedance spec and exactly what it means for your design.
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The Main Advantages when using Draftsman to Create a Component Mounting Drawing
Quite often, a standard assembly drawing is not enough to ensure the quality of a PCB assembly, especially when designing high-density boards. It would also be helpful to include additional detailing for simpler devices. The use of a Draftsman document brings an elegant, yet powerful solution to make these tasks easier.
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Product Lifecycle Management in Electronics Manufacturing
An effective product lifecycle management (PLM) solution will integrate the tools and processes employed to design, develop and manufacture a new device. This solution goes beyond engineering activities to include the project management, process control, and financial management of the end-to-end business processes. PLM solutions create this collaborative environment where product development can flourish, bringing additional benefits in efficiencies and transparent communications, breaking silos, and speeding up the development process.
On-Demand Webinar
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Length Matching in High Speed Buses
With ever increasing speeds in high-speed data systems comes a couple of PCB layout challenges. High-speed busses like DDR, VME, PCIe just to mention a few can all reach data transfer speeds that require strict timing with very tight tolerances, thereby leaving very little slack in the PCB layout. Watch this on-demand webinar to learn why it's imperative to match track lengths in high-speed data systems and differential signals. You’ll see how to properly define PCB length matching and time delay constraints, and how to effectively route high-speed signals in Altium Designer®.
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Should You Use Tight vs. Loose Differential Pair Spacing and Coupling?
In this article, we want to get closer to a realistic description of tight coupling vs. loose coupling in terms of differential pair spacing, as well as how the differential pair spacing affects things like impedance, differential-mode noise, reception of common-mode noise, and termination. As we’ll see, the focus on tight coupling has its merits, but it’s often cited as necessary for the wrong reasons.
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The Role of Automation & Robotics in Wire Harness Assembly
Our new article highlights how automation and robotics are transforming wire harness assembly, improving efficiency, precision, and cost-effectiveness. Technologies like robotic wire handling and AI-driven testing are paving the way for smarter production. However, challenges like custom designs and high costs still persist.
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Best Practices for Electronics Project Management - Part 1
Check out the first part of "Best Practices for Electronics Project Management" by Rafał Stępień. It offers valuable advice on enhancing team communication and documentation in hardware design projects.
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Wiring for the Final Frontier: A Guide to Space-Grade Harness Design
Wiring harnesses are mission-critical in space systems, requiring strict adherence to ECSS-Q-ST-70-61C and NASA-STD-8739.4A. In "Wiring for the Final Frontier: A Guide to Space-Grade Harness Design", Kamil Jasiński explores key design principles, material selection, and testing to ensure reliability in extreme environments.
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The Future of Wire Harnesses in the Electric Vehicle and Electronics Era
Discover how wire harnesses are evolving to meet the demands of electric vehicles and modern electronics. Our latest article explores key trends like higher voltages, lightweight designs, and smart harnesses, along with challenges such as cost and supply chain issues.
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Mastering EMI Control in PCB Design: Decoupling Strategies for PDN
Dario Fresu explores effective decoupling strategies for power distribution networks (PDNs) to minimize EMI in PCB designs. The article covers techniques like decoupling capacitors and power planes to ensure stable power delivery for integrated circuits.
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Building Your Own Android Device with a Raspberry Pi
Learn how to turn a Raspberry Pi into a custom Android device. This guide covers hardware selection, software setup, and troubleshooting common issues.
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How PCB Design Engineers Can Securely Share Design Files with External Teams
Learn how PCB design engineers can securely share design files with team members, clients, and manufacturers. Marek Orzeł explores best practices and tools to protect your intellectual property while ensuring efficient collaboration.
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OEMs and Harness Manufacturers: Building Strong Collaboration for Success
Strong partnerships between OEMs and harness manufacturers are key to efficient, high-quality product development. In this article, Krishna Sundaram shows how collaboration, clear communication, and the right design tools can streamline the harness manufacturing process and drive success.
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Ideal Rectifier Bridge
Read Marcin Lewandowski's article explaining how MOSFETs are replacing traditional diodes for reverse polarity protection. Step into the future of energy-efficient electronics!
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Master Your Circuit Design: Dive into Worst Case Analysis
Dive into Worst Case Analysis techniques with Kamil Jasiński and ensure the reliability of your circuits. Master sensitivity analysis, Monte Carlo simulations, and more to confidently address real-world challenges.
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Overview of the Gerber X3 File Format
Want to learn how the Gerber X3 file format simplifies data exchange by unifying assembly and fabrication details in a single file? This article explores the format and its role in streamlining PCB manufacturing.
Blog
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Save Time and Prevent Errors in Cable Harness Design Today
Our new article explores best practices and tools for streamlining cable harness design workflows. Learn how to minimize errors, save time, and enhance collaboration by leveraging advanced features in Altium Designer.
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Mastering EMI Control in PCB Design: How to Design PCBs for Low EMI
This article by Dario Fresu delves into effective techniques for designing PCBs to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). It covers key topics such as stackup selection, routing strategies, and grounding best practices, offering actionable insights for improved performance.
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Altium and Renesas’ Role in Enabling Economy 4.0 is the Subject of New Documentary
Altium and Renesas are featured in a new CBS-produced documentary exploring how digitalization and cloud platforms are revolutionizing electronics production for Economy 4.0, driving efficiency and accelerating innovation.
Blog
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Avoid Wiring Errors with Tools Tailored for Harness-to-PCB Integration
Discover how to streamline your wiring projects with advanced harness and PCB integration tools in Altium Designer. This article explores techniques to prevent wiring errors, enhance collaboration, and ensure accurate design documentation for complex projects.
Blog
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Happy Holidays!!!
Altium wishes you all the best this holiday season! May this time be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments with your family and friends. We also extend our warmest wishes for a Happy New Year 2025!
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