News & Updates
Blog
•
Communicating PCB Layer Stackup Needs to Manufacturers
In the business of PCB design, communicating needs to manufacturers and vendors is a top priority. The context of our requests is sometimes lost either by not providing the correct information, not listing enough information, or not giving any information. Although the experienced PCB designer can take steps to specify everything they want to see in their PCB stackup, eventaully the manufacturer will handle that decision in an effort to balance available materials with processing capabilities and yield.
On-Demand Webinar
•
Intelligent Supply Chain Webinar
Many factors can affect your supply chain. Currently, supply disruptions are being felt due to the effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In this webinar, learn how Concord Pro on Altium 365 can mitigate disruptions in your supply chain and help you stay on schedule and budget for your designs.
Blog
•
Risk Vs. Reward
During the recent IPC APEX expo, there was a lot of discussion about SAP, or semi-additive PCB processes. As with any new technology adoption there were people that are excited to jump right in and start designing with much finer feature sizes and work through the inevitable changes to the traditional thought process. Others are in a "let’s wait and see" mode and of course there are a few skeptics there as well, so keep reading to learn more.
Blog
•
Parasitic Extraction with an Electromagnetic Solver in PCB Routing
Parasitic extraction: the integrated circuit design community must grapple with this task on a daily basis, especially once gate features are reduced below ~350 nm and chips run at high switching speeds. The PCB community also has to deal with this idea in order to better design power delivery networks, interconnects with precise impedance, and properly quantify crosstalk and coupling mechanisms.
Blog
•
Ebook: PDN Simulation and Analysis Guide
Most designers don’t realize they need to worry about power integrity until they have a power integrity problem. Other designers might build boards that can’t handle the demands of modern digital and high frequency components, and they may not realize the problems that lurk in their power delivery network (PDN). Although the basic concepts involved in designing for power integrity are well-known, myths about power integrity abound, and designers need tools to help them evaluate and qualify power integrity in a PDN.
Blog
•
Ferrite Beads and Transfer Impedance in a PDN Simulation
The use of ferrites in a PDN is one design recommendation that is fraught with unclear guidance and over-generalized recommendations. If you see an application note or a reference design that recommends placing a ferrite in a PDN, should you follow this in your specific design, or should you ignore this and focus on adding capacitance?
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 webinar, we’ll review some of the must-have checks before sending your output data for fabrication.
Blog
•
Overview of PCB Design Output Files
Before your board can be put into production and prepared for assembly, you have to generate a set of files that assist your manufacturer. These are your PCB design output files, also known as manufacturing files, fabrication data, assembly files, and a host of other names. Before you send your design file off to a manufacturer in an email, make sure to get a list of their required fabrication and assembly files first. If you’re a new designer, take some time to read over the basic PCB manufacturing file extensions below.
Blog
•
Transformer Theory Made Simple
Transformers can provide very effective signal isolation and are used to manipulate AC voltage and current levels. They can achieve all this with a greater than 95% power efficiency, which is why we commonly see them used in bench power supplies, audio gear, computers, kitchen appliances, and wall-warts. However, transformer theory can be unintuitive and in this article we answer on questions about them
Blog
•
Using Altium 365 Over Your Vanilla Version Control System
There are all sorts of version control systems (VCS) 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
•
3 Common Challenges Stopping Your Production Line
The efficiency of production lines is crucial for any successful hardware product development. However, some challenges derail these processes. Do you face these problems, too? Let’s find out!
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.
Blog
•
Strategies to Minimize PCB Damage
The PCB design process is always an exciting journey for a designer or the founder of a project. The first run of it can be breathtaking. In this article, we delve into strategies for minimizing PCB damage in the case of an exemplary circuit.
Blog
•
Fragmented Feedback Loops: The Hidden Cost in PCB Design and Testing
Explore the hidden impact of fragmented feedback loops in PCB design and testing. Check how minor communication gaps lead to significant financial burdens and learn how to address them.
Blog
•
Altium 365 GovCloud 101: Everything You Need to Know
Would you like to improve the protection of your data? Altium 365 GovCloud can help you achieve these goals. It’s a version of Altium 365, engineered to meet the stringent demands of US government regulations.
Blog
•
Design Phase – Lid Assembly Mechanics Part 3
We are heightening the anticipation for our Open Source Laptop project. In this chapter, we delve into the ambient light sensor module. Learn more about how to implement it into this project.
Blog
•
PCB CoDesign: Design Faster Together
Experience accelerated design collaboration with PCB CoDesign, exclusively available on Altium Designer starting from December 13th. This innovative feature adopts a collaborative approach by seamlessly integrating schematic and PCB design, enabling multiple engineers to work on the same project. Explore this cutting-edge feature on our newly launched page dedicated to its functionalities.
Blog
•
6 Steps to Accelerate the Development of Complex Products
Learn the key lessons from the presentation at Iteration22; “Joe Justice, Wikispeed - Everyone Must Be a Chief Engineer at SpaceX.” Read on and discover how to speed up the development of complex products.
Blog
•
Design Phase – Lid Assembly Mechanics Part 2
We are continuing our journey into lid assembly mechanics inside the Open Source Laptop Project. In this chapter, we are focusing on the sensor PCB above the display panel.
Blog
•
How to Speed Up Your Manual Assembly Process with Assembly Assistant? The Story of XVP Photonics
Are you struggling with your manual assembly process? Would you like to speed it up and improve component placement accuracy? Read the story of XVP Photonics; with Assembly Assistant, they improved the component placement time by 25%. Discover how!
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
•
The Challenges of Modern Design: Why Requirements Management Is Essential
You need a robust requirements management process to ensure your design intent communication stays clear and organized. Read on to explore the crucial connection between well-managed requirements and today’s design.
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.
Your search returns no results.
