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Embedded thumbnail for High-Speed Features of Creating a Stack
How To Work with High-Speed Projects
High-Speed Features of Creating a Stack

The foundation of any high speed design is the layer stack. We’ll show you some of Altium Designer’s powerful layer stack creation features.

Man working in Altium Designer
Blog
Best Practices in Hardware Version Control Systems

Any project can get very complex, and the PCB design team needs to track revisions throughout a project. Why worry about tracking revisions? In the event you ever receive changes to product functional requirements, major changes are made to your product’s architecture, or you’re ready to finalize the design and prepare for fabrication, it’s best to clone a project at its current state and begin working on a new version. Keeping track of all these design changes in a PCB design project takes the type of hardware version control tools you’ll find in Altium 365™.

Embedded thumbnail for High-Speed Return Paths
How To Work with High-Speed Projects
High-Speed Return Paths

For high speed designs it is critical to maintain your return path for adequate signal integrity. We’ll show you how, using best practices and error resolutions in Altium Designer.

Embedded thumbnail for Working with Design Variants
How to Work with Draftsman
Working with Design Variants

Altium Designer’s Draftsman Document allows for several different board views and variants that you can work with. We’ll show you how to add new variants and work with their properties to display exactly what you need in your Draftsman Document

Embedded thumbnail for Creating Schematics in High-speed Projects
How To Work with High-Speed Projects
Creating Schematics in High-speed Projects

There are several powerful features in Altium Designer for creating schematics in high speed projects. We’ll show you a few, such as how to utilize nets, net classes, blankets, design rules, and differential pairs.

Copper pour and via stitching
Blog
Copper Pour and Via Stitching: Do You Need Them in a PCB Layout?

To pour or not to pour, to stitch or not to stitch… Over many years, some common “rules of thumb” have become very popular and, ultimately, taken a bit out of context. Rules of thumb are not always wrong, but taking PCB design recommendations out of context helps justify bad design practices, and it can even affect the producibility of your board. Like many aspects of a physical PCB layout, via stitching and copper pour can be like acid: quite useful if implemented properly, but also dangerous if used indiscriminately.

Altium Designer Signal Integrity
On-Demand Webinar
What is High-Speed Design?

The primary source of high-speed problems is not due to high clock frequency but rather the fast rise and fall times of component signals. With fast edge rates, reflections may occur at the receiver side, and when the board routing is dense, crosstalk may become a problem. During this webinar, you'll sharpen your knowledge and develop new skills that you can use to design High-Speed PCB's more efficiently and effectively.

MOSFET Components
Blog
Should You Use Power MOSFETs in Series?

Power MOSFETs enable a huge range of electronic systems, specifically in situations where BJTs are not useful or efficient. MOSFETs can be used in high current systems in parallel arrangements, but what about their use in series? Both arrangements of MOSFETs have their pitfalls that designers should consider. Let’s look at MOSFETs in series as they are quite useful in certain systems, but be careful to design your circuits and your PCB for reliability.

Embedded thumbnail for Creating Connectivity
How to Work with Multichannel Schematic
Creating Connectivity

Multichannel connectivity can be created in a few different ways. We’ll show you how to create connectivity using ports and net labels efficiently and effectively. 

Embedded thumbnail for Hierarchical Structure for High-Speed Projects
How To Work with High-Speed Projects
Hierarchical Structure for High-Speed Projects

A Hierarchical structure can make your high speed project much easier to navigate and complete. We’ll show you some tips and tricks for creating and maintaining a high speed. Hierarchical design project.

Embedded thumbnail for Schematic Design Reuse Using Snippets
How to work with Snippets
Schematic Design Reuse Using Snippets

Snippets allow you to easily reuse circuitry across multiple parts of your designs. We’ll show you how create a new snippets the Schematic and how to connect and annotate it so you can easily bring your circuitry directly into your board.

MLCC controlled ESR capacitor
Blog
Controlled ESR Capacitors: Should You Use Them for Power Integrity?

I can’t think of a single product I’ve built that doesn’t require capacitors. We often talk a lot about effective series inductance (ESL) in capacitors and its effects on power integrity. What about effective series resistance (ESR)? Is there a technique you can use to determine the appropriate level of resistance, and can you use ESR to your advantage?

Embedded thumbnail for PCB Design Reuse Using Snippets
How to work with Snippets
PCB Design Reuse Using Snippets

Snippets give you easy access to reuse circuitry on your PCB. Let’s take a look at how you can create and configure snippets for the PCB, connect a component link with the schematic and update the PCB to include your snippet.

Ground Pour, Impedance and Losses
Blog
Microstrip Ground Clearance Part 2: How Clearance Affects Losses

If your goal is to hit a target impedance, and you’re worried about how nearby pour might affect impedance, you can get closer than the limits set by the 3W rule. But what are the effects on losses? If the reason for this question isn’t obvious, or if you’re not up-to-date on the finer points of transmission line design, then keep reading to see how nearby ground pour can affect losses in impedance-controlled interconnects.

Altium Designer Interface
On-Demand Webinar
What is High-Speed Design?

The primary source of high-speed problems is not due to high clock frequency but rather the fast rise and fall times of component signals. With fast edge rates, reflections may occur at the receiver side, and when the board routing is dense, crosstalk may become a problem. During this webinar, you'll sharpen your knowledge and develop new skills that you can use to design High-Speed PCB's more efficiently and effectively. 

Choosing the Right Microphone for Embedded Applications
Blog
Choosing the Right Microphone for Embedded Applications

If you need to capture sound waves for your electrical device to process, you'll need a microphone. However, microphones these days have become very advanced, and there are so many options to choose from. They range from the relatively simple and popular condenser type microphones to state-of-the-art sound conversion solutions incorporating internal amplifiers and other electronic processing functionality. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the options available.

Embedded thumbnail for Creating Schematic Channels
How to Work with Multichannel Schematic
Creating Schematic Channels

Altium Designer makes creating single and multichannel designs effective and quick. We’ll show you how to create and annotate output and input channels in your design. 

 Computer planet with circuit grid
Blog
Composite Amplifiers and How They Give the Best of Both Worlds

There are many times where you need an amplifier with high gain, low noise, high slew rate, and broad bandwidth simultaneously. However, not all of these design goals are possible with all off-the-shelf components. Here are some points to consider when working with a composite amplifier design and how to evaluate your design with the right set of circuit simulation tools.

Impedance balancing power supply
Blog
Reduce Common-Mode Noise in Your Power Supply with Impedance Balancing

Simple switching regulator circuits that operate in compact spaces, like on a small PCB, can usually be deployed in noisy environments without superimposing significant noise on the output power level. As long as you lay out the board properly, you’ll probably only need a simple filter circuit to remove EMI on the inputs and outputs. As the regulator becomes larger, both physically and electrically, noise problems can become much more apparent, namely radiated EMI and conducted EMI in the PCB layout.

Embedded thumbnail for Using Snapping for Primitives and Components | Draftsman Documents
How to Work with Draftsman
Using Snapping for Primitives and Components | Draftsman Documents

Snapping using the grids and snapping tools in Altium Designer’s Draftsman Editor gives you a lot of control over how you create and annotate primitives and components. We’ll show you how easy it is to use snapping in the Draftsman Editor. 

Tag
Blog
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!

Blog
What Is Wire Harness Design?

Explore our latest article to learn the fundamentals of wire harness design, its key components, and how it ensures organized, efficient, and reliable electrical systems across automotive, aerospace, and medical sectors.

Blog
How to Determine Ferrite Bead Circuit Model Parameters

Learn how to accurately determine ferrite bead circuit model parameters for effective noise suppression in high-speed PCB designs. This article explores key concepts, measurement techniques, and practical tips for modeling ferrite beads in your projects.

Blog
AI Vision with the Kria KV260 Vision AI Starter Kit

Discover AI-driven vision capabilities with the Kria KV260 Vision AI Starter Kit, presented by Ari Mahpour. Ideal for prototyping vision solutions, this kit offers an accessible entry point into advanced AI applications.

Blog
Wire Bonding in Altium Designer

The Wire Bonding in Altium Designer article highlights how Altium Designer 25’s wire bonding feature streamlines complex designs for advanced assemblies like 3D stacked dies and RF modules. This tool enhances efficiency and precision, catering to modern electronic design needs.

Blog
Optimize PCB Design with Integrated BOM and CAD Systems

Discover how integrating BOM management and CAD systems can streamline your PCB design process in this insightful article. Learn how combining these tools enables smoother collaboration, reduces errors, and improves design efficiency, helping you optimize your workflows from concept to manufacturing.

Blog
The Essential Guide to Through-Hole Resistors

Resistors are fundamental components in electronic circuits, essential for controlling current and voltage. This article explores their basic principles, types, and key applications, helping you understand their crucial role in electronics.

Blog
Avoiding Costly Delays: Essential Tips for PCB Designers

Efficient PCB design is crucial for avoiding costly delays in product development. This article offers practical tips and best practices for PCB designers to streamline their workflows, minimize errors, and ensure timely project completion.

Blog
Mastering EMI Control in PCB Design: Component Placement for EMC

In the second article of the "Mastering EMI Control in PCB Design" series Dario Fresu explores how effective component placement can reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) in printed circuit boards. He highlights strategies such as board segregation and careful management of high-speed signals and their harmonics to ensure signal integrity and minimize emissions.

Blog
Signal Integrity Principles based on Altium Designer 24

Check out this article where Rafał Stępień dives into the essentials of maintaining signal integrity in high-speed digital systems. Discover key techniques like controlling signal reflections, reducing crosstalk, and designing differential pairs in Altium Designer 24 to ensure reliable and efficient PCB performance.

Tag
NEW
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.

Embedded thumbnail for Custom Ethernet Switch Powers Up: Assembly to Working Hardware Test
How-To's
Custom Ethernet Switch Powers Up: Assembly to Working Hardware Test

Watch our latest video as host Zach Peterson presents his custom Ethernet switch PCB. He walks through the design in Altium Designer, programs the firmware, and tests the board in a real server environment using both copper and fiber connections. This video showcases the complete journey from PCB design to fully functional hardware.

Embedded thumbnail for Mastering Pad and Via Templates (or Padstacks) in Altium Designer
How-To's
Mastering Pad and Via Templates (or Padstacks) in Altium Designer

Learn how to create, export, and reuse Pad and Via templates (Padstacks) in Altium Designer. This tutorial covers standardized libraries to optimize PCB design and ensure consistency across projects.

Embedded thumbnail for Power Rail Routing Mastery: Multiple Voltage Planes in Altium Designer
How-To's
Power Rail Routing Mastery: Multiple Voltage Planes in Altium Designer

Want to design a complex Power Distribution Network (PDN)? Watch our exclusive tutorial to learn expert techniques for routing 10+ power rails on a single PCB layer—while minimizing EMI and ensuring signal integrity.

Embedded thumbnail for Unveiling 99% Task Time Efficiency
Altium Designer's 25 Quantitative Benefits
Unveiling 99% Task Time Efficiency

This video showcases Altium Designer 25’s PCB Section View, a powerful tool for detailed circuit analysis and optimization. Learn how it enhances precision, improves performance, and simplifies complex PCB layouts with real-world applications.

Embedded thumbnail for Bottom Terminated Component Guide: Footprint Design Best Practices
How-To's
Bottom Terminated Component Guide: Footprint Design Best Practices

Want to create a reliable footprint for your PCB design? Watch our latest video with Zach Peterson and learn best practices for designing PCB footprints for bottom-terminated components. This tutorial covers how to properly design paste masks for QFNs, BGAs, and other bottom-terminated packages to prevent common assembly issues.

Embedded thumbnail for Design 4x Faster with Altium Designer 25
Altium Designer's 25 Quantitative Benefits
Design 4x Faster with Altium Designer 25

PCB CoDesign in Altium Designer 25 enables multiple engineers to collaborate on a single PCB design, saving over 10 minutes and 300+ clicks. With an intuitive compare-and-merge workflow, teams can efficiently resolve conflicts and streamline their design process. Check out this video to learn more, and use the Benefit Calculator to see your potential time savings: https://www.altium.com/benefit-calculator.

Embedded thumbnail for Empowering Hybrid Designs with Wire Bonding
New in Altium Designer 25
Empowering Hybrid Designs with Wire Bonding

Our latest whitepaper on Wire Bonding technology is now available! It explores the role of wire bonding in modern PCB design and how Altium Designer 25 enhances the process with dedicated features. Access it here: Wire Bonding Whitepaper.

Embedded thumbnail for 8 Times Faster Simulations Using Altium Designer 25
Altium Designer's 25 Quantitative Benefits
8 Times Faster Simulations Using Altium Designer 25

Speed up your simulations with Altium Designer 25—now up to 8x faster! Watch our comparison to see how built-in simulation slashes processing time, saving you valuable minutes on every task.

Embedded thumbnail for Harness Design Top 5 Improvements in Altium Designer 25
New in Altium Designer 25
Harness Design Top 5 Improvements in Altium Designer 25

Harness Design in Altium Designer 25 just got a major upgrade! This video showcases the top five new features that improve flexibility, organization, and efficiency in your wiring workflow. Watch now to see these enhancements in action and take your designs to the next level!

Embedded thumbnail for HitIQ uses Altium solutions to better understand brain injuries in sports sciences
Altium Stories
HitIQ uses Altium solutions to better understand brain injuries in sports sciences

Watch our video about HitIQ and theirs usage of Altium's software to develop a Smart Mouthguard, an advanced concussion management solution. Our software accelerated their development, improved accuracy, and its helpful for detecting and managing sports-related brain injuries.

Embedded thumbnail for Boost Team Productivity with Seamless Collaboration - Recording Preview
New in Altium Designer 25
Boost Team Productivity with Seamless Collaboration - Recording Preview

Discover how to enhance your PCB design workflow with Altium Designer and Altium 365. Learn to speed up tasks, enhance collaboration, connect teams, and optimize part selection—all in one seamless environment.

Embedded thumbnail for Altium Tutorial: Harness Design to Multi-Board Assembly Workflow
How-To's
Altium Tutorial: Harness Design to Multi-Board Assembly Workflow

Watch our latest tutorial on Harness Design and Multi-board, where we showcase best practices for Harness Design, MCAD collaboration, and manufacturing documentation generation to enhance your PCB assembly workflow.

Embedded thumbnail for Smart Mouthguard Impacting Concussion Science
Altium Stories
Smart Mouthguard Impacting Concussion Science

Check out our latest Customer Success Story about HitIQ, founded by former AFL player Nathan Murphy. HitIQ harnessed Altium’s design and collaboration tools to develop its Smart Mouthguard—an advanced concussion management solution. The team utilized Altium Designer’s Rigid-Flex PCB capabilities and Constraint Manager, along with Altium 365’s Web Viewer and Cloud Storage, to create a compact yet highly functional design while enhancing cross-functional collaboration.

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