Key Features of Altium Designer

Altium Designer provides an integrated environment with a wide range of PCB design capabilities:

Schematic Capture

• Hierarchical and multi-sheet schematic entry
• Electrical rules checking (ERC)
• Real-time links to PCB layout
• Library management for components and symbols

PCB Layout

• Multilayer PCB design with high-speed constraints
• Interactive and automatic routing options
• Real-time design rule checking (DRC)
• 2D and 3D visualization and rendering of PCBs
• Mechanical CAD integration

Output Generation

• Automated bill of materials (BOM) generation
• Gerber and NC drill file generation for manufacturing
• Documentation generation including schematics, assembly drawings, etc.

Unified Platform

• Project management with version control and collaboration features
• Centralized library and design data management
• Customizable user interface and scripting capabilities

Benefits of Using Altium Designer

There are several compelling advantages to using Altium for PCB design:

Increased Efficiency

Altium’s unified design environment allows engineers to seamlessly move between schematic capture and PCB layout. Changes made in one domain are automatically reflected in the other, reducing manual rework. Real-time rule checking also helps catch errors early, minimizing time-consuming redesigns later in the process.

Improved Design Quality

The advanced constraints management, high-speed design tools, and comprehensive rule checking in Altium help ensure that PCBs are correct-by-construction. Catching potential manufacturability or signal integrity issues early leads to higher quality designs that are more likely to work correctly the first time.

Enhanced Collaboration

Altium’s version control and project management features facilitate collaboration among distributed design teams. Centralized libraries ensure all team members are working with up-to-date component data. Releasing designs for review and managing engineering change orders (ECOs) is also streamlined.

Extensive Customization

For advanced users and organizations with specific design flows, Altium offers extensive customization options. The user interface can be tailored, custom design rules can be defined, and scripts can automate repetitive tasks. This flexibility allows Altium to adapt to a company’s processes rather than forcing a particular workflow.

Drawbacks of Altium Designer

While Altium has many strengths, there are some notable drawbacks to consider:

Cost

The biggest downside of Altium is its high price point. Perpetual licenses start at several thousand dollars per seat, with additional recurring costs for updates and support. For small businesses or individual engineers, this can be prohibitively expensive compared to lower-cost or free alternatives.

Learning Curve

With its extensive feature set comes a steeper learning curve compared to entry-level EDA tools. Becoming proficient in all areas of Altium can take significant time and training, especially for users coming from other tools. However, this is somewhat mitigated by Altium’s intuitive interface and helpful learning resources.

System Requirements

Altium is a powerful but resource-intensive application, requiring a high-end computer for optimal performance. Large, complex designs can strain system resources and lead to sluggish performance on underpowered machines. Regular hardware upgrades may be necessary to keep up with increasing design complexity.

Limited Simulation Capabilities

While Altium includes some basic circuit simulation features, it is not a full-fledged circuit simulator like some competing EDA suites. For advanced analog/mixed-signal simulation needs, many engineers use dedicated tools like SPICE in addition to or instead of Altium.

Alternatives to Altium Designer

There are several other EDA tools on the market that offer similar PCB design capabilities to Altium. Here’s a brief comparison of some popular alternatives:

Cadence OrCAD/Allegro

• Comprehensive schematic capture and PCB layout
• Advanced constraint management and autorouting
• Powerful simulation and signal integrity analysis
• Expensive, steep learning curve

Mentor Graphics PADS

• Schematic capture and PCB layout in integrated environment
• Constraint-driven design with hierarchical rules
• Good for mid-level complexity boards
• Moderate price point

KiCad

• Free and open source EDA suite
• Schematic capture, PCB layout, simple autorouting
• Large part library and active community support
• Good for low to mid complexity designs
• Lacks some advanced features of commercial tools

FAQ

Q1: Is Altium Designer better than OrCAD?

A1: It depends on the specific needs of the designer and organization. Both tools offer similar core capabilities for PCB design. Altium is generally considered to have a more modern, integrated user interface and better project management features. OrCAD has more advanced simulation and signal integrity analysis tools. Ultimately, the “better” tool will depend on factors like budget, design complexity, existing tool familiarity, and organizational processes.

Q2: Can Altium Designer be used for FPGA design?

A2: Yes, Altium Designer does support FPGA design in addition to PCB design. It includes tools for creating and managing FPGA pin assignments, constraints, and output files for programming. However, for advanced FPGA design and verification, many engineers use dedicated FPGA tools from vendors like Xilinx or Intel in conjunction with Altium.

Q3: Is Altium Designer hard to learn?

A3: Altium Designer has a steeper learning curve compared to entry-level PCB design tools due to its extensive feature set and customization options. However, Altium provides comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and training materials to help new users get up to speed. Many engineers find that once they become familiar with Altium’s interface and workflow, the tool becomes quite intuitive and efficient to use.

Q4: How much does an Altium Designer license cost?

A4: Altium Designer is a premium tool and its licenses are priced accordingly. Perpetual licenses for the full version start at around $8,000 USD per seat, with additional annual costs for updates and support. Subscription-based licenses and bundle pricing are also available. Educational and trial licenses may be available at a reduced cost for students and evaluation purposes. It’s best to contact Altium directly for a personalized quote based on your specific needs.

Q5: Can Altium Designer import designs from other EDA tools?

A5: Yes, Altium Designer can import design files from several other popular PCB design tools. It supports importing schematic and PCB files from formats like OrCAD Capture, PADS Logic, Eagle, and KiCad. However, the importing process may not always be seamless, especially for complex hierarchical designs. Some manual cleanup and re-linking of design elements may be required after importing. It’s recommended to thoroughly review and verify imported designs before proceeding with further design work in Altium.

Conclusion

Deciding whether Altium Designer is “worth it” for PCB design depends on a careful consideration of its features, benefits, costs, and drawbacks in the context of your specific needs. For organizations with the budget and need for a comprehensive, collaborative PCB design platform, Altium’s powerful capabilities and customization options may well justify its premium price. For smaller businesses or simpler design needs, however, lower-cost or free alternatives may suffice.

Ultimately, the EDA-worthiness of Altium Designer will depend on factors like:

• The complexity and scale of your PCB design projects
• Your team’s existing tool familiarity and workflow
• Your budget for EDA software and hardware upgrades
• The need for advanced capabilities like simulation and signal integrity analysis
• Your organization’s priorities around efficiency, design quality, and time-to-market

By weighing these factors and comparing Altium to alternative tools, you can make an informed decision on whether investing in Altium Designer makes sense for your PCB design needs. For many professional engineers and organizations, Altium’s comprehensive feature set and reputation for quality make it a worthwhile choice despite its high cost. But for others, more affordable tools may offer sufficient capability at a better value.

Hopefully this in-depth analysis of Altium Designer’s EDA-worthiness has provided a helpful framework for evaluating whether it’s the right tool for your needs. As with any major tool investment, it’s recommended to take advantage of evaluation periods, demos, and benchmarks with your own designs before committing to a purchase. This hands-on experience, combined with a clear understanding of your requirements and constraints, will ultimately guide you to the best PCB design tool for your work.