Introduction to Altium PCB Design Software

Altium is a leading provider of printed circuit board (PCB) design software used by engineers and electronics designers worldwide. Founded in 1985, Altium has grown to become one of the most popular and respected names in the industry. Their flagship product, Altium Designer, is an all-in-one solution for PCB design that integrates schematic capture, 3D PCB layout, analysis tools, documentation, and much more.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Altium Designer and explore why it is considered by many to be the best PCB design software on the market. We’ll cover its key features, benefits, target users, and how it compares to other popular PCB design tools. By the end, you should have a good understanding of whether Altium is the right choice for your PCB design needs.

Key Features of Altium Designer

Unified Design Environment

One of the standout features of Altium Designer is its unified design environment. This means that all the tools and functionality you need for PCB design are integrated into a single, cohesive interface. You can seamlessly move between schematic capture, PCB layout, 3D modeling, simulation, and documentation without having to switch between different programs.

This unified approach offers several advantages:

• Improved efficiency and productivity
• Reduced risk of errors and inconsistencies between design phases
• Easier collaboration and data management
• Shorter learning curve compared to using multiple separate tools

Powerful Schematic Capture

Altium Designer includes a robust schematic capture tool for creating and editing electronic schematics. It supports hierarchical design, multi-sheet schematics, and easy reuse of circuitry with snippets and device sheets.

Some of the key schematic capture features in Altium Designer include:

• Extensive library of schematic symbols and footprints
• Real-time supply chain information for components
• Electrical rule checking (ERC) to catch errors early
• Bi-directional synchronization between schematics and PCB layout
• Support for mixed-signal simulation with XSPICE and PSpice models

Advanced PCB Layout and Routing

At the heart of Altium Designer is its advanced PCB layout and routing capabilities. It provides a powerful, object-oriented environment for designing complex, high-density PCBs.

Key PCB layout features include:

• Support for rigid-flex and multi-board designs
• Automatic and interactive routing modes
• Real-time design rule checking (DRC)
• 3D modeling and clearance checking
• Advanced manufacturability tools like automatic panelization
• Powerful automation with scripting and batch processing

Altium Designer’s PCB editor makes it easy to tackle challenging designs with high density interconnect (HDI), fine-pitch BGA packages, and controlled impedance routing. Its 3D engine allows you to visualize and check mechanical fit and clearances, minimizing costly prototyping issues.

ECAD/MCAD Collaboration

Altium Designer facilitates easy collaboration between electrical and mechanical design teams with its ECAD/MCAD co-design capabilities. You can import 3D models from mechanical CAD tools, place them in your PCB design, and check for clearances and collisions.

Altium also supports various industry-standard MCAD interchange formats like STEP, DXF/DWG, and IDF. This allows you to share accurate PCB outlines, component placements, and keep-out areas with mechanical engineers to ensure proper fit and function.

Simulation and Analysis

To help optimize designs and catch issues early, Altium Designer integrates several simulation and analysis tools:

• Signal integrity analysis to optimize high-speed interfaces
• Power integrity analysis to ensure robust power delivery
• Thermal analysis to prevent overheating issues
• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) rule checking
• Analog/mixed-signal simulation with SPICE integration

These tools allow you to validate your designs and make informed decisions before committing to physical prototypes, reducing design iterations and saving time and cost.

Documentation and Manufacturing Outputs

Altium Designer automates the generation of documentation and manufacturing files needed to fabricate and assemble your PCBs. It supports intelligent drawings, keeping them in sync with the actual PCB design to avoid manual updates.

You can easily create fabrication drawings, assembly drawings, drill drawings, 3D assembly instructions, and pick-and-place files. Altium also includes a powerful output job file system that allows you to define and reuse custom output configurations for different manufacturing partners.

Benefits of Using Altium for PCB Design

Using Altium Designer for PCB design offers several key benefits:

Increased Productivity

Altium’s unified design environment and automation features can significantly boost your productivity compared to using multiple disconnected tools. The tight integration between schematic capture, PCB layout, and documentation reduces manual effort and the risk of errors.

Improved Design Quality

Altium includes robust design rule checking and real-time feedback to help you create higher quality, error-free designs. Its simulation and analysis capabilities allow you to optimize signal and power integrity, thermal performance, and EMC compliance.

Faster Time-to-Market

By catching design issues early and reducing design iterations, Altium can help you get your products to market faster. Its advanced PCB layout and manufacturing tools also streamline the transition from design to production.

Enhanced Collaboration

Altium facilitates seamless collaboration between electrical and mechanical engineers with its ECAD/MCAD co-design capabilities. It also supports easy sharing of design data and libraries across teams and projects.

Flexible and Scalable

Altium Designer can handle a wide range of PCB design complexity, from simple single-layer boards to large, high-density designs with rigid-flex technology. It scales well for larger teams and can be customized with scripting and automation.

Who Uses Altium PCB Design Software?

Altium is used by a wide range of companies and individuals involved in electronics design:

Companies using Altium range from small startups to large multinational corporations across industries such as:

• Consumer electronics
• Telecommunications
• Automotive
• Aerospace and defense
• Medical devices
• Industrial equipment
• IoT and embedded systems

Altium vs Other PCB Design Software

There are several other popular PCB design tools on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a comparison of Altium Designer with some of its main competitors:

Altium Designer vs Eagle

Eagle (now part of Autodesk) is a widely used PCB design tool popular with hobbyists and small businesses due to its low cost and ease of use. However, it lacks some of the advanced features and scalability of Altium Designer.

Compared to Eagle, Altium offers:

• A more powerful and unified design environment
• Better handling of complex, high-density designs
• More advanced routing and manufacturability tools
• Stronger ECAD/MCAD collaboration features
• More comprehensive simulation and analysis capabilities

Altium Designer vs OrCAD/Allegro

OrCAD and Allegro are PCB design tools offered by Cadence, a major player in the EDA (Electronic Design Automation) industry. OrCAD is geared towards smaller, less complex designs while Allegro targets high-end, advanced PCBs.

Compared to OrCAD/Allegro, Altium provides:

• A more modern and intuitive user interface
• Tighter integration between schematic capture and PCB layout
• More flexible and customizable design rules and constraints
• Better 3D modeling and visualization capabilities
• More active user community and third-party resources

Altium Designer vs KiCad

KiCad is a free and open-source PCB design tool that has gained popularity in recent years. While it offers a capable feature set, it may not be as polished or efficient as Altium Designer for professional use.

Compared to KiCad, Altium offers:

• A more stable and robust design environment
• Better performance and handling of large, complex designs
• More advanced routing and manufacturing capabilities
• Stronger simulation and analysis tools
• Professional-level support and documentation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the cost of Altium Designer?

Altium Designer is a premium PCB design tool and its pricing reflects its advanced capabilities. The exact cost depends on the license type (perpetual vs subscription) and any additional services or support included. Contact Altium sales for a custom quote based on your specific needs.

Is there a free version of Altium Designer?

Altium does not offer a free version of Altium Designer. However, they do provide a free trial that allows you to evaluate the software for a limited time. Students and educators can also apply for special academic licenses at reduced costs.

What are the system requirements for running Altium Designer?

The minimum system requirements for running Altium Designer include:

• Windows 10 operating system (64-bit)
• Intel or AMD processor with 4 cores or more
• 16 GB RAM
• 5 GB free disk space
• Dedicated graphics card with at least 1 GB VRAM
• 1920 x 1080 display resolution

For optimal performance, Altium recommends a more powerful system with 32 GB or more RAM, a high-end graphics card, and SSD storage.

How long does it take to learn Altium Designer?

The time it takes to learn Altium Designer depends on your previous experience with PCB design tools and the complexity of the designs you work on. Altium provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and training resources to help users get up to speed.

For users familiar with other PCB design tools, transitioning to Altium Designer may take a few weeks to become proficient. For new users with no prior PCB design experience, it may take several months to master the core features and workflows.

What kind of support and resources are available for Altium Designer users?

Altium provides various support and learning resources for Altium Designer users:

• Extensive online documentation and help files
• Video tutorials and webinars
• Community forums and user groups
• Technical support via email and phone (with valid maintenance subscription)
• Training and certification programs
• Third-party libraries, extensions, and services through the Altium Nexar ecosystem

Conclusion

In summary, Altium Designer is a powerful, all-in-one PCB design tool that offers a unified design environment, advanced capabilities, and robust features for tackling complex electronics design challenges. Its benefits include increased productivity, improved design quality, faster time-to-market, and enhanced collaboration.

While there are other capable PCB design tools on the market, Altium stands out for its comprehensive feature set, scalability, and strong industry adoption. It is trusted by companies and individuals across a wide range of industries for designing everything from simple single-layer boards to large, high-density PCBs.

If you’re looking for a professional-grade PCB design solution that can handle your current and future needs, Altium Designer is definitely worth considering. Its extensive capabilities and active user community make it a top choice for electronics engineers, PCB designers, and companies seeking to streamline their design process and create high-quality, manufacturable PCBs.