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Explore content from blog posts to technical white papers gathered together for your convenience. All written by Altium's community of PCB design experts.

Get into the Zone of PCB Parts Information from Your BOM Application Get into the Zone of PCB Parts Information from Your BOM Application “Picture if you will,” “Imagine a world where,” and “Submitted for your approval” are all quotes from Rod Serling, the creator of shows like “The Night Gallery” and, of course, “The Twilight Zone”. Maybe it’s because these phrases were popularized by those shows, but I often find myself using them, especially when it comes to designing printed circuit boards. Imagine a world where you could actually work with your component data in a separate Read Article
Choosing CAD Software: Privileging the Circuit over the System Choosing CAD Software: Privileging the Circuit over the System Choosing the right CAD tools for your next PCB is all about selecting a software package that gives you the adaptability you need to build your device. Different electronics applications will require different routing strategies and tolerances, as well as customized electronic circuitry. You’ll need CAD tools that give you the capabilities to satisfy any device requirements. Your CAD tools are critical to building a device that can meet your Read Article
STEP Models for CAD Libraries: What You Need to Know STEP Models for CAD Libraries: What You Need to Know STEP models for CAD libraries only continue to silo electronic and mechanical design. See how Altium Designer’s unified environment can streamline your workflow. Read Article
PCB Layout and Polygon Pour: How to Utilize Copper Regions in Your Design PCB Layout and Polygon Pour: How to Utilize Copper Regions in Your Design For someone new starting out in PCB layout, there is a lot of confusing terminology to puzzle through. For instance, what is the difference between a positive plane, an area fill, a polygon pour, or pouring copper? The answer is that they are all the same. These phrases may sound different, and somewhere out there there’s probably some PCB design software that will actually make a liar out of me, but for the most part they are all describing Read Article
How Does Dispersion in FR4 Really Affect Propagation Delay? How Does Dispersion in FR4 Really Affect Propagation Delay? Your FR4 substrate may be more important than you think. Learn more about FR4 material and high-speed PCB design issues in this article. Read Article
Comparator Propagation Delay in High Speed Mixed-Signal Design Comparator Propagation Delay in High Speed Mixed-Signal Design When I began my journey into the wonderful depths of electronics so long ago as a student, I wondered how so many interesting and important functions are built into everyday electronic devices. Input signal and voltages were fresh in my head and I was worrying more about a power supply than inverting inputs. It wasn’t until later that I started to fully understand the versatility of op-amps and how they could be used to build comparators Read Article
No Last Calls Here: PCI Express Routing and Layout No Last Calls Here: PCI Express Routing and Layout The mere mention of the “Orient Express” conjures up images shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Spies often conducted their business during the 80-hour trip from Paris to Constantinople. Kings rode living and sleeping cars rivaled Europe’s finest hotels with wooden paneling, silk sheets, and deluxe leather armchairs. PCI Express does not have the same aura as the “Orient Express” but does allow the high bandwidth communication between devices Read Article
Supply Chain Solutions for Electronic Assemblies Supply Chain Solutions for Electronic Assemblies Has this happened to you? You’ve finished a new PCB design that is ready for its prototype build and the race is on. Marketing has put the pressure on engineering for this “must have” device that they can show off, and everyone is expecting you to deliver it as soon as possible. You got the design done in record time and are ready to send it to the manufacturer when the word comes back to you that there is a problem. One or more of the that you Read Article
PCB Assembly Manufacturing Documentation with Draftsman PCB Assembly Manufacturing Documentation with Draftsman In my numerous years in the electronics industry, we have come a long way. From using tape on mylars for PCB layouts to advanced CAD systems, the industry has moved what can only be described as light years ahead over the last 30 years or so. Gone are the days (thankfully) of a hand drawn schematic which is then translated by someone into physical that are connected by hand (even in early layout programs this was true). Netlist? What was one of Read Article
Prioritize Precision Querying in Circuit Board Design Software Prioritize Precision Querying in Circuit Board Design Software There is nothing worse than losing your car keys when running late to an important meeting. Car keys are small and remembering where you put them becomes impossible given the projects taken on in the interim. They could be anywhere. These days it is possible to use RF devices to locate your keys. Having user-friendly technology keeps stress levels low. Working with a complex circuit design within EDA tools can pose the same problem. With Read Article
Tips for Connecting Hidden Pins with Altium Designer Tips for Connecting Hidden Pins with Altium Designer By far, the greatest form of entertainment is magic and even a century after his death Harry Houdini is still hailed as the magician ever. Although, acclaimed for his various escapes, Houdini was the first to perform the often duplicated “Vanishing Elephant” magic trick. Of course, the elephant, named Jennie, did not vanish but was only hidden from the vast majority of the spectators. When designing a highly congested printed circuit board (PCB) Read Article
Multi-Board Design Basics in Altium Designer The webinar touches on electrical and mechanical challenges of system and product level multi-board PCB design. A demonstration follows, showing Watch Video
Sneak Peek and Meet the Keynotes for AltiumLive 2018: ANNUAL PCB DESIGN SUMMIT Sneak Peek and Meet the Keynotes for AltiumLive 2018: ANNUAL PCB DESIGN SUMMIT First, on behalf of Altium, allow me to personally invite you to join us for the 2nd annual AltiumLive PCB Design Summit! As most of you know, Altium launched our first ever User Conferences last year in San Diego and Munich which were met with high praise from attendees, sponsors, the industry and the media. This October, in true Altium fashion, we are “upping our game.” In this issue of OnTrack, we will give you a sneak peek of the agenda and Read Article
The Kyoto Institute of Technology Racing Team Aims for Third Win The Kyoto Institute of Technology Racing Team Aims for Third Win The Kyoto Institute of Technology racing team Grandelfino aims to win its third consecutive victory in the Student Formula SAE Competition of Japan. We asked them about what makes their team special and what are the key points to win. I hope you will enjoy our first ever student team interview coming to you from Japan. Junpei is from the Kyoto Institute of Technology and is part of the Grandelfino project team that hopes to win their third Read Article
Concurrent Engineering with Bill Brooks from Nordson Asymtek Concurrent Engineering with Bill Brooks from Nordson Asymtek Learn about what is involved in true concurrent engineering and get practical tips for including stakeholders early on in the design process with Bill Brooks from Nordson Asymtek. When project collaborators come together up front, then they move forward together. Hear how Bill spends the time up front to get everyone aligned during the PCB design process to ensure fabrication and assembly processes progress with minimal issues. Listen to the Read Article
How Bill of Material Software Can Protect You from Unintended Errors How Bill of Material Software Can Protect You from Unintended Errors Editorial credit: Willrow Hood / Shutterstock.com OK, I’ll admit it; I like the original Star Trek just as much as the next guy. Even with its laughable science, cheesy effects, and starships constructed with painted plywood for bulkheads, it still had relatable characters and compelling stories. But one thing that always bugged me was how our heroes could be all the way across the galaxy and jump into an alien spaceship and drive it like a pro Read Article
PCB Layout Tips to Design a Clap Switch Circuit PCB Layout Tips to Design a Clap Switch Circuit I’m a self-professed workaholic. On a typical workday, lunch breaks become nonexistent as I obsess on my latest project or focus on clearing my list of tasks. During my off-days, however, I move to the opposite end of the spectrum. I became the epitome of laziness as I spend the whole day unwinding. I become immobilized as I sink deeper into the couch while watching my favorite TV shows. In these moments, I wish I could prepare dinner with a Read Article