Cursor Snap Tricks in Schematic and PCB

Cursor Snap Tricks in Schematic and PCB

Last updated:

27/03/2012

Any experienced designer will tell you that grids and mouse cursor "snap" are important - even critical - to efficient design. After all, imagine a schematic tool not being able to recognize the connection of a wire to a pin because it was a pixel or two out of alignment?

But Altium Designer goes way beyond the traditional simplistic grid based systems most EDA tools possess. With the ability to work in a true dual-coordinate (metric AND imperial) system, with electrical snap grids, as well as multiple user-defined Cartesian and Polar grids and work guides - every possible scenario from placing parts to obscure copper shapes will be made exact and easy.

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Announcement: Microchip Content Update

Tags:

AltiumLive, content, vault, library, component, Microchip, Linear, Amplifier, Interface, Mixed Signal, Analog, Data Converter

The Content Team is very pleased to announce an update to our Microchip Technology families in the Altium Vault and Content Store. Working closely with Microchip, we have created new components and revised all existing components in the following analog categories:

1. Microchip - Interface
2. Microchip - Linear
3. Microchip - Mixed Signal (Data Converters)

These components can be found in the Unified Components section of the Content Store. You can also use these components directly from within Altium Designer via the Vault Explorer - where you will also find supplier links and pricing information. For integrated libraries, look for the ‘Download Library’ button on the Content Store pages.

A total of 580 new components have been released, and 1917 components updated:

Interface - 116 new components, 180 revised

Linear - 147 new components, 674 revised

Mixed Signal - 317 new components, 1063 revised

This is the first major update that has been developed in close collaboration with Microchip. To read more about the relationship you can find the press release here.

More Microchip updates in the weeks and months ahead!

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Announcement: Update 17 for Altium Designer 10

The Altium Development team are pleased to announce the 17th update for Altium Designer 10.

This release focuses on additional enhancements to Altium Designer, with some of the notable inclusions being:

Via Stitching:

Of particular importance for RF and High Speed designs, the brand new Via Stitching feature applies a definable pattern of vias between layers where the copper areas overlap and share the same net.  It helps maintain low impedance connections and short return loops through the board structure for developing high-performance, electromagnetically 'quiet' PCBs.

Via Stitching runs as a post-process using an algorithm that identifies all Fills, Polygons and Power Planes attached to a specified net, then populates free areas of copper with stitching vias to connect the layers using the specified via and stitching pattern. See the Wiki page for more information or watch the video on this new feature.

Improvements to Ansoft Exporter:

In update 16 we released improvements to this exporter to make it easier to import and simulate in Ansoft products. With this latest update, we’ve continued development and reduced the number of errors generated once imported into Ansoft (object centreline connection issues, and reducing differences between metric and imperial exports). Also, a larger array of component values are now imported, making it easier to set up the board for simulation.

Improvements to software update patching system:

The Altium Designer software patching system has been further enhanced to make the software update process less disruptive. Amongst a range of improvements, the patch preparation process has been configured to run during the update download at a low background priority, allowing Altium Designer to continue being used with minimal interruption. The update process now also provides the option to select whether you want to update using patches or a full download. This improvement will help those users who experience a lengthy update process due to anti-virus programs, where using the full download becomes a much faster process. Note: These improvements will only be visible with the next update to Altium Designer.

Schematic text overlay rendering

The BugCrunch request “Junction” over the “Text Frame” received strong support and achieved the full quota of 50 votes. So with this release, text container frames placed on the Schematic have been improved to display and print as the uppermost level, regardless of any electrical drawing primitives that the frame overlays. Another successful BugCrunch report - thank you to those who reported, nominated and voted!

In total, 5 BugCrunch items have been included in this latest update along with various other enhancements. Full details can be found in the release notes.

Accessing the Update

To update your Altium Designer 10 installation, first ensure you are using a license with valid subscription. Then, go to the Plug-in page (DXP >> Plug-ins and Updates) and select “Update All”. If you don’t see the update, use the “Refresh” link in the top right hand corner of the Plugins page.

The delivery of this update affects the following 8 modules:

1. System Component category: Altium Designer Base, Altium Designer Installation System, PCB System, Schematic System
2. Importers and Exporters: Exporter - Ansoft, Importer - PADS
3. Output Generators: Output - Gerber, Printer - PCB

The download size of this update is approximately 10MB, assuming you have not recently cleared your cache. Installation of the updated modules will bring their revision up to 10.972.23595. The Platform Build number will also update to 10.972.23595 as the Altium Designer Base module is updated.

Note: If you are using a Private Server license or Standalone license and you have renewed your subscription since activation, you will be required to reactivate your license to obtain this and future updates.

For those who installed directly from DVD, you can access the updates by changing a setting in preferences: System >> Installation Manager, change the Remote Repository Location to http://installation.altium.com

If you are wanting to install a new build containing this update, we have also released a new version of the Altium Installer and Uninstaller. These can be downloaded from the Software page in AltiumLive - download the latest Installer/Uninstaller.

 

Announcement: TI's National Semiconductor Content Update

Tags:

AltiumLive, content, vault, hobart, library, component, NSC, National Semiconductor, National, TI, Texas Instruments, ADC, Interface, LDO, Switcher, Amplifier, Analog, DAC, Temperature Sensor, Comparator, Voltage Reference

The Content Team is very pleased to announce the release of an update to the National Semiconductor component collection. Now a part of Texas Instruments, National Semiconductor components make up a large part of TI’s analog division.

The update consists of 406 new components and 1376 revised components across the whole National catalogue. The majority of new components were released into Switcher, MiscPower, LDO and Interface families.

Updates include PCB revisions to over 100 footprints, updated datasheets, new URLs and more. Further details of these changes can be found in the Revision Note parameters attached to the revised vault components.

These TI National components can be found in the Content Store under:

Unified Components\National Semiconductor\

All components in this release feature supply chain information from multiple suppliers, including Digi-Key, Mouser, Newark & Farnell.  These can best be viewed when browsing the components in the Vault Explorer in Altium Designer 10. Navigate to the Altium Vault to see what’s available.

Full change list by family:

ADC - 36 new components, 3 revised

Amplifier - 39 new components, 58 revised

Analog - 24 revised components

Audio - 4 new components, 214 revised

Comparator - 5 new components, 11 revised

DAC - 2 new components

Interface - 60 new components, 43 revised

LDO - 71 new components, 380 revised

MiscPower - 94 new, 281 revised

OtherParts - 2 new, 2 revised

Switch Caps - 13 revised components

Switcher - 63 new components, 216 revised

Temperature Sensor - 11 new, 52 revised

Voltage Reference - 18 new components, 79 revised

As well as vault-based managed components that are available via Altium Designer’s Vault Explorer, Integrated Library versions of these component families can be downloaded from the AltiumLive Content Store. Look for the ‘Download Library’ button on the left-hand sidebar as you browse through the various vendor families.

 

Announcement: TI's National Semiconductor Content Update

The Content Team is very pleased to announce the release of an update to the National Semiconductor component collection. Now a part of Texas Instruments, National Semiconductor components make up a large part of TI’s analog division.

The update consists of 406 new components and 1376 revised components across the whole National catalogue. The majority of new components were released into Switcher, MiscPower, LDO and Interface families.

Updates include PCB revisions to over 100 footprints, updated datasheets, new URLs and more. Further details of these changes can be found in the Revision Note parameters attached to the revised vault components.

These TI National components can be found in the Content Store under:

Unified Components\National Semiconductor\

All components in this release feature supply chain information from multiple suppliers, including Digi-Key, Mouser, Newark & Farnell.  These can best be viewed when browsing the components in the Vault Explorer in Altium Designer 10. Navigate to the Altium Vault to see what’s available.

Full change list by family:

ADC - 36 new components, 3 revised

Amplifier - 39 new components, 58 revised

Analog - 24 revised components

Audio - 4 new components, 214 revised

Comparator - 5 new components, 11 revised

DAC - 2 new components

Interface - 60 new components, 43 revised

LDO - 71 new components, 380 revised

MiscPower - 94 new, 281 revised

OtherParts - 2 new, 2 revised

Switch Caps - 13 revised components

Switcher - 63 new components, 216 revised

Temperature Sensor - 11 new, 52 revised

Voltage Reference - 18 new components, 79 revised

As well as vault-based managed components that are available via Altium Designer’s Vault Explorer, Integrated Library versions of these component families can be downloaded from the AltiumLive Content Store. Look for the ‘Download Library’ button on the left-hand sidebar as you browse through the various vendor families.

 

The Supply Side: Counterfeit? But They Passed Testing!

Editor's Note: This article oiginally appeared in the February 2012 issue of SMT Magazine.

Substandard and counterfeit electronic parts have flooded the market during the past decade, sparking a national movement from industry players and market experts to address an effective solution. Although a few industry groups have implemented best practice anti-counterfeit procedures (IDEA-1010 and CCAP-101) and defined what classifies under the “counterfeit” umbrella, it is the United States government that is subsequently applying intense pressure to get the growing problem under control.

This past November, the Senate Armed Services Committee completed an investigation into occurrences of counterfeit electronic parts in the military supply chain. Lead by Chairman, Senator Levin and Ranking Member, Senator McCain, the committee held their first hearing to explore the shocking results and question industry experts. On the surface, it seems major changes are finally underway. Congress has since approved the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, which includes requirements to define the term counterfeit and establish a standard for the detection and avoidance of counterfeit parts. The standard will be issued by SAE, similar to AS5553 already in existence for electronic manufacturers, but will pertain to distributors only. The new standard, AS6081, is still being developed by the G19 Committee and is expected to be released sometime in 2012. 

Last month, SAE released ARP6178, Fraudulent/Counterfeit Electronic Parts; Tool for Risk Assessment of Distributors. According to SAE’s website the scope of the standard is “for all organizations that procure electronic components from sources other than the original component manufacturer. It is especially applicable for assessing distributors that sell electronic components without contractual authorization from the original component manufacturer.” 

With all the awareness and large improvements in counterfeit avoidance practices, why are so many companies still getting burned with substandard or bogus components? My quick and easy answer is they aren’t being thorough enough in terms of strict sampling and supplier evaluations. But, as we all know, there is nothing quick or easy about stopping the wave of counterfeits entering the supply chain. In the meantime, more and more OEM and EMS providers are running super lean, keeping long-term forecasting at bay and still supporting legacy builds. Critical shortages that require non-franchised solutions are consistently abundant, opening up a slew of quality issues for those that are sourcing from bush-league suppliers who do not care or do not know how to navigate an ever-graying market of trouble.

With so many layers of mitigation that can be applied to ones checklist, I suspect most companies get lost on what inspection and test efforts should be focused. For instance, we see a large number of companies strictly performing a basic parametric electrical test while de-capping one or two samples out of the lot to verify die authenticity. Although there is value in these procedures, they simply are not 100% effective in the determination of a component’s integrity.

You can read the full story here

The Supply Side: Counterfeit? But They Passed Testing!

Editor's Note: This article oiginally appeared in the February 2012 issue of SMT Magazine.
Substandard and counterfeit electronic parts have flooded the market during the past decade, sparking a national movement from industry players and market experts to address an effective solution. Although a few industry groups have implemented best practice anti-counterfeit procedures (IDEA-1010 and CCAP-101) and defined what classifies under the “counterfeit” umbrella, it is the United States government that is subsequently applying intense pressure to get the growing problem under control.
This past November, the Senate Armed Services Committee completed an investigation into occurrences of counterfeit electronic parts in the military supply chain. Lead by Chairman, Senator Levin and Ranking Member, Senator McCain, the committee held their first hearing to explore the shocking results and question industry experts. On the surface, it seems major changes are finally underway. Congress has since approved the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, which includes requirements to define the term counterfeit and establish a standard for the detection and avoidance of counterfeit parts. The standard will be issued by SAE, similar to AS5553 already in existence for electronic manufacturers, but will pertain to distributors only. The new standard, AS6081, is still being developed by the G19 Committee and is expected to be released sometime in 2012. 
Last month, SAE released ARP6178, Fraudulent/Counterfeit Electronic Parts; Tool for Risk Assessment of Distributors. According to SAE’s website the scope of the standard is “for all organizations that procure electronic components from sources other than the original component manufacturer. It is especially applicable for assessing distributors that sell electronic components without contractual authorization from the original component manufacturer.” 
With all the awareness and large improvements in counterfeit avoidance practices, why are so many companies still getting burned with substandard or bogus components? My quick and easy answer is they aren’t being thorough enough in terms of strict sampling and supplier evaluations. But, as we all know, there is nothing quick or easy about stopping the wave of counterfeits entering the supply chain. In the meantime, more and more OEM and EMS providers are running super lean, keeping long-term forecasting at bay and still supporting legacy builds. Critical shortages that require non-franchised solutions are consistently abundant, opening up a slew of quality issues for those that are sourcing from bush-league suppliers who do not care or do not know how to navigate an ever-graying market of trouble.
With so many layers of mitigation that can be applied to ones checklist, I suspect most companies get lost on what inspection and test efforts should be focused. For instance, we see a large number of companies strictly performing a basic parametric electrical test while de-capping one or two samples out of the lot to verify die authenticity. Although there is value in these procedures, they simply are not 100% effective in the determination of a component’s integrity.

You can read the full story here

Altium Announces Altium Designer 12

Continues successful path of software updates and AltiumLive content

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Symbol	Price	Change
ALU.AX	0.21	+0.02

CARLSBAD, Calif., March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Altium, developer of next-generation electronics design software and services, announces Altium Designer 12, the evolution of the award winning unified electronics design solution Altium Designer. Altium Designer 12 was introduced during embedded world in Nuremberg, Germany, one year after the initial launch of AltiumLive and a new Altium Designer 10 platform.

With Altium Designer 12, Altium will continue its successful path which:

• Provided the structure for a content-delivery platform that fundamentally changed the way new features and enhancements can be delivered,
• Offered advanced board layout capabilities, powerful next-generation design data and release management systems and
• Integrated access to Altium's growing pool of online design content and software enhancements.

With this new approach, Altium Subscription customers have already benefited from 16 product updates within the last 12 months, all of which refined and extended the already powerful capabilities of Altium Designer.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/altium-announces-altium-designer-12-204600295.html