Mentor Graphics PADS Software

Single PCB design tool that includes all you need to create diagrams, component placement, routing, modeling, validation, EMC, signal integrity, crosstalk and the final pre-production.

The main advantage of the professional package for PCB design Mentor Graphics PADS is the relative ease of use allows you to begin working immediately with minimal training. High-performance development of complex boards combined with little time and labor, and analysis tools provide the correct result. Work on the project in PADS can be divided into four stages, for each of which correspond to certain programs.

1. To create a schematic diagram of a proposed utility PADS Logic (for single user) and DxDesigner (workgroup). Schematic editors include tools for analysis and simulation, control component library, documentation, reporting, monitoring compliance with the design rules. Program I / O Designer based DxDesigner integrates with the route of designing FPGA.

2. Analysis and verification of systems designed can be performed in three simulations.

A. DxAnalog working on modeling of analog and mixed circuits. The paper used methods: Monte Carlo, fast Fourier transform, optimization schemes, "worst case" extreme value, as well as many others.

B. Fusion / ViewSim performs digital gate-level simulation using the time analyzer.

C. HyperLynx exercises to validate signal integrity and interference with delivery of tips on the mutual arrangement of components. Among other things, possible to analyze the skin effect, dielectric loss and cross-talk between electromagnetic enclosures integrated circuits connected by high-speed tires.

3. PCB design stage is presented as a series of unique utilities.

A. PADS Layout is a scalable environment for editing topologies, component placement and routing, as well as preparing files for production.Available from the databases Broadcast P-CAD, OrCAD, CADSTAR and Protel, support boards of any shape.

B. PADS AutoRouter designed for interactive trace at arbitrary angles.

C. PADS AutoRouter HSD complements previous program lets high-speed wiring circuits. Artificially increases the path lengths using insert type "accordion".

4. To view and edit files provided technical editor GerbTool Fabricator.

PADS supports the input or output formats Gerber 274X and 274D; FIRE9000 (for photoplot); Barco DPF; HPGL; Excellon and Sieb & Meyer (for drilling and milling); DXF; PostScript; Bitmap Out; IPC-D-350 and many other . Program produces reports (Drill, Mill, Apertures), reports violations of rules and technological changes in the documentation, conducts dimensioning (eg drawings or boards), draws drilling templates.

Mentor Graphics PADS system is oriented to small companies, groups, and private developers. PADS is available in three versions, designed to satisfy all the needs of users: PADS ES Suite (development of complete devices), PADS LS Suite (for quick creation of typical boards) and PADS DS Suite (focused on electrical engineers). The price for them, including the support of about 300, 200 and 100 thousand, respectively.

, This program was developed by an international corporation Mentor Graphics , founded in 1981 in the U.S.. The heyday came in the Mentor Graphics in 2004, when it held the third spot in the list of major EDA-companies.

Today Mentor Graphics focuses on modern design environment under Windows, developing its product line - Board Station, Expedition Enterprise and PADS. Headquartered in Vilsonville (Oregon), state employees exceeds 4,000, and net profit of more than $ 30 million per year.

PADS software environment written in English.

Software designed to work in 32-or 64-bit Windows-7, Windows Vista and Windows XP SP3. Minimum RAM - 1 GB after installation program takes 3 GB.

Distribution of the program: Shareware (paid 100 rubles), there is trial-version with a 30 day limit

Official Site Mentor Graphics PADS: http://www.mentor.com

PCBWeb Software

Online CAD system for drawing schemes and creating printed circuit boards of electronic devices.

PCBWeb allows you to draw electrical circuit diagrams, formed on the basis of their circuit boards, export ready-made solutions in the format Gerber, necessary for their manufacture. This application consists of three main parts: Schematic, PCB and Bill of Materials.

At the beginning of the user is a complete list of his projects. You can also create lists of trusted authorized users, who will have the right to open and edit a specific project. In PCBWeb all the features typical of this kind of package, in particular: editing workload (cut, copy, and delete electronic components, undo and redo actions that have occurred), changes in the characteristics of radio components, adding new circuits to an existing project, save and export operations. In addition there are features for configuring ports create multi-circuits and multilayer circuit boards, potting, design rule checking, support for metric and imperial systems of coordinates. With this program you can PCBWeb in real time to generate a list of the components used with the price, and get links to their order.

Software package developed in partnership with Digi-Key , one of the largest distributors of electronic components. Size provided library radioelements really huge, there are a variety of resistance, capacitance, filters, oscillators, generators, inputs, potentiometers, keys, measuring instruments, sensors, batteries, connectors, inductors, memory cards, optoelectronic products, audio components, transformers and much much more. Unfortunately, for many of them there is no graphical display used in the schematic editor and PCB footprint. The program offers to draw them yourself, using the services of the integrated editor.

Among the shortcomings PCBWeb should be noted also that this environment is currently being still in beta testing. The application contains a lot of bugs in the code. As a result - regular and sustained hovering stoppages software. Visually beautiful interface program is not without some shortcomings. Doing some operations are not clear, but the lack of user manual or help file only aggravate the situation. Hopefully, the developers will be able to eliminate all defects and finish the whole ambitious program PCBWeb.

Considered browser application is absolutely free. To get started with the software package PCBWeb need to register on that site, as well as downloading and installing Microsoft Silverlight, allowing to work with Web applications that contain animation and vector graphics.

Developing a program of workers engaged PCBWeb Silicon Frameworks. This organization is located in the small town of Hawi (the northern tip of the island of Hawaii). Silicon Frameworks has strong partnerships in the electronics industry and many years of experience in designing CAD-systems. Currently, the organization is looking for people for the further development of the above online application.

Russian language support no interface software package PCBWeb entirely in English.

The main advantage is the use of PCBWeb software platform Silverlight. Thanks to this application may not work only under Microsoft Windows, but also on Mac and Linux. The only requirement for the end-user hardware is stable and high speed Internet connection.

Considered software is designed to work on PCs running under Microsoft Windows.

Distribution of the program: Freeware

Official site PCBWeb: http://www.pcbweb.com

Eagle Software

Eagle (Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor) - a complex program for drawing electrical circuits and printed circuit board trace electronic devices.

Eagle software package consists of three main components:
1. Schematic Module, intended for the drawing of electronic circuits using standard cells.
2. Layout Editor, which allows to develop drawing PCB own.
3. Autorouter, designed to trace the PCB without user intervention

It is possible to use third-party tracer exporting fee in any popular format. All transitions occur between modules within the program itself.Eagle has an extensive library of standard electronic components with a brief description, user-friendly editor element base and logic modules, check the connections and location of the components on the board. Eagle of the advantages over similar programs, experts note rollback events in any number of steps back, no problems when working on older computers, powerful scripting language, JavaScript drivers to output the result to a plotter or printer. Ability to export the result of work in the POV-Ray renderer allows you to create three-dimensional models boards.

There are paid (professional, standard) and free (light) version. In the light-version of the reduced size of usable area boards (10 by 8 cm), available only two conductive layers and a single sheet in the editor on the project schemes. For most amateur work is more than enough.Free version allows you to download, open and print drawings that go beyond the three constraints.

The program interface is fully English speaking. On the Internet there are informal localization of third-party developers, but they do not guarantee the completeness of the translation efficiency of the program after installation.

Eagle currently supports Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7. There are versions for Linux, Unix and Mac OS.

Distribution of the program: Freeware (free with limitations) and Shareware (fee required), the price - from $ 69

The official website for Eagle: http://www.cadsoftusa.com

Download Eagle

Sprint-Layout Software

Simple but at the same time very efficient software package for designing and manual PCB layout small and medium difficulty. The program is very popular among Russian radio amateurs.

The main advantage of Sprint-Layout is a user-friendly interface, which includes only the necessary tools to prepare PCB size 300 x 300 mm.The program allows you to work with two layers (conductors and labeling) for each side of the board. Additional features - solder mask layer metallization, SMD-mask. Built tracer only helps raise guides, and is not automatic. In recharged library contains the most common electronic components. In Sprint-Layout implemented the ability to export your work in popular formats Excellon and Gerber, as well as create a HPGL file for finishing PCB on software-controlled milling machine. Package widely used to manufacture boards LUT method .

Program is unlikely to suit professionals, as its scope is limited by small boards with a low density of elements. But, thanks to logical and understandable structure, Sprint-Layout is very easy to learn and is recommended for beginners to designers who do not want to waste your time on the study of more complex programs.

Program Language German or English. Domestic enthusiasts was created fully functional Russified version of the program that gets the network name of Sprint-Layout 6 (however, had no relation to the official second version released in 2013). The interface has been redesigned for greater comfort, added a large number of electronic components and retain compatibility with all versions of the original Sprint-Layout to the fifth version.

The program runs stably in 32 - or 64-bit operating systems Windows 98 / ME / NT / 2000 / XP / Vista / Win 7