Printed circuit boards (PCBs) literally provide the backbone connecting components in almost every electronic device we use daily, from phones to vehicles to pacemakers. As electronics grow more complex, with drones, IoT systems, and augmented reality demanding maximum computing power in the smallest volumes, PCB fabrication has become extremely intricate. Translating ideas into functioning products hinges on advanced software to model behavior before manufacturing costly prototypes. This guide will decode PCB design, reveal latest innovations, and review top software tools to boost productivity.
Why PCB Design Software Matters in Electronics
Before exploring solutions, let‘s demystify what PCBs entail in hardware and challenges with manual design flows.
What Are PCBs and Why Are They Vital?
A PCB mechanically supports and electrically connects parts using conductive copper traces etched from laminated sheets onto non-conductive substrates. They package the intelligence empowering functionality – literally bridging ideas to reality.
PCBs electrically and mechanically connect components through conductive traces (Image credit: Future)
With electronics growing relentlessly more sophisticated across sectors, PCB fabrication has become extremely intricate also, evolving from simple single-sided boards to multilayer/multimaterial configurations. HDI (high density interconnect) now boast finer features than 100 μm to squeeze more functionality in less real estate. High-speed protocols like USB4 push signaling above 25 Gbps. And rigid-flex PCBs integrate both traditional rigid sections with flexible circuits in one package.
PCB SUBSTRATE MATERIAL SHIPMENTS TO APPROACH $14B BY 2028
Global Activated & Intelligent Packaging for Foods and Beverages Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Fruits & Vegetables, Meat & Poultry), By Technology (Oxygen Scavengers), And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030, Grand View Research
Such dizzying progress intensifies demand for software transforming ideas into production rapidly.
Don‘t Despair: PCB Design Software Rescues Growing Complexity
Crafting intricate PCB hardware requires significantly more stages than just layout. Architecting tomorrow‘s electronics necessitates:
1. Schematic Capture – Drawing the electronic circuit by "wiring" symbols for parts. This maps functionality logically.
2. PCB Layout – Physically placing components and routing traces between them. This manifests the schematic physically.
3. Design Rule Checking – Verifying trace spacing meets fabrication and performance needs. This ensures manufacturability.
4. Simulation – Modeling and analyzing signal/power integrity pre-production using SPICE models. This validates operation before expensive manufacturing iterations.
5. Fabrication Documentation – Generating detailed Gerber and drilling files at each layer to drive PCB fabrication process.
Executing these manually as electronics scale up will overwhelm most mortals. Modern EDA software handles the intricate implementation details – liberating innovation.
Top Benefits of Adopting PCB Design Software
Beyond easing electronics manufacturing, purpose-built PCB solutions also yield additional advantages over spreadsheets or drawing tools:
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Accelerates Design Cycles – Leveraging existing validated blocks instead of reinventing everything saves months.
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Reduces Human Errors – Automating repetitive tasks minimizes oversights causing spins.
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Enables Design Reuse – Tweaking proven designs for new requirements avoids starting completely from scratch.
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Allows Real-time Collaboration – Syncing designs in the cloud lets globally dispersed teams refine layouts.
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Facilitates MCAD Integration – Collaborating on mechanical/electrical coherence reduces system glitches later.
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Verifies Manufacturability – DFM checks drastically reduce production issues by flagging problems upstream.
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Predicts Performance Pre-Production – Simulating circuits virtually mitigates noise/emissions once deployed.
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Slashes Overhead Costs – Better productivity and fewer respins yield money and time savings.
Choosing the best software allows fully harnessing these technological capabilities for business success.
How Enterprises Select PCB Design Solutions
Myriad commercial, free, and open-source PCB design solutions exist. Which one best fits your organization‘s needs? Assessing options requires balancing tradeoffs across:
| Evaluation Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Tool Capabilities | Critical features like more than 2 signal layers, high-speed tracing, impedance tuning, photo-realistic 3D, etc. |
| Usability | Learning curve plus UI flexibility and customization options |
| Third-Party Compatibility | Integration with analysis and mechanical CAD tools |
| Output File Formats | Supporting industry standards like ODB++ and IPC-2581 |
| Component Libraries | Availability of pre-validated symbols and footprints |
| Vendor Support | Technical assistance and roadmap commitments |
| Licensing Approach | Purchase models balancing ownership, access models and cost |
Weighing choices based on these facets allows determining the best solution fitting organizational requirements and existing flows. Now let‘s highlight popular options for enterprises to consider.
Notable Leading PCB Software Tools
Many enterprise-capable solutions exist, including proprietary and open-source tools. Below provides an overview of 8 leading options based on commercial adoption, detailing some standout capabilities and limitations.
1. Altium Designer
Overview: Flagship electronics design solution from Altium for complex, high-speed PCB progressing from concept through production. Tightly integrates schematic capture, PCB layout, MCAD collaboration, and manufacturing output.
Adoption: 40,000+ organizations use Altium tools including Tesla, Cisco, Volkswagen, and Dyson.
Key Capabilities:
- Unified design environment
- Interactive routing with copper pouring
- Real-time IPC-2581 fabrication documentation
- Native 3D PCB modeling and STEP MCAD exchange
- Extensive libraries and design reuse
Limitations: Steeper learning curve than simpler tools sometimes deters newer engineers. Higher cost can challenge smaller organizations.
2. Cadence Allegro
Overview: Highly capable suite of tools targeting complex, cutting edge PCBs leveraged heavily in aerospace/defense applications.
Adoption: Used by innovative organizations like Google, Oracle, Qualcomm and Samsung.
Key Capabilities:
- Enterprise-scale PCB editor handling multilayer designs >1TB
- Flexible workflows integrating various analysis tools
- Advanced manufacturing checks and constraint management
- Scalable solution capable of very large (100GB+) designs
Limitations: Targets expert users with sharp learning curve. Costly license model can limit startup access.
3. Mentor Graphics Xpedition
Overview: Comprehensive enterprise-level PCB design platform with complete workflow from schematic entry through manufacturing handoff.
Adoption: Companies like Qualcomm, Rockwell Collins, Thales rely on Xpedition tools.
Key Capabilities:
- Complete workflow – schematic, layout, autorouting
- Sophisticated rigerous constraint management
- Automates manufacturing checks and documentation
- Enables concurrent multi-user collaboration
Limitations: Complex tool better suited for large experienced organizations.
4. CadSoft EAGLE
Overview: Easy to use, affordable PCB design solution well-suited for hobbyists, academic, and less complex electronics.
Adoption: Widely used by startups and maker community with over 6 million downloads.
Key Capabilities:
- Intuitive graphical editor for schematics and layout
- Massive component libraries enable faster development
- Lower cost expands access for students, hackers & academics
Limitations: Capabilities constrain complex high-speed and high-density designs. DRC checks focus more on manufacture not circuit performance.
5. KiCad EDA
Overview: Full-capability, free PCB option that is open-source with an actively growing community continually developing new features.
Adoption: Adoption growing rapidly. Biggest open source EDA project on GitHub with 24k+ stars.
Key Capabilities:
- Zero cost and completely open source
- Interactive push and shove router
- Fully scriptable and extensible
- Capabilities rival expensive counterparts
Limitations: Documentation trails development. Limited technical support options.
6. OrCAD PCB Designer
Overview: Widely adopted versatile PCB editor providing extensive routing and analysis capabilities without excessive cost.
Adoption: Over 120,000 seats used across 4,000+ customers including Bose, Sony, Kodak, and General Atomics.
Key Capabilities:
- Constraint-driven, high-speed design exploration
- Advanced PCB editor featuring high-speed design and impedance tuning
- Extensive analysis integrations eg. Clarity 3D solver
- Library development simplified with integrated component data
Limitations: Dated UI. More limited signal integrity capabilities than premium offerings.
7. PCB Artist
Overview: Affordable PCB software option that is easy to use for hobbyists and educational users.
Adoption: 10,000+ customers across 120+ countries including Lockheed Martin, NASA, MIT and Mayo Clinic.
Key Capabilities:
- Fully integrated solution from schematic through board layout
- Includes basic schematic simulation
- Low one-time cost enhances reach
- Easy to use for beginners
Limitations: Maximum 2 signal layers constrains density/speed. Limited analysis features.
8. SOLIDWORKS PCB
Overview: Mainstream PCB editor tightly integrated natively into the popular SOLIDWORKS 3D mechanical CAD package.
Adoption: Over 5.6 million SOLIDWORKS seats amplify reach.
Key Capabilities:
- Native integration enables roundtrip ECAD-MCAD collaboration
- Libraries synchronized across electrical/mechanical domains
- Design reuse leveraging existing SOLIDWORKS assets
- Validated workflows integrating analysis
Limitations: Limited standalone PCB features requiring SOLIDWORKS system license. Weaker DRC and SI capabilities than standalone PCB tools.
Cloud-Based Tools Enhance Accessibility
Beyond powerful desktop editors, cloud-based environments facilitate ubiquitous real-time collaboration across timezones via easy multi-user access from any location or device.
Leading solutions now integrate cloud-hosted dashboards enabling interactive comments, annotations, conversations and notifications to smooth global teamwork independent of geography. Central data supervision also minimizes risks of losing work.
Pure cloud-native options are also emerging including:
Upverter – Fully-online schematic capture and PCB layout solution with component library Prime service offering additional collaboration capabilities.
Voltera V-One – Browser-based electronics development platform for assemblies under 46 x 46 mm. Includes printed circuit board population and reflow soldering.
GrabCAD Print – Add-on SaaS module providing real-time visibility into 3D printing usage analytics, part quality trends, and operational performance.
Final Thoughts – PCB Design Software Empowers Innovation
This post unpacked how purpose-built EDA software empowers transforming concepts into functioning electronics faster through automating intricate PCB implementation details.
Reviewing contemporary solutions against criteria like capabilities, usability and interoperability in light of specific organizational needs facilitates determining the optimal fit to amplify development efficiency. Leading options help engineers concentrate innovation by eliminating manual calculations, allowing what-if exploration, and integrating analysis early when adjustments are cheaper.
Cloud platforms and real-time team synchronization further compress development cycles through enabling rapid review feedback independent of locale.
And as electronics continue pushing boundaries across speed, scale and embedded integration, software plays an increasingly instrumental role driving automation plus precision. Careful selection establishes a foundation for organizations to build world-class engineering competency.
What has your experience been with PCB design software? Which tools have you found most effective in enabling your team to deliver successful products? Please share your perspectives below!
