10 Things You Might Have Missed in 2018

We’re sure it’s been a busy year for you. So busy that you might have missed the discussions about a number of new features Cadence introduced to help make PCB design easier for you. Let’s a take a look back at 10 of this year’s innovations.

Real-Time DFM Checks Extended

We added design for fabrication and assembly (DFA) and design for test (DT) to our Cadence® Allegro® DesignTrue DFM technology to provide additional rule checks that let you more easily identify errors in real-time and correct them earlier in the design process.

Easily Apply Custom Rules for Your Design and Optimize for Manufacturability

Access the latest DFM rules from leading PCB manufacturers at the start of your design process in the DesignTrue DFM portal. Request DesignTrue DFM technology files directly, eliminating the lengthy and error-prone manual entry of hundreds of rules. DFM rules are checked in real time as part of the PCB layout process, reducing the amount of DFM errors found in the manufacturing output.

Minimize Post-Analysis Rework

With our exclusive comprehensive return path management solution, you can easily identify nets with inconsistencies between the signal and return paths to find problems in real time -- without waiting for the SI engineer to perform analysis and provide feedback.

We also introduced color coding with our impedance vision and analysis to trace segments showing impedance discontinuities based on analysis of the reference plane location. New coupling analysis and vision lets you see you where crosstalk issues may occur, reducing iterations with signal integrity (SI) and power integrity (PI) engineers.

Extend PCB Design and Analysis Beyond Package and Board - New Sigrity 3D

With signal speeds climbing to 32Gbps and faster, the need to strategically model PCBs and connectors as one structure is now required. The new Cadence® Sigrity 3D Workbench, included with the Sigrity PowerSI® 3D EM Extraction Option, allows users to import mechanical structures, such as cables and connectors, and merge them with the PCB so critical 3D structures that cross from the board to the connector can be modeled and optimized as one structure.

Enhanced Concurrent Team Design

While in the concurrent team design environment of Allegro PCB Symphony Team Design, you can now use the features of Allegro PCB Designer to accelerate new product introduction including 3D visualization while connected to a session, shape editing and shape design for power delivery, and Placement Edit Application mode.

OrCAD

This year real-time PCB design took center stage, making it possible for everyone to design high-speed boards, improve the manufacturability of their designs, and create the next generation of high-performance high-density electronics.

Real-Time High-Speed Signal Routing

Complete your complex high-density and high-speed designs in a fraction of the time with automated real-time signal-aware analysis including route, placement, and impedance analysis, dynamic differential pair routing, and configuring backdrilling.

Real-Time Design for Manufacturability

Get the full DFM, design for fabrication (DFF), design for assembly (DFA), and design for test (DFT) checks you need in real-time while you design, so you can complete your design fast and signoff with confidence.

Real-Time Interactive 3D

Move and place components in 3D, where it’s easiest to find and fix collisions. Get accurate measurements of a component and copper spacing in the natural and intuitive Interactive 3D canvas. Bend flex circuitry in your design individually or in groups to verify assembly and fit, and see any collisions that might happen when folded.