PCB Design Companies that use Cadence Allegro

Introduction to PCB Design and Cadence Allegro

Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design is a crucial aspect of electronic product development. It involves creating the layout and routing of electronic components on a board to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and manufacturability. PCB design requires specialized software tools to efficiently create complex designs while adhering to industry standards and best practices.

Cadence Allegro is one of the leading PCB design software solutions used by companies worldwide. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for schematic capture, layout, routing, signal integrity analysis, and manufacturing preparation. Allegro’s powerful features and extensive libraries make it a preferred choice for designing high-speed, high-density PCBs across various industries.

Benefits of using Cadence Allegro for PCB Design

1. Comprehensive Design Environment: Allegro provides a complete PCB design solution, from schematic capture to final manufacturing output. It offers a seamless integration between different design stages, reducing errors and improving efficiency.

2. Advanced Routing Capabilities: With Allegro’s advanced routing tools, designers can efficiently route complex designs while optimizing signal integrity and minimizing crosstalk. The software supports various routing techniques, such as interactive, automatic, and constraint-driven routing.

3. Extensive Library Management: Allegro includes an extensive library of components, symbols, and footprints, making it easier for designers to find and use the required elements in their designs. The software also allows users to create and manage custom libraries.

4. Signal Integrity Analysis: Allegro integrates with Cadence’s Signal Integrity (SI) tools, enabling designers to perform comprehensive SI analysis and ensure the reliability and performance of high-speed designs.

5. Manufacturing Preparation: Allegro generates accurate and complete manufacturing files, including Gerber files, drill files, and bill of materials (BOM), ensuring a smooth transition from design to production.

Top PCB Design Companies using Cadence Allegro

Many leading PCB design companies worldwide rely on Cadence Allegro to deliver high-quality, reliable, and innovative electronic products. Here are some of the top companies that use Allegro in their PCB design process:

1. Altium

Altium is a global leader in electronic design automation (EDA) software for PCB design. While Altium has its own PCB design tool called Altium Designer, the company also uses Cadence Allegro for certain projects and collaborations with clients who prefer the Allegro platform.

2. Zuken

Zuken is a Japanese multinational corporation that provides EDA software and consulting services for PCB design, electrical wire harness design, and fluid engineering. Zuken uses Cadence Allegro alongside its own PCB design tools to cater to the diverse needs of its customers.

3. Siemens EDA (formerly Mentor Graphics)

Siemens EDA, previously known as Mentor Graphics, is a leading provider of EDA software and hardware solutions for electronic system design. While Siemens EDA has its own PCB design tools, such as PADS and Xpedition, the company also uses Cadence Allegro for specific projects and customer requirements.

4. Sanmina Corporation

Sanmina Corporation is a global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider that offers end-to-end manufacturing solutions, including PCB design and fabrication. Sanmina’s PCB design team uses Cadence Allegro to create complex, high-density designs for various industries, such as medical, aerospace, and telecommunications.

5. Celestica

Celestica is a multinational EMS company that provides design, manufacturing, and supply chain solutions to customers in various industries. Celestica’s PCB design services utilize Cadence Allegro to develop advanced PCBs for applications in aerospace, defense, healthcare, and industrial markets.

PCB Design Services Offered by Companies using Cadence Allegro

Companies that use Cadence Allegro offer a wide range of PCB design services to meet the diverse needs of their customers. Some of the common services include:

1. Schematic Capture: Creating electronic schematics that accurately represent the circuit design and component connections.

2. PCB Layout and Routing: Designing the physical layout of the PCB, placing components, and routing the connections between them while adhering to design constraints and best practices.

3. Signal Integrity Analysis: Analyzing the PCB design to ensure signal integrity, minimize crosstalk, and optimize the overall performance of the board.

4. Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Reviewing and optimizing the PCB design to ensure it can be easily and reliably manufactured, considering factors such as component placement, trace spacing, and drill sizes.

5. Library Management: Creating and maintaining custom component libraries, symbols, and footprints to ensure consistency and accuracy throughout the design process.

6. Manufacturing Support: Generating manufacturing files, such as Gerber files, drill files, and BOMs, and providing support throughout the fabrication and assembly process.

Industry Applications of PCBs Designed with Cadence Allegro

PCBs designed using Cadence Allegro are used in a wide range of industries and applications. Some of the most common include:

Aerospace and Defense

• Avionics systems
• Radar and surveillance equipment
• Satellite communication devices
• Military-grade electronics

Medical Devices

• Diagnostic and imaging equipment
• Patient monitoring systems
• Wearable medical devices
• Implantable devices

Automotive Electronics

• In-vehicle infotainment systems
• Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
• Electric vehicle power electronics
• Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication devices

Telecommunications

• 5G network infrastructure
• Wireless base stations
• Fiber-optic communication equipment
• Satellite communication devices

Industrial Automation

• Industrial control systems
• Robotics and motion control
• Power electronics for industrial equipment
• Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices

Case Studies of Successful PCB Designs using Cadence Allegro

Case Study 1: High-Speed Networking PCB Design

A leading networking equipment manufacturer partnered with a PCB design company that uses Cadence Allegro to develop a high-speed, high-density PCB for their next-generation router. The design required a complex layout with multiple high-speed interfaces, such as PCIe, Ethernet, and SerDes.

The PCB design company used Allegro’s advanced routing capabilities and signal integrity analysis tools to optimize the layout and ensure reliable performance. They also utilized Allegro’s library management features to create custom component footprints and ensure accurate placement.

The resulting PCB design met all the performance requirements and was successfully manufactured and integrated into the final product. The use of Cadence Allegro enabled the PCB design company to deliver a high-quality, reliable design within the given time and budget constraints.

Case Study 2: Medical Device PCB Design

A medical device startup approached a PCB design company that uses Cadence Allegro to develop a compact, low-power PCB for their wearable patient monitoring device. The design required the integration of multiple sensors, wireless connectivity, and power management components in a small form factor.

The PCB design company used Allegro’s schematic capture and layout tools to create a dense, multi-layer PCB design that met the size and power constraints. They also performed signal integrity analysis to ensure reliable sensor data acquisition and wireless communication.

Allegro’s DFM tools were used to optimize the design for manufacturability, considering factors such as component placement, trace spacing, and via sizing. The final PCB design was successfully manufactured and integrated into the wearable device, enabling accurate and reliable patient monitoring.

Advantages of Working with PCB Design Companies that use Cadence Allegro

Partnering with a PCB design company that uses Cadence Allegro offers several advantages:

1. Expertise in Complex Designs: Companies using Allegro have experience in designing high-speed, high-density PCBs for various industries and applications. They can handle complex design challenges and ensure optimal performance and reliability.

2. Access to Advanced Tools: Cadence Allegro provides a comprehensive set of tools for PCB design, analysis, and manufacturing preparation. Working with a company that uses Allegro ensures access to these advanced tools and their benefits.

3. Faster Time-to-Market: With Allegro’s efficient design environment and automation features, PCB design companies can accelerate the design process and help bring products to market faster.

4. Reduced Design Errors: Allegro’s integrated design environment and rule-based design checks help minimize errors and ensure consistency throughout the design process, reducing the risk of costly redesigns and manufacturing issues.

5. Seamless Collaboration: Allegro’s design files can be easily shared and collaborated upon, enabling smooth communication between the PCB design company and the client’s engineering team.

Choosing the Right PCB Design Company

When selecting a PCB design company that uses Cadence Allegro, consider the following factors:

1. Experience and Expertise: Look for a company with a proven track record of designing PCBs for your specific industry or application. Ensure they have the necessary expertise to handle your design requirements.

2. Design Capabilities: Assess the company’s design capabilities, including their experience with high-speed design, signal integrity analysis, and DFM. Ensure they can meet your specific design needs.

3. Communication and Collaboration: Choose a company that values open communication and collaboration. They should be responsive to your inquiries and provide regular updates throughout the design process.

4. Manufacturing Partnerships: Consider a PCB design company with established partnerships with reliable PCB fabrication and assembly houses. This can ensure a smooth transition from design to manufacturing and help avoid potential issues.

5. Cost and Time-to-Market: Evaluate the company’s pricing structure and their ability to deliver high-quality designs within your budget and time constraints. Strike a balance between cost and quality to ensure the best value for your investment.

Conclusion

Cadence Allegro is a powerful PCB design software solution used by leading companies worldwide. Its comprehensive set of tools, advanced routing capabilities, and integrated analysis features make it an ideal choice for designing complex, high-speed PCBs across various industries.

Partnering with a PCB design company that uses Cadence Allegro offers numerous advantages, including access to expert designers, advanced tools, and faster time-to-market. When choosing a PCB design company, consider factors such as experience, design capabilities, communication, manufacturing partnerships, and cost-effectiveness.

By leveraging the expertise of a PCB design company that uses Cadence Allegro, you can ensure the development of high-quality, reliable PCBs that meet your specific requirements and exceed your expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is Cadence Allegro?

Cadence Allegro is a comprehensive PCB design software solution used by companies worldwide. It offers a complete set of tools for schematic capture, layout, routing, signal integrity analysis, and manufacturing preparation, enabling the design of complex, high-speed PCBs across various industries.

2. What are the benefits of using Cadence Allegro for PCB design?

Some of the key benefits of using Cadence Allegro for PCB design include:
– Comprehensive design environment for schematic capture, layout, and routing
– Advanced routing capabilities for optimizing signal integrity and minimizing crosstalk
– Extensive library management for components, symbols, and footprints
– Integrated signal integrity analysis tools for ensuring reliable performance
– Manufacturing preparation features for generating accurate production files

3. What industries commonly use PCBs designed with Cadence Allegro?

PCBs designed using Cadence Allegro are used in a wide range of industries, including:
– Aerospace and defense
– Medical devices
– Automotive electronics
– Telecommunications
– Industrial automation

4. What services do PCB design companies using Cadence Allegro typically offer?

PCB design companies that use Cadence Allegro typically offer services such as:
– Schematic capture
– PCB layout and routing
– Signal integrity analysis
– Design for manufacturability (DFM) review
– Library management
– Manufacturing support

5. How can I choose the right PCB design company that uses Cadence Allegro?

When choosing a PCB design company that uses Cadence Allegro, consider factors such as:
– Experience and expertise in your specific industry or application
– Design capabilities, including high-speed design, signal integrity analysis, and DFM
– Communication and collaboration throughout the design process
– Manufacturing partnerships for seamless transition from design to production
– Cost-effectiveness and ability to deliver within your budget and time constraints