PCB Design Companies that use PADS Power PCB

Introduction to PADS Power PCB and its Benefits for PCB Design

PADS Power PCB is a powerful printed circuit board (PCB) design software suite developed by Mentor, a Siemens Business. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for designing complex, high-performance PCBs across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, medical devices, and telecommunications.

Key features and benefits of PADS Power PCB include:

• Schematic capture and layout editing
• 3D visualization and collision detection
• Constraint-driven design and rule checking
• Advanced routing and auto-placement
• Signal and power integrity analysis
• Library and data management
• Collaborative design and version control

By leveraging PADS Power PCB, PCB design companies can streamline their design processes, reduce errors and iterations, and deliver high-quality boards that meet the most demanding requirements for functionality, reliability, and manufacturability.

Top PCB Design Companies that Rely on PADS Power PCB

Many leading PCB design service providers have adopted PADS Power PCB as their primary design platform. Here are some of the top companies known for their expertise in using this software:

1. Altium

Altium is a global leader in PCB design software and services, with a strong presence in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The company offers a wide range of PCB design solutions, including Altium Designer, a powerful alternative to PADS Power PCB. However, Altium also has extensive experience in using PADS Power PCB to deliver high-quality designs for its customers across various industries.

2. Cadence Design Systems

Cadence Design Systems is another major player in the PCB design industry, providing software, hardware, and IP for electronic design automation (EDA). While Cadence is best known for its own PCB design tools, such as Allegro and OrCAD, the company also offers design services using PADS Power PCB to meet the specific needs and preferences of its clients.

3. Zuken

Zuken is a Japanese multinational corporation specializing in PCB design software and services, with subsidiaries in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Zuken’s flagship PCB design platform is CR-8000, but the company also has a strong track record of using PADS Power PCB to deliver complex designs for customers in the automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors.

4. Sierra Circuits

Sierra Circuits is a leading PCB design and manufacturing company based in Sunnyvale, California. The company offers a full range of PCB services, from concept to production, using various design tools, including PADS Power PCB. Sierra Circuits has a team of experienced PCB designers who are well-versed in using PADS Power PCB to create high-speed, high-density boards for applications such as 5G, IoT, and AI.

5. Norcad Design

Norcad Design is a UK-based PCB design company that specializes in using PADS Power PCB to deliver complex, multi-layer boards for customers in the aerospace, defense, and medical industries. The company has a proven track record of using PADS Power PCB to design boards with high layer counts, fine pitch components, and advanced materials, while ensuring signal integrity and manufacturability.

Case Studies: Successful PCB Projects Using PADS Power PCB

To illustrate the capabilities of PADS Power PCB and the expertise of the companies that use it, here are some case studies of successful PCB projects:

Case Study 1: Aerospace Control Unit by Norcad Design

Norcad Design was approached by an aerospace customer to design a complex control unit PCB with the following requirements:

• 18 layers, including power and ground planes
• High-speed digital interfaces, such as PCIe and Ethernet
• Analog and mixed-signal circuits for sensor interfaces
• Tight form factor and weight constraints
• Stringent reliability and environmental requirements

Using PADS Power PCB, Norcad Design was able to create a highly optimized layout that met all the functional and performance requirements while minimizing the board size and layer count. The key features of the design included:

• Careful placement and routing of high-speed signals to minimize crosstalk and EMI
• Use of advanced via structures, such as blind and buried vias, to improve signal integrity and density
• Implementation of power integrity techniques, such as decoupling and plane splitting, to ensure clean and stable power delivery
• Thorough simulation and analysis to verify signal integrity, thermal performance, and mechanical stress

Thanks to the powerful capabilities of PADS Power PCB and the expertise of Norcad Design’s team, the aerospace control unit PCB was successfully designed, prototyped, and tested within the tight project timeline, and is now in production for use in commercial aircraft.

Case Study 2: Automotive Infotainment System by Zuken

Zuken was tasked by a major automotive OEM to design the PCB for a next-generation infotainment system with the following features:

• High-resolution display with touch screen
• Multimedia playback and streaming
• Navigation and telematics
• Wireless connectivity, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular
• Integration with vehicle control systems

Using PADS Power PCB, Zuken’s team of Automotive PCB designers created a complex, multi-board system that met all the functional and reliability requirements of the infotainment system. The key aspects of the design included:

• Partitioning of the system into multiple boards for display, processing, power management, and connectivity
• Use of high-speed interfaces, such as LVDS and MIPI, for display and camera connections
• Implementation of wireless modules and antennas for seamless connectivity
• Rigorous signal and power integrity analysis to ensure reliable operation in harsh automotive environments
• Adherence to automotive standards, such as AEC-Q100 and IATF 16949

With the help of PADS Power PCB and Zuken’s automotive expertise, the infotainment system PCB was successfully designed and integrated into the vehicle platform, providing a rich and immersive user experience for drivers and passengers.

Advantages of Working with PCB Design Companies that Use PADS Power PCB

When choosing a PCB design company for your project, there are several advantages to working with one that uses PADS Power PCB:

1. Expertise and experience: Companies that use PADS Power PCB have invested in learning and mastering this powerful software, and have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and best practices in PCB design. They can leverage this expertise to tackle complex design challenges and deliver high-quality results.

2. Seamless collaboration: PADS Power PCB offers robust collaboration and version control features, allowing multiple designers to work on the same project simultaneously and efficiently. This enables PCB design companies to handle large and complex projects with distributed teams, while ensuring data integrity and consistency.

3. Comprehensive analysis and verification: PADS Power PCB includes a wide range of simulation and analysis tools for signal integrity, power integrity, thermal management, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). PCB design companies that use this software can thoroughly validate their designs before prototyping and manufacturing, reducing the risk of costly errors and iterations.

4. Compatibility and interoperability: PADS Power PCB supports industry-standard file formats and interfaces, such as ODB++, IPC-2581, and STEP, making it easy to exchange design data with other tools and manufacturers. This ensures smooth handoffs and reduces the risk of data loss or translation errors.

5. Scalability and flexibility: PADS Power PCB is a modular and extensible platform that can be customized and scaled to meet the specific needs of each project and customer. PCB design companies that use this software can adapt their design processes and deliverables to fit the unique requirements of each project, from simple single-layer boards to complex multi-board systems.

FAQ

1. What is PADS Power PCB?

PADS Power PCB is a comprehensive PCB design software suite developed by Mentor, a Siemens Business. It provides a wide range of tools and features for designing complex, high-performance PCBs, including schematic capture, layout editing, constraint management, simulation, and analysis.

2. What are the key benefits of using PADS Power PCB for PCB design?

The key benefits of using PADS Power PCB for PCB design include:

• Powerful and intuitive design environment
• Advanced routing and placement capabilities
• Comprehensive simulation and analysis tools
• Robust collaboration and data management features
• Seamless integration with manufacturing processes

3. What industries and applications are best suited for PCB design using PADS Power PCB?

PADS Power PCB is widely used across various industries and applications, including:

• Aerospace and defense
• Automotive and transportation
• Consumer electronics and IoT
• Medical devices and healthcare
• Industrial automation and control
• Telecommunications and networking

The software is particularly well-suited for designing complex, high-speed, and high-density PCBs that require advanced signal and power integrity analysis, thermal management, and EMC compliance.

4. How do I choose a PCB design company that uses PADS Power PCB?

When choosing a PCB design company that uses PADS Power PCB, consider the following factors:

• Experience and expertise in using PADS Power PCB
• Track record of successful projects in your industry or application domain
• Ability to handle the complexity and scale of your project
• Quality of communication and collaboration processes
• Pricing and timeline for your project

It’s also a good idea to ask for references, case studies, or design samples to evaluate the company’s capabilities and fit for your needs.

5. Can PADS Power PCB designs be easily manufactured by PCB fabrication and assembly companies?

Yes, PADS Power PCB is designed to be compatible with industry-standard manufacturing processes and file formats. The software can generate comprehensive manufacturing outputs, such as Gerber files, drill files, and assembly drawings, that can be easily consumed by PCB fabrication and assembly companies. Additionally, PADS Power PCB includes design for manufacturing (DFM) checks and rules to ensure that the designed PCB can be reliably and cost-effectively manufactured.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PADS Power PCB is a powerful and versatile PCB design software that is widely used by leading PCB design companies across various industries. By leveraging the capabilities of PADS Power PCB and the expertise of these companies, customers can achieve high-quality, reliable, and manufacturable PCB designs that meet their most demanding requirements.

When choosing a PCB design company for your project, it’s important to consider their experience and track record in using PADS Power PCB, as well as their ability to handle the complexity and scale of your specific needs. By partnering with a company that has a proven track record of success with PADS Power PCB, you can ensure that your PCB design project is in good hands and will be delivered on time, on budget, and to your exact specifications.