Configurable controllers, sensors, the Internet of Things (IOT), and many other technologies demand careful power distribution. Problems can easily get missed – not just DC, but subtle issues that involve electromagnetic coupling.

IBIS-AMI models are much more sophisticated than standard IBIS models. They are needed to simulate advanced transceivers like those in DDR5 and PCI Express (PCIe) Generation 3 and beyond. These transceivers use Digital Signal Processing (DSP) techniques to condition signals for ultra-high bitrates.

You can plan and check signal integrity at any stage from schematic to PCB layout. Wherever you do that, the results are presented the same way and the look and feel are the same.

Design variation comes as standard in Advanced and Ultimate product bundles and is available as a cost option in others. It gives you a clean way to structure design variation from schematic entry through to physical design. Variations can include which components are fitted and even which parts are used.

Gerber data is still the de facto format for PCB fabrication. It describes artwork, including conductors, solder mask and drill data. PCB fabricators take it, tweak it, panelize with it and turn it into PCBs.

If someone external, or one of your colleagues, needs to check one of your schematics or PCBs – or you need to check theirs – it might not always be fair if they had to buy product licenses. That’s where Schematic Viewer and PCB Viewer come in.

When critical signal layout requires your full attention, you can mix your skill with as much or as little automation as you like, to create PCBs your own way.