Target Condition: The 5 Ws of PCB Design Constraints
Fresh PCB Concepts: More Than Compliance—A Human-centered Sustainability Approach
Elementary Mr. Watson: Closing the Gap Between Design and Manufacturing
New EMA Constraint Manager for OrCAD Brings True Collaboration to the Design Process
September 12, 2017 | EMA Design AutomationEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
EMA Design Automation today announced the release of EMA Constraint Manager for OrCAD to ensure design intent is communicated and adhered to during PCB implementation. "Today's electronics pack an enormous amount of technology and features into smaller packages," said Manny Marcano, president and CEO of EMA. "At every step of the design process, design issues are compounded because of the interrelated constraints and poor communication of constraints between different functional groups. Constraint Manager for OrCAD allows OrCAD Capture to be an integral part of the Cadence Allegro constraint driven flow paradigm, providing a structured way to manage constraints across all tools in the Cadence PCB design flow. This reduces design iterations, improving design quality and time-to-market.”
With Constraint Manager for OrCAD, designers can easily embed design constraints directly into the OrCAD schematic. Using a smart spreadsheet interface, users can constrain nets by adding electrical, physical, and spacing rules for routing those nets. This not only ensures nets are routed properly, but it also reduces the time required for a PCB designer to route the nets. Constraints can be set on individual nets or groups of nets. Commonly used sets of constraints can be organized into CSets and applied to CM objects by CSet name. Constraint Manager for OrCAD has full support for PinPair, Net, XNet, Differential Pair, Bus, NetGroup, NetClass, and MatchGroup objects. Constraint Manager for OrCAD includes a Differential Pair viewer to help users visualize how rules will be applied during physical implementation. These capabilities make the process of constraining a design fast and efficient.
Constraint Manager for OrCAD stores constraints in the OrCAD Capture design file, so there is no need to manage constraints and designs. Since some constraints are dependent on layout specifics, Constraint Manager for OrCAD integrates with the Allegro Constraint Manager to share constraint information. This allows stackup information to be back-annotated and also allows for the bidirectional transfer of physical, spacing, and electrical constraints. Constraints can also be saved separately from a design so that they can form a constraint library to be shared between designs.
“Adding constraints early in the design process ensures that the design intent is communicated and adhered to throughout PCB implementation,” added Marcano. “Constraint Manager for OrCAD brings structure and discipline to the PCB design process making it much easier to create the best designs possible.”
About EMA Design Automation, Inc.
EMA Design Automation is a trailblazer in product development solutions offering a complete range of EDA tools, PLM integrations, services, training, and technical support. EMA is a Cadence Channel Partner serving all of North America. EMA develops Ultra Librarian, TimingDesigner, CircuitSpace, CIP, EDABuilder, and a host of custom solutions to enhance the OrCAD products, and all are distributed through a worldwide network of value added resellers. EMA is a privately held corporation headquartered in Rochester, New York. Visit EMA here for more information.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
Ansys 2025 R2 Enables Next-Level Productivity by Leveraging AI, Smart Automation, and Broader On-Demand Capabilities
07/30/2025 | PRNewswireAnsys, now part of Synopsys, announced 2025 R2, featuring new AI-powered capabilities across the portfolio that accelerate simulation and expand accessibility.
Target Condition: The 5 Ws of PCB Design Constraints
07/29/2025 | Kelly Dack -- Column: Target ConditionHave you ever sat down to define PCB design constraints and found yourself staring at a settings window with more checkboxes than a tax form? You’re not alone. For many designers—especially those newer to the layout world—the task of setting up design constraints can feel like trying to write a novel in a language you just started learning.
Zuken to Showcase Defence & Security-Focused Electronic Systems Design Solutions at DSEI 2025
07/24/2025 | ZukenZuken, a global leader in electronic and electrical design automation, will showcase its latest innovations for defence and security systems at DSEI 2025, taking place at ExCeL London from 9–12 September 2025.
Creating a Design Constraint Strategy
07/24/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamMost designers learn how to set their design constraints through trial and error. EDA vendors’ guidelines explain how to use their particular tools’ constraints, and IPC standards offer a roadmap, but PCB designers usually develop their own unique styles for setting constraints. Is there a set of best practices for setting constraints? That’s what I asked Global Electronics Association design instructor Kris Moyer, who covers design constraints in his classes.
Elementary Mr. Watson: Closing the Gap Between Design and Manufacturing
07/23/2025 | John Watson -- Column: Elementary, Mr. WatsonModern PCB designers are not merely engineers or technicians. I believe that PCB design, at its core, is an art form, and modern PCB designers should be considered artists. Beyond the technical calculations and engineering rules lies a creative process that involves vision, balance, and a passion for what we do. Like any artist who works with brush and canvas or chisel and stone, a PCB designer shapes invisible pathways that bring ideas to life. Each trace, layer, and component placement reflects thoughtful decisions that blend form, fit, and function.