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Most designers favor manual routing, but today's interactive autorouters may be changing designers' minds by allowing users more direct control. In this issue, our expert contributors discuss a variety of manual and autorouting strategies.
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Why is it so difficult to create the ideal data package? Many of these simple errors can be alleviated by paying attention to detail—and knowing what issues to look out for. So, this month, our experts weigh in on the best practices for creating the ideal design data package for your design.
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Our experts discuss the constantly evolving world of RF design, including the many tradeoffs, material considerations, and design tips and techniques that designers and design engineers need to know to succeed in this high-frequency realm.
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PADS Webinar: Reduce Design Time Using Routing Automation
May 30, 2019 | Mentor, a Siemens businessEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Electronic design is growing each and every year as more companies introduce electronics into formerly mechanical-only products. As such, there's a mad rush to be the first to market with trendsetting products. This doesn't exclude the traditional electrical or electrical/mechanical products! With IoT becoming a larger part of people lives, new companies are emerging at an extraordinary rate with revolutionary product concepts. To stay in the game as a new company or one that's been around 50 years, you need to design faster, with high level of quality.
One of the areas that will assist the do-it-all electrical designer or even the focused PCB designer is routing automation. Using automated routing capabilities can reduce PCB routing time up to 80%. With modern tools you don't have to rely on in-depth design rule definition to make the router do the right thing; guided autorouting, like that in PADS Professional, allows the young or experienced designer to significantly reduce routing time.
Presenters are Brent Klingforth, technical marketing marketing engineer with Mentor, and John McMillan, a member of the PADS technical marketing team at Mentor.
What You Will Learn
- Why every designer should be using routing automation regardless of how simple the design
- What components are part of routing automation and how each can be used
- How to set rules for proper interactive routing
To view this free on-demand webinar, click here.
Suggested Items
DownStream Acquisition Fits Siemens’ ‘Left-Shift’ Model
06/26/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007I recently spoke to DownStream Technologies founder Joe Clark about the company’s acquisition by Siemens. We were later joined by A.J. Incorvaia, Siemens’ senior VP of electronic board systems. Joe discussed how he, Rick Almeida, and Ken Tepper launched the company in the months after 9/11 and how the acquisition came about. A.J. provides some background on the acquisition and explains why the companies’ tools are complementary.
Elementary Mr. Watson: Retro Routers vs. Modern Boards—The Silent Struggle on Your Screen
06/26/2025 | John Watson -- Column: Elementary, Mr. WatsonThere's a story about a young woman preparing a holiday ham. Before putting it in the pan, she cuts off the ends. When asked why, she shrugs and says, "That's how my mom always did it." She asks her mother, who gives the same answer. Eventually, the question reaches Grandma, who laughs and says, "Oh, I only cut the ends off because my pan was too small." This story is a powerful analogy for how many PCB designers approach routing today.
Connect the Dots: The Future of PCB Design and Manufacturing
07/02/2025 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsFor some time, I have been discussing the increasing complexity of PCBs and how designers can address the constantly evolving design requirements associated with them. My book, "The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to… Designing for Reality," details best practices for creating manufacturable boards in a modern production environment.
Siemens Turbocharges Semiconductor and PCB Design Portfolio with Generative and Agentic AI
06/24/2025 | SiemensAt the 2025 Design Automation Conference, Siemens Digital Industries Software today unveiled its AI-enhanced toolset for the EDA design flow.
Cadence AI Autorouter May Transform the Landscape
06/19/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazinePatrick Davis, product management director with Cadence Design Systems, discusses advancements in autorouting technology, including AI. He emphasizes a holistic approach that enhances placement and power distribution before routing. He points out that younger engineers seem more likely to embrace autorouting, while the veteran designers are still wary of giving up too much control. Will AI help autorouters finally gain industry-wide acceptance?