Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
(OP)
Hi all,
I'm new to this board and I'm quite happy that I found it. I work as electrical engineer for one year now. Until now my main task was data processing but now I've got an new task: Creating HF printed circuit boards (pcb).
Which tools do you recommend for this task? What experiences have you made? At the moment I'm trying to make a small Evaluation Board for an Differential Amplifier. (The it3022 from iterra). My Boss gave me a 9 year old tool: CAM350 Version 5.0 and it's really annoying to work with it. It took me hours only to create the layout for an 16 pin QFN (quad flat no lead) package and to draw some 50 Ohm lines.
Do I need to set flashes on my design?
Have you any suggestions? Links to some HF-Design Tutorials and so on.
Ciao
Frank
I'm new to this board and I'm quite happy that I found it. I work as electrical engineer for one year now. Until now my main task was data processing but now I've got an new task: Creating HF printed circuit boards (pcb).
Which tools do you recommend for this task? What experiences have you made? At the moment I'm trying to make a small Evaluation Board for an Differential Amplifier. (The it3022 from iterra). My Boss gave me a 9 year old tool: CAM350 Version 5.0 and it's really annoying to work with it. It took me hours only to create the layout for an 16 pin QFN (quad flat no lead) package and to draw some 50 Ohm lines.
Do I need to set flashes on my design?
Have you any suggestions? Links to some HF-Design Tutorials and so on.
Ciao
Frank
RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
If you are working with other engineers that are heavily invested in the old tools, you might have a hard time convincing them to switch.
You might take a look at Altium Designer or PADS Layout for mid-range packages.
RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
There is only one other engineer and he only uses CAM350.
I'm going to do pcb-layout 30% of my time. And like most bosses mine don't wants to pay anything for the tools ;).
What about libaries for standard model packages? like QFN?
RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
Most PCB layout tools should have a library of standard parts although there will always be footprints that you'll have to build. There are also companies that sell libraries (such as http://www.accelerated-designs.com) for different packages.
RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
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RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
Try any of these:
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RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
fwbsys, pretty much any PCB layout package that can output Gerbers would be a step up from what you're using.
RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
Bill
RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
I build circuit boards on a regular basis. If HF is your concern you can use pretty well any type of board. UHF is a bit of a different story but don't get caught up on it.
I use a program called Circad ,it's great and with it i can draw my board, print it out, use it as a drilling template, cover the trace with marker pen ink, dry it 10 minutes and drop it in the acid (Ferric Chloride). 30 minutes later I clead the board and propagate it with the parts.
If the board is a 4 X 6 size I can do all of the above and have it up and running in 4 hrs. Some trouble shooting may be in order as I may forget a trace or have one shorted, etc.
Hope this helps es this group offers guys like you and me a wealth of info.
cheers David ve3bbn
RE: Which Tools for HF-Circuit Layout (to create pcb files)?
what tools do you suggest? you are still right with your thoughts about complex shapes. I have heard of Microwave Studio Suite but its a very mighty tool and not so easy to handle for a beginner. It's the same with Microsoft Office I think.
Ciao
Frank