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PCB layout design tools assist you with schematic creation, layout design, trace routing, BOM validation, and design file generation. The factors that decide a good EDA tool are its user interface, 3-D visualization, and routing and simulation capabilities.
Being a board designer, you need to know the functionalities of some of the best design tools before you choose the right one.
Here’s the list of 10 most used EDA tools (in alphabetical order).
- Allegro PCB Designer
- Altium Designer
- Ansys RedHawk
- Autodesk EAGLE
- DipTrace
- EasyEDA
- ExpressPCB Plus
- KiCad EDA
- Siemens EDA (Mentor Graphics PADS)
- Zuken CADSTAR
What’s an EDA tool?
EDA tools or PCB layout tools automate circuit board design processes such as schematic creation, layout design, trace routing, and component footprint creation. The software also enables you to simulate your design and verify the functionality of your application.
Allegro PCB Designer
This tool is designed by Cadence Design Systems. If you require a strong and dependable layout design tool, this is an excellent option.
Signal integrity analysis
Allegro PCB Designer is integrated with a simulator, which helps you conduct signal integrity analysis of your board during the design phase. It helps you identify design issues that may lead to noise, crosstalk, and timing errors.
Advanced routing options
Allegro offers several advanced routing features that help you build complex PCB designs. You can define various routing constraints such as length matching for differential pair, controlled impedance, and crosstalk prevention.
These features become essential if you generally work on high-speed designs. Allegro has a steep learning curve, which can be challenging for you initially, but with time you will be acquainted with the tool.
Pre-built electronic component library
The tool comes with a large component library that provides a wide range of pre-built electronic components. This feature offers ready-to-use components and speeds up the component placement process in your layout.
Dilip Kumar, Senior PCB Design Manager, says “Most designers prefer Altium and Allegro due to their accurate constraint setting features. This makes it easy to realize all the DFM and DRC requirements.”
Altium Designer
Altium Designer is a comprehensive software tool preferred by most designers. You can use it for designing advanced boards such as HDI, flex and rigid-flex PCBs. Here are a few unique features of this designer tool.
Easy-to-use and intuitive interface
The software is user-friendly and suitable for both novice and experienced users. The UI has organized menus, toolbars, and panels to ensure a seamless and effective design workflow.
3D visualization
A robust 3D visualization feature allows you to see your board in three dimensions during the design phase. This feature helps you in verifying component orientation and other physical constraints of your board.
Collaborate with other designers
Altium Designer offers you a collaborative setting where you can network with several designers at once. This facilitates teamwork and speeds up the design process.
This design tool is a premium software, and its license costs more than other circuit design tools. Consumers or small businesses on a tight budget may find this an expensive tool.
If you are looking for the most reliable circuit design software in the market, Altium Designer remains an ideal choice for many professional designers and engineers. This is due to its diverse features, extensive integration capabilities, and user-friendly interface.
Allan Knox, Senior PCB Design Engineer at Sierra Circuits, explained, “Altium and Allegro PCB layout tools have more advanced features and a larger user base, where you can click on any entity and access information. Beginners can consider Eagle and KiCad as they are open-source EDAs”
Ansys RedHawk
Ansys RedHawk provides a complete software solution to design a PCB and test for its power integrity, signal integrity, and thermal stability.
Power integrity analysis
RedHawk comes with a strong power integrity analyzer that lets you find and fix power distribution errors during the stage. It eliminates the risk of performance degradation caused by voltage fluctuations.
Filters out noise and distortion-related issues
The tool offers advanced signal integrity analyses to rectify delay, crosstalk, noise, and PCB jitter. This will help you maximize signal integrity and reduce noise-related problems.
IC electro-thermal simulator
RedHawk’s IC electro-thermal simulator can improve temperature distribution within ICs and systems on chips. This improves chip dependability, prevents overheating, and identifies possible hotspots.
Autodesk EAGLE
Autodesk EAGLE offers a straightforward user interface for design operations. Unique features of this EDA tool are discussed below.
Large component library
Eagle provides a large component library with electronic components, symbols, and footprints. This comprehensive collection reduces the time and effort required to create components manually.
To understand the importance of the component library, read the importance of quality PCB libraries.
Integrated with other design products
Eagle connects smoothly with other design software like Autodesk Fusion 360 and Autodesk Eagle Premium. This integration will help you utilize the features that are not present in Autodesk Eagle. As a result, you can speed up the design process and increase work efficiency.
User-friendly and open-ended
Autodesk Eagle is an all-inclusive, user-friendly EDA program that provides a wide range of features. However, if you opt for a free version, functionality will be limited.
This tool is a good option for small firms and designers looking for reasonably priced PCB design software.
DipTrace
Hierarchical schematic capture
DipTrace PCB layout tool comes with a multi-sheet schematic capture capability. This feature enables you to create independent subcircuits within the main schematic. These subcircuits can have their own submodules and can be further divided, making it easier to navigate among different circuit modules.
Wide range of component library
The tool has more than 160000 components and thousands of land patterns designed as per the IPC-7351 standard. It also allows you to design new components using custom templates. Features such as bulk pin naming, pad renumbering, and bus management tools can speed up the design process.
EasyEDA
EasyEDA is an open-source web-based EDA. It offers a collaborative platform that includes schematic capture, layout design, component library, and project management.
Access to real-time component inventory
The tool is integrated with real-time component inventory using which you can quickly view the price, datasheets, and stocks of the parts. This speeds up the component selection process.
ExpressPCB Plus
Powerful auto-router
Auto-routing is one of the primary features of this tool. It saves a lot of time by automatically determining suitable routing patterns. The software uses cutting-edge algorithms to shorten traces, reduce interference, and improve signal integrity.
Diverse component library
The tool comes with an extensive component library that supports parts from multiple suppliers. You can easily locate and include components in your designs from this library.
ExpressPCB Plus also features 3D visualization, and DRC which is essential for building an error-free circuit board.
Kicad EDA
Students and small enterprises seeking handy EDA software could consider KiCAD. Features of this EDA include:
Open source EDA
It is an open-source and free application. This makes it a great option for students or beginners who are looking for a robust design tool.
Active and supportive community
KiCad’s user and developer communities are active and thriving. This community actively participates in software development and design data exchange.
Cross-platform compatible
KiCad is available for various operating systems, such as Linux, Windows, and macOS. With its cross-platform adaptability, you can quickly share design information with a co-designer who is working on a different operating system.
Download our KiCad quote plugin to get an instant quote for your design without leaving the KiCad UI.
Design rule check (DRC)
The DRC function verifies design data against predefined rules. Using this, you can spot errors such as overlapping components, clearance violations, and incorrect trace widths.
Although KiCad’s interface has evolved over time, it is still less intuitive when compared to other commercial solutions. If you are used to other PCB design tools you may take time to adjust to the user interface.
KiCad Design Guide
8 Chapters - 98 Pages - 110 Minute ReadWhat's Inside:
- Creating a component symbol library
- Setting up board parameters and rules
- How to route differential pairs
- How to place of components
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Siemens EDA (Mentor Graphics PADS)
Mentor Graphics PADS commonly known as PADS was recently taken over by Siemens. The unique features of this PCB layout tool are:
3D component placement
This feature allows you to position components in three dimensions during the design phase. You can also optimize component locations and orientations to ensure reliable electrical connectivity by considering thermal and mechanical attributes.
Automated manufacturing files generation
The generation of design files such as Gerbers and ODB++ can be automated. This ensures that you have all the essential manufacturing files required by your fabricator.
Zuken CADSTAR
The tool supports multiple industry-standard formats and libraries which will help you collaborate with other design tools easier. Other features of this EDA include:
Excellent schematic capture
CADSTAR schematic capture provides a quick and efficient way to capture your schematic, design intent, and rules into the PCB layout. In addition to this, the component library has access to more than 250000 parts.
Optimized routing for high-speed designs
Zuken’s Place and Route Editor is optimized to meet all your DFM and signal integrity requirements. It also provides additional functionality specific to high-speed applications such as DDR-2, DDR-4, DDR-5, and PCIe.
High-Speed PCB Design Guide
8 Chapters - 115 Pages - 150 Minute ReadWhat's Inside:
- Explanations of signal integrity issues
- Understanding transmission lines and controlled impedance
- Selection process of high-speed PCB materials
- High-speed layout guidelines
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Design migration
Designs created using Zuken CADSTAR can be easily imported to other PCB design tools such as Siemens EDA, Allegro, and Altium Designer.’
Electrical rule check (ERC)
ERC in DipTrace helps you verify the electrical integrity of your circuit. It checks for common electrical violations such as open circuits, unconnected pins, short circuits, incorrect component orientation, and other design rule violations. By running an ERC you can prevent potential manufacturing errors and signal integrity issues.
PCB layout tools help you in various design aspects such as schematic capture, component creation, routing, and design rule verification. Choosing the right EDA tool is crucial to achieving design efficiency. You need to consider your expertise, budget, and design requirements before selecting the CAD software.
Let us know your favorite EDA tool in the comment section.
