PADS 9.4 Released with Unique Technology

PADS 9.4 Released with Unique Technology

PADS 9.4 was released earlier this week – take a look at the press release here: http://www.mentor.com/company/news/mentor-release-pads-dfm-high-speed-interactive-routing

The new features listed include: 

• DFM Analysis
• Associated Nets
• ODB++ Inside
• CAM Compare
• New advanced licensing controls
• Follow Route
• New 2D line styles and snap controls
• And more…

A couple of these are truly unique to the desktop PCB market.  The first is DFM Analysis.  Design for manufacturing has been a “talking point” for many years, and there is no doubt designers keep in mind that the product they layout has to be built.  But for the first time, advanced design for manufacturing analysis is embedded within a PCB design tool – PADS Layout.  Now, this analysis can be run prior to ever sending the design out, and many problems can be detected before a prototype is built, saving huge dollars and time!  In addition, DFMA is based on Valor technology, the undisputed leader in design for fabrication and analysis in the industry.  Since 80% of all fabricators use Valor DFM analysis, you can be in perfect sync with your supply chain and the tools they will use to verify your design!

Another unique new feature in PADS 9.4 in the desktop market is associated nets.  This allows engineers and designers with advanced technologies like DDR to define associated, or combined nets, where a signal going through a discreet component such as a series resistor, or even an active component, must be combined into one net, with constraints defined for that new “combined” net.  Design rules can be now assigned, and the interactive and auto router will adhere to these new rules.

If you are a current PADS customer, PADS 9.4 is available for download now on Support here http://supportnet.mentor.com/downloads/index.cfm?id=201203049&product=C115-S153-G192-P10548&redirected=true&reason=0.

If you are not a current user, download the free evaluation kit at http://supportnet.mentor.com/downloads/index.cfm?id=201201028&product=C115-S153-G192-P10548&redirected=true&reason=0.

For a closer look at DFMA, contact your sales person for an evaluation license.  If you’re not sure who that may be, go to http://www.mentor.com/products/pcb-system-design/design-flows/pads/resellers.

Jim

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