What are the advantages of allegro and orcad of cadence company compared with altium designer or altium protel?

Review and comparison of electronic circuit simulation design and plate-making software

Comparison of EDA software such as OrCAD of Cadence company in the United States, EWB of Interactive Image Technologies company in Canada, PROTEL of Altium company in Australia and PADS of Mentor Graphics company in the United States.

When it comes to electronic design automation, we have to start from the 1980s, when many companies in the world successively launched electronic CAD (Computer Aided Design) software for microcomputer systems. In order to occupy a place in the fierce market competition, many companies in the world have introduced CAD software with their own company characteristics. After years of practice, constant revision and improvement, CAD technology is becoming more and more mature. CAD is a general technology, which is widely used in many other industries such as machinery and construction. With the help of SPICE3.5/XSPICE of the University of California, Berkeley as the simulation engine, many companies in the world have also launched various excellent EDA software for the electronic industry. On the other hand, CAD (Computer Aided Design) is the primary physical stage of electronic design. CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) is a circuit-level design stage; EDA (Electronic Design Automation) is an advanced electronic system design stage. One of the most realistic criteria to measure the quality of a software is its market share, which is its popularity and popularity. As Mr. Lu Xun said: "In fact, there is no road on the ground. If there are more people walking, it will become a road. " Speaking of EDA software, OrCAD of Cadence Company in the United States, EWB of Interactive Image Technologies Company in Canada, PROTEL of Altium Company in Australia and PADS of Mentor Graphics Company in the United States are all representative leaders.

An OrCAD software from Cadence company in the United States

OrCAD software of Cadence Company is one of the most widely used EDA software in the world, and it is an outstanding representative of EDA software. OrCAD software has powerful functions and friendly and intuitive interface. It is widely used abroad, and quite a few electronic engineers in Europe and America are using it. OrCAD software entered China late, but with the rapid development of electronic industry in China, the number of users using OrCAD software is increasing year by year. From the early version of OrCAD 4.0 working in DOS environment to the latest version of OrCAD 10.5, OrCAD software integrates the functions of electrical schematic drawing, printed circuit board design, digital/analog circuit simulation, programmable logic device design and so on. Its component library is also the richest among all EDA software, and it has always been the first choice of EDA software in the world. Cadence has become one of the most powerful EDA software development companies in the world. OrCAD software system mainly includes: OrCAD /Capture CIS (circuit diagram design); OrCAD/PSPICE EA/D (digital/analog mixed simulation); OrCAD /Layout Plus(PCB design), etc. , each part can be used independently as needed, or can form a complete EDA system together.

Functions and characteristics of several main softwares in OrCAD software system;

OrCAD /Capture CIS: It is the * * * software in OrCAD software package, and it is also the basis of the other two softwares. This is a powerful circuit schematic design software. In addition to generating various circuit schematic diagrams, Capture CIS software has a component information system module CIS(Component Information System) with obvious characteristics compared with other circuit drawing software. This information system module can not only efficiently manage more than 40,000 components in the component library, but also has the function of ICA(Internet Component Assistant). In the process of designing the circuit diagram, it can find more than one million kinds of components from other component databases on the Internet, and it can be transferred to the circuit diagram or added to its own library file according to the needs of drawing. After the circuit diagram drawn by Capture software is completed, you can also directly call OrCAD /Pspice software for simulation, or enter OrCAD /Layout Plus software for board design. OrCAD /Capture CIS is friendly, intuitive and easy to use. Strong and flexible operation function, scientific and effective project management, strong adaptability and support for many international standards.

OrCAD/PSPICE EA/D: This is a general circuit simulation software, which can not only simulate digital circuits and mixed-signal circuits, but also have the function of optimizing design. The probe module in the software is equivalent to a "virtual oscilloscope", which can not only display the waveform of the simulated result signal, but also perform various operations on the waveform, including extracting circuit characteristic parameters and analyzing the relationship between circuit parameters and component parameters, making the analysis process more convenient and intuitive.

OrCAD /Layout Plus: This is a PCB design software for printed circuits, which can directly convert the generated circuit diagram into PCB design by manual or automatic layout and wiring. OrCAD /Capture software has high-level design indicators: the maximum circuit board size that can be designed is 68 (inches) 2; The level can reach 30 layers; The highest wiring resolution is 1 micron; When placing components, the rotation angle can be accurate to 65438 0 minutes. In addition, it has the functions of automatic push, matrix layout, intelligent copper plating, data exchange with various PCB design software, including data exchange with various mechanical CAD software, and generation of three-dimensional contour graphics. Its component packaging library is very rich, and you can edit, modify and add new packages through the library manager. OrCAD /Layout Plus software is famous for its powerful functions in PCB manufacturing industry, and it is a veritable advanced professional EDA software for PCB design.

EWB software of Canadian interactive image technology company

EWB(Electronics Workbench) is a unique EDA software launched by Canadian Interactive Image Technology (IIT) Company on 1988. EWB5.0, with its outstanding advantages such as intuitive interface, convenient operation, powerful analysis function, easy learning and easy use, was rapidly popularized in China as early as the 1990s. Many colleges and universities incorporate EWB 5.0 into teaching materials as an auxiliary means of teaching and experiment of electronic courses. 2 1 At the beginning of the century, EWB5.0 was upgraded to EWB6.0 and renamed Multisim200 1. In 2003, it was upgraded to Multisim7 and Multisim8.0 was released in 2005. Its function is very powerful, and it can be used in virtual circuit analysis, analog circuit, digital circuit, high frequency circuit, radio frequency circuit, power electronics and automatic control principle. And provide as many as 18 basic analysis methods. At present, the Canadian IIT official website is still releasing Multisim 10, which is perfect.

The main features of the electronic simulation software Multisim7 are as follows:

There are two columns of ***23 component boxes on the left side of the basic interface, which focus on various simulation components to call; There are 17 kinds of virtual instruments on the right, which can be called without limit; In the middle is the circuit construction and simulation operation platform.

Basic circuit analysis method provided by 15 Multisim 9 software.

Multisim software has several virtual instruments that are not available in any other simulation software, such as "4-trace oscilloscope" and "real-time measuring probe", which can dynamically measure the voltage of each node of the circuit online. The measuring instruments of Agilent, the world's top multinational company, include Agilent Function Signal Generator, Agilent 6.5 Digital Multimeter and Agilent Oscilloscope. The panel and knob operations of these three instruments are exactly the same as the actual Agilent instruments.

Brief introduction of three-board making software Uliboard 7

As another aspect of MultiSIM technology, IIT Canada also provides users with the supporting plate-making software Uliboard 7. The electronic circuit content simulated by Multisim7 can be directly and seamlessly linked to Uliboard 7 to design printed circuit boards. An obvious advantage of plate-making software Uliboard 7 is that its component packaging library is very rich. There are more than 4,000 kinds of component packages for pin insertion, which is more than 10 of Protel component package file PCB Footprints.lib Generally, you can always find a suitable component package directly from a large number of package forms, thus avoiding the pain of modifying and creating component packages. However, it takes great efforts to master its PCB design rules and automatic wiring operation, and the acquisition of software and the lack of information also limit its popularization to some extent. But in my spare time, I can make a simple printed circuit board with Uliboard 7, which is not limited by its design rules. Because of its rich component packaging library, it is still a simple and convenient plate-making choice.

PROTEL software of Altium company in Australia

Protel integrates circuit schematic drawing, analog and digital circuit mixed signal simulation, multi-layer circuit board design, programmable logic device design, chart generation and other functions. It has many editing functions, powerful and convenient automatic design ability, rich schematic component library, extremely comprehensive tools, documents and design project organization ability, as well as good reputation and excellent performance of Protel software, which has quickly become the first choice and favorite software of many EDA users. Protel software is rich in resources, easy to learn and use, which is very suitable for beginners to design some relatively simple circuits and plate making.

Rotel later introduced Protel 99 SE (second edition), which mainly added some practical functions to PCB plate making. Now Protel Company has been renamed Altium Company. After entering the new century, Altium Company launched Protel DXP. Protel DXP is a new generation board-level circuit design system. Compared with Protel 99 SE, its interface style is more mature and flexible, especially in simulation and PLD circuit design. Because of its powerful function, rigorous design, high requirements for operating system, it is difficult for beginners to get started, and it can also simulate circuits.

PADS software of Mentor graphics company in the United States

PADS (Personal Automation Design System) software is a product of Mentor Graphics Company in the United States. PowerLogic5.0 is a powerful multi-page schematic design input tool, which has the characteristics of fast access to each page, online component editing, convenient and concise library management and so on. All these provide an efficient circuit board design environment for PowerPCB and improve the conversion efficiency from schematic design to PCB plate making.

OwerPCB5.0 is a complex high-speed printed circuit board design software. It has a Fast Interactive Wiring Editor (FIRE), which is unique among many interactive wiring modes. Because of the powerful algorithm adopted by FIRE, users rarely need to modify and adjust the wiring after completion, which can save users a lot of time and improve efficiency. PowerPCB5.0 software is impeccable in fine pad spacing such as surface mount components, setting constraints for high-speed wiring, and customizing graphical user interface. Because PowerLogic5.0 and PowerPCB5.0 are fast and powerful, some simple operations can realize the advantages of complex functions, convenient shortcut keys and wide windows.

Selection of EDA software and matters needing attention in amateur plate making

Every EDA software has its own characteristics. Choosing the best EDA software depends on your purpose. As far as professional PCB design is concerned, PowerPCB and OrCAD may be chosen. PowerPCB is more suitable for designing professional, advanced and complex circuits. OrCAD is one of the mainstream tools for high-end circuit design and plate making, but its component packaging is more troublesome. If you are a beginner, I suggest you choose Protel DXP. Protel entered the China market early, with high popularity, especially with many books and reference materials, which is especially suitable for beginners. At present, quite a few organizations in China are using Protel for circuit design and plate making, while most foreign drawings are designed by OrCAD.

The choice of EDA software is also influenced by regional factors. For example, electronic engineers in Taiwan Province Province generally use PowerPCB and OrCAD to design PCB, and Taiwanese businessmen have many joint ventures in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. PowerPCB and OrCAD are popular in the south of Shenzhen, Guangdong, and Protel may be more popular in the north, but with the passage of time, PowerPCB and OrCAD will become more and more popular.

The choice of EDA software is also related to personal preferences, interests and habits. In fact, any excellent EDA software, as long as you get used to it and master it, you are a talent and master in a certain field. Of course, students who intend to come to Guangdong, Shenzhen, Shanghai and other southern regions will give priority to OrCAD or PowerPCB, or learn more to meet the recruitment needs of enterprises and manufacturers.

The choice of EDA software should also consider the PCB file format that local plate-making manufacturers can support. As long as it is a plate-making manufacturer, even if the scale is small, PCB files designed with Protel can generally be processed. Regarding the selection of electronic circuit simulation software, besides the powerful and ideal simulation function of OrCAD, Multisim9 is also an excellent EDA software. Understand and master the use of this latest excellent EDA software.

Design process of electronic circuit

EDA is the abbreviation of "electronic design automation" and has been widely used in the field of electronic design. At present, there is basically no manual design of electronic products in developed countries. The design process of an electronic product, from the establishment of the concept, to the physical design including circuit principle, PCB layout, MCU program, internal structure, FPGA construction and simulation, appearance interface, thermal stability analysis, electromagnetic compatibility analysis, and then to PCB drilling diagram, automatic mounting, solder paste missing printing, component list, general assembly diagram and other materials needed for production, is all completed on the computer. EDA technology can simulate, evaluate, verify, optimize and process the design scheme that is difficult to be completed by hand with the help of the characteristics of large storage capacity and fast running speed of the computer. EDA has become the main technical means for the design of integrated circuits, printed circuit boards and electronic systems. Multisim 9 software of American NI Company (American National Instrument Company) is a good tool in this respect. Moreover, Multisim 9 Computer Simulation and Virtual Instrument Technology (LABVIEW 8) (also made by American NI Company) can well solve the long-standing problem that theoretical teaching is out of touch with practical experiments.