Mentor Graphics Enhances PADS PCB Product Creation Platform

New Features for Mixed-Signal Design and DDR Implementation

Mentor Graphics has introduced new features to its PADS PCB product creation platform, focusing on addressing engineering challenges in mixed-signal design, DDR implementation, and electrical design signoff.

Cost-Effective Solutions

• The new PADS AMS design kit, PADS AMS cloud, PADS HyperLynx DRC, and PADS HyperLynx DDR products are tightly integrated and cost-effective, simplifying the design process.
• These products help meet circuit performance goals, reducing the need for multiple prototypes and design revisions.

Expanded Product Creation Platform

The expanded PADS platform now includes PADS HyperLynx DC Drop and PADS FloTHERM XT products for power integrity and thermal analysis, offering engineers cutting-edge technologies previously unavailable in the PCB market.

Enhancing Product Development

Dr. Joel Libove, President of Furaxa, highlights the importance of essential simulation technology in the new PADS products to meet the demands of high-end designs and market expectations in functionality, price, and delivery.

Advancing Analog/Mixed-Signal Design

Analog/mixed-signal design is crucial in current electronic products, with the new PADS AMS Design Suite providing a comprehensive solution for designing and simulating AMS circuits within a single environment.

Engineers can take advantage of VHDL-AMS and SPICE-based simulation engines for analog circuit simulation, along with HyperLynx tools for topology exploration.

Key Advantages of PADS Design

• Integrated schematic design, analog circuit simulation, and pre-layout analysis in one environment.
• Accurate reflection of electronic components and circuit verification considering real-world variability.

DDR Simulation Made Accessible

The PADS platform includes integrated DDR simulation capabilities, allowing engineers to address DDRx-specific signal integrity and timing issues efficiently and cost-effectively.

Streamlined Electrical DRC

Engineers can now streamline electrical DRC, verification, and sign-off processes with PADS HyperLynx DRC tools, identifying violations impacting design integrity and board performance.

These tools offer rule-based identification of non-CAD constraints and out-of-the-box inspections for EMI, signal integrity, and power integrity.

PCB Engineering Challenges and Solutions

Addressing PCB engineering challenges at mainstream and enterprise levels can be daunting. According to AJ Incorvaia, Vice President and General Manager of Mentor Graphics BSD, Mentor’s mission is to provide competitive advantages to tackle complex designs. The PADS product creation platform offers visualized results and straightforward violation identification, integrating features like analog/mixed signal, DDRx, DRC analysis, electronic heat dissipation, and DC voltage drop. These tools provide electrical engineers with unprecedented insights, empowering them to design complex products confidently from concept to manufacturing.