Altium Designer 2013 includes updated printed circuit board features and fixes to core schematic and PCB tools. Opens up DXP platform. Includes home page redesign with new views and sub-views into license management, plug-ins and updates, and Workspace view; hyperlink text support in schematic documents; enhanced customization of schematic ports; Microchip Touch Controls Support, and silk-to-solder mask clearance rule.

Altium, www.altium.com

HyperLynx now includes advanced 3D channel and trace modeling, improved DDR signoff verification, and accelerated simulation performance.

AWR Connected for Zuken RF printed circuit board verification flow simulates and verifies embedded RF functionality. Provides pathway from CR-8000 Design Force PCB design software into Microwave Office high-frequency simulation software. Can bring in an entire design, or select specific RF signals and other design structures to conduct electromagnetic analysis. Extracts user-specified data from Zuken platform, generates a 3Di file output, and then imports 3Di data into Microwave Office for further electromagnetic simulation with AWR’s ACE automated circuit extraction, AXIEM 3D planar EM analysis, or Analyst 3D finite element method EM analysis.

AWR Corp, www.awrcorp.com
Zuken, www.zuken.com

Footprint Expert Lite is based on IPC-7351 standards for land pattern technology. Uses component package dimensions and IPC-7351 standard rules or user preferences to auto-generate solder patterns for printed circuit board component assembly attachment. Does not require any purchase, has no expiration date and comes with free updates, technical support, and live webcast training. Can build PCB footprints in any supported CAD tool formats. Interfaces to 17 industry CAD tools, with more in development.

PCB Libraries www.pcblibraries.com