DES PLAINES, IL - PCB Matrix Corp. has released the PADS Layout Constraint Rules Editor. The software is used with PADS V5, V2004, V2005 and V2007, and optimizes the use of constraint set-up and rules within PADS Layout.

The company states that the constraint rules editor interface allows users to view, change and update rules, with easy transfer of updates between the PADS Layout tool and constraint rules editor.

The company reports that using PADS software, you can specify separate rules for clearance and trace width for individual pin pairs, nets, groups of nets, classes, components and even the entire design, with the flexibility to control the length of critical nets or specify matched lengths for groups of nets. 

Evaluation copies can be obtained by registering at pcblibraries.com/register.

STOKE ON TRENT, UK - PCB design bureau Black Stick Ltd. has a free software tool called the C4Calculator. The tool calculates current capacity for a given PCB track width and thickness. Black Stick’s C4Calculator (Current Carrying Capacity Calculator) utility determines the optimum current based on a given interconnect width and thickness. In addition, C4Calculator will also calculate the gap needed between conductors for a given voltage peak. All the calculations within the tool are taken from formulae or tables specified in the IPC-2222A standard. C4Calculator also allows users to perform calculations beyond the scope of the IPC standard.