To ensure a functional and manufacturable PCB, rules must be assigned to ensure proper fabrication, assembly, and testing. Explore this guide to learn how to set standard PCB design constraints in OrCAD X and rules that form the backbone of the PCB.
The PCB Design Constraints Guide: Part 2 will teach you the essentials of:
- Physical rules for trace width, differential pairs, via sizes, and more
- Spacing rules for creepage and clearance to prevent electrical arcing and
- Spacing rules for proper component spacing for successful assembly and to facilitate cooling
- Design for Fabrication (DFF) rules
- Design for Assembly (DFA) rules
- Design for Test (DFT) rules
- Teardrops and specific rules for rigid-flex PCBs
Configuring these rules will help ensure that you’re designing a reliable, compliant, and manufacturable PCB layout.
Check out the full series of eBook for a comprehensive understanding of PCB Design Constraints in OrCAD X and Allegro X:
Part 1
OrCAD X constraint management is a system for defining and enforcing design rules in PCB layout including sets of guidelines for performance, manufacturability, and reliability criteria.
Part 2 (Current Selection)
Part 3
This guide explores advanced PCB design constraints, focusing on high-speed and electrical design rules such as net scheduling, impedance control, and differential pairs. These constraints are crucial for maintaining signal integrity and timing precision in high-speed interfaces like USB, DDR, PCIe, and RF circuits, ensuring performance and reliability.
Part 4
This part of the guide covers optimization techniques in PCB constraint management, focusing on Electrical Constraint Sets (ECSets), schematic-to-PCB constraints, and the modular approach. These tools help streamline workflows, ensure consistent constraint application, and maximize design efficiency for better results.
Part 5
This final part of this guide uses a practical project example to demonstrate the application of learned constraint management concepts. Through a practical case study, it reinforces key insights and helps highlight the effectiveness of proper constraint management during the PCB design process, ensuring that readers can tackle design challenges with confidence.
