Skill Development Program:
Altium Designer
SUPARCO Institute Of Technical Training
Altium Designer
This Is Based On The Current Version Of Altium Designer 09
The Altium Designer Suite Contains Many Unified Features Such As:
◦ FPGA
◦ VHDL/ Veri-log Compilers
◦ Signal Integrity
◦ Simulation
◦ Library Management
◦ Database And Advanced Query Language
◦ CAM Display Management
◦ Schematic Capture
◦ PCB Layout
Getting Started
Start the software by
clicking
START
PROGRAMS
ALTIUM DESIGNER
Altium Designer 6
Create a start bar shortcut if you
plan on using the software a lot.
(shown on right)
Project File
Projectfiles are like a container for your project. There are many
different things you will need for even a basic project, such as:
◦ PCB Footprint Libraries
◦ Schematic Libraries
◦ Schematic Documents
◦ PCB Documents
◦ Scripts
◦ CAM Files
◦ Settings
◦ Generated Reports
◦ Generated Files
◦ Version Control Features etc.
Creating a Project
When the software
starts, follow the menu
sequence in the image
to create a new “PCB
Project”
Many people skip this
step and just create a
schematic file. This a
huge mistake! As
everything in Altium
Designer is based on
project files.
Project Name
Project name should be meaningful i.e. should co-related with “YOUR
DESIGN”.
Right click on PCB_Project.prjPCB and save the project as ‘PROJECT-
EE495’ to a new folder (preferably on a flash drive) called ‘EE495 Project’
inside a root folder called ‘EE495 Altium’
EX: F:\EE495 Altium\EE495 Project\PROJECT-EE495.prjPCB
Inside this folder, we will place all relevant project data
Organization of Project
It is useful to place all project information inside this folder.
Inside this root folder, create subfolders called ‘CODE’ and ‘DATASHEETS’
Organization and centralization is also important for backing up all your data
properly, version control, and copying project data to a CD for all finished
projects. (which you should do for future reference)
(Group) Quiz Project #1
For the first quiz project, we are going to create a schematic that
will contain:
Atmega8 - Atmel Microcontroller , 16 MHz, QFP
USB-B Connector
FT232 USB- UART interface chip , TSSOP28
2x5 Programming Input Header (0.1” Pitch)
SMD (Surface Mount Device) LEDs , 0805 Size
This project contains all the necessary parts to create a PCB that
can communicate directly with a computer through a USB (Male B-
Male A) Cable.
You are encouraged to actually build this PCB as an inexpensive,
functional development board.
This project is to be finished by next Wednesday (5/28) with a
possible in-class portion
Adding a Schematic Drawing
Follow the menu sequence shown to create a new
schematic. This will automatically be added to the
project tree we created.
Schematic Entry
The ‘sheet1’ schematic document is now added to the project tree as
shown below.
Rename this file to something with a more meaningful name such as
‘Main’. There are many times when you will have multiple schematic
entries and it helps to have a descriptive name
Any open project files will appear in the menu area above where the
blank schematic page appears.
Libraries
Similar
to a real laboratory, to build a design from a
schematic you must first add real parts to the project.
For this, we must add what are called ‘libraries’ to our
project. Libraries contain vital information about the
parts we are going to add.
Once libraries are added to the project, any component
inside that library can be freely inserted into your
design.
Types of Libraries
There are three main types of libraries for PCB design:
• Schematic Library- Contains schematic drawings of parts, when we look at
a schematic, we are looking at a collection of schematic parts
• PCB Footprint Library- This contains the physical dimensions of a real
component. This information is readily available in datasheets.
• Integrated Library- These are the most useful libraries because they
combine a physical part (footprint) with a schematic drawing.
Libraries
Libraries are located in the folder:
C:\Program Files\Altium Designer 6\Library
Updated libraries are available online at
http://www.altium.com/Community/support/Libraries/Designer6libraries /
Altium has since changed some of their library files, I have
included a ZIP file on the course website with library files
we’ll be using.
Download and unzip the file into the ‘library’ folder in your
project directory
Libraries
Copy the following Libraries to a folder called ‘Libraries’ in your Custom Altium folder:
Integrated Libraries (*.IntLib)
Atmel Microcontroller 8-bit AVR
Miscellaneous Connectors
Miscellaneous Devices
NSC Operational Amplifier
ON Semi Operational Amplifier
Schematic Libraries (*.SchLib)
<none>
Footprint Libraries (*.PcbLib)
Chip Capacitor – 2 Contacts
Chip Diode – 2 Contacts
Chip Inductor – 2 Contacts
Chip Resistor – 2 Contacts
Crystal Oscillator
Miscellaneous Connector PCB
Miscellaneous Devices PCB
Miscellaneous Devices
NOTE: When you create your own schematic and footprint libraries, you should place them in the same
library directory in your project folder
Adding Libraries To A Project
We have organized all the libraries in a folder, now we
need to add these to the project
Follow the following prompt to add libraries to the project
Adding Libraries
There are two methods of adding libraries
• Project Libraries- Libraries available only for the scope of this
project
• Installed libraries – Libraries available to ALL projects by default.
These do not show up in the project tree.
• The Search Path modifies the search location when searching for
parts.
Adding Libraries
We want to make these libraries project-specific only
instead of global availability with the ‘Installed’ tab
Make sure the ‘Project’ tab is selected, and add all
libraries from your project library folder
Project Hierarchy
By expanding the ‘+’ next to
libraries, you should see a list of
all the project libraries. Make
sure you have all these libraries
installed before continuing.
Notice how the project tree
separates source documents
and libraries automatically
Open, Saved, Unsaved Files
Open files are indicated with a
‘white paper’
Example: Main.SchDoc
Open modified and unsaved files
are indicated with a ‘red paper’
Example: The Project file itself has
been modified.
Closed files have nothing in the
column
Example: The Atmel Microcontroller
library
All open files are accessible by
clicking on them in the project
tree, or in the top bar in a
windows- taskbar type window
Project Documentation
We can’t create a schematic
without knowing more details
about the parts we’ll be using.
Obtain the FTDI FT232R UART
IC Datasheet
Rename the file something
less cryptic such as
FT232 USB.pdf
Project Documentation
Specifications are often given or required for components, You should check and double check each
meets the project specifications.
Atmega8 Microcontroller, QFP Package, 16 MHz, ROHS Compliant
Mouser P/N: 556-ATMEGA8-16AU
Save as ‘Atmega8 QFP Atmel Microcontroller.pdf’
USB-B (Female/Socket) , ROHS Compliant, Right Angle Mount
Mouser P/N: 806-KUSBX-BS1N-B30
Save datasheet as ‘USB-B Connector’
SMD LEDs (0805), ROHS Compliant
Mouser P/N: 638-172BHC-AN1P23T
2x5 Box Header (Prog. Connector), Gold Plated, ROHS Compliant, Pitch=0.1”
Mouser P/N: 649-66506-066LF
Save datasheet as ‘2x5 Box Header.pdf’
Chip Sizing Information
‘Chip’ components are devices that come in small rectangles
The 0805 specification for the LED are actually dimensions of
the chip component itself (Size Code).
Split up the numbers to 08 05, These are the dimensions in
inches
The Length of the chip diode is 0.08” = 80 mils
The Width of the chip diode is 0.05” = 50 mils
Therefore, the larger the numbers, the larger the chip device:
Larger chip sizes can handle more Power.
Smaller chip size can handle Higher Frequencies. (Ideally)
Chip Sizing Information
1) Tantalum Capacitor (A-Case)
2) Tantalum Capacitor (D-Case)
3 & 4) Electrolytic Capacitor
5) 0805 Ceramic Capacitor
6) 1206 Ceramic Capacitor
7) 1210 Ceramic (Same length,
but wider)
¼ Watt Through-Hole Resistor
given as size reference http://www.geocities.com/vk3em/smtguide/pics/
caps.jpg
(Same as in our lab)
Chip Sizing Information
1) 1218 (1 Watt)
2) 1206 (1/4 Watt)
3) 0805 (1/8 Watt)
4) Potentiometer (Bottom &
Top)
¼ Watt Through-Hole
Resistor
given as size reference http://www.geocities.com/vk3em/smtguide/pics/
resistor.jpg
(Same as in our Lab)
Chip Sizing Information
1) 20 Pin DIP Package
2) SOIC20, Wide
3) SOIC8, W/Power Tab
4) SOIC8, Standard
5) SSOP20
¼ Watt Through-Hole
resistor
given as size reference
(Same as in our Lab)
http://www.geocities.com/vk3em/smtguide/pics/
ic.jpg
