How do you define layer stackup in Altium?
This can be pre-defined in the Altium Material Library dialog (Tools » Material Library) in the Constructions field, or user-defined in the Layer Stack. Click to open the Select Material dialog to choose the desired material for the currently selected layer in the layer stack.
What is layer stackup?
Stack-up refers to the arrangement of copper layers and insulating layers that make up a PCB prior to board layout design. While a layer stack-up allows you to get more circuitry on a single board through the various PCB board layers, the structure of PCB stackup design confers many other advantages:
How do I add stackup to Altium?
A Layer Stackup file can be uploaded by right-clicking on the required Layerstack Item in the Explorer panel, and choosing the Upload command from the context menu. The Create New Revision dialog will appear, in which you can change Name, Description, and add release notes as required.
How do I choose a layer stackup?
The first consideration for your PCB stackup is determining how many layers are needed. This includes considering signal (high speed, low speed), power (for high power boards or when power supplies are a part of your circuit) and ground layers or planes. It is highly recommended not to mix signal types on inner layers.
How do you add layers in Altium?
To add or edit a mechanical layer (image on the left), right-click in the Layers region on the Layers & Colors tab of the panel then select Add Mechanical Layer.
How do I open the layer stack manager in Altium?
Access. The Layer Stack Manager dialog can be accessed in the following ways: Click Design » Layer Stack Manager from the main menus. Right-click on a layer tab at the bottom of the workspace then select Layer Stack Manager from the context menu.
How thick can prepreg be?
Pre-Preg alone cannot be thicker than 15mils since it causes issues with the lamination process.
How many PCB layers do I need?
The number of PCB layers also depends on pin density and signal layers. As indicated by below chart, a pin density of 1.0 will necessitate 2 signal layers, and the number of necessary layers goes up as the pin density drops. With a pin density of 0.2 or less, you will need PCBs with at least 10 layers.
How do I enable all layers in Altium?
Also, hit the “LS” in the lower left corner (layer sets), All Layers. If you’ve saved a view configuration (on the Layers dialog, L) with some layers disabled (most often, copper and mechanical layers you weren’t using at the time you saved it), you want to click All Layers to make everything visible again.
What is FPC stackup?
Material Stackup Format Flex PCB material stackups are a graphical, side view profile of the flexible printed circuit board which is typically embedded in the mechanical drawing in either PDF, DXF, or Gerber format.
How do I change layers in Altium?
Use the Ctrl+Shift+Scroll shortcut to change layers, and the 4 shortcut to cycle through the via size choices.
How do I create a multi layer PCB?
Multilayer PCB Design Tips
- Route adjacent signal layers in opposite directions on the printed circuit board. If you have adjacent signal layers on layers 2 & 3, then route one horizontal and the other vertical.
- Use power and ground plane layers.
- Reduce the size of inner signal layer thru-hole pads.
What is Altium layer stack management?
Altium Designer Offers Advanced PCB Layer Stack Management Altium Designer allows the definition of multiple stacks for rigid-flex designs. An overall master layer stack defines the total set of available layers for the design. You can define any number of sub-stacks from the available master stack layers.
How does Altium Designer work?
With Altium Designer, you don’t have to spend a lot of time calculating the impedance profiles and selecting the width and gaps of the conductors and planes. You only need to specify the target impedance; the Layer Stack Manager will automatically select these parameters for you.
How to use the board shape editor in Altium Designer?
When working in Altium Designer’s PCB Editor, you can define the board shape area available for components and routing. One option is to import a DXF file into a mechanical layer and use this to define the board shape. Alternatively, you can use the board shape editor to customize the dimensions and shape of your PCB.
How do I use the layer stack manager?
Tip: You can also run the Layer Stack Manager by selecting Design > Layer Stack Manager from the main menus. Currently, the PCB stackup contains two metal layers (Top and Bottom) and a default dielectric layer (FR-4) between them.