Hitchhiker's Guide to Making a PCB - Revision history

Smaldonado: sheet entries yikes

2018-11-21T08:28:22Z

sheet entries yikes

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:28, 21 November 2018
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	[[File:Ports.png\|thumb\|200px\|right\|The four flavors of port. The use of unspecified ports is discouraged]]		[[File:Ports.png\|thumb\|200px\|right\|The four flavors of port. The use of unspecified ports is discouraged]]

	After adding a sheet (whether new or reused), you will need to connect it into your design (see [[#Using Multiple Sheets\| ~~above~~]]). To pass wires (i.e. power, ground, and signals of interest) between your sheet and another, your new sheet will need to have ''ports''. Ports are placed using Place → Port. (shortcut {{altium-shortcut\| p → r}}). A reused sheet will likely already have ports on it, but make sure they're the ports you want and change them as needed.		After adding a sheet (whether new or reused), you will need to connect it into your design (see [[#Using Multiple Sheets\|Using Multiple Sheets]]). To pass wires (i.e. power, ground, and signals of interest) between your sheet and another, your new sheet will need to have ''ports''. Ports are placed using Place → Port. (shortcut {{altium-shortcut\| p → r}}). Each port will need a unique name and a "direction" that specifies if the signal is generally entering (input) the sheet, leaving (output), or doing both (bidirectional). The direction is cosmetic (so don't stress over it too much) but helps make your sheet more readable. You can add and delete ports as needed throughout the design process. A reused sheet will likely already have ports on it, but make sure they're the ports you want and change them as needed.

			When you're satisfied with the ports on a sheet and need to start connecting it to another, open the sheet you want it to appear under. There, go to Design &rarr Create Sheet Symbol from Sheet (shortcut {{altium-shortcut\|d → y}}) and select the sheet you want to connect in the menu that pops up. You'll then get to place a ''sheet symbol'' - which will have ''sheet entries'' corresponding to the ports on the sheet - which you can start drawing connections to.

			If you update the ports on a sheet, you can push the changes to your sheet symbols by going to Design → Synchronize Sheet Entries and Ports (shortcut {{altium-shortcut\| d → p}}). In the dialog that comes up, hit "Delete Sheet Entries" and "Add Sheet Entries," as appropriate, to update your sheet symbols so that they have entries for all of the ports on their matching sheets.

	===Applying the SSI Schematic Template===		===Applying the SSI Schematic Template===

Smaldonado: stubby

2018-11-21T08:06:00Z

stubby

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:06, 21 November 2018
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	To replace the default text on your PCB and in the schematic template, go to Project → Project Options (shortcut {{altium-shortcut\|c → o}}) and switch to the Parameters tab. In the "Values" column that comes up, set all of the parameters to the values you'd like. Enter more than one name on each of the PrjEngineer lines if needed - using just a first initial and last name for each contributor is encouraged to save space. Remember to give credit where credit is due, and to include people who've contributed, even if they haven't taken point - remember that it costs you '''nothing''' to put a name on a circuit board but it's a great acknowledgement of the work your fellow SSI members have done.		To replace the default text on your PCB and in the schematic template, go to Project → Project Options (shortcut {{altium-shortcut\|c → o}}) and switch to the Parameters tab. In the "Values" column that comes up, set all of the parameters to the values you'd like. Enter more than one name on each of the PrjEngineer lines if needed - using just a first initial and last name for each contributor is encouraged to save space. Remember to give credit where credit is due, and to include people who've contributed, even if they haven't taken point - remember that it costs you '''nothing''' to put a name on a circuit board but it's a great acknowledgement of the work your fellow SSI members have done.

			{{altium-stub}}

Smaldonado: Smaldonado moved page Using A PCB Template to Hitchhiker's Guide to Making a PCB without leaving a redirect

2018-11-21T08:05:13Z

Smaldonado moved page Using A PCB Template to Hitchhiker's Guide to Making a PCB without leaving a redirect

← Older revision	Revision as of 08:05, 21 November 2018
(No difference)

Smaldonado: more more more

2018-11-21T08:04:25Z

more more more

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:04, 21 November 2018
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	* All sheets have a position in the ''hierarchy'', with one sheet at the top (hence "TopSheet.SchLib") and all other sheets one or more levels below.		* All sheets have a position in the ''hierarchy'', with one sheet at the top (hence "TopSheet.SchLib") and all other sheets one or more levels below.
	* Sheets get a place in the hierarchy by being referenced with "sheet symbols" (see [[#~~Adding~~ Sheets]] below). Any sheet that has a sheet symbol for another sheet gets a copy hierarchically beneath it. This means that your top sheet will have a sheet symbol for each second level sheet, which may each in turn have one or more lower level sheets (though this is uncommon).		* Sheets get a place in the hierarchy by being referenced with ''sheet symbols'' (see [[#Connecting Sheets\|Connecting Sheets]] below). Any sheet that has a sheet symbol for another sheet gets a copy hierarchically beneath it. This means that your top sheet will have a sheet symbol for each second level sheet, which may each in turn have one or more lower level sheets (though this is uncommon).
	* There is one unique, editable sheet file for each unique sheet in your design, but by duplicating its sheet symbol you can produce a duplicate copy of the circuit it contains in your design. This is useful for PCBs with repeated circuits - for example, ValBal avionics have two identical copies of the same motor driver circuit, one for each of the two motors in the system.		* There is one unique, editable sheet file for each unique sheet in your design, but by duplicating its sheet symbol you can produce a duplicate copy of the circuit it contains in your design. This is useful for PCBs with repeated circuits - for example, ValBal avionics have two identical copies of the same motor driver circuit, one for each of the two motors in the system.
	* Unless explicitly connected (see [[#Connecting Sheets]] for how), wires on different sheets are not connected to each other by shared names. This means two wires labeled "SIGNAL1" on two separate sheets - even two copies of the same sheet - are not automatically connected. Importantly, this means that you need to add explicit connections for power and ground between sheets to make sure all sheets are powered.		* Unless explicitly connected (see [[#Connecting Sheets\|Connecting Sheets]] for how), wires on different sheets are not connected to each other by shared names. This means two wires labeled "SIGNAL1" on two separate sheets - even two copies of the same sheet - are not automatically connected. '''Importantly, this means that you need to add explicit connections for power and ground between sheets to make sure all sheets are powered.'''

	===Adding Sheets===		===Adding Sheets===
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	===Connecting Sheets===		===Connecting Sheets===

			[[File:Ports.png\|thumb\|200px\|right\|The four flavors of port. The use of unspecified ports is discouraged]]

			After adding a sheet (whether new or reused), you will need to connect it into your design (see [[#Using Multiple Sheets\| above]]). To pass wires (i.e. power, ground, and signals of interest) between your sheet and another, your new sheet will need to have ''ports''. Ports are placed using Place → Port. (shortcut {{altium-shortcut\| p → r}}). A reused sheet will likely already have ports on it, but make sure they're the ports you want and change them as needed.

	===Applying the SSI Schematic Template===		===Applying the SSI Schematic Template===

Smaldonado: more more

2018-11-21T07:51:07Z

more more

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{guide| authors=Sasha Maldonado ({{slack-user|smaldonado}})}}
 ==Getting Started==
@@ Line 7: / Line 5: @@
 [[File:TemplateProject.png|thumb|200px|right|The template project open in Altium, if you don't read and skip the step about renaming. So far, no one has come up with a board name that acronyms to "RENAME-ME" to justify not renaming the project. Please don't.]]
-The templates live in the {{svn-repo|altium-core}} SVN repo, in libraries/templates. There are currently two versions, one for two-layer boards and one for four-layer boards. The layer count describes how many distinct copper layers are on the board - more layers adds increased flexibility but also increased cost and complexity for manufacturing. Most SSI projects use 2-layer boards; if you don't know, ask for advice in {{slack-channel|altium}}.
+SSI maintains Altium template PCB projects which configure a number of options to simplify the process of making a PCB. A PCB project is a type of file in Altium that organizes all of the files that go into making a real circuit board. These include all of the schematic files that define the circuits and the layout file that defines the actual geometry of the real circuit board when it's printed. The templates live in the {{svn-repo|altium-core}} SVN repo, in libraries/templates. There are currently two versions, one for two-layer boards and one for four-layer boards. The layer count describes how many distinct copper layers are on the board - more layers adds increased flexibility but also increased cost and complexity for manufacturing. Most SSI projects use 2-layer boards; if you don't know, ask for advice in {{slack-channel|altium}}.
-The templates are the complete folders "SSI Standard PCB Template" and "SSI Standard PCB Template - 4 Layer" - select and copy the correct folder for your board type, and paste it where you intend to work on it. On your pasted copy, rename the folder to the name of your project. Open the folder, and rename the file labeled "RENAME-ME" to the name of your project (typically with a version number - " v1" on the end). Then, open that file in Altium. You should get something that looks like the image at right in the Projects panel (if the Projects panel is not already open, go to View &rarr; Panels &rarr; Projects to open it and pin it somewhere convenient). Double click on "TopSheet.SchLib" to open it. This will produce a large, blank schematic with some default information in the lower right corner. We'll fix this information [[#Entering Project Parameters|later]]
+To get the SSI schematic template on your sheet, you'll need to apply the template. In Altium 18 and later, there's a template drop-down in the Properties pane, in the "Page Options" section. In earlier versions of Altium, this dropdown is in the "Document Options" menu, under "Design" (shortcut {{altium-shortcut|d &rarr; o}}). Most sheets will fit on the "SSI_Sch_Template_Small" sheet, but you can pick the standard or large sizes if needed.
 ==Entering Project Parameters==
-To replace the default text on your PCB and in the schematic template, go to Project &rarr; Project Options (shortcut {{altium-shortcut|c &rarr; o}}) and switch to the Parameters tab. In the "Values" column that comes up, set all of the parameters to the values you'd like. Enter more than one name on each of the PrjEngineer lines if needed - using just a first initial and last name for each contributor is encouraged to save space.
+To replace the default text on your PCB and in the schematic template, go to Project &rarr; Project Options (shortcut {{altium-shortcut|c &rarr; o}}) and switch to the Parameters tab. In the "Values" column that comes up, set all of the parameters to the values you'd like. Enter more than one name on each of the PrjEngineer lines if needed - using just a first initial and last name for each contributor is encouraged to save space. Remember to give credit where credit is due, and to include people who've contributed, even if they haven't taken point - remember that it costs you '''nothing''' to put a name on a circuit board but it's a great acknowledgement of the work your fellow SSI members have done.

Smaldonado: more

2018-11-21T06:06:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:06, 21 November 2018
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	The templates live in the {{svn-repo\|altium-core}} SVN repo, in libraries/templates. There are currently two versions, one for two-layer boards and one for four-layer boards. The layer count describes how many distinct copper layers are on the board - more layers adds increased flexibility but also increased cost and complexity for manufacturing. Most SSI projects use 2-layer boards; if you don't know, ask for advice in {{slack-channel\|altium}}.		The templates live in the {{svn-repo\|altium-core}} SVN repo, in libraries/templates. There are currently two versions, one for two-layer boards and one for four-layer boards. The layer count describes how many distinct copper layers are on the board - more layers adds increased flexibility but also increased cost and complexity for manufacturing. Most SSI projects use 2-layer boards; if you don't know, ask for advice in {{slack-channel\|altium}}.

	The templates are the complete folders "SSI Standard PCB Template" and "SSI Standard PCB Template - 4 Layer" - select and copy the correct folder for your board type, and paste it where you intend to work on it. On your pasted copy, rename the folder to the name of your project. Open the folder, and rename the file labeled "RENAME-ME" to the name of your project (typically with a version number - " v1" on the end). Then, open that file in Altium. You should get something that looks like the image at right in the Projects ~~pane~~ (if not already open, go to ~~{{altium-shortcut\|v~~ → "Panels" → ~~p}}~~ to open it and pin it somewhere convenient).		The templates are the complete folders "SSI Standard PCB Template" and "SSI Standard PCB Template - 4 Layer" - select and copy the correct folder for your board type, and paste it where you intend to work on it. On your pasted copy, rename the folder to the name of your project. Open the folder, and rename the file labeled "RENAME-ME" to the name of your project (typically with a version number - " v1" on the end). Then, open that file in Altium. You should get something that looks like the image at right in the Projects panel (if the Projects panel is not already open, go to View → Panels → Projects to open it and pin it somewhere convenient). Double click on "TopSheet.SchLib" to open it. This will produce a large, blank schematic with some default information in the lower right corner. We'll fix this information [[#Entering Project Parameters\|later]]

			==Entering Project Parameters==

			To replace the default text on your PCB and in the schematic template, go to Project → Project Options (shortcut {{altium-shortcut\|c → o}}) and switch to the Parameters tab. In the "Values" column that comes up, set all of the parameters to the values you'd like. Enter more than one name on each of the PrjEngineer lines if needed - using just a first initial and last name for each contributor is encouraged to save space.

Smaldonado: Created page with "{{guide| authors=Sasha Maldonado ({{slack-user|smaldonado}})}} SSI maintains Altium template PCB projects which configure a number of options to simplify the process of makin..."

2018-11-21T05:35:49Z

Created page with "{{guide| authors=Sasha Maldonado ({{slack-user|smaldonado}})}} SSI maintains Altium template PCB projects which configure a number of options to simplify the process of makin..."

New page

{{guide| authors=Sasha Maldonado ({{slack-user|smaldonado}})}}

SSI maintains Altium template PCB projects which configure a number of options to simplify the process of making a PCB. A PCB project is a type of file in Altium that organizes all of the files that go into making a real circuit board. These include all of the schematic files that define the circuits and the layout file that defines the actual geometry of the real circuit board when it's printed.

==Getting Started==

[[File:TemplateProject.png|thumb|200px|right|The template project open in Altium, if you don't read and skip the step about renaming. So far, no one has come up with a board name that acronyms to "RENAME-ME" to justify not renaming the project. Please don't.]]

The templates live in the {{svn-repo|altium-core}} SVN repo, in libraries/templates. There are currently two versions, one for two-layer boards and one for four-layer boards. The layer count describes how many distinct copper layers are on the board - more layers adds increased flexibility but also increased cost and complexity for manufacturing. Most SSI projects use 2-layer boards; if you don't know, ask for advice in {{slack-channel|altium}}.

The templates are the complete folders "SSI Standard PCB Template" and "SSI Standard PCB Template - 4 Layer" - select and copy the correct folder for your board type, and paste it where you intend to work on it. On your pasted copy, rename the folder to the name of your project. Open the folder, and rename the file labeled "RENAME-ME" to the name of your project (typically with a version number - " v1" on the end). Then, open that file in Altium. You should get something that looks like the image at right in the Projects pane (if not already open, go to {{altium-shortcut|v → "Panels" → p}} to open it and pin it somewhere convenient).