PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
PCB (Printed Circuit Board), also known as printed circuit board and printed circuit board in Chinese (印刷电路板), plays a vital role as an essential electronic component. It acts as a support structure for electronic elements and facilitates electrical connections among them.
Evolution of PCB Design Software
Since the inception of electronics, PCB has been the backbone of the industry, enabling the connection of carbon and silicon chips to create functional electronic products. Over time, the evolution of PCB design software has made it more convenient for engineers to execute circuit board design tasks.
Key Components of PCB Design Software
- Schematic design
- PCB layout
- Circuit simulation
- CAM engineering software
- Copy board software
Altium Protel Series
Altium Protel stands out as a popular choice among PCB design software options, with a rich history and widespread usage in China. The Protel series, introduced in 1985, has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of electronic design professionals.
Legacy and Impact
Protel 99 SE, along with its successors, offers an integrated design environment that includes schematic design, PCB layout tools, document management, and collaborative design functionalities. The software has made significant advancements, such as introducing FPGA design capabilities and 3D PCB visualization technology.
Current Usage and Concerns
While Protel software continues to be favored by many users, some engineers express concerns about issues like high system resource consumption, demanding system requirements, and limited adoption by foreign companies. Despite these challenges, Protel remains a highly regarded PCB design software option suitable for both businesses and individual users.
