News & Press

Pulsonix announces the release of 8.0

Westdev Ltd. – the PCB EDA company delivering technology-leading PCB design solutions today announced the release of its latest Pulsonix, version 8.0.

A major new release in Pulsonix technology introduces features designed for advanced users; including the Auto Footprint tool, user-defined package shapes for the 3D Viewer and significant changes to Interactive High Speed feature.

“Our user base demands advanced features and usability” comments Bob Williams, Marketing Director for Westdev Ltd, “we are a dynamic progressive company who can provide users with these tools without them having to wait unrealistic time scales for development. With our User Advisory Program, we produce advanced features that have been specified by users for users, and as such, provide unparalleled usability”.

Major New Features Overview

The advanced Auto Footprint tool enables whole sets of footprints to be defined in the design based on their technology or rotation when considering manufacturing requirements. Footprints by side, design or area can be changed and rotated at the same time using the rules dialog, this enables whole technology changes to be implemented in one easy option.

With the introduction of user-defined 3D packages in Pulsonix 8.0, users can now create their own package definitions for use in the 3D Viewer. This is an alternative mechanism to using the STEP I/O option.

With design-based libraries such as those used in design bureaux for customer designs, Pulsonix 8.0 introduces additional ease-of-use features for the Library Manager. The Library Manager has been made modeless to allow multiple easy access. To facilitate design-based libraries, users can drop the design onto the Library Manager to create design libraries. This can be done with both designs and libraries, saving time and effort.

Pulsonix is particularly suited to RF designs. To further enhance this functionality, users can now apply vias to tracks and copper for shielding, thermal or high-voltage applications. With various options in the tool, users can add inside the area, along a track, outside the area or outside of the track. Design Spacing rules or a rules override are provided as are additional via to via spacing rules. All vias can be automatically assigned to a net within this dialog thus ensuring full connectivity and design rules checking.

Many user-requested features have been created to enhance their productivity and speed of use from Pulsonix, tools such as the Nudge feature, to allow users to ‘nudge’ a component one or ten grid steps from its existing location. Next and Previous Styles, Next and Previous Grid and User Grid have also been added as has the ability to Change Style or Layer of Multiple selected items.

For the Interactive High Speed option, significant changes have been introduced to provide users with advanced editing capabilities. Interactive Bus routing has been added, this allows multiple tracks to be added and edited across the design. Auto-start and completion allows the start and ends of the bus to be fully routed. The new Rules Spreadsheet in Pulsonix 8.0 displays all constraint-based rules with selections for rule types, such as Differential Pairs for example. The spreadsheet is dynamic and colour-coded to show where rules are acceptable or have been violated. Differential Pairs have been enhanced to allow definition of their ‘pair’ gaps by side, layer and area. Further enhancement has introduced Broadside Coupled Differential Pairs allowing pairing between layers, this is in addition to the existing Edge Coupled option.

Summary:

• Footprint Rules
• Auto Footprint Tool
• 3D Package Editor – User-Defined Shapes
• Modeless Library Manager
• Drop designs onto the Library Manager
• Drop libraries onto the application to create a library
• Save Component To Library from the Design
• Apply Vias to Tracks and Copper
• Create Breakout Pattern on Footprints
• Nudge Feature
• Additional Wildcard string matching
• Next Style & Previous Style
• Next Grid & Previous Grid and User Grid
• Change Style or Layer of Multiple Items
• Changes to Interactive High Speed:
• Rules Spreadsheet
• Interactive Bus Routing
• Differential Pairs - Define Pair Gaps By Side/Layer/Area and Broadside Coupled Pairs

Pulsonix Overview

Introduced in 2001, Pulsonix EDA software has made its mark to set the standard for high-performance Schematic design capture, Simulation, PCB layout and autorouting. Developed by a dedicated in-house team, each release demonstrates how the fast-growing Pulsonix product is introducing key features to win new business and offer users flexible and highly compatible software that meets the demands of PCB design today.

Further Information

For further information please contact:

Bob Williams
Marketing Director
Westdev Ltd
T. +44 (0) 1684 296 551
E. bobw@pulsonix.com