The program allows users to use Altium Designer, an industry-grade schematic capture and layout tool with over 200,000 electronic components and design templates. Users can renew their licenses every six months. For example, because inductive and capacitive coupling in a PCB can cause crosstalk, it is critical to understand signal integrity concepts to route traces in an optimal way.Īltium Education provides free access to a license for those with a valid university email address. As the unit progresses, the topics become more advanced.īreakdown of the first unit of Altium Education, an introduction to PCB design.īy following the content in the units, the student can follow along in Altium Designer and learn basic PCB design concepts ranging from schematic capture to layout, routing, and basic signal integrity. A unit consists of a set of lectures in both video and text format to introduce students to a particular concept. Altium Education Consolidates PCB Design Training For StudentsĪ typical course in Altium Education is made up of smaller blocks known as units. Video tutorials walk students through the PCB design process. This involves placing components and electrical traces (pathways for current to flow) in a logical way on a substrate to ensure the circuit works properly while minimizing unwanted effects such as crosstalk.įinally, the board is sent for manufacturing. Altium Education is designed to help new or prospective designers build a solid understanding of these four steps, which is essential to building a functional and reliable PCB. Next, the schematic is turned into a printed circuit board through layout and routing. Second, they must create an electrical schematic to define all of the connections and components needed.

First, circuit designers must understand the functionality and purpose of the board. Overview of units in the Altium Education PCB design course.Īccording to Altium, Altium Education is a free collection of university courses, licenses, and software designed to help students access professional engineering education and tools online.ĭesigning a printed circuit board (PCB) can be a complex endeavor. Recently, Altium announced a new set of online learning modules called Altium Education targeting students and those new to the field of PCB design. These tools are packed with functionality and can be intimidating for a greenhorn PCB designer. There are a variety of computer-based tools to create PCBs from Cadence Allegro to Altium Designer.

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