Versions Compared

Key

  • This line was added.
  • This line was removed.
  • Formatting was changed.

...

The format of this guide will be very barebones as we want it to be a quick and absolute guide. Check out Altium Reference, Tips, Troubleshooting for friendlier refreshers on workflow, shortcuts, and more.

...

Where things go and how to name them

Info

Become familiar with our organization to ensure you put things in the right spot, allowing others to more easily find and reuse!

General Notes

  • All assets in the vault must have a name and be placed in a folder that is not the default/root

  • The more specific the folder/type the better

    • Don’t make new folders, but do make sure you aren’t picking a top level folder if there is a good match lower in the tree

  • Names should be generic if possible

    Generally
    • For example the TPS5V converter that comes in a few voltages could be named TPSXX so the symbol is sharable among all versions

Components

    • A footprint for a MOSFET that is a three pin TO-220 should just be labeled “TO-220-3” so it can be reused for other FETs and diodes, rather than a specific MPN

Components

Follows the Digikey product categories.

Since creation, Digikey has adjusted some categories. A vast majority however will still align.

Symbols

Organized by

...

Footprints

{}component category, with a few noteworthy omissions due to mergers. Passives for example contains the standard resistor and capacitor symbols and Mechanical contains heat sinks and mounting holes.

Footprints

Follows the Digikey product categories. Within categories, footprints are split by manufacturer for unique footprints. A large exception is made for semiconductors, as they all can share footprints. See the ICs, Semiconductors folder for these common footprints which are sorted by standards.

3D Models

Deprecated. We now embed 3D models directly into footprints.

Components

Requirements for component files. See X and X https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Symbols.1 and https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Footprints.1 for the symbols and footprints you embed!{}

Selection

Manufacturability

Components should be selected with ease of manufacturing/in-house assembly in mind, namely:

  • 0603 is the smallest chip size that is hand-solderable in bulk. 0402 and smaller is possible, but frustrating

  • ICs should use legged versions when available

Environment

Components should be automotive rated (AEC-Q) when available

Recommended Series

Component

Manufacturer

Series

Capacitors

Murata

GCM

Resistors

Panasonic

ERJ, ERA

Parameters

With the adoption of Altium Pro, our parameters are now enforced via templates. Please contact the Chief EE if a template is wrong or you have suggestions for parameters to add.

Expand
titleView all parameters we use below

Standard Parameters

All components have these

  • Min Operating Temperature (C)

  • Max Operating Temperature (C)

Most components have

  • Case/Package

Type-Based Parameters

Parameters that are applicable based on component type

The component template will mark some as required and some as recommended. Always fill in as much as possible (without extrapolations from the data directly provided)

Component Type

Parameters

Amplifiers

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

  • Amplifier Type

  • Number of Circuits

  • Output Type

Audio

None

Batteries

  • Mounting Type

  • Battery Type

BJTs

  • Vce Rating (V)

  • Transistor Type

  • Ic Rating (A)

  • Power Rating (W)

Capacitors

  • Capacitor Type

  • Voltage Rating (V)

  • Tolerance (%)

  • Value (F)

Chokes

  • Mounting Type

  • Number of Lines

  • Impedance @ Frequency

  • Inductance @ Frequency

  • Current Rating (A)

  • DC Resistance (Ohm)

  • Voltage Rating (V)

Clock & Timing

  • Frequency (Hz)

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

Comparators

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

  • Comparator Type

  • Number of Elements

Connectors

  • Mounting Type

  • Number of Contacts

  • Gender (Pin/Socket)

  • Orientation (Right/Vertical)

  • Voltage Rating (V)

  • Current Rating (A)

Crystals & Oscillators

  • Frequency (Hz)

  • ESR (Ohm)

  • Load Capacitance (F)

Custom

  • Mounting Type

Development Boards

None

Diodes

  • Forward Current (A)

  • Forward Voltage (V)

  • Reverse Voltage (V)

Embedded

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

  • Speed (Hz)

  • Memory Size

  • RAM Size

Fuses

  • Current Rating (A)

  • Voltage Rating (AC) (V)

  • Voltage Rating (DC) (V)

  • Breaking Capacity @ Rated Voltage (A)

Gate Drivers

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

Hardware

  • Hardware Size

Heat Sinks

  • Thermal Resistance @ Natural

  • Package Cooled

Inductors

  • Mounting Type

  • Tolerance (%)

  • Self Resonant Frequency (Hz)

  • Value (H)

  • Saturation Current (Isat) (A)

  • DC Resistance (Ohm)

Integrated Circuits

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

Interface

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

Isolators

  • Isolation Voltage Rating (V)

  • Number of Channels

  • Isolation Type

LED

  • Color

  • Forward Voltage (V)

  • Max Power Dissipation (W)

  • Forward Current (A)

Logic

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

  • Logic Type

  • Number of Circuits

Memory

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

  • Memory Format

  • Memory Size

  • Speed (Hz)

MOSFETs

  • Vds Rating (V)

  • Channel Type (N/P)

  • Ids Rating (A)

  • Power Rating (W)

  • Rds (Ohm)

Optoisolators

  • Isolation Voltage Rating (V)

  • Number of Channels

  • Forward Voltage (V)

PMIC

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

Potentiometers

  • Tolerance (%)

  • Power (W)

  • Voltage Rating (V)

  • Value (Ohm)

  • Movement Type

  • Travel

Power Supply

  • Max Input Voltage (V)

  • Min Input Voltage (V)

  • Power Rating (W)

  • Min/Fix Output Voltage (V)

  • Max Output Voltage (V)

Relays

  • Mounting Type

  • Contact Form

  • Contact Current Rating (A)

  • Contact Voltage Rating (V)

  • Coil Voltage (V)

  • Coil Current (A)

Resistors

  • Tolerance (%)

  • Power (W)

  • Voltage Rating (V)

  • Value (Ohm)

Sensors

  • Min Supply Voltage (V)

  • Max Supply Voltage (V)

  • Sensor Type

SSRs

  • Contact Form

  • Load Current Rating (A)

  • Load Voltage Rating (V)

  • Input/Forward Voltage (V)

Switches

  • Mounting Type

  • Voltage Rating (V)

  • Current Rating (A)

  • Throw Configuration

  • Movement Type

Test & Measurement

  • Mounting Type

Transformers

  • Mounting Type

  • Turns Ratio

  • Primary Inductance (H)

  • Primary Voltage (V)

  • Secondary Voltage (V)

TVS Diodes

  • Channels

  • Directionality

  • Reverse Standoff Voltage (V)

  • Breakdown Voltage (Min) (V)

  • Clamping Voltage (Max) (V)

  • Peak Pulse Current (A)

Voltage Regulator

  • Min Input Voltage (V)

  • Max Input Voltage (V)

  • Min/Fixed Output Voltage (V)

  • Max Output Voltage (V)

  • Output Current (A)

Shit Parameters

DO NOT ADD THESE. WE DON’T WANT THEM

  • Datasheets (these often go out of date, so we require pulling from online)

  • RoHS Compliant (not relevant)

  • Reach SVHC Compliant (not relevant)

  • Packaging (not relevant)

Note

When importing parameters, the above often are suggested. Make sure to uncheck them.

Symbols

{}

Footprints

{}

Schematics

...