Versions Compared

Old Version 6

changes.mady.by.user Matthew McCauley

Saved on

compared with

New Version Current

changes.mady.by.user Matthew McCauley

Saved on

Key

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

...

Component Creation Flow

Drawio
mVer2
simple0
zoom1
inCommentsimple0
pageIdinComment1462436800
custContentId163053917169607353
diagramDisplayNamepageIdComponentCreationFlow146243680
lbox1
diagramDisplayNameComponentFlow2.drawio
contentVer31
revision31
baseUrlhttps://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki
diagramNameComponentCreationFlowComponentFlow2.drawio
pCenter0
width7621322.0000000000005
links
tbstyle
height301
Drawio
mVer2
simple0
zoom1
inComment0
pageId146243680
custContentId169607353
diagramDisplayNameComponentFlow2.drawio
lbox1
contentVer1
revision1
baseUrlhttps://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki
diagramNameComponentFlow2.drawio
pCenter0
width1322.0000000000005
linkstbstyle
height492.00000000000017
Note

Most importantly, all three of these methods need to create components that follow the Vault Guidelines!

Creation via Clone

Cloning is used for components that have the same package and type (or otherwise just a notable enough amount of similarities) to existing components in the vault. For example resistors, where we may have hundreds 0603 resistors, but each has a different value, tolerance, and power rating (and more)!

This is arguably the easiest and fastest processes as it ideally only takes changing a few numeric values (no footprint work).

Drawio
mVer2
zoom1
simple0
inComment0
custContentId163053989
pageId146243680
lbox1
diagramDisplayNameClonedCompCreation.drawio
contentVer2
revision2
baseUrl492.00000000000017
Tip

Most importantly, any method that gets you to a Vault Guidelines compliant component, works!

1. Create from Template

Creating from a template allows for certain parameters and assets to be automatically added for you.

Info

Templates are made by us, so if anything seems odd, let an admin know and we can make edits!

Expand

  1. Open the “Components” panel. Location depends on your configuration, but often is in the right sidebar. If not open, you can open it via the “Panels” button in the bottom right

    Image Added

  2. Search for the component MPN you are trying to add

    1. This is a check to make sure we don’t already have it made!

      Image Added

  3. Select “Create component”

    Image Added

  4. Select the applicable category for your new component

    Image Added

  5. Hit OK!

  6. Your new component, using the corresponding template, will now open.

2. Enter MPN and Import Data

Simply entering the manufacturer part number and selecting the associated manufacturer can jumpstart your component creation by importing parameters!

The below expand features this process for a new resistor.

Expand

  1. Set the “Name” field to the manufacturer part number

    1. On popular distributors, such as Digikey, there is a dedicated field for MPN and a copy button

      Image Added

    2. Ensure you do not use the supplier part number

      Image Added

  2. Click the most accurate MPN/manufacturer to start the data import

    Image Added

    1. Note: If you just hit enter and not select a dropdown, no import will occur.

  3. Turn on “Show only matching with template” and disable all imports except of parameters

    Image Added

  4. Confirm the accuracy of parameters against the datasheet

    1. Disable any parameters that are incorrect

  5. Click “OK”

    1. You should now have some parameters filled in and a “Part Choice” should be filled in

      Image Added
Note

It is also possible to import a symbol and footprint from this step. Do not do this to start. We require first checking options A and B for each, before importing a symbol or footprint from here. See those sections for more info and then come back to this if an import is needed.

3. Fill in Parameters

Fill in the remaining parameters, if possible, from the datasheet

Not all parameters are required. All are recommended, but only the exclamation marked ones are required

...

4. Symbol

As shown in the flowchart, there are a few different ways to assign a symbol. Each lettered section is a different method, with the first being the simplest, and the last being the most comprehensive.

a. Default Symbol

Templates with common symbols, such as capacitors, resistors, and inductors, have a symbol automatically associated upon creating the component!

...

If this symbol is accurate to your component, you’re already done!

Note

Some parts rated for higher power may have multiple electrically equivalent pins (a capacitor with 4 pins for example). Do not change the symbol for this. We address this with the footprint process.

b. Symbol Exists in Vault

Some components are semi-communized. For example, transformers which are often 1:1 but may be 1:1:1, both of which we have symbols for already. Another example is simple ICs, such as a 3 pin linear regulator (Vin, Vout, GND).

In any of these situations, it is always best to do a quick check of the vault for any symbol that may suit your part. For this approach I will demonstrate using the AP2120N-3.3TRG1 linear regulator.

Expand

  1. We start with previous steps completed and no symbol applied

    Image Added

  2. Select the dropdown under “Add Symbol” and select “Existing…”

    Image Added

  3. An explorer window will open from which you can search for a symbol

    Image Added

    1. All symbols are found in a dedicated folder within “Managed Content”

    2. It is recommend to search in the path that matches (roughly) the type of component you are making. In this case, “Integrated Circuits (ICs)” > “PMIC - Linear Regulators”

  4. Clicking on symbol names will open a preview of the symbol. If a symbol looks good, hit “OK”!

    Image Added

  5. Done!

    Image Added
Note

In this example you can see that the pin numbers do not align to the datasheet. This mismatch will be addressed in the footprint stage with https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/146243680/Component+Creation#Pin-Swapping.

c. Importing a Symbol from Online

Often times a symbol is available for download either from the manufacturer directly or a 3rd party, which can save a lot of time for larger components.

Given how non-standardized symbols are, it oftentimes is faster to make it yourself, but use your own past experiences and judgment to decide when you should or shouldn’t import!

For this demonstration, the NCV57001DWR2G isolated gate driver will be used.

Expand

  1. Find a model. See https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/158073007/Altium+Reference#EDA-(Footprint-Sources) for places to look. In this case I found a download on the manufacturer’s website

    Image Added

  2. Download the model. This often requires making a free account with whatever website is hosting the files. Depending on the website, you may also need to specify your software, which for us is Altium Designer.

    Image Added

  3. Open the schematic library file. Sometimes they may provide an “Integrated” library. Either work fine.

    Image Added

  4. Confirm the symbol is usable. In this case, there are some fixes needed, but overall it looks good.

    Image Added

  5. Create a blank symbol from your component by using the dropdown and selecting “New”

    Image Added

  6. Open properties and update the Designator and Name per https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Symbols.1

    Image AddedImage Added

  7. Return to the downloaded symbol. Use Ctrl + A to select all and Ctrl + C to copy

    Image Added

  8. Paste into the new symbol file

  9. This is a good time to make any fixes to make this compliant to https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Symbols.1. In this case no changes are needed, but sometimes pin types, color, or names may need updating.

  10. Save (Ctrl + S) and close the symbol file.

    Image Added

  11. You should now see on the component your new component, including updated name!

    Image Added

    1. The name and designator letter are great spot checks to make sure you didn’t forget the properties!

  12. Open the menu to the top right of the symbol preview and click “Select Target Folder…”

    Image Added

  13. Select where to store this symbol (within a subfolder of the Symbols folder) and click “OK”. In this case, “PMIC - Gate Driver” is the most accurate folder

    Image Added

  14. Done! Your symbol will now show its full name and destination for saving

    Image Added

During https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/146243680/Component+Creation#2.-Enter-MPN-and-Import-Data you may be able to import a symbol along side the parameters. If you choose to do so, you must follow the above directions.

d. Creating a Symbol from Scratch

Sometimes a symbol just isn’t available anywhere. Or a component is made custom by us. Or quite simply, the symbol is simple enough it just makes more sense to make the symbol from scratch.

For this demonstration, the NCV57001DWR2G isolated gate driver will be used.

Expand

  1. Prepare yourself by finding the component pinout within the datasheet.

    Image Added

    1. This is usually within the first few pages, sometimes (like this one) are even on the first page!

  2. Under the “Add Symbol” dropdown, click “New”

    Image Added

  3. With nothing selected (click blank space), open the Properties panel

  4. Set your properties. Primarily Designator and Name

    Image Added

  5. Right click the line icon to open the shapes menu and select the rectangle tool

    Image Added

  6. Make an initial box for the symbol. Requirements for color pallet and pin spacing are here: https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki

...

Read the dropdown for step-by-step:

Expand
titleDetailed process

Let’s say for I found a new chip resistor I’d like to use, the Panasonic ERJ-3BQF1R0V. This is a chip resistor, so I know we will have a component to clone.

For resistors and capacitors, we have special components to

Creation via Import/Download

Downloading and importing a component is the best way to bring in a new footprint, when the option is available. Not all components will have a footprint online to download, but when it exists it does save a lot of manual design. This process is for all components with footprints that we haven’t vaulted yet, but can be found online.

The most common sources of footprints online are:

...

SnapEDA

...

UltraLibrarian (Digikey)

...

SamacSys (Mouser)

...

  1. /spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Symbol-Layout

    Image Added

  2. Select the pin tool from the toolbar

    Image Added

  3. Press tab while the tool is running to set the pin number (designator) and name. These are based on the datasheet

    Image Added

    1. You may additionally want to adjust the pin length (in increments of 100mils), confirm the type is set to passive, and decide to hide or show pin names and numbers

  4. Click the pause button to resume placement of the pin

    Image Added

  5. Orient and place the pin using standard controls (X and Y to mirror, space to rotate, left click to place, etc)

    Image Added

    1. Note that the crosshairs while placing are where wires connect, not where the pin should connect to the box (name text should be in the yellow box, not outside)

  6. Repeat #8-10 to populate all pins

    1. The tool will automatically increment the pin number for more rapid placement!

      Image Added

  7. Once all placed you may need to adjust your pin placement and block size. This is done via standard clicking and dragging

    Image AddedImage Added

  8. Save (Ctrl + S) and close the symbol file.

    Image Added

  9. You should now see on the component your new component, including updated name!

    Image Added

    1. The name and designator letter are great spot checks to make sure you didn’t forget the properties!

  10. Open the menu to the top right of the symbol preview and click “Select Target Folder…”

    Image Added

  11. Select where to store this symbol (within a subfolder of the Symbols folder) and click “OK”. In this case, “PMIC - Gate Driver” is the most accurate folder

    Image Added

  12. Done! Your symbol will now show its full name and destination for saving

    Image Added

5. Footprint

As shown in the flowchart, there are a few different ways to assign a symbol. Each lettered section is a different method, with the first being the simplest, and the last being the most comprehensive.

a. Default Footprint

This currently isn’t a thing for any of our templates. But it could be! If so, just evaluate if the auto-populated footprint is accurate to your datasheet (similar to symbol approach a).

b. Footprint Exists in Vault

It is always best to use an existing footprint. This allows for more rapid validation of components as our vault becomes more mature; if any component using shared footprint has a fabrication issue, this can be proactively resolved across all components using it!

For this approach I will demonstrate using the resistor and the AP2120N-3.3TRG1 linear regulator.

Expand

  1. Select the dropdown under “Add Footprint” and select “Existing…”

    Image Added

  2. An explorer window will open from which you can search for a footprint

    Image Added

    1. All footprints are found in a dedicated folder within “Managed Content”

    2. It is recommend to search in the path that matches (roughly) the type of component you are making. In this case, “Resistors”

    3. For the ICs, such as AP2120N-3.3TRG1, footprints are sorted into package categories. For this linear regulator, it is a SOT-23, so we look in the SOT folder to find an existing footprint

  3. Clicking on symbol names will open a preview of the footprint. If a footprint looks good, hit “OK”!

    Image Added

  4. If the pins line up with the symbol, you’re done! If not, continue to step 5

    Image Added

    1. In the case of the linear regulator, the pin numbers do not line up so we need to go to step 5!

      Image Added

  5. If your symbol and footprint numbers don’t align, click the “Pin Swapping” button

    Image Added

  6. Update the footprint column to determine which footprint pin should be attached to each symbol pin

    Image Added

  7. If successful, the footprint will now show it has a custom mapping!

    Image Added
Info

Read more about pin swapping here: https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/146243680/Component+Creation#Pin-Swapping.

c. Importing a Footprint from Online

Often times a footprint is available for download either from the manufacturer directly or a 3rd party, which can save a lot of time for larger components. Just always remember to update the footprint to https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Footprints.1 and to verify dimensions against the datasheet!

For this demonstration, the NCV57001DWR2G isolated gate driver will be used.

Expand

  1. Find a model. See https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/158073007/Altium+Reference#EDA-(Footprint-Sources) for

...

This method allows for some time savings by avoiding the detailed drawing and dimension work, but still requires definition of the parameters and realignment of the footprint to NER standards.

...

  1. places to look. In this case I found a download on the manufacturer’s website

    Image Added

  2. Download the model. This often requires making a free account with whatever website is hosting the files. Depending on the website, you may also need to specify your software, which for us is Altium Designer.

    Image Added

  3. Open the footprint library file. Sometimes they may provide an “Integrated” library. Either work fine.

    Image Added

  4. Confirm the footprint is usable. You may need to navigate to “PCB Library” and then select the footprint name to open the footprint.

    Image Added

  5. Create a blank footprint from your component by using the dropdown and selecting “New”

    Image Added

  6. Open the properties panel, open the “Footprint” tab, and update the Designator and Name per https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Vault-Organization

    Image Added

  7. Confirm in the View Setup panel that the standard layers have been setup per https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Layer-Pair-Setup. If your templates are set properly this will happen automatically.

    Image Added

  8. Return to the downloaded footprint. Use Ctrl + A to select all and then Ctrl + C to start a copy, then left click on the origin to set your copy reference point.

    Image Added

  9. Paste into the new footprint file using Ctrl + V to start pasting and click on the origin to confirm placement.

  10. Walk through each layer to confirm contents are in the correct layer and to make any necessary line width and placement adjustments

    1. Use single layer mode to simplify viewing layer by layer (Shift + S)

      Image Added

    2. Additionally, if any contents need to switch layers, select those elements and then use the properties panel to change their layer without having to copy/paste

      Image Added

  11. If your footprint does not include a 3D model, but the download does, add this now to the “Top Assembly” layer

    1. Start by opening the import window

      Image Added

    2. Navigate to your 3D model. In this case there was a separate folder in the download called “3D”

      Image Added

    3. Left click to place the model and then right click or escape to cancel placing more

      Image Added

    4. Manipulate the location as needed to get into place. Confirm it is in alignment in both 2D and 3D mode

      Image Added

  12. Make any final additions to reach full compliance to https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki

...

Read the dropdown for step-by-step:

Expand
titleDetailed process

Let’s say for example I need a new

Creation from Datasheet/Scratch/Custom

Creation from scratch is the most annoying, but comprehensive method for creating a component footprint. This is typically used for components that don’t have data available online or components that NER has created custom.

As said above, this is the most tedious but thorough method of component creation.

...

  1. /spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Footprints.1. This may include adding pin 1 designator, adjusting pad shape, etc.

  2. Save (Ctrl + S) and close the footprint file.

    Image Added

  3. You should now see on the component your new component, including updated name!

    Image Added

    1. The name and 3D preview are good spot checks to make sure you didn’t forget major aspects

  4. Open the menu to the top right of the footprint preview and click “Select Target Folder…”

    Image Added

  5. Select where to store this footprint (within a subfolder of the Footprints folder) and click “OK”. For all common semiconductor devices, this is within the “ICs, Semiconductors” folder. In this case, “SOIC” is most fitting.

    Image Added

  6. Done! Your footprint will now show its full name and destination for saving

    Image Added

During https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/146243680/Component+Creation#2.-Enter-MPN-and-Import-Data you may be able to import a footprint along side the parameters. If you choose to do so, you must follow the above directions.

d. Creating a Footprint from Scratch

Sometimes a footprint just isn’t available anywhere. Or a component is made custom by us. Or quite simply, the footprint is simple enough that it’s faster from scratch.

For this demonstration, the ACS758KCB-150B-PFF-T high current sensor will be used.

Expand

  1. Prepare yourself by finding the component drawing within the datasheet.

    1. This is usually within the last few pages

    2. Ideally, it has a recommended PCB layout!

      Image Added

  2. Create a blank footprint from your component by using the dropdown and selecting “New”

    Image Added

  3. Open the properties panel, open the “Footprint” tab, and update the Designator and Name per https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Vault-Organization

    Image Added

  4. Confirm in the View Setup panel that the standard layers have been setup per https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Layer-Pair-Setup. If your templates are set properly this will happen automatically.

    Image Added

  5. Start with pad placement

    1. Open the pad tool

      Image Added

    2. Hit Tab to pause placement and open properties

    3. Update your designator (pin number), pad size, and hole size as needed

      Image Added

    4. Place pads where needed. Adjust your grid size or utilize properties to enter coordinates

      Image Added

    5. Repeat as needed for each pad shape/size

      Image Added

      1. I highly recommend matching your footprint origin to the origin in the datasheet for easier dimension entering and comparison!

        Image Added

  6. Add anything else required by the datasheet. In this case, stitching vias and a pad shape modification

    Image Added

  7. Add your 3D model

    1. Open the 3D model tool

      Image Added

    2. Select your file and click “OK”

      Image Added

    3. Adjust as needed to align the model to the pads. Confirm it is in alignment in both 2D and 3D mode

      Image Added

  8. Define a component outline

    1. Open the line or rectangle tool

      Image Added

    2. Draw a shape matching the component body using the datasheet

      Image Added

      1. Sometimes, it is possible to just trace the boundary of the 3D model to form the component outline. This was not the case here.

  9. Add a courtyard

    1. Use the line or rectangle tool

      Image Added

    2. Add a courtyard defining the clearance required to the component, per https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Courtyard

      Image Added

  10. Add a component center

    1. Set the origin to the center using “Edit” > “Set Reference” > “Center”

      Image Added

    2. Select the line tool

      Image Added

    3. Draw a symmetric plus marking the center, per https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Component-Center

      Image Added

  11. Add silkscreen to the “Overlay” layer. This should include any markings useful for assembly, such as a pin 1 designator, alignment markings, etc

    Image Added

  12. Make any final additions to reach full compliance to https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki

...

Read the dropdown for step-by-step:

Expand
titleDetailed process
{details}

  1. /spaces/NER/pages/118718470/Vault+Guidelines#Footprints.1.

  2. Save (Ctrl + S) and close the footprint file.

    Image Added

  3. You should now see on the component your new component, including updated name!

    Image Added

    1. The name and 3D preview are good spot checks to make sure you didn’t forget major aspects

  4. Open the menu to the top right of the footprint preview and click “Select Target Folder…”

    Image Added

  5. Select where to store this footprint (within a subfolder of the Footprints folder) and click “OK”. For all common semiconductor devices, this is within the “ICs, Semiconductors” folder.

    Image Added

  6. Done! Your footprint will now show its full name and destination for saving

    Image Added

6. Add SPNs

When an MPN is selected and is in the Altium database, an SPN will automatically be associated.

...

However, sometimes an MPN is not in the database, or there may be multiple variations on an MPN.

For example, for our resistors from Panasonics and connectors from Molex which have dashes in their part numbers (ERA-8AEB4993V) will sometimes yield different SPNs for when typed with or without.

More MPNs/SPNs can be added via:

  1. Under “Part Choices” click “Add…”

    Image Added

  2. By default, results will appear for the current part MPN, however click on the search bar to enter any other MPN or SPN

    Image Added

  3. Select the matching option, and click “OK”

    Image Added

7. Mark as Ready to Review

Once finished, the component must be marked as ready for a Head EE to review!

  1. Open the Component panel and search for your part number

    Image Added

  2. Right click and access “Operations” > “Change State…”

    Image Added

  3. Ensure your “Next State” is set to “Promote 2 To Pending Review”. By default, this should be the case.

    Image Added

  4. Click Process!

  5. Click yes (no need for a comment on this one)

    Image Added

  6. Done! Your part should now have an orange state indicator

    Image Added

Appendix

Pin Swapping

Pin swapping is a feature that Altium recently added allowing for symbols and footprints to be manually remapped on a per-component basis. This allows for more components to use fewer symbols and footprints!

The process is pretty simple, just click the pin swap button in the component edit view. Then use the table to remap.

{2 images, first showing the button, second showing the table}

...

  1. Click the “Pin Swapping” button

    Image Added

  2. Update the footprint column to determine which footprint pin should be attached to each symbol pin

    Image Added

  3. If successful, the footprint will now show it has a custom mapping!

    Image Added

If you have multiple footprints (for example a MOSFET that has a straight and 90 degree option), there will be multiple columns, each correlating to a footprint that can be independently configured

Tip

If you have multiple footprint pads intended for a single schematic pin, you can use commas to specify multiple!

Official Altium documentation: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/single-component-editing#!edit_pin_mapping

RETURN TO HOME PAGE: Altium Designer