The Altium 365 Vault is where we store all component symbols and footprints used by the team. We have setup guidelines to ensure that all final PCBs have a unified and methodical layer system.
PCBs that do not follow guidelines and/or use components that do not follow guidelines, may not be release for production until guidelines are met
Currently our guidelines are still in Google Drive:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13rCH1tBSz3NyCegoOYPSKu8j9mVnG4yOIUQt0YfzSxA/editAdditionally, the #Standards folder contains the custom NERvetica font and a pre-populated DRC file.
Welcome to the Official NER Vault Guidelines! This is the comprehensive guide on requirements for everything in Altium at NER.
The format of this guide will be very barebones as we want it to be a quick and absolute guide. Check out Altium Reference for friendlier refreshers on workflow, shortcuts, and more.
These guidelines assume you know the Altium basics and are intended to be a reference for all engineers at NER. If you need to get started with Altium check out Altium Designer!
CONTENTS
Vault Organization
Where things go and how to name them
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
For example the TPS5V converter that comes in a few voltages could be named TPSXX so the symbol is sharable among all versions
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 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 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.
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)
When importing parameters, the above often are suggested. Make sure to uncheck them.
Symbols
{}
Footprints
{}
Schematics
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Annotations
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Notes
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Using reference numbers
Using color coding
General Style
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Net label recommendations
Intersections of wires
When to wire vs netlabel
Layout
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