PCB Tech - Set engineering options and check schematics of PCB design

Set project options for PCB design entry, project options include: error checking parameters Error Reporting, a Connectivity matrix Matrix, Class Generator, the Comparator setup, ECO generationGeneration, output paths and netlist optionsOptions (output paths and netlists), Multi-Channel naming Formats, Default Print setups, Search Paths, and any engineering elements that the user wants to make. When compiling the project, Altium Designer will use these settings.

When compiling a project, electrical integrity rules will be used to correct the design. When there are no errors, the recompiled schematic design will be loaded into the object file. For example, by generating ECOs to generate PCB files. The project allows to compare the differences between the source file and the target file, and update the two files simultaneously.

All project-related operations can be set in the Options (Project>>Project Options) of the Project dialog box, such as error checking, file comparison, and ECO generation. Please refer to Figure 6-9 for details.

Project output, such as assembly output and report can be set in the File menu option. Users can also set Job options in the Job Options file (File>>New>>Output Job File).

Select Project>>Project Options, and the option dialog box of a certain project will open. In this dialog box, you can set any project-related options. The figure shows how to change the reporting method of each item in Error Reporting.

The schematic diagram in Altium Designer is not just a simple diagram, it includes the electrical connection information of the circuit. Users can use this connection information to correct their designs. When compiling the project, Altium Designer will check for errors according to the rules set by the user in all dialog boxes.

1. Set up Error Reporting

Error Reporting is used to set up design draft checking. Report Mode sets the error level prompted by the current option. The levels are divided into No Report, Warning, Error, Fatal Error, click the drop-down box to select, as shown in the figure above.

2. Set up Connection Matrix

The Connection Matrix interface displays the electrical connections that need to be set when running the error report. For example, the connection between each pin can be set to four allowable types. The matrix shown in the figure gives a graphical depiction of different types of connection points in a schematic diagram, and shows whether the connection between them is set to allow.

In the matrix chart shown in the figure below, first find the Output Pin, and find the Open Collector Pin column in the Output Pin row. The small squares intersecting the rows and columns are orange, which means that the Output Pin is connected to the Open Collector Pin when compiling the project. It will be the condition that produces the error.

Users can set any type of error level according to their own requirements, from no report to fatal error. Right-click to control the entire matrix through menu options.

Change the settings of the Connection Matrix Click the Connection Matrix interface and click the intersection of the two connection types, such as the intersection of Output Sheet Entry and Open Collector Pin. Click until you change the error level.

3. Set up the Comparator

The Comparator interface is used to set whether the differences between files are reported or ignored when the project is compiled. When choosing, please pay attention to the selection, do not select the adjacent option, for example, do not select Extra Component Classes as Extra Component.

Click on the comparator interface and find the Changed Room Definitions, Extra Room Definitions and Extra Component Classes options in the Asscoiated with Component section.

Set the method of the above options to Ignore Differences through the drop-down menu, as shown in the figure above. Now the user can start to compile the project and check all errors.

4. Compile the project

Compiling the project can check the design sketches and electrical rules in the design file for errors, and provide users with an environment to eliminate errors. We have set the Error Checking and Connection Matrix options in the Project dialog.

To compile the multi-frequency oscillator project, just select Project>>Compile PCB Project.

When the project is compiled, any errors will be displayed on Messages, click Messages to view the errors (View>>Workspace Panels>>System>>Messages). After the project has been compiled, the file will be listed in the Navigator along with the browsable flattened hierarchy, components, network table and connection model in the Navigator panel.

If the circuit design is completely correct, no errors will be displayed in Messages. If there is an error in the report, you need to check the circuit and correct it to ensure that all connections are correct.

Now deliberately introduce an error into the circuit, and compile the project again. Click to activate Multivibrator.SchDoc at the top of the design window. Select the line between R1 and the B pole of Q1, and click the DELETE button to delete this line. Compile the project again (Project>>Compile PCB Project) to check for errors.

A warning message is displayed in Messages, prompting the user that there are unconnected pins in the circuit. If the Messages window does not pop up, select View>>Workspace Panels>>System>>Messages. Double-click the error or warning in Messages, the compilation error window will display the detailed information of the error. From this window, the user can click on the error to jump directly to the corresponding position in the schematic diagram to check or correct the error.

The following will correct the errors in the schematic diagram described above

Click to activate Multivibrator.SchDoc.

Select Edit>>Undo in the menu, or use the shortcut key Ctrl+Z, and the deleted line will be restored to its original state. Check whether the Undo operation is successful, and recompile the project (Project>>Compile PCB Project) to check the error. At this time, no errors will be displayed in Messages. Select View>>Fit All Objects in the menu, or use the shortcut keys V, F to restore the schematic preview and save the schematic without errors. Save the project file.

Now that the design has been completed and the schematic has been checked, it is time to create the PCB.