Altium Designer 6 Learning Guides

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What's New in Altium Designer?

AR0146 What's New in Altium Designer 6.9
Altium Designer 6.9 brings significant refinements to 3D PCB Visualization combined with a number of smaller enhancements and improved system-wide support for existing technologies. Many of these improvements are based on feedback directly from you, the engineers and designers developing designs in Altium Designer.
Version 1.0
March 6, 2008
1010kB
AR0143 Whats New in Altium Designer 6.8
Altium Designer 6.8 continues to improve your productivity, Altium Designer 6.8 brings a new DxDesigner Importer as well as Interactive Length Tuning for Differential Pairs. Numerous other new and enhanced features facilitate making your design process more effective than ever.
Version 1.0
November 14, 2007
3959kB
AR0142 Whats New in Altium Designer 6.7
Altium Designer 6.7 continues to improve your productivity delivering features for high-speed design such as Interactive Length Tuning and PCB Layer Tabs. New library tools and a variety of new capabilities strengthen Altium Designer as a unified electronic product development solution.
Version 1.0
March 15, 2007
1036kB
AR0140 Whats New in Altium Designer 6.6
Altium Designer 6.6 brings significant refinements to Variants combined with a number of smaller enhancements and improved system-wide support for existing technologies. Many of these improvements are based on feedback directly from you, the engineers and designers developing designs in Altium Designer.
Version 1.0
November 07, 2006
680 KB
AR0138 Whats New in Altium Designer 6.3
Altium is pleased to announce the release of Altium Designer 6.3. This is the third software update to Altium Designer 6 - the world's first unified electronic product development system that brings together hardware, programmable hardware and software design within a single environment. Altium Designer 6.3 addresses over 100 outstanding issues and provides significantly enhanced platform stability.

Version 1.0
June 20, 2006
1357kB
AR0135 Fasten your seatbelts and check out what’s new in Altium Designer 6.0
Altium Designer 6.0 brings a host of new and enhanced features to improve PCB and FPGA design productivity. This release includes a mix of major new features and technologies, combined with numerous smaller enhancements. Many of the enhancements are based on feedback from you, the engineers and designers developing electronic products in Altium Designer.

Version 1.1
February 1, 2006
5135kB
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The Altium Designer environment

AR0137 An Introduction to Altium Designer
If you are ready to get productive with Altium Designer, then this is the right place to start. Read on to learn how and where to find the answers to your design questions, and how to get the most out of the vast pool of knowledge available for and within Altium Designer.
Version 1.2
February 11, 2008
31kB
GU0112 Welcome to the Altium Designer Environment
Altium Designer brings a complete electronic product development environment to your PC’s Desktop, providing multi-document editing and full customization of the design workspace. This guide provides an introduction to Altium Designer and an overview of its unique, singular design environment.
Version 2.3
January 21, 2008
2298kB
AP0109 Schematic Editing Essentials
This application note looks at the placement and editing of schematic objects in Altium Designer.
Version 2.2
October 3, 2007
529kB
AP0129 Project Essentials
The basis of every design captured in Altium Designer is the project. This application note outlines the different kinds of projects, techniques for working on projects and how to use the Projects panel effectively.
Version 1.2
May 25, 2007
255kB
TU0116 Getting Started with FPGA Design
This tutorial gives an overview of how to create an FPGA design. It outlines how to create a schematic and then compile, synthesize, build and program the Xilinx Spartan IIE chip on the daughterboard of the Altium NanoBoard. We will also look briefly at the use of sub sheets and VHDL files in an FPGA design.
Version 1.6
April 12, 2007
384kB
AP0140 Understanding Design Annotation
This application note explores the process of annotation in Altium Designer – from understanding positional annotation, maintaining design synchronization, and driving annotation commands in the individual editors, to in-depth coverage of annotating a multi-channel design.
Version 2.1
January 25, 2008
1459kB
TU0117 Getting Started with PCB Design
This introductory tutorial is designed to give you an overview of how to create a schematic, update the design information to a PCB and generate manufacturing output files. It also investigates the concept of projects and integrated libraries and provides a summary of the 3D PCB environment and creating 3D bodies for component footprints.
Version 2.0
February 12, 2008
1462kB
TU0112 Getting Started with Embedded Software
This tutorial shows how to create an embedded software project with Altium Designer.
Version 1.5
March 12, 2007
207kB
AR0101 An Overview of Electronic Product Development in Altium Designer
This article describes the entire development cycle for a product using an embedded system on an FPGA, from the Engineer’s perspective.
Version 1.4
February 11, 2008
235kB
AP0130 Moving to Altium Designer From P-CAD
This application note highlights the key differences you need to be aware of when moving from P-CAD to Altium Designer. It will help you ramp up your productivity and quickly take advantage of this powerful and flexible electronic product development environment.
Version 2.8
February 11, 2008
887kB
GU0121 P-CAD to Altium Designer Terminology Guide
This is a high-level roadmap to guide you in understanding how P-CAD terminology translates and can be found in Altium Designer. High-level points of interest or difference are noted where appropriate. Resources for additional reading in the Altium Designer Knowledge Center to further your understanding of this new design environment are also given.
Version 1.1
October 31, 2006
78kB
AP0132 Moving to Altium Designer From OrCAD
This application note highlights the key differences you need to be aware of when moving from OrCAD® to Altium Designer. It will help you ramp up your productivity and quickly take advantage of this powerful and flexible electronic product development environment.

Version 2.1
February 11, 2008
796kB
AR0115 Moving to Altium Designer from Protel 99 SE
This article outlines the process you go through to transfer a Protel 99 SE design into the Altium Designer environment.
Version 1.3
November 29, 2005
175kB
AP0150 Moving to Altium Designer from PADS Layout® and OrCAD® capture
This application note highlights the key conceptual differences you need to be aware of when moving from PADS® to Altium Designer. It identifies equivalent functionality, where to find it, and how to get started – helping you ramp up your productivity and quickly take advantage of this powerful and flexible electronic product development environment.

Version 1.4
February 11, 2008
2128kB
AP0153 Moving to Altium Designer from PADS Logic and PADS Layout
This application note highlights the key conceptual differences you need to be aware of when moving from PADS® to Altium Designer. It identifies equivalent functionality, where to find it, and how to get started – helping you ramp up your productivity and quickly take advantage of this powerful and flexible electronic product development environment.
Version 1.2
January 7, 2008
2314kB
AP0157 Moving to Altium Designer from Mentor Graphics DxDesigner
This application note highlights the key conceptual differences you need to be aware of when moving from Mentor Graphics DxDesigner to Altium Designer. It identifies equivalent functionality, where to find it, and how to get started – helping you ramp up your productivity and quickly take advantage of this powerful and flexible electronic product development environment.
Version 1.1
November 9, 2007
2164kB
GU0103 License Service Setup Guide
This guide gives an overview of installing and setting up an Altium Designer Network License configuration.
Version 2.3
August 3, 2007
1063kB
AP0128 Managing Design Variation with Variants
This application note provides detailed information with respect to assembly variants, including their definition and generation of relevant output.
Version 1.0
October 16, 2006
1620kB
TU0114 Working with a Version Control System
This tutorial looks at how you can use Altium Designer’s built-in version control capabilities to check project files in to and out of your company’s version control repository.
Version 2.3
July 24, 2007
420kB
TU0115 Editing Multiple Objects
This document describes various techniques for applying edits globally to multiple objects in your design. It covers using the Find Similar Objects dialog and Inspector panel combination, as well as the Parameter Manager and the Model Manager. Finally, it introduces queries and the List panel, a powerful technique for finding and editing design objects.
Version 2.5
January 18, 2008
1056kB
AR0109 Introduction to the Query Language
Underlying Altium Designer’s schematic and PCB editors is a powerful query engine. By entering queries into this engine you can filter down to find and edit precisely those objects you require.
Version 1.2
November 28, 2005
172kB
AR0129 An Insiders Guide to the Query Language
This article has been provided to de-mystify what queries are, how and why they are used, and to provide insights into how these queries can be executed. An appendix includes useful query examples.
Version 1.6
March 01, 2006
276kB
TR0104 Altium Designer Panels Reference
This comprehensive reference includes information for all workspace panels that can be accessed within the Altium Designer environment, in terms of their function, content and use, as well as any specific notes to be aware of when using them as part of the design process.
Version 2.8
February 11, 2008
11137kB
GU0104 Shortcut Keys
This guide provides a list of shortcut keys available for use within Altium Designer, ranging from those used at the environment level, through to those associated with particular document editors.
Version 1.9
February 11, 2008
220kB
TR0142 Project Compiler Error Reference
This comprehensive reference describes each of the possible electrical and drafting violations that can exist in source documents when compiling a project.
Version 1.1
November 3, 2007
514kB
GU0121 P-CAD to Altium Designer Terminology Guide
This is a high-level roadmap to guide you in understanding how P-CAD terminology translates and can be found in Altium Designer. High-level points of interest or difference are noted where appropriate. Resources for additional reading in the Altium Designer Knowledge Center to further your understanding of this new design environment are also given.

Version 1.1
October 31, 2006
78kB
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Design Capture

AR0123 Connectivity and Multi-Sheet Design
This article discusses the structural and connective considerations involved in multi-sheet design, then describes the different browsing tools that let you verify net connectivity across source documents.
Version 1.5
October 31, 2007
896kB
AP0160 Using Device Sheets
Device Sheets simplify the design process by providing modularized and consistent building blocks which can be re-used between projects. Device Sheet Symbols are placed and referenced similarly to components. They function in the same way as Sheet Symbols and Schematic Documents but are not explicitly added to projects.
Version 1.1
January 23, 2008
720kB
AR0112 Multi-Channel Design Concepts
This article introduces the true multi-channel design functionality available in Altium Designer. It discusses handling of common and distributed nets among channels, naming conventions, and PCB rooms and classes for each channel.
Version 1.4
October 3, 2007
93kB
AR0145 Using Signal Harnesses
The Schematic Editor has been enhanced to include the new concept of Signal Harnesses. Signal Harnesses enable the logical grouping of different signals including buses and wires, for increased flexibility and streamlined design.
Version 1.0
January 18, 2008
610kB
TU0112 Creating a Multi-channel Design
This tutorial shows how to create a multi-channel design in the Schematic Editor, including the use of sub-sheets, sheet symbols and the Repeat keyword. Setting room and designator formats and viewing the channel designator assignments are also covered.
Version 1.4
September 11, 2007
170kB
AP0151 Using Design Directives in a Schematic Document
This document looks at the collection of schematic design objects referred to as ‘Design Directives’ and explores how their use can aid your design. A directive is essentially an instruction to the Software, through which a desired result can be obtained.
Version 1.1
April 4, 2007
666kB
TU0104 Generating a Custom Bill of Materials
This tutorial describes using the Report Manager to set up a Bill of Materials (BOM) report in the Schematic Editor. Manipulating data and columns and exporting to an Excel template are also covered.
Version 2.1
October 06, 2006
485kB
OG0100 Smart PDF
Smart PDF can generate a single PDF documenting the entire project, including all the schematics and the PCB. PDF bookmarks are created for each net and each component in the design.
Version 1.0
November 3, 2005
344kB
OG0107 VHDL Netlist Output Options
VHDL output options are set up in the VHDL Generation Settings dialog.
Version 1.0
November 3, 2005
48kB
OG0108 Xspice Netlist Output Options
XSpice output options are set up in the Analyses Setup dialog.
Version 1.0
November 3, 2005
98kB
TR0110 Query Language Reference
This reference manual describes the Query Language used in Altium Designer.
Version 1.5
December 1, 2006
1327kB
TR0111 Schematic Editor and Object Reference
This comprehensive reference provides information on the Schematic Editor and the various objects that can be used in order to capture your design.
Version 1.6
November 9, 2007
3444kB
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Design Verification

AR0136 Verifying Your Design in Altium Designer
A discussion of everything that the designer has to do to be confident that their design is ready for PCB Layout, from the kinds of problems that are common, why they happen, and strategies to assist with building the product right.
Version 1.0
December 16, 2005
519kB
TU0106 Defining & running Circuit Simulation analyses
This tutorial looks at creating a schematic of an analog filter design that is set up for circuit simulation. It covers setting up and running some analyses on a schematic and viewing the results in the Waveform Analyzer.
Version 1.4
January 23, 2006
632kB
AP0106 Working with the Sim Data Editor
This application note provides detailed information on displaying and managing waveforms, created as a result of performing simulation or signal integrity analysis of your circuit design.
Version 2.0
June 09, 2006
1050kB
TR0117 Digital SimCode Reference
This comprehensive reference describes the Digital SimCode language – used to specify simulation models for digital devices. The reference includes in-depth descriptions for each of the constituent functions for the language.
Version 1.2
June 09, 2006
390kB
TR0113 Simulation Models and Analyses Reference
This comprehensive reference describes the simulation models and types of analyses available using Altium Designer’s Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulator.
Version 1.5
August 28, 2006
3202kB
AR0127 Putting Signal Integrity in its Place
This article describes what is required to address possible signal integrity issues that may arise in a design.
Version 1.1
May 27, 2005
72kB
TU0113 Performing Signal Integrity Analyses
This tutorial looks at performing Signal Integrity (SI) analyses. It covers setting up design parameters like design rules and Signal Integrity models, starting up Signal Integrity from the Schematic and PCB Editors, configuring the tests to be used in the net screening analysis, running further analysis on selected nets, terminating the signal line, setting preferences and working with the resulting waveforms.
Version 1.2
December 12, 2005
848kB
TU0126 Checking Signal Integrity on an FPGA Design
This tutorial looks at how Altium Designer’s Signal Integrity Analyzer can be used to determine optimum slew and drive settings for specific pins of an FPGA device.

Version 1.0
October 23, 2006
227kB
AP0142 Linking a Simulation Model to a Schematic Component
This application note provides information on getting a simulation model – obtained outside of Altium Designer – into a format supported by the software, and then linking that model to a schematic component. Linking from an external database is also covered.

Version 1.0
April 06, 2006
674kB
AP0136 Support for PSpice Models in Altium Designer
This application note provides information on the level of support available for using PSpice® models when performing circuit simulations in Altium Designer.

Version 1.3
June 20, 2006
301kB
AP0141 SPICE Model Creation from User Data
This application note provides detailed information on creating and automatically linking a SPICE simulation model to a schematic component, based on data entered into Altium Designer's SPICE Model Wizard.
Version 1.0
April 06, 2006
1401kB
AP0139 Creating and Linking a Digital SimCode™ Model
This application note guides you, by example, through the process of creating your own Digital SimCode model, and then linking that model to a schematic component.

Version 1.0
February 14, 2006
414kB
AP0161 Using SIMetrix SIMPLIS Circuit Simulation
This Application Note provides detailed information on using Catena Software’s SIMetrix/SIMPLIS® Circuit Simulation package in Altium Designer.
Version 1.0
October 14, 2007
415kB
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Schematic – PCB design synchronization

AR0106 Finding Differences and Synchronizing Designs
This article provides an overview of the process used by Altium Designer to keep your schematic and PCB designs synchronized. The facilities for detecting and resolving design differences are covered in particular.
Version 2.0
August 05, 2005
557kB
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Board Layout

TU0110 Preparing the Board for Design Transfer
This tutorial shows how to define the board shape, configure the drawing sheet, setup the layers, and define any keepout requirements, in preparation for transferring the design from the schematic editor.
Version 1.4
October 18, 2007
518kB
AP0137 Working with the Board Insight System
Board Insight™ is a configurable system of features that give you complete control over viewing and working with your PCB design.
Version 1.4
January 21, 2008
1444kB
AR0111 Specifying the PCB Design Rules and Resolving Violations
This article introduces the PCB Design Rules System, in particular how rules are created and applied to objects in a design. It also describes how defined rules are checked using online or batch DRC tools and discusses navigating and resolving violations.
Version 1.1
April 26, 2005
1017kB
AP0138 Pin and Part Swapping with Dynamic Net Assignment
Supporting the dynamic re-assignment of net names to the routing, Altium Designer’s pin and part swapping brings a new level of functionality to pin or part swapping during the board design process.
Version 1.1
June 15, 2006
354kB
AP0135 Interactive and Differential Pair Routing
After component placement, the most important stage of the PCB design process is routing the connections. Altium Designer includes a number of interactive routing features to help you efficiently and accurately route your board.
Version 1.5
January 7, 2008
971kB
AP0107 Impedance-Controlled Routing
With increasing device switching speeds impedance controlled routing has become the hot topic for the digital designer. This article will discuss how you can use Altium Designer’s Signal Integrity analysis engine to match component impedances, and the impedance controlled routing capabilities in the PCB editor.
Version 1.3
June 13, 2006
333kB
AR0128 Situs Autorouting Essentials
This article looks at the essentials of the Situs autorouter, with information about board setup, design rules and a summary of the routing passes and routing strategies.
Version 1.1
July 29, 2005
142kB
AP0101 Polygon Pours and Copper Regions
This application note looks at using polygon pours to create regions of copper on a PCB. It covers such topics as placing and modifying polygon pours, setting properties, controlling the clearance using design rules and repouring.
Version 2.4
December 6, 2007
333kB
AR0126 Internal Power and Split Planes
Power planes are special solid copper internal layers, typically used to provide an electrically stable ground or power reference throughout the printed circuit board. This article investigates using internal power and split planes.
Version 1.2
December 17, 2005
615kB
TR0112 PCB Editor and Object Reference
This comprehensive reference provides information on the PCB Editor and the various objects that can be used to layout your PCB design.
Version 2.4
February 11, 2008
3076kB
TR0116 Design Rules Reference
This comprehensive reference provides detailed information on setting up design rules for a PCB design. It also covers addition of rule-based parameters to objects in the schematic and Design Rule Checking. Detailed information for each of the individual rule types and their associated constraints is also provided.
Version 1.7
February 11, 2008
2079kB
TR0127 OutputJob Editor Reference
This reference provides information on the OutputJob Editor, which is used to configure various output types, including Gerber, NC Drill, Printouts and Reports.
Version 1.9
October 18, 2007
499kB
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Generating Manufacturing Outputs

OG0105 Print-based Output Options
Altium Designer’s job output options support print-based output for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional PCB representations. With 2D print output, complete control of the printout is possible; you can include/exclude based on layer, and within each layer you can also control how objects should be rendered. Three-dimensional PCB printing is available with standard and custom views supported.
Version 1.1
December 05, 2005
341kB
OG0101 Gerber Output Options
When generating Gerber File output, configuration of output options prior to generation is performed using the Gerber Setup dialog.
Version 1.1
April 12, 2007
206kB
OG0102 NC Drill Output Options
NC Drill File output is configured in the NC Drill Setup dialog.
Version 1.0
December 05, 2005
70kB
OG0103 ODB++ Output Options
ODB++ output options are configured in the ODB++ Setup dialog.
Version 1.1
April 12, 2007
150kB
OG0104 Pick and Place Output Options
Pick and Place output options are configured in the Pick and Place Setup dialog.
Version 1.0
December 05, 2005
110kB
OG0106 Test Point Output Options
Altium Designer includes a dedicated Test Point report generator. The Test Point report can be generated in 3 different formats, including IPC-D-356A.
Version 1.0
December 05, 2005
56kB
OG0109 Publish to PDF
Publish to PDF generates custom PDF documents based on all of the supported Schematic and PCB outputs in the OutputJob Editor. PDF bookmarks are created for each output and all of their corresponding components, nets, pins and ports.
Version 1.1
January 25, 2008
511kB
OG0110 Verilog Netlist Output Options
Verilog output options are set up in the Verilog Generation Settings dialog.
Version 1.0
August 28, 2007
51kB
AR0118 CAMtastic Feature Highlights
This article looks at some of the feature highlights of Altium Designer’s CAMtastic Editor, including ODB++ import and export, advanced panelization and direct export to Altium Designer’s PCB Editor.
Version 1.0
August 28, 2007
238kB
AR0119 CAMtastic Introduction
This article introduces Altium Designer’s CAMtastic Editor and describes some editing modes and the CAMtastic panel.
Version 1.1
July 01, 2005
62kB
AR0120 CAMtastic Panels for Fabrication and Assembly
This article describes the CAMtastic Editor’s tools for panelization and NC routing commands.
Version 1.1
July 04, 2005
218kB
AR0121 CAMtastic Reverse Engineering PCBs
This article looks at reverse-engineering a PCB layout directly from CAM files loaded into Altium Designer’s CAMtastic Editor.
Version 1.1
July 01, 2005
245kB
AR0122 CAMtastic Apertures
This article looks at the apertures, aperture lists and aperture tables as they are used in Altium Designer’s CAMtastic Editor.
Version 1.1
July 01, 2005
234kB
TU0101 CAMtastic Data Verification
This tutorial follows the steps that must be taken in order to extract a valid netlist from imported Gerber, NC Drill or ODB++ files, run a design rule check (DRC) on that data in CAMtastic and verify or modify the data.
Version 1.2
December 12, 2005
427kB
TU0102 CAMtastic Imports and Exports
This tutorial looks at importing and exporting a variety of CAM files using CAMtastic.
Version 1.2
December 12, 2005
743kB
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Library and Component Management

AR0104 Component, Model and Library Concepts
This article explains Altium Designer components, models and libraries, and their relationships. Approaches for identifying and managing component-to-library relationships are explored, as well as the search sequence for locating models and the options th
Version 2.2
November 13, 2007
669kB
TU0103 Creating Library Components
This tutorial covers the creation of schematic components and PCB footprints, including adding 3D body objects, using the Schematic and PCB Library Editors in Altium Designer. A glossary of terms used in this tutorial is included as an appendix.
Version 2.1
February 12, 2008
1557kB
TU0111 Building an Integrated Library
This tutorial looks at using, creating and modifying integrated libraries. Creating source Schematic and PCB libraries and Library Packages, adding models and compiling integrated libraries are investigated.
Version 2.0
June 19, 2006
296kB
AP0133 Using Components Directly from Your Company Database
This application note provides detailed information on using components from a database using Altium Designer's Database Library feature.
Version 2.4
December 21, 2007
830kB
AP0134 Linking Existing Components to Your Company Database
This application note provides detailed information on linking existing Altium Designer components to an external database using Altium Designer's database link feature.
Version 2.0
June 08, 2006
605kB
AR0105 Enhanced Library Management Using Integrated Libraries
This article defines components, models and libraries, and their relationships. The search sequence for locating models is explained, as well as options that make this search more restrictive for specific models.
Version 1.2
November 29, 2005
71kB
AP0143 Database Library Migration Tools
This application note provides detailed information on the migration tools associated with Altium Designer's Database Library features (DBLib and SVNDBLib). Direct support for OrCAD CIS is also covered.
Version 1.0
June 20, 2006
1529kB
AP0144 Keeping Components Up-To-Date
This application note provides detailed information on updating placed components with changes made to those components in source libraries or a linked external database.
Version 1.0
June 09, 2006
1006kB
TR0144 IPC Batch Footprint Generator Reference
This reference provides technical information on configuring and using the IPC Batch Footprint Generator to generate IPC compliant footprints in a PCB library document.
Version 1.6
August 29, 2007
532kB
AP0145 Working with Version-Controlled Database Libraries
This application note provides detailed information on placing components from a database using Altium Designer's SVN Database Library feature.
Version 1.1
June 14, 2007
901kB
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Designing With FPGAs

GU0101 FPGA Designers Quickstart Guide
This guide gives an overview of using the Altium Designer environment to develop an FPGA design. Once you have read this document, refer to the linked documents for a detailed description of that area of the design process.
Version 1.2
November 30, 2005
1017kB
AR0125 Honey, I Shrunk the Board
The three most-heard catchcries in electronic product design are ‘make it smaller’, ‘make it more feature rich’ and ‘make it by next week’! The ready availability of low-cost, high-capacity FPGAs presents some interesting design possibilities.
Version 1.2
November 30, 2005
42kB
TU0118 Implementing a Simple Processor-Based Design in an FPGA
This tutorial describes how to implement an 8-bit processor-based design in an FPGA. It describes the creation of FPGA and Embedded projects, creating a C file, setting up processor and compiler options and then configuring and programming the design to an FPGA device.
Version 2.0
November 2, 2007
402kB
TU0128 Implementing a 32-bit Processor-based Design in an FPGA
This tutorial shows how to create a simple 32-bit FPGA design with a soft-core and program it with a piece of software. The software will access the designed hardware causing a row of LEDs to blink in a counting pattern.
Version 1.0
November 12, 2007
2137kB
AP0148 Connecting Memory and Peripheral Devices to a 32-bit Processor
This application note explores the various methods available for connection of physical memory and peripheral I/O devices to a 32-bit processor.
Version 1.1
September 1, 2006
288kB
AP0149 Allocating Address Space in a 32-bit Processor
This application note provides detailed information on mapping memory and peripherals into a 32-bit processor's address space.
Version 1.0
July 14, 2006
522kB
AP0103 Processing the Captured FPGA Design
This application note provides detailed information on linking and managing design changes between FPGA and PCB projects.
Version 1.2
December 12, 2005
1627kB
AR0124 Design Portability, Configurations and Constraints
This article describes what is required for design portability, and the role of configurations and constraints in achieving this portability.
Version 1.1
July 06, 2005
122kB
AP0102 Linking an FPGA Project to a PCB Project
This application note provides detailed information on linking and managing design changes between FPGA and PCB projects.
Version 1.1
July 01, 2005
2129kB
AR0130 PC to NanoBoard Communications
This article gives an overview of the technologies used to facilitate communications between the NanoBoard and Altium’s LiveDesign-enabled design software running on the PC.
Version 2.0
April 26, 2007
395kB
AP0104 Re-targeting the design to the Production Board
This application note covers the process of adding the configuration and constraint file information required to perform synthesis and run the vendor place and route.
Version 1.1
July 06, 2005
91kB
AR0139 Bringing Discrete Processors and FPGAs together
This article looks at how Altium Designer caters for the design of systems that use a discrete 32-bit processor connected to an FPGA.
Version 1.0
November 08, 2006
208kB
AP0119 Using Altium Designer with a 3rd Party Board
This application note provides detailed information on how 3rd party FPGA development boards can be used with Altium Designer.
Version 1.4
April 12, 2007
436kB
AP0111 Programming a Xilinx Configuration Device on the Production Board
This application note describes the process of programming a Xilinx configuration device on the Production board, in order to provide bootstrapping functionality.
Version 1.1
May 26, 2005
226kB
AP0112 Working with Xilinx Devices and Place and Route Tools
This application note provides an advanced Xilinx designer with information on how to control the Xilinx place and route software options and properties, and also includes information on libraries.
Version 1.3
December 12, 2005
117kB
AP0113 Working with Altera Devices and Place and Route Tools
This application note provides an advanced Altera designer with information on how to control the Altera place and route software options and properties, and also includes information on libraries.
Version 1.3
December 12, 2005
102kB
CR0100 CLKGEN Frequency Generator
This core reference describes how to place and use the Frequency Generator instrument in an FPGA design.
Version 1.2
December 12, 2005
511kB
CR0101 FRQCNT2 Frequency Counter
This core reference describes how to place and use the Frequency Counter instrument in an FPGA design.
Version 1.2
December 12, 2005
457kB
CR0102 IOB_x Digital IO Module
This core reference describes how to place and use the Digital I/O Module in an FPGA design.
Version 1.2
December 12, 2005
327kB
CR0103 LAX_x Logic Analyzer
This core reference describes how to place and use a Logic Analyzer instrument in an FPGA design.
Version 1.2
December 12, 2005
463kB
CR0158 LAX Configurable Logic Analyzer
This core reference describes how to place and use the configurable logic analyzer instrument in an FPGA design.
Version 1.0
December 15, 2005
808kB
TR0103 Constraint File Reference
This document describes the constraint file syntax, including a list of FPGA-specific constraint definitions.
Version 1.1
June 15, 2005
56kB
TU0123 Creating a core component
This tutorial is designed to give you an overview of how to create a core component, synthesize the EDIF and generate a schematic symbol of the core. It covers creating the core project, synthesizing, publishing and generating the symbol in the Schematic Library Editor.
Version 1.4
October 31, 2006
352kB
TR0114 VHDL Language Reference
This comprehensive reference provides a detailed overview of the VHDL language and describes each of the standard VHDL keywords (reserved words).
Version 1.2
September 20, 2005
556kB
TR0115 VHDL Synthesis Reference
This comprehensive reference provides detailed information with respect to synthesis of VHDL code. It also contains an overview section regarding the syntax of the VHDL Language.
Version 1.1
June 10, 2005
616kB
TR0132 FPGA IO Standards Reference
This FPGA IO Standards Reference provides an overview for the different IO Standards supported by various FPGA device families.
Version 1.0
August 22, 2005
365kB
TU0130 Getting Started with the C-to-Hardware Compiler
This document explains the essence of the C-to-Hardware Compiler. It tells how you can use this compiler to design hardware 'functions' using ordinary C language, resulting in a dramatic performance increase of your embedded application. It includes a tutorial that shows how the C-to-Hardware Compiler is used to obtain performance increase. It takes the FPGA design of tutorial Implementing a 32-bit Processor-based Design in an FPGA (TU0128) as a starting point. To this design an Application specific Processor (ASP) component is added which will hold a hardware function that will be compiled from software. You will clearly observe the performance gain.
Version 1.0
November 12, 2007
2090kB
GU0122 C-to-Hardware Compiler User Manual
The purpose of this manual is to provide detailed information on using the C-to-Hardware (CHC) Compiler in Altium Designer. To fully benefit from this feature, it is necessary to understand some underlying principles of parallelism and hardware assembly. This manual also describes the hardware compiler functionality in detail. All this is intended to help you make good design choices when creating your ultimate FPGA design.
Version Unknown
November 8, 2007
589kB
TU0131 Capturing Video the Easy Way
This tutorial is based on the TRAININGcenter Video of the same title and provides a step by step overview of how to create a reasonably sophisticated FPGA design. It outlines how to create a design using OpenBus, Constraining the Design to a target device, developing embedded software using DSF, and running the entire design on a Desktop NanoBoard.
Version 1.1
January 21, 2008
1736kB
TR0173 C Language Reference
This comprehensive reference provides a detailed overview of the C language and describes each of the standard C keywords (reserved words) and each of the standard C library functions.
Version 1.0
January 25, 2008
274kB
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TSK3000 32-bit RISC Processor

CR0121 TSK3000A 32 bit RISC Processor
The TSK3000A is a fully functional, 32-bit load/store, Wishbone-compliant processor that employs RISC architecture with a streamlined set of single word instructions. This core reference includes architectural and hardware descriptions, instruction sets and on-chip debugging functionality for the TSK3000A.
Version 2.0
July 15, 2006
791kB
GU0111 Using the TSK3000 Embedded Tools
How to use the TASKING TSK3000 toolchain to program a TSK3000 processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
March 15, 2007
1280kB
TR0109 TSK3000 Embedded Tools Reference
How to use the TASKING TSK3000 toolchain to program a TSK3000 processor. You can use the tools either with the Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
March 15, 2007
1469kB
 ^Top

Microblaze 32-bit RISC Processor

CR0163 MicroBlaze 32-bit RISC Processor
The Xilinx® MicroBlaze™ is a fully functional, 32-bit load/store, Wishbone-compliant processor that employs RISC architecture with a streamlined set of single word instructions. This core reference includes an architectural description and on-chip debugging functionality for the processor.
Version 1.1
January 25, 2008
475kB
GU0114 Using the MicroBlaze Embedded Tools
How to use the TASKING MicroBlaze toolchain to program a MicroBlaze processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
March 15, 2007
1309kB
TR0129 MicroBlaze Embedded Tools Reference
How to use the TASKING MicroBlaze toolchain to program a MicroBlaze processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
March 15, 2007
1505kB
 ^Top

Nios II 32-bit RISC Processor

CR0164 Nios II 32-bit RISC Processor
The Altera® Nios® II is a fully functional, 32-bit load/store, Wishbone-compliant processor that employs RISC architecture with a streamlined set of single word instructions. This core reference includes an architectural description and on-chip debugging functionality for the Nios II processor family.
Version 1.1
July 27, 2006
487kB
GU0115 Using the Nios® II Embedded Tools
How to use the TASKING Nios II toolchain to program an Nios II processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
March 15, 2007
1489kB
TR0130 Nios® II Embedded Tools Reference
How to use the TASKING Nios II toolchain to program an Nios II processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
March 15, 2007
1479kB
 ^Top

PowerPC (PPC405) 32-bit RISC Processor

CR0156 PPC405A 32-bit RISC Processor
The PPC405A is a fully functional, 32-bit load/store, Wishbone-compliant processor that employs RISC architecture with a streamlined set of single word instructions. This core reference includes an architectural description and on-chip debugging functionality for the PPC405A.
Version 2.0
July 15, 2006
429kB
GU0110 Using the PowerPC Embedded Tools
How to use the TASKING PowerPC toolchain to program a PowerPC processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
March 15, 2007
1280kB
TR0108 PowerPC Embedded Tools Reference
How to use the TASKING PowerPC toolchain to program a PowerPC processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
March 15, 2007
1452kB
 ^Top

ARM Discrete Processors

GU0116 Using the ARM Embedded Tools
How to use the TASKING ARM toolchain to program an ARM processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
June 13, 2007
1506kB
TR0131 ARM Embedded Tools Reference
How to use the TASKING ARM toolchain to program an ARM processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
June 13, 2007
1580kB
CR0162 ARM720T_LH79520 - Sharp LH79520 SoC with ARM720T 32-bit RISC Processor
This document provides information on Altium Designer's Wishbone wrapper support for the discrete Sharp Bluestreak® LH79520 – a fully integrated 32-bit System-on-Chip (SoC), based on an ARM720T 32-bit RISC processor core.
Version 1.0
October 19, 2007
667kB
CR0178 CoreMP7 32-bit RISC Processor
This reference provides information on Altium Designer's support for the Actel® CoreMP7. This is a soft 32-bit RISC processor, compatible with the ARM7TDMI-S™ – part of the popular ARM7™ family of processors. The reference includes an architectural description and on-chip debugging functionality for the processor.
Version 1.0
October 18, 2007
362kB
 ^Top

TSK51x/TSK52x 8-bit Microcontroller

CR0115 TSK51x MCU
The TSK51x is a fully functional, 8-bit microcontroller, incorporating the Harvard architecture. This core reference includes architectural and hardware descriptions, instruction sets and on-chip debugging functionality for the TSK51x family.
Version 1.4
December 12, 2005
521kB
CR0116 TSK52x MCU
The TSK52x is a fully functional, 8-bit microcontroller, incorporating the Harvard architecture. This core reference includes architectural and hardware descriptions, instruction sets and on-chip debugging functionality for the TSK52x family.
Version 1.5
December 12, 2005
624kB
GU0107 Using the TSK51x TSK52x Embedded Tools
How to use the TASKING TSK51x/TSK52x toolchain to program a TSK51x or TSK52x processor. Using Altium D wit 3rd Party Boardcal Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
December 14, 2005
991kB
TR0105 TSK51x TSK52x Embedded Tools Reference
How to use the TASKING TSK51x/TSK52x toolchain to program a TSK51x or TSK52x processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
October 26, 2005
1536kB
GU0102 TSK51x TSK52x RTOS
The following description should be used: This manual aims to provide you with the necessary information to build real-time applications using the RTOS (Real Time Operating System) micro kernel delivered with the TSK51x/TSK52x toolchain.

December 14, 2005
806kB
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TSK165x 8-bit Microcontroller

CR0114 TSK165x RISC MCU
The TSK165x is a fully functional, 8-bit controller that employs RISC architecture with a streamlined set of single word instructions. This core reference includes architectural and hardware descriptions, instruction sets and on-chip debugging functionality for the TSK165x family.
Version 1.4
December 12, 2005
600kB
GU0108 Using the TSK165x Embedded Tools
How to use the TASKING TSK165x toolchain to program a TSK165x processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
October 26, 2005
713kB
TR0106 TSK165x Embedded Tools Reference
How to use the TASKING TSK165x toolchain to program a TSK165x processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
October 26, 2005
990kB
 ^Top

TSK80x 8-bit Microcontroller

CR0117 TSK80x MCU
The TSK80x is a fully functional, 8-bit microcontroller, incorporating the von Neumann architecture. This core reference includes architectural and hardware descriptions, instruction sets and on-chip debugging functionality for the TSK80x family.
Version 1.6
August 28, 2006
672kB
GU0109 Using the TSK80x Embedded Tools
How to use the TASKING TSK80x toolchain to program aTSK80x processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
December 14, 2005
859kB
TR0107 TSK80x Embedded Tools Reference
How to use the TASKING TSK80x toolchain to program aTSK80x processor. You can use the tools either with the graphical Altium Designer or from the command line in a command prompt window.
October 26, 2005
1420kB
 ^Top

FPGA Generic logic

CR0118 FPGA Generic Library Guide
This guide contains the naming conventions, detailed description and truth table of all components in the FPGA Generic Library.
Version 2.203
August 3, 2005
2187kB
 ^Top

FPGA Peripherals

CR0104 CAN Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the CAN Controller peripheral devices.
Version 1.5
December 12, 2005
766kB
CR0105 I2CM Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the I2CM Controller peripheral devices.
Version 1.5
December 12, 2005
135kB
CR0106 Keypad Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the Keypad Controller peripheral devices.
Version 1.4
December 12, 2005
175kB
CR0107 LCD Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the LCD Controller peripheral devices.
Version 1.4
December 12, 2005
227kB
CR0108 PRTx Parallel Port Unit
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the parallel port unit peripheral device.
Version 1.6
December 12, 2005
170kB
CR0109 PS2 Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the PS/2 Controller peripheral devices.
Version 1.5
April 18, 2006
228kB
CR0111 SRL0 Serial Port Unit
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the serial port unit peripheral devices.
Version 1.5
December 12, 2005
274kB
CR0112 TMR3 Dual Timer Unit
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the dual timer unit peripheral devices.
Version 1.5
December 12, 2005
174kB
CR0113 VGA Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the VGA Controller peripheral devices.
Version 2.0
August 06, 2006
197kB
CR0119 FPGA_STARTUPx Powerup Delay Unit
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the powerup delay unit peripheral device.
Version 1.2
December 12, 2005
64kB
CR0120 MAX1104 DAC Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the MAX1104_DAC Controller peripheral device.
Version 1.2
December 12, 2005
67kB
CR0122 EMACx Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the EMAC peripheral devices.
Version 1.4
December 2, 2006
300kB
CR0150 WB_INTERCON Configurable Wishbone Interconnect
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the configurable Wishbone Interconnect peripheral device.
Version 1.3
September 20, 2006
357kB
CR0151 WB_DUALMASTER Configurable Wishbone Dual Master
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the configurable Wishbone Dual Master peripheral device.
Version 2.0
July 16, 2006
227kB
CR0152 WB_MEM_CTRL Configurable Wishbone Memory Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the configurable memory controller peripheral device.
Version 2.1
October 10, 2007
632kB
CR0153 SPI_W Serial Peripheral Interface Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the SPI Controller device.
Version 1.4
September 20, 2006
111kB
CR0154 WB_PRTIO Configurable Wishbone Parallel Port Unit
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the Wishbone-compliant parallel port unit peripheral device.
Version 1.3
April 11, 2007
142kB
CR0155 WB_PWMx Pulse Width Modulation Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the Pulse Width Modulation Controller peripheral devices.
Version 1.3
September 20, 2006
179kB
CR0157 WB_UART8 Serial Communications Port
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the UART peripheral device.
Version 2.0
November 7, 2006
141kB
CR0124 FPGA Arithmetic Function Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Arithmetic Function cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
423kB
CR0125 FPGA Buffer Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Buffer cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
476kB
CR0126 FPGA Bus Joiner Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Bus Joiner cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
250kB
CR0127 FPGA Clock Divider Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Clock Divider cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
174kB
CR0128 FPGA Clock Manager Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Clock Manager cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
610kB
CR0129 FPGA Comparator Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Comparator cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
231kB
CR0130 FPGA Counter Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Counter cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
404kB
CR0131 FPGA Decoder Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Decoder cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
125kB
CR0132 FPGA Encoder Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Encoder cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
108kB
CR0133 FPGA Flip Flop Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Flip-Flop cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
925kB
CR0134 FPGA Instrument Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Instruments cores.
Version 1.09
July 4, 2007
105kB
CR0135 FPGA Latch Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Latch cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
186kB
CR0136 FPGA Logic Primitive Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Logic Primitive cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
1209kB
CR0137 FPGA Multiplexer Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Multiplexer cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
1610kB
CR0138 FPGA Numeric Connector Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Numeric Connector cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
98kB
CR0139 FPGA Peripheral Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Peripherals cores.
Version 1.10
August 23, 2007
404kB
CR0140 FPGA Processor Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Processors cores.
Version 1.10
August 8, 2007
122kB
CR0141 FPGA Shift Register Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Shift Register cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
220kB
CR0142 FPGA Shifter Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Shifter cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
83kB
CR0143 FPGA Wired Function Resource Usage
This quick reference provides detailed information about resource usage of all pre-synthesized Wired Function cores.
Version 1.09
April 10, 2007
115kB
CR0165 VGA32_16BPP - 32-bit VGA Controller with 16bpp Data Support
This document provides detailed information with respect to the VGA32_16BPP peripheral device.
Version 1.0
August 07, 2006
195kB
CR0166 VGA32_TFT - 32-bit VGA Controller with TFT Interface
This document provides detailed information with respect to the VGA32_TFT peripheral device.
Version 1.0
August 08, 2006
163kB
CR0167 WB_VGA Configurable Wishbone Display Driver
This document provides information on the configurable 32-bit VGA Controller peripheral.
Version 1.0
August 07, 2006
149kB
CR0168 WB_MULTIMASTER Configurable Wishbone Multi-Master
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the configurable Wishbone Multi-Master peripheral device.
Version 1.0
July 16, 2006
510kB
CR0169 VGA32 - 32-bit VGA Controller
This document provides detailed information with respect to the VGA32 peripheral device.
Version 1.0
August 07, 2006
248kB
CR0159 BT656 Video Capture Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the BT656 peripheral device.
Version 1.0
August 21, 2006
206kB
CR0160 12S_W Audio Streaming Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the 12S_W peripheral device.
Version 1.0
October 6, 2006
167kB
CR0161 PPC405CR – AMCC® PowerPC® 32-bit RISC Processor
This document provides detailed information on Altium Designer’s Wishbone wrapper support for the discrete AMCC PPC405CR – an embedded PowerPC 405 32-bit RISC processor.
Version 1.0
October 4, 2006
580kB
CR0171 WB_FPU Floating Point Unit
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the WB_FPU peripheral device.
Version 1.1
September 20, 2007
270kB
CR0172 WB_IDE IDE Interface Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the WB_IDE peripheral device. This device is used to control the transmission of data to/from an IDE-compatible hard disk or Compact Flash card operating in TrueIDE mode.
Version 1.0
December 3, 2007
253kB
CR0173 WB_IRDEC Infrared Decoder
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the WB_IRDEC peripheral device. This device is used to process modulated IR data transmitted by a remote control device.
Version 1.0
October 18, 2007
272kB
CR0174 WB_JPGDEC JPEG Decoder
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the WB_JPGDEC peripheral device. This device is used to decode grayscale or color baseline JPEG-compressed image data.
Version 1.0
October 18, 2007
300kB
CR0175 WB_OWM 1-Wire Master Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the WB_OWM peripheral device. This device handles communications with 1-Wire® slave devices in a system, without tying up valuable processor resources.
Version 1.0
October 19, 2007
284kB
CR0176 WB_SHARED_MEM_CTRL Configurable Shared Memory Controller
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the configurable shared memory controller peripheral device.
Version 1.0
October 18, 2007
468kB
CR0177 WB_ASP Configurable Application Specific Processor
This document provides detailed reference information with respect to the WB_ASP Configurable Application Specific Processor peripheral device.
Version 1.0
October 19, 2007
226kB
CR0179 DIGITAL_IO Configurable Digital IO Module
T