Via Stubs and Propagation Delay Script

Via Stubs and Delay - GUI

The Script can find Via Stubs and Set Via Propagation Delay times.

Enter the Max Stub length allowed in mils. 

Select Top or Bottom or both to find and select stubs.

Then select Run

For strict zero length stubs enter 0 in Max Stub, then select Run

Easter Egg: Double Click Max Stub to set Max Stub = to 1/2 Board Height.

Via Propagation Delay Notes:

Select more or less than 1 Via to set the Propagation Delay of all Via Drill Pairs.
Select only one Via to set the Propagation Delay of the Via's Drill Pair.

Then click the Delay Button.

Altium calculates the delay as the proportion of the via the signal path between the start and stop layers versus the total length of the via. 

Example: A board with a total thickness of 61.8mil, including a total of 1mil of solder mask and 2mil outer Cu thickness, where the electrical via length is calculated as Total - Soldermask - 1/2 top Cu - 1/2 bot Cu = 58.8mil.

Example:

Delay of the Selected Via = 10.917pSec and the signal path length = 58.8mils.

Contact me at Parts if you would like learn more about this script.

Randy Clemmons

That's it !

Supply Nets (Voltage = 0 . . .

To disable Auto Generate Supply Nets

Preferences > General > Advanced > Schematic.AutoGenerateSupplyNetsRule > Disable

Restart (Close and Open) Altium

See: https://forum.live.altium.com/#/posts/260254/848610

That's it !

Project Panel - Expanded View

Click where shown below to Expand a Project Tree

That's it !

Return Path Design Rules - DRC Gotchas

The Design Rule

Note:  

Most designs should NOT include Not inAnyDifferentialPair in the Scope as shown.

This is a special case for the board used in this Return Path DRC feature review.

The example Rule shown above is targeting a specific Net Class.

You might want to set the Scope to target All

Gotcha 1

In Gotcha 1 the problem is the GND Via on the left has another signal routed between the flagged via and the GND Via.

Solution 1: Add another Via or Waive the Violation

Other Points of Interest:

Per online help

Exclude small areas of copper from flagging a violation by setting the required value (in sq. mils, 10 by default) of the PCB.Rules.ReturnPathIgnoreArea option in the Advanced Settings dialog.

That's it !

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