High-Speed Constraints Values and PCB Layout Methods by Charles Pfiel

Charles Pfiel has graciously created and released an eBook.



Charles also included a nice calculator.



Here is the link for the download.

https://pcdandf.com/pcdesign/index.php/constraints

Thank you Charles Pfiel

Design Rules - Holesize

When specifying HoleSize or HoleDiameter rules note that the size will be mils for any holes less than 1mm in diameter .

Regardless of the units selected in your design (mm or mils) the Holesize or HoleDiameter rules are always in mils.




You can not set the units to mm for HoleSize or HoleDiameter in the rule.

As shown below if you enter a faction or mm units you will receive an incorrect definition message.

Solution :

Only specify HoleSize and HoleDiameter rules using whole numbers. 

Good Examples:
HoleSize > 15
AsMils(HoleDiameter) > 15  
AsMM(HoleDiameter) > 1.01   (Hole size = or > 1) 

Bad Examples:
HoleSize > .15
HoleSize > .15mm
AsMM(HoleDiameter) > 15   


Filters:
(ObjectKind = 'Via') And (AsMils(HoleDiameter) = 20)

Plane Dumb Copper

Unlike Polygon pours, planes in Altium do not have a remove dead copper feature.

You can place line or fills on the planes to remove copper. 

However this is an error prone method for removing dead copper because it relies on you reviewing and finding the dead copper with your eyeballs.

Design Rules - Rooms with Neck Downs

Using Rooms with Design Rules to solve Clearance Violations





Design > Rooms > Place Room > InComponentClass('xxx ')  . . . 





Create a Clearance Rule for the Room





Set Priority




Stop Removing Rooms

Project > Project Options > ECO Generation Tab > Remove Rooms > Ignore Differences.



Or 

Under the Comparator Tab > Extra Room Definitions > Ignore Differences

Another Room Definition Example

Altium Designer - UK Experts - Microdex

Source: Altium Designer - UK Experts - Microdex - Tips

Tip #1
"Routing a bus with matched length? Use the altium designer PCB panel and select the bus class and sort the nets by length. Route the net with the largest man-hatten length first."

Tip #2
"For better EMC grounding scheme considering defining net ties to make your GND star points."

Tip #3
"If you need to match track lengths for a whole bus including strobe / control signals, within altium designer use a harness on the schematic, this will create a complete net class of the group."