In an ambitious move to streamline the process of electronic design and development, Altium and Ansys have announced a partnership that will integrate their respective electronic computer-aided design (ECAD) and simulation tools. This collaboration will replace the traditional methods of manual communication and data translation imports/exports, thus fostering a more efficient and error-free workflow. The integration will be showcased at the 2023 Design Automation Conference at Ansys Booth 1539.
The partnership between Altium and Ansys (NASDAQ: ANSS) aims to digitally bridge the gap between ECAD tools and Ansys Electronics Desktop. This two-way integration, set to launch in the latter half of 2023, is expected to reduce development time and potential design errors significantly. The integration will pave the way for a smooth exchange of design data, enabling engineers to collaborate more effectively within a wholly integrated workflow.
By eliminating the need for manual communication and import/export translations, the integration will boost predictive accuracy, synchronization, and productivity while minimizing errors. The digital bridge will also help reduce potential respins and delays. A sneak peek of the integration is currently available via the Altium-Ansys Digital Showroom.
Tomek Brzuchacz, head of CAD software at Altium, highlighted the importance of this partnership in the current competitive landscape. He noted that companies are facing new product complexities and engineering challenges that require extensive cross-domain collaboration and advanced simulations. The digital bridge between ECAD and simulation will allow electrical engineers and simulation engineers to work together seamlessly, thereby accelerating design time and reducing additional costs.
The integration comes at a crucial time when printed circuit boards (PCBs), a vital component of electronic devices, are becoming increasingly complex due to advancements in connectivity, from wearable technology to autonomous vehicles. As electronics designs involve more fragile components like sensors and integrated circuits (ICs), predictively accurate modeling and simulation become critical for successful design.
Ansys offers comprehensive end-to-end simulation solutions for PCBs, ICs, and IC packages to evaluate an entire system. John Lee, vice president of the electronics, semiconductor, at optics business unit at Ansys, emphasized the importance of equipping electronics designers with seamless connectivity during design and development. The bidirectional link between Ansys and Altium solutions will enable engineers to focus on design, innovation, and collaboration without being hindered by data communication issues.
Altium (ASX: ALU), a global software company headquartered in San Diego, California, has been accelerating innovation in electronics for over 30 years. Their software is widely used by PCB designers and electrical engineers to design and realize electronics-based products. Ansys, on the other hand, has been a game-changer in the field of simulation for over 50 years. Its software has enabled innovators across industries to push boundaries using the predictive power of simulation.
The partnership between these two powerhouses promises to revolutionize the field of electronics design. By providing a seamless integration between ECAD and simulation tools, they aim to empower engineers with enhanced productivity and collaboration capabilities. This partnership is a significant step towards transforming how electronics are designed and developed in this era of rapid technological advancements.