Thanks for posting this. The one thing that keeps me on Altium, for now, is the ability to have nets assigned to arbitrary polygons. I import DXF from Microwave Office and convert to polygons, then assign nets.
Summary: 1. Rounded track matter above 3 GHz 2. Champher (45 deg) are better than 90-degrees bent, simulation shows input impedance varies by 10% span of 1-10 GHz @8:47 3. No straight forward or out of box way to create curved trace multiple workarounds available
If your bandwidth is so important and return loss so critical then use stripline for the small section. What I mean is glue in a small piece of substrate over the track in question. This removes the effect of differences in velocity of propagation in air (above substrate) and in the substrate. Microstrip is crude (but effective) for connecting RF signals but sometimes stripline is required, such as in couplers. Also, get a copy of ADS and see how it's done.
When i have footprint of RF design with multiple pads on the same net, the ratsnest still wants me to connect all of them. There is no way of telling kicad that these pads are already connected through the footprint.
Thank you for this clear education
Thanks for posting this. The one thing that keeps me on Altium, for now, is the ability to have nets assigned to arbitrary polygons. I import DXF from Microwave Office and convert to polygons, then assign nets.
Summary:
1. Rounded track matter above 3 GHz
2. Champher (45 deg) are better than 90-degrees bent, simulation shows input impedance varies by 10% span of 1-10 GHz @8:47
3. No straight forward or out of box way to create curved trace multiple workarounds available
You can also use a mitered bend instead of the curved bend. The main benefit is that it is much more compact.
If your bandwidth is so important and return loss so critical then use stripline for the small section. What I mean is glue in a small piece of substrate over the track in question. This removes the effect of differences in velocity of propagation in air (above substrate) and in the substrate. Microstrip is crude (but effective) for connecting RF signals but sometimes stripline is required, such as in couplers. Also, get a copy of ADS and see how it's done.
ok, now you've got my attention.
When i have footprint of RF design with multiple pads on the same net, the ratsnest still wants me to connect all of them. There is no way of telling kicad that these pads are already connected through the footprint.
Can the "autocomplete routes" feature be used in generic autorouting scenario? eg. with entangled traces needed to be crossed...
This is cool man
Nice job Chris! very interesting series of videos. If I may suggest, next time try to use some over the ear mics or something...
would freecad Stepup do the tricks instead of inkscape...
Miter function like Eagle is preferred in Kicad
Imagine the first thing he said, fuck Altium, we're better.
No, in all honesty we need guys like him to make changes for the better.
Nice,. but still my Trackitems tools are easiest and safest way to do curves.
I have a plugin to round corners.
how do install that plugin? I tried to install following the instructions and nothing was added into kicad
how do i install this plugin? PLEASE HELP