Ensuring Accurate Broadband EM Analysis with Allegro PCB Designer
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Step 1: Export an IPC-2581 Compatible File from Allegro PCB Designer
The design file AWR-Allegro-Demo-1.brd is shown in the Allegro PCB Designer in Figure 1. The PCB layers include a top metal
signal (RF) layer, ground plane, power layer, and bottom ground. Each metal layer is separated by dielectric layers consisting
of FR-4 material (.36 and .71mm thick). The grounds on the top, bottom, and center ground planes are connected by vias.
Verify that the correct PCB layer stackup has been entered into the cross-section editor of Allegro PCB Designer. The project
layer information shown in the cross-section editor will be exported as part of the IPC-2581 file (Figure 2).
Figure 1: Allegro PCB file
Figure 2: Allegro Cross-Section Editor dialog box
In Allegro PCB Designer, select File – Export – IPC-2581… to open the dialog, as shown in Figure 3. Select the desired output file
name, the IPC-2581 version (IPC-2581-B), and the functional mode (USERDEF).
Figure 3: Allegro Export Editor dialog box
Utilize the layer mapping editor to select the layers to be exported. (Note: To streamline the import and simulation setup for EM
simulations using AWR AXIEM software, the number of layers should be minimized to contain only the relevant metal structures.)
Assembly and paste mask layers should not be exported. Selecting Export in the IPC-2581 dialog exports the specified layers of the
board file into a compatible file.
