Cadence PCB design software, developed by Cadence Design Systems, is a high-end solution widely used in complex and high-performance PCB design projects, particularly in industries such as aerospace, defense, and high-speed computing. It is known for its advanced capabilities in handling large-scale designs, high-speed signal integrity, and complex power distribution networks, making it a top choice for designers working on cutting-edge electronic systems.

One of the key strengths of Cadence PCB design software is its ability to handle large and complex PCB designs. It supports designs with thousands of components and millions of traces, providing efficient data management and editing tools. The software uses a hierarchical design approach, which allows designers to break down a large design into smaller, more manageable sub-designs. Each sub-design can be worked on independently by different team members, and then integrated into the main design. This collaborative design capability is essential for large projects where multiple designers need to work simultaneously. For example, in the design of a satellite PCB, which may include multiple subsystems such as communication, navigation, and power management, each subsystem can be designed as a separate sub-design, and then merged into the overall PCB design.

Cadence PCB design software excels in high-speed signal integrity (SI) analysis and optimization. It offers advanced SI simulation tools that can model the behavior of high-speed signals on complex PCBs with multiple layers, vias, and components. The software can simulate signal propagation, crosstalk between adjacent traces, and the impact of parasitic capacitance and inductance. It also provides tools for eye diagram analysis, which is used to evaluate the quality of high-speed signals. An eye diagram shows the overlap of multiple signal waveforms, and a larger "eye opening" indicates better signal quality. For example, in the design of a PCB for a 5G base station, where signals may operate at frequencies above 28 GHz, Cadence's SI tools can help designers optimize the layout to minimize crosstalk and ensure that the eye diagram meets the required specifications, ensuring reliable data transmission.

Power integrity (PI) analysis is another area where Cadence PCB design software stands out. It can model the entire power supply network (PSN) of the PCB, including power planes, ground planes, power vias, and decoupling capacitors. The software can simulate the current distribution in the PSN, calculate voltage drops across different parts of the network, and analyze the impact of power noise on sensitive components. It also provides tools for optimizing the placement of decoupling capacitors, which are used to suppress power noise. For instance, in a PCB design for a high-performance FPGA, which requires a stable power supply with low noise, Cadence's PI tools can help designers determine the optimal number, type, and placement of decoupling capacitors to ensure that the FPGA operates correctly.

In addition, Cadence PCB design software offers strong integration with other Cadence tools, such as schematic capture tools (OrCAD Capture) and simulation tools (PSpice). This integration allows for a seamless workflow from schematic design to simulation, layout, and manufacturing. For example, designers can create a schematic in OrCAD Capture, perform circuit simulation in PSpice to verify the functionality of the design, and then import the schematic into the Cadence PCB layout tool for layout design. This seamless integration reduces the risk of errors caused by data transfer between different tools and improves the efficiency of the design process.