Summary: Electronic design field is emerging every day, and with the right set of tools you can take your imagination to the next level. Let’s find out what electronic design automation software is, its benefits and the top tools available in the market.
Electronic design automation (EDA) tools and software is constantly evolving. In fact, the total valuation of EDA is around $12 Billion and the forecasted CAGR growth is over 10% between the year 2023 to 2030.
With new tools and AI technologies emerging, it’s crucial for engineers and designers to stay updated on the latest advancements in EDA software. It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional or a newcomer to the field, EDA design tools can significantly enhance your productivity and take your innovation to the next level.
In this article, we will share an exclusive list of the best EDA software in the market. From schematic capture to printed circuit board (PCB) layout, these tools offer a comprehensive suite of features to streamline the design process.
EDA or electronic design automation software are computer programs used to design and analyze electronic systems. These tools are primarily used for electronic devices such as IC (integrated circuits), semiconductors, PCB (printed circuit boards). It simply works as a digital workbench for engineers to design, simulate, and verify their chip making process.
EDA design software comes with multiple features like schematic capture, PCB layout, IC designs, simulations and verifications. Below are some of the features of EDA tools:
EDA software can develop all kinds of electronic devices, from the tiny chips in your smartphone to the complex integrated chips or circuits. Below are some of the applications of EDA tool to check:
We have researched over 20 EDA products and compiled the list of best Electronic Design Automation tools (EDA) available in the market right now.
Cadence Design Systems is a powerhouse in the world of electronic design, offering software, hardware, and IP solutions that turn ideas into integrated chips and systems. With a focus on integrated circuits (ICs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs), their software suite covers everything from design and simulation to analysis and verification.
Cadence leverages AI to optimize designs and accelerate the innovation cycle. In short, if you’re interested in the intricate world of electronics, Cadence is a name you’ll encounter.
Cadence Pricing: Cadence offers a 30-day free trial on each of their product combinations. The paid plan starts at around $1000 a month.
KiCAD is a favorite tool of those looking for circuit simulation and PCB design. The tool is written in C++ language which makes it one of the fastest EDA design automation software in the market.
It has five modules – Eeschema (for schematic editor and capture), KiCAD (for project management), PCBNew (PCB layout and 3D viewers), Bitmap2Component (convert image to PCB footprint) and GerbView (for checking Gerber files).
Pricing: KiCAD is a free EDA software.
Altium is an enterprise-standard PCB layout and design software. It offers a simple and high performing user interface which supports a hierarchical schematic display. Altium works on a cloud-based model so that multiple team members can work together on a large project.
Pricing: Altium offers three plans, and it comes with a free trial.
Eagle is a part of Autodesk’s Fusion 360. This low-cost EDA electronic design automation software is an ideal option for beginners with multi-design and rule checking capabilities.
Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor (EAGLE) offers a multi-window graphical user interface with various automation features such as task scripting, auto-routing, design checking etc.
Pricing: Autodesk Eagle comes with the premium plan of Autodesk Fusion 360. The Fusion 360 offers a 30-day free trial and a money back guarantee. The paid plan starts at around $60 a month.
Ansys is a Tier-1 EDA software for 3D IC systems along with multiphysics analysis. It provides an exceptional speed for completion for even bigger finFET IC and 2.5D/3D multi-die systems.
Ansys accelerates design efficiency by offering their users power integrity analysis, golden signoff verification and cloud-native infrastructure.
Pricing: The pricing of Ansys is available on request
Synopsys EDA revolutionizes electrical design with advanced generative AI capabilities. It is one of the first autonomous AI applications for chip designs. Synopsys provides engineers with expert guidance and automations for faster time-to-market.
Pricing: Available on request
Zuken EDA software is a global leader in advanced design solutions for PCB, electrical, 3D cabinet and fluid systems. Its modules, such as eCADSTAR and CR-8000, are the best-in-class for electro-mechanical product development. This makes Zuken a trusted choice for companies in the electrical and electronic design domain.
Pricing: Available on request
Easy EDA online is one of the most used PCB design and simulator platforms which is used by over 3 million engineers for more than 19 million designs. It also offers a library which consists of five million plus components to help designers build their product.
The tool’s advanced features like schematic capture, PCB design, and team collaboration makes it the next generation PCB design solution.
Pricing: EasyEDA offers a free and a premium plan. These are
Siemens (Mentor Graphics) EDA is another leading electronic design automation software that offers a full suite of tools for designing and verifying integrated circuits.
It has over 175 years of industry expertise and offers holistic solutions to technologies like 5G, IoT, AI, and high-performance computing. Siemens offers multiple tools for IC designing, manufacturing, testing, and verification.
Pricing: Siemens offers two types of EDA software, Siemens Xcelerator and Siemens Xcelerator as a Service. Pricing of both software is available on request.
Proteus by Labcenter has been around for 35 years and it is constantly evolving. It provides virtual prototyping, shape-based auto routing, and you will get access to a vast library with over 15 million electrical components. The recent 8.17 update has now a Push and Shove route editing mode that further enhances its capabilities.
Pricing: Proteus offers multiple pricing plans with a free trial. These are:
EDA software adheres to several key principles that guide design and function of the IC. The key principles of EDA software are automation, scalability, efficiency, fault tolerance, etc. Let’s take a look below:
When you are searching for the best EDA software, then you need to consider factors like your projects, budget, system compatibility and more. Here’s what you need to consider before choosing the right electronic design automation tool:
The EDA field is rapidly evolving and with the new technology, it is important to stay abreast of the latest tools for the engineers and designers alike. Industry giants like Cadence, Synopsys, Altium, and others listed in this blog offer unique features and functionalities.
However, the best EDA software should meet your project requirements and aid you in achieving your design objectives effectively. Consider the factors like complexity of your projects, your budget constraints, and your familiarity with the tools. Moreover, look for system compatibility, technical support, and features offered to make an informed decision.
Whether you’re a professional engineer or a student, the right electronic design automation tool can make a significant difference in your projects. So, take the time to explore different options and choose the one that best suits your needs.
The best EDA software depends on individual needs and preferences. Leading options in this field include Cadence, Synopsys, Altium, KiCAD, and EasyEDA, each catering to specific requirements and preferences.
EDA, or electronic design automation tools, refers to computer programs designed for creating and analyzing electronic systems. These tools focus on electronic devices like integrated circuits, semiconductors, and printed circuit boards.
Electronic Design Automation tools (EDA) in VLSI (Very Large-Scale Integration) refers to the tools that are used to design electronic systems.
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