Mentor Graphics Pads Version History

| Pros | Cons | |---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Long file backward compatibility (PADS 9.x files open in VX/Pro) | Steep price increase after Siemens acquisition | | Scalable – from simple 2-layer to complex 20+ layer boards | Feature fragmentation across Standard/Plus/Pro | | Strong router (PADS Router / Allegro-like in Pro) | Some versions (VX.0–VX.1) had stability issues | | Excellent simulation integration (HyperLynx) | Documentation can be scattered across versions | | Still used by many contract manufacturers (CMs) | No native macOS/Linux version (Windows only) |

Mentor dropped the "9" naming and moved to "VX."

PADS VX.1 (2016):

This was the Big Bang moment. The old DOS interface was scrapped. PADS moved to a native Windows GUI (Windows 95/NT).

Mentor rebranded versions to PADS VX.x to align with Xpedition Enterprise.

If you need a specific version’s release notes or bug fix details (e.g., PADS 9.5 vs. VX.2.7), let me know and I can provide deeper technical comparisons.

The Evolution of Mentor Graphics PADS: A Comprehensive Version History

Mentor Graphics PADS is a popular printed circuit board (PCB) design software that has been widely used in the electronics industry for decades. The software has undergone significant changes and improvements over the years, with each new version offering enhanced features, capabilities, and performance. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the Mentor Graphics PADS version history, highlighting the key developments, milestones, and innovations that have shaped the software into what it is today.

Early Years: PADS 1.0 to 3.0 (1980s-1990s)

The first version of PADS, version 1.0, was released in the early 1980s by PADS, a company founded by three engineers in the United States. The software was initially designed for MS-DOS and provided basic PCB design capabilities, including schematic capture, component placement, and routing. Over the next few years, PADS released several updates, including version 2.0, which introduced support for hierarchical designs and version 3.0, which added capabilities for high-speed design and simulation.

Acquisition by Mentor Graphics (1997)

In 1997, Mentor Graphics acquired PADS, and the software became an integral part of the company's portfolio of design tools. Under Mentor Graphics, PADS continued to evolve and improve, with a focus on integrating the software with other Mentor Graphics tools and platforms.

PADS 4.0 to 5.0 ( Late 1990s-Early 2000s)

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the release of PADS 4.0 and 5.0, which introduced significant enhancements to the software. Version 4.0 featured improved performance, enhanced user interface, and support for larger designs. Version 5.0, released in 2001, added support for System-On-Chip (SoC) designs, high-speed design, and signal integrity analysis. mentor graphics pads version history

PADS 6.0 to 8.0 (Mid 2000s-Late 2000s)

The mid 2000s to late 2000s saw the release of PADS 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0, which continued to build on the software's capabilities. Version 6.0 introduced support for advanced high-speed design, including automatic tuning and optimization. Version 7.0, released in 2006, added support for design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA). Version 8.0, released in 2008, featured improved collaboration capabilities and support for 64-bit operating systems.

PADS 9.0 to 10.0 (Early 2010s)

The early 2010s saw the release of PADS 9.0 and 10.0, which marked significant milestones in the software's evolution. Version 9.0, released in 2010, introduced a new user interface, improved performance, and enhanced support for high-speed design. Version 10.0, released in 2012, added support for 3D design, advanced simulation, and integration with other Mentor Graphics tools.

PADS OrCAD and PADS Xtreme (2015-Present)

In 2015, Mentor Graphics released PADS OrCAD, a comprehensive PCB design solution that integrated PADS with the OrCAD schematic capture and simulation tools. This release marked a significant shift towards a more integrated design flow. Later, in 2017, Mentor Graphics released PADS Xtreme, a next-generation PCB design platform that featured a modern user interface, improved performance, and enhanced capabilities for high-speed design, simulation, and collaboration.

Key Features and Enhancements

Throughout its version history, Mentor Graphics PADS has introduced a wide range of features and enhancements, including:

Conclusion

The Mentor Graphics PADS version history reflects the software's evolution over several decades, from its early beginnings as a basic PCB design tool to its current status as a comprehensive PCB design platform. Throughout its history, PADS has consistently delivered innovative features, improved performance, and enhanced capabilities, making it a popular choice among electronics designers and manufacturers. As the electronics industry continues to advance, it is likely that PADS will continue to evolve and adapt, providing designers with the tools and capabilities they need to create complex, high-performance designs.

References

FAQs

The history of PADS (Personal Automated Design System) is a decades-long journey that mirrors the evolution of the entire electronic design automation (EDA) industry. From its origins as a budget-friendly DOS application to its current status as a sophisticated suite under Siemens, PADS has remained a staple for independent engineers and small-to-medium design teams. 1. The Early Era: PADS-PCB and the DOS Roots (1985–1990s) Review: Extremely efficient for its time, but a

PADS was originally created by Gene Marsh and his son in the mid-1980s.

1985 Release: The first version, PADS-PCB, debuted for DOS. At just $495 per seat, it democratized PCB design, which was previously locked behind expensive, proprietary Unix workstations.

Market Growth: Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, the company grew rapidly, becoming a primary competitor to early leaders like PCAD and Calay Systems.

2. Corporate Transitions: Innoveda and Acquisition (1990s–2002)

The late 90s saw PADS bolster its technical capabilities through strategic acquisitions before undergoing significant corporate changes.

Expansion (1997–1998): PADS acquired HyperLynx in 1997, integrating what would become the industry-standard tool for signal integrity. In 1998, they added ACT (Advanced CAM Technologies) to improve manufacturing output.

Ownership Shifts: In 2000, the company was sold to Innoveda, a joint venture involving ViewLogic. This period is often remembered by longtime users for a perceived stall in product innovation. 3. The Mentor Graphics Era (2002–2017)

In 2002, Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda for $160 million, officially bringing PADS into its portfolio.

PADS 2005 & 2007: Mentor introduced "Flow" bundles, integrating Logic, Layout, and Router into a cohesive Windows-based environment.

The "9.x" Series: Versions like PADS 9.3 and 9.5 were major milestones, widely used for years. These versions solidified the classic workflow of using PADS Logic for schematics and PADS Layout for the board.

PADS Professional (2015): To compete with high-end tools like Altium, Mentor launched PADS Professional. This was a radical shift, as it was built on the high-end Xpedition technology rather than the legacy PADS code. 4. Siemens and the VX Series (2017–Present)

Following Siemens' $4.5 billion acquisition of Mentor Graphics in 2017, the software was rebranded under Siemens EDA. History of PADS - PCB Libraries Forum

PADS (originally Personal Automated Design System) has a long history, transitioning through several corporate owners from its 1986 debut to its current status under Siemens EDA. Key Eras in PADS Evolution New in 2023–2024:

Early Era (1986–2000): Developed by PADS Software, Inc. It became a staple for desktop PCB design. In 2000, it was briefly sold to Innoveda before Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda in 2001.

Mentor Classic Era (2001–2014): During this time, Mentor released major versions like PADS 2005, 2007, and 9.x. These versions introduced tools like PADS Logic and PADS Router.

The VX Era (2014–Present): Mentor transitioned to the VX (Virtual Extensible) platform. Following Siemens' acquisition of Mentor Graphics in 2017, the software was rebranded as Siemens EDA. Summary of Major Releases Mentor Graphics PADS 9.3 Tutorial - Introduction Part 1

The history of PADS (Printed Automated Design System) is a decades-long journey of evolution from a simple DOS tool to a high-end professional EDA (Electronic Design Automation) platform under Siemens EDA Early Origins and Independence (1985–2000)

PADS began its life as an independent company, originally founded by Gene Marsh. The first version of was released for DOS, priced at approximately $495.

The software gained popularity for its ease of use on desktop PCs. During this era, PADS acquired critical technologies like (1997) for signal integrity and The company was sold to , a joint venture involving ViewLogic. The Mentor Graphics Era (2001–2016)

Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda in 2001, bringing PADS into its extensive portfolio of design tools. PADS 2005 / 2007: During the mid-2000s, Mentor released versions like

, focusing on improving the core PADS Logic (schematic) and PADS Layout environments. PADS 9.x Series:

A long-standing series that introduced advanced features like high-speed design and improved auto-routing. 2014–2015 (The VX Era): Mentor introduced the VX (Value Expansion)

release platform. This was a major shift that split PADS into three distinct tiers: PADS Standard: For basic PCB design. PADS Standard Plus: Added advanced analysis like HyperLynx. PADS Professional: Powered by Mentor's high-end technology, intended for complex hardware designs. Siemens Acquisition and Modern Era (2017–Present)

acquired Mentor Graphics for $4.5 billion, eventually rebranding the division as Siemens EDA

Title: Evolution of the Standard: A History of Mentor Graphics PADS Subject: Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Software Lineage Date: October 2023