Why PCB Design Software is Proving So Vital to Modern Circuit Board Ingenuity

Abhishek Budholiya
The demand for PCB design software from the electronics manufacturing industry has been robust

Printed circuit board (PCB) design software is a remarkable tool when it comes to designing PCB for electronic devices. By using the PCB design software, an engineer not only addresses issues associated with power integrity and signal, but is also able to modify and improve the entire circuit structure. PCB design software can be easily integrated with other associated plugin PLM software that can assist engineers to better analyze layouts and designs of PCBs. In recent years, the demand for PCB design software from the electronics manufacturing industry has been robust. According to the latest data released by Future Market Insights (FMI), the global market for PCB design software is set to witness a CAGR of more than 12% between 2016 and 2026 to rake in $4,755.1 million in revenues by the end of the forecast period. 

Needless to say, PCB design software eliminates issues faster and significantly reduces circuit board debugging time as compared to other traditional technologies. Therefore, to cut down on development time and avoid project delays, the electronic industry is rapidly adopting the latest versions of PCB design software. Undoubtedly, the consumer electronics industry is the primary end-user of PCB design software. Owing to the rise of smart wearable devices and smartphones, which require highly sophisticated circuit board designs, the use of PCB design software has become widespread in such electronic manufacturing segments. 

Moreover, such software allows engineers to run simulations that can help them identify real-time issues associated with applying the circuit. There are several other tasks such as testing error tolerance, input signals, and reaching the desired output that can be effortlessly accomplished through PCB design software. This, in turn, saves time and money, as potential bugs can be rectified prior to building a physical prototype. Also, there are occasions when engineers identify the incorrect placement of components after the circuit is fabricated, and thus have to repeat the entire procedures. 

Most of the technology companies, especially those in North America, rely heavily on PCB design software for product development. The market PCB design software in the region will continue to grow at a staggering rate over the next couple of years due to ramped up investments in research and development.

Designing a printed circuit board can often become complex, as the process involves the integration of multiple wires and components. Hence, the chances of errors are usually high and it is always recommended that engineers run PCB simulations to avoid additional costs. Further, PCB design software features such as auto-routing, auto-tuning, and auto-placement can significantly reduce chances of errors, making PCB fabrication easier. 

By using PCB design software, engineers can experiment with circuit board designs or even make minor improvements in them without having to make any significant budget extension for the project. This is identified as a major factor boosting the growth of the PCB design software market across the globe. However, operating a PCB design software needs a high level of expertise and skill sets, as understanding them can be a time-consuming affair. 

Of late, developers are uploading free PCB design software versions on the Internet that have a range of application in circuit board designing. In countries such as the US, China, and Russia, there is a strong prevalence of software piracy, which is compelling companies to lower the prices of the original software. Analysts in FMI have identified it as a major growth deterrent of the market.

Some of the leading companies operating in the global market for PCB design software include Mentor Graphics Corporation, Cadence Design Systems, and Zuken. Developers are actively focused on consolidating their market presence through collaborations and A&Ms and are further expanding their product portfolio.