Integrated a unified installation architecture and introduced the PADS Multi-Suite configurations. It expanded the standard library structure to support massive component databases. PADS 9.2 & 9.3 (2010–2011)
The corporate structure behind the software was also turbulent. In 1998, PADS Software acquired ACT. In 2000, the company was sold to Innoveda, a joint venture with ViewLogic. However, this union was short-lived. A year later, in 2001, , bringing the PADS technology into the fold.
Kyoden sold PADS to Innoveda, which was subsequently acquired by Mentor Graphics in 2001.
The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a period of massive architectural changes, shifting to the Windows GUI and transitioning ownership to Mentor Graphics. PADS PowerPCB (Versions 2.0 to 5.0)
Following Siemens' acquisition of Mentor Graphics, these versions integrated PADS with cloud-based collaboration tools (Connect for PADS Professional). Component management moved toward cloud-hosted cloud libraries, reducing manual footprint generation. Siemens PADS Professional Era (2021–Present) mentor graphics pads version history
| Edition | Target Users | Key Features | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Entry-level engineers | Schematic capture, PCB layout, starter parts library, part creation wizard | | PADS Standard Plus | Intermediate designers | Advanced constraint management, high-speed net constraints and routing, HyperLynx-powered signal/thermal/analog simulation, central library management | | PADS Professional | Advanced professionals | Xpedition-derived technologies (Sketch Router, 2D/3D simultaneous layout), FPGA-PCB co-design, advanced signal integrity analysis |
Mentor Graphics PADS (now part of Siemens EDA) stands as one of the most enduring and widely used printed circuit board (PCB) design software suites in the electronics industry. Originally developed by CADAM and later acquired by PADS Software Inc., the toolset became a cornerstone of the Mentor Graphics portfolio in 2002. Over the decades, PADS transitioned from a basic DOS-based layout tool to a highly sophisticated, multi-disciplinary desktop engineering platform.
Mentor Graphics abandoned the year-based naming system in favor of version numbers, launching the PADS 9.x generation. PADS 9.0 represented a major structural overhaul. It integrated DxDesigner as an alternative, enterprise-grade schematic front-end option alongside the classic PADS Logic. This allowed PADS users to utilize Mentor's high-end component library management systems. PADS 9.3 & 9.4 (2011–2012)
: Introduced curved teardrops and multi-plow routing with trace shielding. In 1998, PADS Software acquired ACT
The release of PADS 2.0 marked a significant turning point in the software's history. This version introduced a graphical user interface (GUI), making it more intuitive and user-friendly. New features included schematic capture, component placement, and routing. PADS 2.0 also supported the creation of design rules, which helped ensure that PCBs met specific manufacturing and assembly requirements. As the software continued to gain traction, Mentor Graphics began to expand its capabilities, adding support for more complex designs and larger boards.
★★★★☆ (4/5) – Powerful, historically significant, but licensing and edition complexity hold it back from a perfect score.
Uses the IDX file exchange format to pass incremental design changes back and forth seamlessly between PADS and mechanical platforms like Siemens NX or SolidEdge.
The mid-1990s brought a complete transformation of the PADS platform. In 1995, the software was rebranded as , designed specifically for Windows 95. This marked a significant departure from the command-line-based DOS versions, introducing a graphical user interface that would define the product for years to come. A year later, in 2001, , bringing the
Signal Integrity (SI) and Power Integrity (PI) analysis via HyperLynx became tightly integrated into the PADS Professional workflow. PADS VX.2 (2016–2018)
: These versions focused on improving user interfaces and basic routing capabilities. The 9.x Series
Introduced the ability to save an existing layout segment (components and traces) and replicate it across multiple areas of the board or in different designs.
In the mid-1990s, the company was secretly acquired by Kyoden, a Japanese PCB manufacturer, which preceded a period of aggressive expansion in the US. The Mentor Graphics Era: 1997 – 2017
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