Mentor Graphics Pads Version History -

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

Version VX.0 – VX.2

Mentor Graphics changed the versioning nomenclature to "VX" (Visual Experience) to denote a major architectural update in the graphics engine.

• VX.0 (2014): This was arguably the biggest visual overhaul in the software's history. The rendering engine was rewritten to support true 3D visualization. Designers could now view the board, components, and enclosure

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

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

PADS (Personal Automated Design System) is a widely-used PCB design software suite that has evolved over four decades through multiple corporate ownerships. Originally a DOS-based tool, it is now part of the Siemens EDA portfolio. Early Era (1985–2000)

PADS Software Inc. (1985–1990s): Founded by Gene Marsh, the software first launched in 1985 for DOS, priced at $495 per seat. It gained popularity as an affordable desktop alternative to expensive workstation-based CAD systems.

Acquisitions & Innoveda (2000): The company was briefly sold to Japanese manufacturer Kyoden before being merged into Innoveda (a venture between Viewlogic and other capital) in 2000. Mentor Graphics Era (2001–2017)

Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda in 2001, integrating PADS into its larger electronic design automation (EDA) ecosystem.

PADS 2005/2007: Focused on integrating Mentor's advanced technologies, such as the DxDesigner schematic tool and HyperLynx for signal integrity analysis.

PADS 9.x Series: A long-standing version series (e.g., 9.0 to 9.5) that modernized the installation process and improved database formats while maintaining core traditional PADS workflows.

PADS VX (2014–Present): Introduced a major architectural shift. Mentor rebranded the tiers into PADS Standard, Standard Plus, and PADS Professional.

Standard/Standard Plus: Maintain the traditional PADS user interface (UI) and logic.

Professional: Built on Mentor's high-end Xpedition technology, featuring a different UI and advanced capabilities like the "Sketch Router". Siemens EDA Era (2017–Present) mentor graphics pads version history

Siemens acquired Mentor Graphics for $4.5 billion in 2017. Recent releases under the Siemens brand include:

For nearly four decades, PADS has remained a cornerstone of printed circuit board (PCB) design, evolving from a simple DOS-based tool into a sophisticated suite of electronic design automation (EDA) solutions. Now part of Siemens EDA (formerly Mentor Graphics), the PADS version history reflects the industry's shift from manual drafting to high-speed, automated, and cloud-integrated design. The Early Era: 1985 – 1997

PADS began as a startup focused on bringing professional-grade PCB layout tools to the desktop.

PADS-PCB (1985): Founded by Gene Marsh, the first version of PADS was released for the DOS operating system, priced affordably at approximately $495 per seat to target individual engineers.

The Growth Years: During the early 1990s, PADS expanded its capabilities with PADS Logic (for schematic capture) and PADS Layout. By 1991, the software had become a standard for service bureaus.

Acquisition by Kyoden: 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

The transition to Mentor Graphics marked the integration of high-end analysis tools into the PADS ecosystem.

Innoveda and Mentor Acquisition (2000–2001): Kyoden sold PADS to Innoveda, which was subsequently acquired by Mentor Graphics in 2001.

PADS 2005 / 2007: These versions focused on stability and the introduction of advanced simulation. PADS 2007.3 introduced HyperLynx Analog as an add-in for DxDesigner, significantly enhancing signal integrity capabilities.

PADS 9.x Series (2008–2012): Released to modernize the installation and database structure, PADS 9.4 updated ASCII formats for Layout and Router while maintaining library compatibility. The Modern VX Era: 2014 – Present

In 2014, Mentor Graphics overhauled the product line, introducing the "VX" (Vertical Experience) platform and tiering the software into Standard, Standard Plus, and Professional.

PADS (Personal Automated Design System) is a long-standing PCB design software suite that has evolved through several corporate ownerships, including PADS Software, Innoveda, Mentor Graphics, and currently Siemens EDA.  Ownership History & Major Milestones 

The software’s journey is marked by key acquisitions that integrated advanced simulation and layout technologies:  1986: Founded by Gene Marsh as PADS Software.

1990s: Expanded capabilities by acquiring HyperLynx (1997) for signal integrity and ACT (1998). Title: Evolution of the Standard: A History of

2000: Acquired by Innoveda, a joint venture between Viewlogic and Kyoden.

2002: Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda, bringing PADS into its high-end EDA portfolio.

2017: Siemens completed its acquisition of Mentor Graphics, rebranding the division as Siemens EDA.  Key Version Releases 

Versions of PADS generally fall into three distinct eras of numbering and architecture:  History of PADS - PCB Libraries Forum

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.

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 (originally Personal Automated Design System) has a

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:

• High-speed design: Support for high-speed design, including automatic tuning and optimization, and signal integrity analysis.
• Schematic capture: Integrated schematic capture and simulation tools for efficient design creation and verification.
• 3D design: Support for 3D design and visualization, enabling designers to validate their designs in a virtual environment.
• Collaboration: Enhanced collaboration capabilities, including support for multiple users and design teams.
• Simulation: Integrated simulation tools for signal integrity, power integrity, and thermal analysis.

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

• Mentor Graphics. (n.d.). PADS. Retrieved from https://www.mentor.com/pads
• PADS. (n.d.). History of PADS. Retrieved from https://www.pads.com/about-pads/history-of-pads/
• EDACafe. (2015). Mentor Graphics Acquires PADS. Retrieved from https://www.edacafe.com/news/2015/07/15/mentor-graphics-acquires-pads

FAQs

• What is Mentor Graphics PADS? Mentor Graphics PADS is a printed circuit board (PCB) design software that provides a comprehensive set of tools for schematic capture, component placement, routing, and simulation.
• What are the key features of PADS? Key features of PADS include high-speed design, schematic capture, 3D design, collaboration, and simulation tools.
• What is the latest version of PADS? The latest version of PADS is PADS Xtreme, released in 2017.
• What is the history of PADS? PADS was founded in the 1980s and was acquired by Mentor Graphics in 1997. Since then, the software has undergone significant developments and improvements, with a focus on integrating the software with other Mentor Graphics tools and platforms.

4. PADS VX (2015–2020): The “Variable X” Generation

With the VX (Variable X) branding, Mentor introduced a subscription‑style numbering scheme and a cloud‑connected component portal.

| Version | Year | Key Features | |-------------|----------|-------------------| | PADS VX.0 | 2015 | Component Explorer (live part search from SnapEDA and Mouser). Full 3D placement with collision detection. | | PADS VX.1 | 2016 | PADS Professional tier (higher‑end features like team design, version control). | | PADS VX.2 | 2017 | Rules‑driven via‑in‑pad support. DXF import/export overhaul for mechanical outlines. | | PADS VX.2.4 | 2018 | Introduced Padstack Editor with tabular data import. | | PADS VX.2.10 | 2020 | Last release under Mentor Graphics brand. Added High‑Speed Design wizards (serpentine tuning, multi‑trace diff‑pair tuning). |

Important: Starting VX.2, PADS Standard and PADS Professional diverged significantly – Professional added xDM Library Server and Concurrent Team Design.

The Innoveda Interregnum (1995–2001)

The mid-90s brought the Windows revolution. PADS Software merged with Innoveda (which itself was a conglomeration of several EDA vendors). This era was chaotic for versioning, but critical for the tool’s survival.