Configuring PCB Accordion Object Properties in Altium Designer

Parent page: Accordion

PCB Editor object properties are definable options that specify the visual style, content, and behavior of the placed object. The property settings for each type of object are defined in the following way:

• Post-placement settings – all Accordion object properties are available for editing in the Properties panel when an Accordion is selected in the design space.

Net Information

• Net Name - the name of the selected net.
• Net Class - the name of the selected net class.
• Total
  • Length - the total Signal Length. The Signal Length is the accurate calculation of the total node-to-node distance. Placed objects are analyzed to: resolve stacked or overlapping objects and wandering paths within pads; and via lengths are included. If the net is not completely routed, the Manhattan (X + Y) length of the connection line is also included. For more information regarding Signal Length and its applications, see the PCB - Nets page.
  • Delay - the delay of the routed segments of the Total Length.
• Selected
  • Length - the total length sum of the selected segments.
  • Delay - the total delay of the selected segments, including those unrouted.

Target 

• Source
  • ​Manual - enter the length in the Target Length field. The Recently Used Lengths region keeps track of the values you have entered so that you can use them again.
    • ​Recently Used Lengths - lists the recently used manual target lengths that you can use to define the Target Length value. The currently selected length value is shown in the Target Length field.
  • From Net - choose a net from the displayed nets. The length of the chosen net will become the target, however, it will be overridden if there are more restrictive design rules defined.
    • List Nets - lists the net names and their lengths on the current PCB according to their class. The currently selected net length value is shown in the Target Length field.
  • From Rules - you need to have one or both of the Length and Matched Length design rules defined to use this mode. Altium Designer will then obey the most stringent combination of these rules.
    • List of Rules - lists the length of rules for the current PCB document. The currently selected rule maximum length value is shown in the Target Length field.​
• ​Target - displays the target length being defined by the rules. Note that the most stringent combination of the rules is used.
  • ​Clip to Target - enable to ensure that the final length does not exceed the target length. When enabled, the Amplitude and Gap values are automatically adjusted to achieve the target length.

Pattern

• ​Max Amplitude - shows the current maximum allowed amplitude of tuning segments. Edit this field to change the maximum allowable amplitude, which can be defined in either mm or mil units. To specify the units when entering a number, add the mm or mil suffix to the value. You also can use the - or + to decrease or increase the value. The Increment field displays the current increment when you increase or decrease the value and can be edited as required. 
• Space - shows the distance between the centerlines of adjacent accordion switchback paths. Press the 3 or 4 shortcut keys to interactively decrease or increase the space, in increments of space step.  You also can use the - or + to decrease or increase the value.
• (Space) Step - shows the Space value. This changes when the 3 or the 4 shortcut key is pressed during accordion placement or interactive editing.
• Miter -  shows the percentage that the corners of the tuning pattern are mitered when the Style is Mitered Lines or Mitered Arcs. Press the 1 or 2 shortcut keys to interactively decrease or increase the Miter, in increments of the miter step. You also can use the - or + to decrease or increase the value.
• (Miter) Step - shows the Miter value. This changes when the 1 or 2 shortcut keys are pressed during accordion placement or interactive editing. 
• Style - this region is used to select the current amplitude wave pattern. There are three pattern styles: Mitered Lines, Mitered Arcs, and Rounded. The PCB Editor will attempt to match the target length by adding segments to the length according to the defined target length. The region below updates accordingly to show the currently selected pattern style.