Applied Parameters: None
Summary
This command is used to place a Parameter Set object onto the active document, preconfigured as a differential pair directive (Label = DIFFPAIR). A differential pair directive allows you to define a differential pair object on the schematic. Attach a directive of this type to both the positive and negative nets of the intended pair. The nets themselves must be named with the suffixes of _P and _N respectively.
Each pair of directives (one for the positive net, one for the negative) of this type will yield a differential pair object when transferred to the PCB during the synchronization process.
For detailed information about this object type, see
Parameter Set.
Access
Specific differential pair parameter set directives are available for placement in the Schematic Editor only, by:
- Choosing Place » Directives » Differential Pair from the main menus.
- Locating and using the Differential Pair command (
) on the Active Bar.
If the command has been recently used from the Active Bar, it will become the active/visible button. Where other commands are available, this is indicated by a triangle at the bottom-right corner of the button. Click and hold on the active button to access a menu of all associated commands for that grouping.
- Right-clicking and choosing Place » Directives » Differential Pair from the context menu.
Use
After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will enter parameter set placement mode.
- Position the cursor over a wire or other net object and click or press Enter to effect placement.
- Continue placing further directives of this type, or right-click or press Esc to exit placement mode.
Press the
Tab key to access the
Properties panel, from where properties for the parameter set can be changed on-the-fly. Pressing
Tab pauses placement, allowing you to interact with the panel (or other area of the software) directly. To resume, click the pause symbol that appears over the workspace, or press
Esc.
Additional actions that can be performed during placement are:
- Press the Spacebar to rotate the parameter set counterclockwise, or Shift+Spacebar for clockwise rotation. Rotation is in increments of 90°.
- Press the X or Y keys to mirror the parameter set along the X-axis or Y-axis respectively.
Tips
- The name of a generated differential pair object on the PCB side will be the root name for the net pair on the schematic. For example directives added to RX0_N and RX0_P on the schematic, will generate a differential pair object on the PCB with the name RX0. Each resulting differential pair object will be added to the default Differential Pair class: <All Differential Pairs>. You can rename differential pair objects on the PCB side only.
- By attaching a differential pair directive to the perimeter of a blanket directive, you can quickly create differential pair objects based on differential nets within the confines of that blanket.
- For information on how a placed differential pair directive can be modified graphically, directly in the workspace, see Graphical Editing.
- While attributes can be modified during placement (Tab to bring up the Properties panel), bear in mind that these will become the default settings for further placement unless the Permanent option on the Schematic - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog is enabled. When this option is enabled, changes made will affect only the object being placed and subsequent objects placed during the same placement session.
Altium Designer Documentation
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Command Reference
Sch Commands