Standalone Speedstack impedance coupon generator from Polar Instruments

Originally available only as part of Polar’s Speedstack impedance field solver and layer stackup system, the new standalone impedance coupon generator accepts data pasted directly from Polar’s Si8000m field-solving impedance calculator or Si9000e PCB transmission-line field solver, in addition to the full Speedstack stackup system. Users can also choose to enter their own data manually, or to import XML files.

Developed for use by PCB manufacturers, or design engineers who want a tightly-controlled and seamless transition from design to manufacture, the Speedstack impedance coupon generator can also be used to produce RIE coupons for testing high-frequency losses in base materials.

To create Gerber files for impedance test coupon production, the designer builds and documents a PCB stack manually, or using one of the Speedstack tools. For a manual or scripted process, the build data for the PCB stack is keyed into the coupon generator, or imported as an XML file. For a PCB stack created with one of the Speedstack tools, the build data can simply be pasted directly into the coupon generator. The generator compiles the stack-up build data with the preferred coupon style and dimensions, including thieving, adds the footprint for the selected standard, controlled impedance test system (CITS) probe and exports a pack of Gerber files which can be imported for panellisation.

Managing director, Martyn Gaudion, explained, “Speedstack coupon generator extends the ability to produce impedance test coupons of the highest accuracy to designers working outside the full Speedstack PCB environment and provides the flexibility to create accurate build data for impedance test coupons at any stage of the stack design process. For designers who prefer to use manual or scripted methods of stack design, this new tool replaces hours of manual work with a fast and easy process for coupon generation.“

The Speedstack toolset comprises PCB impedance and transmission line field solvers, a PCB stackup designer and the new standalone impedance coupon generator which simplifies the design of accurate impedance test coupons for complex multi-layer PCBs.