The Complete History of Mentor Graphics PADS: From DOS Upstart to Siemens Mainstay

Introduction: The People’s PCB Tool

For over three decades, the world of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design has been dominated by a few key players: Cadence Allegro, Altium Designer, Zuken, and the subject of our deep dive—PADS (Personal Automated Design Systems). While high-end tools handled the aerospace and supercomputer markets, PADS carved out a unique legacy. It was the tool for the everyman: the small consultancy, the automotive supplier, the embedded systems engineer, and the hardware startup.

PADS Professional (2016-Present)

  • Cloud-based library management (PADS Cloud).
  • HyperLynx integrated directly into PADS Professional for SI/PI/thermal.
  • Siemens Capital harness integration (for systems engineering).
  • Push-pull routing, via arrays, rigid-flex design.
  • Command-line interface with menu-driven commands.
  • Grid-based manual routing.
  • Limited to 2 layers in entry versions.
  • Database measured in kilobyte netlists.

PADS 2007 (2006)

A landmark release focused on design reuse.

2. Corporate Transitions: Innoveda and Acquisition (1990s–2002)

2. Origins: The PADS Software Inc. Era (1986–1994)

The history of PADS begins not with Mentor Graphics, but with PADS Software, Inc., founded in 1986. The original product, known simply as PADS-PC, was a DOS-based application.

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