Specifying the Package Outline

PartQuest Portal Subscription: Essential tier

You use the Package Outline page of the Footprint Creator wizard to specify the package outline of a custom footprint. A PartQuest Portal footprint package outline is specified by the general characteristics of the package, the shape of the package, and the detailed dimensions of the body.

As you build a package, the right panel displays a top-down, two-dimensional (2D) preview of the package. The dimensions of the package outline appear as you specify them.

Tip

For more information about an package outline option, click the information icon () to display a cross reference to the section of the JEDEC standard that defines the package outline term or dimension.

Prerequisites

  • You have logged into the PartQuest Portal website with your Siemens account. See “Signing In to the PartQuest Portal Application”.

  • You have detailed package information from the part manufacturer.

    Tip

    If a dimension is not found in the datasheet, there is no need for you to provide that dimension in the Footprint Creator wizard. The wizard calculates dimensions and applies the rules of the JEDEC standards for electronic device package descriptions automatically. Enter only data that is provided in the part datasheet.

  • You have opened the Footprint Creator wizard (from the home page, click Create Footprint, and then from the My Footprints page, click Create Footprint).

Procedure

  1. From the Package Outline section, choose a package outline type.

    If the Extended Package Outline section appears, choose an option from this section too.

  2. From the General section, choose general specifications of the package as follows:
    1. Choose a Unit-of-Measure (UOM) as defined by the datasheet.
      Tip

      If the datasheet provides both imperial and metric units, select “mm (millimeters)”.

    2. Choose a mounting preparation.

      The wizard displays mounting preparation options appropriate for the package outline you selected. For example, small outline packages do not require prepping prior to mounting and so the wizard displays the straight mounted option only.

    3. Choose a body direction.

      The wizard displays body direction options appropriate for the package outline you selected. For example, small outline devices are always placed in the horizontal direction on the board and so the wizard displays the horizontal option only.

  3. From the Package Shape section, choose a shape that most closely represents the package body.

    The wizard displays package shape options appropriate for the package outline you selected. For example, small outline devices are always a rectangle package shape.

  4. Enter package dimensions as follows:
    1. From the Dimensions section, type the minimum, nominal (typical), and maximum package dimension values provided in the datasheet.

      Datasheets vary in how they provide dimension information. For example, some datasheets provide nominal values with minimum and maximum values of a dimension. Other datasheets will provide a nominal dimension with a positive and negative tolerance. You can specify the dimensions using either approach. Nominal is sometimes referred to as typical by some datasheets.

      Tip

      Enter all of the dimensions provided in the datasheet. Do not compute dimensions that are not provided in the datasheet. The wizard extrapolates unspecified dimensions from known dimensions.

    2. View the 2D preview of the package to confirm that the package dimensions are correct.
  5. Click Continue to Terminals.

    Either the Footprint Creator wizard Terminals page displays or a popup error message displays that indicates the mandatory dimensions that are missing. Options with errors appear in red on the Package Outline page.

Results

The wizard generates a package outline with the dimensions that you specified. You are ready to specify the terminals (pins) of the package.