Compare DipTrace vs. PathWave RF Synthesis

DipTrace is a professional PCB design suite from Novarm Ltd, in continuous development since 2004 and used by over 30,000 engineers across 50+ countries. Companies in aerospace, defense, medical devices, and industrial electronics rely on it for production work. The suite covers the full design flow in one environment. Schematic Capture handles multi-sheet hierarchical projects with electrical rule check, a Digital SPICE Simulator for analog and digital circuits, and cross-selection with the board. PCB Layout provides interactive push-and-shove editing, where moving or rotating a placed component displaces neighbouring traces and vias as you work, and dragged traces route themselves around pads, keepouts, and existing copper. Designers choose whether design rules are enforced at all times or violations are permitted deliberately. High-speed work is supported through differential pair routing, length matching, layer stackup management, and a PCB calculator. Manufacturing output covers Gerber X2, ODB++, IPC-2581, NC Drill, and STEP for mechanical CAD. Version 5.3 introduced a native XML project format that mirrors the binary format feature for feature, making designs practical to keep under Git or another version control system. Component sourcing runs through a database-powered search with Mouser integration and SnapEDA access to more than 10 million parts. Projects import from Altium, KiCad, Eagle, OrCAD, EasyEDA Pro, Pulsonix, and PADS. DipTrace runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Licensing is perpetual — bought once, with no subscription or maintenance fees — across five editions starting at $75. Technical support is provided to every user, including those on the free edition.

Examine RF and microwave circuits and systems using rapid simulation and robust optimization tools that enhance your design process. Delve into performance trade-offs through the integration of automatic circuit synthesis technology. PathWave RF Synthesis (Genesys) offers foundational features that cater to all designers of RF and microwave circuit boards and subsystems. With PathWave Circuit Design, you can uncover RF design mistakes that conventional spreadsheet analyses often overlook. This introductory design platform, which encompasses circuit, system, and electromagnetic simulators, enables you to approach design reviews with greater assurance prior to the realization of hardware. With just a few clicks, you can observe the automatic synthesis and optimization of your matching network. After that, easily transfer your design to PathWave Advanced Design System (ADS) to incorporate it into more intricate designs, ensuring seamless integration and enhanced functionality. By leveraging these tools, you can streamline the design process and enhance the overall efficiency of your RF and microwave projects.