Using Net Ties To Meet PCB Design Requirements

The Net Tie is a component type that allows PCB engineers and designers flexibility when handling a variety of design challenges. This paper explores the advantages to using Net Ties in Altium Designer® to join multiple nets (shorts) into one single net at very specific locations in the PCB. 

There are two types of Net Ties, Net Tie and Net Tie (In BOM). Each type is available on the pulldown options for Type in the Component Properties dialog. When using a Net Tie, the component schematic symbol graphic is attached to a specific type of footprint containing copper features connecting (shorting) the pads together. Net connectivity between the schematic symbol pins and PCB footprint pads is established in the customary way; however, no line item will appear for this component in the Bill Of Materials (BOM). Using the Net Tie (In BOM) allows materials to be called out in the BOM. Both types will be explored in this paper.