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Try for free for 30 days Sigrity X OptimizePI
OptimizePI determines how many decoupling capacitors are needed, which types to select, and where they provide the most benefit — measured against the power distribution network's impedance rather than habit.
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The challenge
The solution
HOW IT WORKS
The power distribution network must stay below a defined target impedance across the frequency range. That is the criterion, and that is what the decoupling scheme must deliver.
Two capacitors in the right location can achieve more than ten in the wrong one. The analysis evaluates all three aspects simultaneously.
Every capacitor adds purchasing, PCB area, and assembly costs — on every single board produced. This makes the return on optimization straightforward to calculate.
VALUE
From target impedance and component selection to placement and the consequences of removing components.
Without a target, there is no way to determine whether the decoupling scheme is sufficient.
A capacitor is more than just a capacitance value. It is also mounting parasitics and a frequency response.
The location where the capacitor is placed determines whether it functions effectively at high frequencies.
The most valuable analysis is often the one that shows what can be safely removed.
Decoupling is one part of power integrity, not the entire picture.
Implementation
An existing design quickly reveals whether there are capacitors that provide no benefit. It is also the simplest place to evaluate the value of the optimization.
The target depends on the load and how much noise it tolerates. We provide guidance on standard industry practices and the implications of setting overly tight constraints.
You gain direct access to specialists who understand both power delivery networks and layout design, and who can evaluate the results alongside your team.
Ready?
A brief conversation is usually enough to clarify whether your decoupling scheme can be optimized. No pitch. No pressure. Just an open discussion about how capacitor counts are determined in your team today.
FAQ
Often, yes. When decoupling is dimensioned by experience, there are typically both capacitors that provide no real benefit and areas that lack sufficient coverage. The analysis highlights both, and the savings apply to every single board produced.
The layout, stackup, and an understanding of the load requirements. We can help define the target impedance if it is not already specified by the component vendor.
They typically provide a recommendation, which serves as a sensible starting point. However, it does not account for your specific stackup, your plane split, or your available space. That is precisely where the difference between a generic recommendation and what is actually required lies.
OptimizePI focuses specifically on decoupling: count, type, and placement evaluated against an impedance requirement. PowerSI calculates the broader electrical behavior of the power distribution network, and SystemPI analyzes it across multiple boards. Most teams start with the immediate, concrete challenge, which is typically decoupling.
Contact us
A brief dialogue is often enough to clarify if Nordcad is the right choice for you. No pitch. No pressure.
15+ specialists
