Mentor rebranded versions to to align with Xpedition Enterprise.
The history of PADS (Printed Automated Design System) is a decades-long journey of evolution from a simple DOS tool to a high-end professional EDA (Electronic Design Automation) platform under Siemens EDA Early Origins and Independence (1985–2000) mentor graphics pads version history
PADS acquired HyperLynx for signal integrity and ACT for simulation. Mentor rebranded versions to to align with Xpedition
PADS (Personal Automated Design System) has evolved over more than 30 years from a desktop-focused PCB design tool into a high-end platform integrated into the Siemens EDA ecosystem. Originally created by Gene Marsh, it underwent significant shifts in ownership—moving from Innoveda to in 2001, and eventually to Siemens in 2017. Early Era & Expansion (1980s – 2000s) Originally created by Gene Marsh, it underwent significant
The first version of PADS, version 1.0, was released in 1985 by PADS, a company founded by John Davis and others. At that time, the software was a simple, text-based PCB design tool.