PCB Design Basics

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

What is PCB Design?

• Creation of Schematics

• Layout of Components

• Routing of Traces

Involves the use of CAD software!

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Eagle – Modules

• Schematic Editor

• Layout Editor

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Eagle – Modules

• Autorouter

– Leaves a mess

– Lots of setup

– In most cases, Doesn’t save time

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Eagle – Integration

• Schematic Part and Footprint

• Back Annotation

• Library Editor

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Schematic Capture

• Logical Flow

• Use Net Ports

• Decoupling Capacitors

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

PCB Layout

• Layer Stackup

• Material Considerations

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

PCB Layout

• Group by Function

• Watch Spacing (Soldering!)

• Flow

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Trace Routing

• Current Capacity

– Trace Width

– Copper Thickness

• Voltage Isolation

– Distance (Clearance/Creepage)

– Environment

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Trace Routing

• Signal Integrity

– Short Traces

– No Right Angles

• Coupling

– Parallel Traces

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Trace Routing

• Ground Planes

– They’re that important

– A ground plane on a printed circuit board (PCB) is a large area or layer of copper foil connected to the circuit's ground point, usually one terminal of the power supply. It serves as the return path for current from many different components.

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Design Rule Check (DRC)

• DRC

– Enforces Specifications

– Helps Prevents Mistakes

• Specifications

– Clearance / Trace Width (Track/Gap)

– Drill Size / Annular Ring

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Design Rule Check (DRC)

Annular Ring

Drill Size

Trace Width

Clearance

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Fabrication

• Production

– Milling VS Chemical Etch VS Laser

– Through Hole Plating

• Submission

– Gerber Files (Layers)

– NC Drill File

Engineering Innovation Center – EIC

Fabrication

• Generate Files

– Eagle - ‘Cam Processor’

– Check files first!

• Submission

– EIC Specifications Online

– Google Form Submission – ‘Prototyping Request’