Practical PCB Design and Manufacture
The main objective of this course is to explore the process of transforming ideas into operational prototype circuit boards, which can be further developed for production. It will cover the construction of prototypes using both solderless breadboards and more complex multilayer circuit boards while emphasizing industry-approved design practices that prioritize risk management, testing, signal integrity, power integrity, circuit troubleshooting, debugging, and manufacturing, all while ensuring cost and schedule objectives are met.
Board 1
Learned the whole functional design flow right from implementing the circuitry on SBB to designing the schematic and layout on Altium. Practiced manual SMT assembly and soldering. Understood the concept of PDR(preliminary design review), and CDR(critical design review).
Board 2
Learned how layout decisions influence the amount of switching noise and the best measurement practices for measuring switching noise in a PCB.
Board 3
Learned to design a ‘Golden Arduino’ board that accepts the uploaded code from a USB port, runs the Arduino IDE, and is fully compatible with most Arduino Uno R3 shields.
LABS
PDN noise and capacitors
In this lab, we learned the importance of decoupling capacitors and their impact on the switching noise. We understood how to calculate the appropriate capacitor value and the concept of loop inductance. We learned why the placement of the decoupling capacitor on the power rails matters the most while designing the printed circuit board.
Measure cross-talk between signal-return loops in the special test board
In this lab, we learned the importance of ground-return planes on the printed circuit boards and their impact on the switching noise. We understood how to reduce the crosstalk induced by the aggressor signal-return path and the concept of loop inductance. We learned why not to share the return paths between the signal-return loops of the aggressor and victim and how it matters the most while designing the printed circuit board.
Measure trace resistance and blow up traces
In this lab, We learned the concepts of 2-wire resistance and 4-wire resistance measurements. We also learned how to use a power supply with constant voltage and constant current power supply. Analyzed and measured the maximum current carrying capacity of narrow traces by putting too much current through them and having them blow up.
My good-bad switching noise board
In this lab, We understood what to expect with the board 2 design project. We analyzed the difference caused by continuous return path under signal, decoupling capacitors in proximity to the IC, and continuous ground plane.
Diff or SE signaling and ground noise
In this lab, We analyzed the quality of the analog signal measurements from a temperature sensor using a single-ended and differential pair measurement. We also understood the concept of “Noisy ground”.
Measure the in-rush current and operation current of a board
In this lab, I explored a simple method of measuring the inrush current and steady-state current draw that a board draws from the 5V power supply.
SBB circuits: ferrites
In this lab, I learned about the pole frequency explored ferrite filters, and analyzed the difference in the noise filtering after using them in the circuit.