PCB

EAGLE files

For this variant (2.2) of the OpenDCC decoder, a double sided print of 80x80mm has been developed.

This PCB layout is available as EAGLE .brd files; see the download section. EAGLE is a piece of widely used PCB design software, and available for non-profit purposes under a freeware license. For the freeware version the maximum layout size is 100x100 cm, thus sufficient for the 80x80mm switch decoder board.

In addition to the layout file, the download section also contains the associated Eagle schema file, which can be used in case modifications are needed.

The download section also contains a euro-card sized (100x160mm) PCB layout, which includes 2 switch decoders, 3 RS-bus feedback boards, as well as 1 Railcom feedback board (for the Railcom board no software is yet available). In case only two to four switch decoders are needed with RS-bus feedback support, this will generally be the cheapest solution.

PCB costs

The (Eagle .brd) PCB files can directly be send to a PCB board supplier, such as for example Leiton.

Costs of the PCBs is very much dependent on the number of boards ordered. The figure below gives an indication of such costs, as function of the number of ordered (80x80mm) PCBs. The costs of a single PCB will be around 45 Euro. If 20 PCBs are ordered, the total costs will be around 180 Euro (blue line), which means that the costs per PCB will drop to around 9 Euro (green line). Note, however, that at such quantities, the costs of each additional PCB will be below 6 Euro.

The figure also shows the costs of ordering 100x160mm boards, which include (next to two switch decoder PCBs) also three RS-bus PCBs and one Railcom PCB (yellow dots). As can be seen, such 100x160mm boards are only more cost effective if four or less switch decoders are needed and additionally RS-bus feedback prints.

PCB layout

The figures below show the PCB layout, as exported by the EAGLE PCB software.

Figure 1: Soldering side of the PCB, without GND copper (seen from the top)

Figure 2: Soldering side of the PCB, with GND copper (seen from the top)

Figure 3: Component side of the PCB, without GND copper

Figure 4: Soldering side of the PCB, with GND copper