The process of PCB design can be an elongated and stressful one that you are naturally going to be keen on getting right. You don’t want to waste time with a plethora of revisions and as such, when you set out on your PCB design process, you should ensure you are in the best position possible. If you are interested in doing this then be sure to consider the below step-by-step guide on PCB design which will lay out the whole process in a streamlined and easy-to-understand way.
Good Practices
There are a number of good practices that you should keep in mind whenever you need to start with your PCB design. These include but are not limited to some of the following:
Use the Right Software
When it comes to creating your best PCB design then you are going to need some good software. You should have a look at the different options available to you and choose the one that looks the best. There are also a number of different offers usually available such as those on the Altium website, so keep an eye out for them as they will entitle you to access the designer but then not pay anything for at least 30 days.
Work With the Experts
It’s only natural that you are going to have a number of questions throughout the process and it’s a good idea to ask these questions. They make it so that not only will your design be excellent, but you are also going to learn whilst doing it. As such, you might want to consider working with a consultant and reaching out to different engineering experts who are going to be able to guide you through each step of the way.
Communication is Key
If you do choose to work with experts then you need to ensure you are particularly focusing on having an open line of communication with them. If not then you are going to struggle when it comes to getting the work off the ground without any issues. Be sure that you keep them up to date with what you are doing and take on board any advice that they might have for you.
The Step-By-Step Guide
Here is a brief guide that will lay out the crucial steps necessary when designing your own circuit board:
Understand Your Electrical Parameters
Before you get to work on starting your own PCB design, you should make sure that you understand the electrical parameters of the system. These include having an understanding of:
- The current maximums
- Necessary voltages
- Signal types
- Limitations on capacitance
- Impedance characteristics
- Shielding considerations
Create the Schematic
The next step is for you to create the schematic. This refers to the design which is present at the electrical level of the board’s function and purpose. There isn’t any mechanical representation at this point.
Use a Schematic Capture Tool to Help With the PCB Layout
When you use a schematic capture tool, you are going to be able to see exactly where all of the different components will be placed and as such, how the board is going to operate when it is completed. The mechanical engineer involved will help with loading the design and as such, working out how it is going to fit in the intended device.
Design Your PCB Stackup
This next step is important as you need to consider it early on in the PCB process. It refers to considering how much and how quickly electricity is able to travel down the trace which has been designed. The stackup will play a crucial role in this and how an engineer is going to be able to design and fit the PCB into the device itself.
Design Rules and Requirements Need Definition
The standards that are laid out by the IPC are going to tell you everything you need to know about the manufacturing process as a whole. Have a look at these and then use them to create definitions for your design.
Put Your Components in Place
There are some instances where the customer and provider of the PCB will design the layout guidelines. Standards may well indicate that certain components can’t be placed near others.
Insert Drill Holes
This step needs to take into account the component and the connection. Around half of the flex circuits currently out there are double-sided.
Route the Traces
As soon as the drill holes are in place you will be able to route the traces, which means finally connecting all of the different segments of the path.
