Many people think of PCB layout work is boring, a day on the board article tens of thousands of lines, all kinds of packaging, pull up. But the designers to make trade-offs between the rules of various design, performance, cost, technology and so on various aspects, and notice board layout reasonable, does not look so simple, need more wisdom. Let's say some good work habit, when the design will make your design more reasonable, the production easier and better performance.
(a) draw schematic diagram
Many engineers feel some layout work is more important, schematic diagram is convenient to generate netlist PCB do check in. In fact, in the subsequent circuit schematic diagram in the process of debugging function will be more bigger. Both to find problems and communicate with colleagues, or schematic diagram more intuitive and convenient. And get into the habit of a mark in the schematic diagram, in all parts of the circuit in the layout must notice when question mark on the schematic diagram, for yourself or for others is a good reminder. Hierarchical principle diagram, the different function module circuit is divided into different pages, so both map reading and later repeated use can significantly reduce the workload. Using the mature design always smaller than the risk of new circuit design. Every time I see all circuit on a piece of paper, a piece of the device, the head can be larger.
(b) good for circuit layout
Impatient of engineer to draw the schematic diagram, put the net import PCB couldn't wait after put the device in good, began to pull. Actually a good PCB layout can let you stay behind the work becomes simple, let you of the PCB work better. Every board has a signal path, PCB layout should also follow the signal path, as far as possible let can smooth transmission signal on the board, people don't like mazes, signals, too. If the diagram is designed according to the module, PCB can also. According to the different functional modules can put the board is divided into several regions. Analog to digital, power signal separately, vulnerable and heating components separated, bulky devices don't stand too close to the edge, pay attention to the rf signal shielding, and so on... Spend a minute of time to optimize the layout of the PCB, can at the time of stay to save more time.
(c) learn to set the rules
In fact, now not only advanced PCB design software, you need to set the wiring rules, some simple and easy to use PCB tools can also be set rules. The human brain, after all, not a machine, then neglect have error is inevitable. So easy to ignore the questions set to the rules, and let the computer to help us to check, avoid low-level mistakes. In addition, the perfect rules set up better behind the specification of the work. So-called knife don't miss your job, the more complex the size of the board rules set up the importance of the more prominent. Now a lot of EDA tools have automatic wiring function, if the rules set detailed enough, allow yourself to be tools to help you to design, you drink a cup of coffee in a side, not something more comfortable?
(d) the more consideration for others, the less their work
In PCB design, the need to consider some end users as much as possible. For example, if the design is a development board, then placed in the PCB design to consider more information of screen printing, when use will be more convenient, need not back and forth to find support the schematic diagram or designers. If the design is a mass production product, then there should be more consideration to the problems on production line, the same type of device in the same direction as far as possible, the device spacing is appropriate, technological edge width of the board and so on. These problems considering the sooner, the more will not affect the back of the design, can also reduce the workload and the back support plate instead of the number of times. Look to design with time was increased, in fact is to reduce their subsequent workload. Under the condition of the signal board space allows, as far as possible put more test points, improve the measurability of the board, so that in the subsequent debugging stage can also save more time, to found the problem.
(e) detail decides success or failure
PCB design is a careful work, need is care and patience. Beginners often do design, for the first mistake is some details wrong. Device pin mistake, device packaging with wrong, draw the wrong pin order, etc., some can be addressed by fly line, some may let a board directly into the waste. Painting packaging check it again, more the packaging printed before cast slab and the actual device than that for a check is not more than ocd, just make these easier to low-level mistakes to avoid. Or design again good boards, covered with fly line, is far from good.
(f) try to do the simulation
Simulation is often don't want to touch the PCB design engineer. Simulation, some might say, even if I actually made the PCB and the simulation results will still have the difference, that I have to waste time to do the simulation? I am not of the simulation to the board is not working well? For this idea is very helpless. One or two design no problem, do not represent won't be a problem. Although there are differences between the simulation results and actual results, simulation can show the correct change trend, we can make their own judgment according to the trend. At first we may have some difficulties, confused about the simulation parameters of simulation model, this is very normal.As long as the beginning, do it slowly, slowly to accumulate, will let you experience the importance of the simulation. In the board prior to determine the location of the problematic in advance, solve it ahead of time, avoid the happening of the problem. Simulation of many, will fundamentally understand the causes of problems, the improvement of their own design capability can make a big help.
Everyone in the actual work, if you can notice some questions mentioned above, in the work to develop a good working habits, believe with individual ability gradually improve, would do a lot more better design.
