Practical PCB Layout Design Techniques (DS259)

Synopsis

Proper PCB (printed circuit board) layout and routing are vital for signal integrity of high-speed and sensitive electronic circuits. Failure to adhere to layout and routing rules, guidelines, and recommendations could easily compromise the electromagnetic compatibility of a system, or at worst preventing it from working entirely.

This course is specifically tailored for engineers intending to develop reliable PCBs with an emphasis on mixed-signal circuits (analog, digital, and RF) and high-speed signalling standards such as LVDS, USB2.0/USB3.0, and DDR2/DDR3. Lectures are interlaced with hands-on practical to maximize learning effectiveness.

Course highlight
Participants will have practical experiences developing real-world, high-speed, mixed-signal PCBs using EDA tools.

What previous participants say about this course
Answers to the question 'what did you like most about the course'

• "RF PCB Design" - 15 Dec 10
• "Lab was interesting" - 15 Dec 10
• "Real life example quoted" - 15 Dec 10
• "I learnt the importance of impedance matching, guarding and shielding" - 15 Dec 10
• "The layout technique for LVDS, I2C and etc." - 15 Dec 10
• "Hands on training a design rule guidelines" - 15 Dec 10
• "Discussion of critical traces of specific technologies eg.: I2C, PCIE, LVDS, PECL & DDR" - 15 Dec 10
• "Practical examples" - 15 Dec 10

What You Will Learn

• PCB terminology
• PCB material
• PCB stack-up
• Signal classification and circuit segregation
• Component placement and trace routing
• Noise management
• Design techniques for analog, digital, RF, gigabit differential pairs, and high-speed memory
• Effective low noise PCB design techniques

Who Should AttendThis course is particularly suited for engineers responsible for designing and verifying low-noise, digital, high-speed, RF, and/or mixed-signal PCBs.

PrerequisiteParticipants are required to have a background in electronics and/or electrical engineering. Experience with EDA tools, particularly schematic capture and PCB layout tools, would be beneficial.

Course MethodologyThis course is presented in a workshop style with example-led lectures interlaced with hands-on practical for maximum understanding.

Course Duration3 days, 9am - 5pm

Course StructureDay 1

• Overview of PCB terminology
• Assumptions often made about PCB and components
• Real behaviours of the PCB and components
• Schematics vs. PCB layout
• Analogue vs. digital vs. RF
• PCB material: conductor and substrate
• Single-sided, double-side and multilayer PCBs: Interconnecting layers and types of via
• Short trace vs. long trace: transmission line characteristic impedance
• Creating appropriate stack-up configuration: impact to routing space and signal performance
• Hands-on session: Creating practical low noise PCB stack-up configuration and trace impedance control

• Signal classification and circuit partitioning in PCB
• Type of signal topologies: terminator type, terminator placement and net sequencing
• Decoupling capacitors, power & ground planes, power supply: layout techniques for maximizing power supply integrity
• Noise management: minimize crosstalk and EMI, ground guard and shielding
• PCB design process: practical guidelines and useful tips for producing low noise board
• Hands-on session: Demonstrating layout techniques vs. signal performance via simulations/measurements

• Layout techniques for analog & digital signals: SPI, Flash Memory, Audio, Video, ADC, DAC
• Layout techniques for differential signals: LVDS, V-By-One, PCIe, USB2/USB3
• Layout techniques for high-speed memory: DDR2, DDR3
• Layout techniques for RF circuits: VCO
• Hands-on session: Component placement and trace routing using CAD