2. Use proper design software
Selecting the right PCB design software is crucial for achieving efficiency and accuracy in the design process. The software should support features such as automatic routing, signal integrity analysis, and design rule checking. This can help reduce the design time and minimize errors.
3. Consider component placement and routing
Careful consideration should be given to the placement of components and routing of traces. Proper component placement can minimize signal interference and improve thermal management. Efficient routing can reduce signal delay and impedance matching issues.
4. Utilize design guidelines and standards
Adhering to industry design guidelines and standards is essential for ensuring the reliability and performance of the PCB. Compliance with standards such as IPC-2221 and IPC-2222 can help optimize the design and prevent potential manufacturing and assembly issues.
5. Simulate and test the design
Utilizing simulation tools to analyze signal integrity, power distribution, and thermal management can help identify and resolve potential issues early in the design process. Testing the prototype PCB in real-world conditions can validate the design and ensure its functionality.
By following these guidelines and utilizing advanced design tools and techniques, PCB engineers can streamline the design process, reduce errors, and ultimately deliver high-quality PCB designs within tight timeframes.
2. Design rules and limitations
In order to successfully complete the routing task, the routing tool must operate within the correct rules and restrictions. In order to classify all signal lines with special requirements, each signal class should be given priority. The higher the priority, the stricter the rules. These rules include the width of printed wire, the number of vias, parallelism, the interaction between signal wires, and layer restrictions. These rules have a significant impact on the performance of wiring tools, so careful consideration of design requirements is an important step for successful cabling.
3. Layout of components
During the assembly process, the design for manufacturability (DFM) rules will restrict the component layout. If the assembly department allows the components to be moved, the circuit can be properly optimized to facilitate automatic wiring. For example, when laying out power cords, the power decoupling circuit should be designed near each related circuit in the PCB layout, rather than placed in the power part. Placing it in the power part can affect the bypass effect and cause interference due to pulsating current flow in the power line and ground wire. Additionally, for the internal power supply direction of the circuit, power should be supplied from the last stage to the next stage, and the power filter capacitor of this part should be arranged near the last stage. It should also be noted that regulated power supply should be arranged on a separate printed board as far as possible to avoid interference and damage to the printed board.
4. Fan out design
During the fan out design stage, each pin of the surface mount device should have at least one via, allowing for internal connections, online testing, and circuit reprocessing when more connections are needed.
5. Manual wiring and key signal processing
Manual wiring is an important process in PCB design and is helpful for automatic wiring tools. By manually routing and fixing the selected network (net), a path that can be used for automatic routing can be formed. First, route the key signals, either manually or with automatic routing tools, and then relevant engineers and technicians should inspect the signal wiring. After passing inspection, these lines can be fixed, and then automatic wiring can be started for other signals. Impedance in the ground wire can bring common impedance interference to the circuit.
6. Automatic routing
When routing key signals using automatic routing, it is necessary to consider controlling certain electrical parameters, such as reducing distributed inductance. By setting limiting conditions and prohibited wiring areas, the wiring tool can automatically wire according to the engineer’s design idea. After the constraint conditions are set and the rules are applied, the automatic routing will achieve a result similar to that expected. After part of the design is completed, it should be fixed to prevent it from being affected by subsequent routing processes. When the automatic wiring tool does not complete all signal wiring, it is necessary to manually wire the remaining signals.
7. Arrangement of wiring
For signals with few constraints and long wiring length, determining which wiring is reasonable and which is unreasonable can help in manually editing to shorten signal wiring length and reduce the number of vias on the PCB board.
Selecting the right PCB design software is crucial for achieving efficiency and accuracy in the design process. The software should support features such as automatic routing, signal integrity analysis, and design rule checking. This can help reduce the design time and minimize errors.
3. Consider component placement and routing
Careful consideration should be given to the placement of components and routing of traces. Proper component placement can minimize signal interference and improve thermal management. Efficient routing can reduce signal delay and impedance matching issues.
4. Utilize design guidelines and standards
Adhering to industry design guidelines and standards is essential for ensuring the reliability and performance of the PCB. Compliance with standards such as IPC-2221 and IPC-2222 can help optimize the design and prevent potential manufacturing and assembly issues.
5. Simulate and test the design
Utilizing simulation tools to analyze signal integrity, power distribution, and thermal management can help identify and resolve potential issues early in the design process. Testing the prototype PCB in real-world conditions can validate the design and ensure its functionality.
By following these guidelines and utilizing advanced design tools and techniques, PCB engineers can streamline the design process, reduce errors, and ultimately deliver high-quality PCB designs within tight timeframes.
2. Design rules and limitations
In order to successfully complete the routing task, the routing tool must operate within the correct rules and restrictions. In order to classify all signal lines with special requirements, each signal class should be given priority. The higher the priority, the stricter the rules. These rules include the width of printed wire, the number of vias, parallelism, the interaction between signal wires, and layer restrictions. These rules have a significant impact on the performance of wiring tools, so careful consideration of design requirements is an important step for successful cabling.
3. Layout of components
During the assembly process, the design for manufacturability (DFM) rules will restrict the component layout. If the assembly department allows the components to be moved, the circuit can be properly optimized to facilitate automatic wiring. For example, when laying out power cords, the power decoupling circuit should be designed near each related circuit in the PCB layout, rather than placed in the power part. Placing it in the power part can affect the bypass effect and cause interference due to pulsating current flow in the power line and ground wire. Additionally, for the internal power supply direction of the circuit, power should be supplied from the last stage to the next stage, and the power filter capacitor of this part should be arranged near the last stage. It should also be noted that regulated power supply should be arranged on a separate printed board as far as possible to avoid interference and damage to the printed board.
4. Fan out design
During the fan out design stage, each pin of the surface mount device should have at least one via, allowing for internal connections, online testing, and circuit reprocessing when more connections are needed.
5. Manual wiring and key signal processing
Manual wiring is an important process in PCB design and is helpful for automatic wiring tools. By manually routing and fixing the selected network (net), a path that can be used for automatic routing can be formed. First, route the key signals, either manually or with automatic routing tools, and then relevant engineers and technicians should inspect the signal wiring. After passing inspection, these lines can be fixed, and then automatic wiring can be started for other signals. Impedance in the ground wire can bring common impedance interference to the circuit.
6. Automatic routing
When routing key signals using automatic routing, it is necessary to consider controlling certain electrical parameters, such as reducing distributed inductance. By setting limiting conditions and prohibited wiring areas, the wiring tool can automatically wire according to the engineer’s design idea. After the constraint conditions are set and the rules are applied, the automatic routing will achieve a result similar to that expected. After part of the design is completed, it should be fixed to prevent it from being affected by subsequent routing processes. When the automatic wiring tool does not complete all signal wiring, it is necessary to manually wire the remaining signals.
7. Arrangement of wiring
For signals with few constraints and long wiring length, determining which wiring is reasonable and which is unreasonable can help in manually editing to shorten signal wiring length and reduce the number of vias on the PCB board.
