Top Circuit Board Component Placement Guidelines

By | Date posted: | Last updated: December 30, 2022
Circuit Board Component

With miniaturization becoming the order of the day, the one thing that is becoming extremely complex is PCB layout. Not only does it have to cater to reduced space but also to increased functional requirements. Besides, with high-speed circuitry what is needed is layout precision so that there are no issues related to signal integrity or to do with effective heat dissipation.

Therefore, the important thing is to balance the manufacturing requirements along with the circuit board component placement requirements. Some of the other factors that need to be kept in mind include the fact that at the time of testing, there needs to be accessibility of parts.

Functional needs of the circuitry

  • The process needs to begin with floor planning. You need to figure out where you will place the digital, analog, RF & power areas. It is imperative that these areas are kept isolated so that signal integrity is maintained.
  • Fixed components such as connectors must be placed first.
  • While transitional components can infringe into other areas, the rest of the components should not.
  • Ensure that the routing channels aren’t choked and that there is space for escape & bus routing. It is also important to ensure clear return paths and therefore vias should not block the signal return paths.
  • The components of high-speed signals should be placed close together & the connections need to be short.
  • The components of power supply need to be placed close together. Additionally, power supply components should be placed on the same layer. This ensures that there is no need for any vias.
  • Components that generate heat such as processors, need to be placed towards the center of the board so that there is efficient heat dissipation. You also need to be careful about the management of the airflow. Proper placement of heat sinks and other heat dissipation devices is also important.

Circuit Board Component Placement for Manufacturing

  • For SMT parts that cannot be wave soldered, ensure that there is extra clearance available. That way you will be able to mask these SMT parts.
  • Components that can be wave soldered should have their pins perpendicular to the direction of travel through the wave.
  • In terms of component size, small SMT components should not be directly placed behind the large components.
  • Through-hole connectors need to be oriented in such a manner that their pins travel perpendicular to the wave.
  • Tall components should not be placed on the back of the board.

Circuit Board Component Placement for Accessibility

  • At the testing stage it is important that there be access to the board in terms of plugging in cables, attaching wire clips & more.
  • PCB layout needs to take into account the fact that wire harnesses have to be fixed, batteries have to be replaces & more. The layout, therefore, needs to allow accessibility for this.
  • Component placement also needs to take into account the fact that intra-system connections may need to go through a redesign.
  • The circuit board needs to be designed in a manner that test points are designed into it. Test points, in turn, have their own specific requirements when it comes to placement. Some of the aspects to take care of include test point to test point spacing, test point to component spacing, and test point to board edge spacing.
  • The arrangement of the board in the manufacturing panel also impacts the placement of components. For panels that use a scoring tool for separation, due care needs to be taken to see that components have enough clearance from the edge. Similarly, the panels that use break-out tabs need to ensure that the components are kept away from the tabs.
  • In cases where the board is conformally coated, it is worth remembering that unique components are placed at the edge so that they do not dip in the coating.

To sum up

To avoid functional and manufacturing problems in your design, The circuit board components need to be placed considering a wide variety of factors such as:

  • Functional Requirements
  • Manufacturing Requirements
  • Accessibility of parts

Due consideration given to each of these aspects ensures that the PCB works as planned and that there are no costly issues to contend with at a later stage.

Technotronix provides a one-stop solution for electronics manufacturing services with specialized support, reliable testing, and multi-functional features. In case if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] or call us at 714/630-9200.

What are the benefits and limitations of custom PCB boards?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: September 7, 2024
Custom PCB Boards

As electronic devices become more complex and need to fit into increasingly smaller spaces due to miniaturization, custom PCB boards are gaining popularity. Custom PCBs are ideal for integrating circuits while conserving space in sophisticated devices.

However, it’s crucial to recognize that custom PCBs aren’t a cure-all. They come with their own set of benefits and limitations. Additionally, incorporating printed circuit board assembly services and PCB fabrication into your design process can further enhance the performance and efficiency of your electronic devices. Let’s delve into both the advantages and limitations of custom PCBs in detail.

Benefits of custom PCB Boards

The big advantages of custom PCBs include:

  • They ensure that you can incorporate condensed circuitry in small spaces. The fact that you can design a printed circuit board as per your size and shape requirements, it is a definite plus given the shrinking size of electronic appliances.
  • The big advantage with a custom PCB is also that you can control the location of every component. Also, you are also not just limited to through-hole components. Among other things, with this kind of control the parasitic properties of the circuits can be mitigated.
  • With due emphasis laid on quality in producing a custom board, durability of the board is high.
  • With automated production not only is labor cost kept under check, the probability of repeatability also increases.
  • With legends being directly printed on the board there is no need for decals.
  • With integrated LED lights functionality can be easily verified.
  • There is also a benefit from the appearance of the device since a custom designed PCB looks very professional. Clients & investors therefore perceive the product highly.
  • In terms of cost, the general view is that the cost of a custom PCB boards is higher, however, this isn’t always the case if you take into account long term factors such as the fact that they need less rework, you could use the Gerber and schematics files to build other prototypes and more. In the long run, therefore, you tend to benefit from the cost of the board.

Limitations of custom PCB Boards

Disadvantages of custom PCBs stem from the fact that:

  • The initial design time required is high.
  • You need to be careful as high amperage can negatively impact the PCB.
  • It is sometimes difficult to troubleshoot on account of the enclosures that you need to provide.
  • It is important to understand that custom PCBs do not score high in terms of flexibility. PCB technology is extremely dynamic. Hence the chances of the design becoming obsolete are extremely high too.
  • With quick time-to-market being a big source of competitive advantage, custom PCBs tend to lose out as the initial design time is high. If you are working against tight timelines, therefore, custom PCBs may not be your best bet.
  • If you are looking at low volume operations, once again custom PCB boards may not be your best bet.
  • Similarly, if your design requires frequent changes, custom PCBs are not likely to be your go-to option.

To sum up

Whether or not you should go in for a custom PCB depends on a wide variety of factors. Some of the factors to consider include how complex your project is, what kind of volumes you are looking at and more. Also, custom PCBs involve a certain initial cost as well as involve a certain time. However, what also needs to be given due weightage is the fact that custom PCBs come with a robustness and that the PCB design can be easily recycled.

In making a decision for a custom PCB what you need to ensure is the choice of the right electronic contract manufacturer. It is imperative that you go with a contract manufacturer who has the requisite experience and is equipped with the necessary industry best practices. This will ensure that you do not need to reinvent the wheel. An experienced contract manufacturer will also ensure that the PCB is tested thoroughly so that there are no errors at a later stage. What is also guaranteed when you go with the right contract manufacturer is their quick turnaround time as well as the fact that they offer you superior customer service.

Technotronix is one of the leading PCB manufacturers in the USA, providing custom, lead-free and RoHS compliant PCB manufacturing solutions. Whether your requirement is for prototypes or large production runs, we have you covered.

Email us on [email protected] or call us on 714/630-9200 to solve your queries related to our custom PCB services.

The best design guidelines for Bluetooth Circuit Boards!

By | Date posted: | Last updated: December 13, 2022
Bluetooth Circuit Boards

The use of devices that utilize Bluetooth is becoming quite ubiquitous. From headsets and audio products to home automation systems, wireless consumer electronics applications, the list is ever growing. When it comes to designing PCBs with Bluetooth technology there are a number of issues that you can contend with, including but not limited to:

  • Signal Integrity
  • Interference
  • Lost data, and more.

It is, therefore, imperative that certain design guidelines be followed to optimize signal integrity and ensure overall device effectiveness. Before we look at some design guidelines in detail, let us first look at the components of a Bluetooth Circuit Board.

Components of a Bluetooth Circuit Board

The vital components of a Bluetooth Circuit Board include:

  • An antenna that helps in sending & receiving information.
  • There are also inductors that adjust the impedance of the antenna.
  • Module containing up to 4 IO pins.
  • Diodes, resistors & capacitors.
  • Chips and regulators.

On account of a number of sensitive components it is important that they be handled extremely carefully.

Let us look at some design guidelines that need to be followed when it comes to Bluetooth Circuit Boards.

Bluetooth Circuit Boards design guidelines:

Certified Modules

While incorporating Bluetooth, it is prudent to use a pre-certified module. With its use, development can be accelerated & time-to-market significantly enhanced. The availability of certified modules that include an ARM processor offers flexibility and power.

Bluetooth Device Selection

It is important to choose an appropriate Bluetooth device & to ensure that the antenna is sized. For simple beacon applications, Bluetooth Low Energy can be used, however for higher throughput, you need something with more Tx power and faster data rate. However, you could also use an all-in-one chip with powerful processors.

Power consumption

It is important to calculate the power consumption and to ensure that there is no current leakage in the design. The use of a microcontroller can ensure longevity of your device.

Separate Copper Signals

Keep the antenna area free from any copper signals nearby as also from high-energy components. It is also important to keep the area free from planes & polygon pours. If the antenna area is being manually laid out, it is important to use a ground plane.

Also, it is important to use ground stitching vias. By doing this you will ensure that unwanted radiation from the PCB edge does not penetrate the Bluetooth signals.

Another best practice to follow includes optimizing the board shape as per the Bluetooth device. It is also important to separate the analog & digital ground planes.

Power Supply Notes

It is important to ensure that the rail that supplies power to the Bluetooth module is kept clean. Also the use of bypass and decoupling capacitors is recommended. In order to reject high frequency noise the use of ferrite beads on the power rail is recommended.

Tools and Analysis

In designing the antenna area, it is important to analyze as well as tune the matching network. For this you need to have proper network analyzers.

Take care of Real-World Obstructions

There can be a number of real world obstructions to a Bluetooth connection. These could be by way of smart phones, computers, microwave ovens, office lightning and more. All of this can cause signal loss. In order to make sure than signal quality is not impacted a higher power device is recommended.

EMI Shielding Strategies

The use of EMI shielding strategies such as increasing the distance between traces or by adding an EMI shield can ensure that high frequency coupling does not reach the components.

Physical size constraints

A wide variety of Bluetooth PCB devices are portable and therefore needs to fit into an enclosure. The design therefore needs to take into account these constraints. What is also important is that you look at the board real estate management since your device would be performing other functions. This could necessitate the use of WiFi cards, analog microchips and more. All of these components will compete for space and hence the choice of proper sizes is important.

To Sum Up

By following the above guidelines at the design stage you can make sure that you avoid issues at a later date. Partnering with an experienced PCB manufacturing partner can go a long way in ensuring success of your Bluetooth Circuit Boards. Without due emphasis being laid to the design aspect the overall device performance can be severely affected.

At Technotronix, we are fully equipped to handle your PCB manufacturing requirements. We follow industry best practices to ensure we deliver cutting-edge products. If you have any questions or any requirements related to printed circuit boards, please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] or call 714/630-9200.

What are the telecom PCB design considerations?

By | Date posted: | Last updated: November 21, 2022
Telecom PCB

When it comes to designing PCBs for the telecom industry, there are a number of things to consider. Right from the PCB materials to the kind of testing required, there are factors unique to the industry; not to mention the fact that there are generally tough deadlines & budgets to work with.

Here are some of the PCB design considerations to take into account when designing for the telecom industry.

Telecom PCB Design Considerations

The specs

To begin with, it is extremely important to understand what is the size of the product, how the final product works, who are its target users, what are the features desired, and more. Additionally, it is important to think through how the device is being powered. Once you have thought through all these aspects you can rest assured that there will not be costly errors at a later date.

Software or Hardware? 

It is important to determine whether you can add hardware components or software code to complete some functions. Each of them comes with its own set of advantages & disadvantages:

Hardware Advantages:

  • Fewer security risks.
  • Needs analog signals.
  • Debugging is easy.
  • Less chances of failure.

Software Advantages:

  • Easy to update.
  • No requirements of costly materials.
  • Troubleshooting is easy.

The Microcontroller

Simply put, the microcontroller can be likened to the brain of the product. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the microcontroller wisely. Some of the factors to consider include:

  • What are the programming options – In making the choice of the microcontroller, you can go with one that has internal memory or one that can interact with external devices. Similarly, you can go with one that has a one-time programmable option or reprogrammable.
  • Whether or not the controller needs built in peripherals.
  • What are the internal RAM requirements and can an external RAM be used for expansion.
  • What are the technical considerations to get the microcontroller running.

Once you have an idea of the components required, the next step is to work on the schematics. You need to have the details such as the names, ratings, pins component values, and more.

It is imperative that you ensure that the bare board has enough space so that all the components can fit in.

Do not miss the fact that there has to be enough soldering mask between every pin. If this step isn’t done correctly, defects will soon surface.

PCB Component Placing and Routing 

You need to make sure that component placement is done correctly so that the PCB can function effectively. Component placement also has a strong impact on thermal management as well as electrical noise, so it needs to be done with care. As a thumb rule, Components should be arranged in the following order:

  • Connectors.
  • Power circuits.
  • Precision and sensitive circuits.
  • Critical circuitry components.

Some of the other guidelines to follow, include:

  • Place similar components facing the same direction. This will help reduce errors in soldering.
  • When plated through-hole components are placed on the solder side, it is important to see that components aren’t placed directly opposite.

Quality Checks 

This is a very important step once the PCB is completed. There are a number of tools such as a Design Rule Checker that can come in handy to spot any errors in design. Additionally, an Electrical Rule Checker is important to see that all specifications have been adhered to.

To sum up

It is imperative to follow six crucial steps when it comes to PCB designing:

  • Conceptualization of the board.
  • Draw the circuit schematic. When creating the schematic, it is also important to create a detailed bill of materials (BOM) that contains information on all the components.
  • Define the mechanical constraints of the board.
  • Ensure proper component placement.
  • Ensure good routing that improves signal and power integrity.
  • Run quality and manufacturing checks to ensure all requirements have been met. In case the design does not pass all the checks, you need to revisit the previous steps and make necessary changes.

At Technotronix, we have over 4 decades of industry experience. Importantly, we have dealt with a wide range of telecom providers. We are therefore well-poised to understand the various issues than plague the industry and how robust testing can help overcome these issues. To know more, please explore our PCB manufacturing services for Telecommunication Industry!