Learn PCB Layout

About different way of thinking when doing PCB Layout. Do not think about voltages and currents, think about transferring energy.

Component placement & routing in Altium Designer

There is difference in selecting objects when starting at top left vs top right. I didn’t know about this for a long time. Hope you find this useful.

Going through Saturn PCB Calculator – which is free and useful software for engineers. I use the software a lot to calculate impedance, maximum current for tracks / VIAs and sometimes to check possible crosstalk.

A feature which helps you to define PCB layers based on how they are used instead of assigning them to a specific Mechanical Layer.

See how much the basic parameters of your design can change price of your PCB.

Video explains how you can copy pin names from datasheet in insert them into your schematic symbol.

This is a step by step tutorial to learn how to create simple 3D model of PCB which can be used for 3D printing and checking the product which you are designing.

How to use manufacturer part search to create and import a new component.

How the manufacturer part search works and what we can do with it.

Layer ordering, Poured GND on signal layers, 90 Degree angles, Power plane pulled back, Fiducials, USB & Ethernet shield, Non hierarchical schematic

DDR4 Layout, DDR4 Power Planes, Tabbed Routing, 90A (MAX 255A) Power Supply Planes, CPU Decoupling, Non PCB Components

SFP Layout, Backdrilled VIAs, PSU Connector, Impedance Coupons, OCuLink, SMBus Switch, I2C to UART

Zig-Zag routing, Stitching VIAs, Stub in PINs, Holes in GND under PADS and around VIAs, Port 80 & POST Codes

DDR3, VGA, BMC Decoupling, Power monitoring, BIOS

SATA, USB 3.0, PCH Decoupling, Differential Pairs and Length Compensation, Info in Schematic, Level Translators, SPD

Server Board Project Olympus, Block Diagrams, Processor Schematic & DDR4 Memory slots, PCB Layout around CPU

Generating: Gerbers, Bill of Materials (BOM), NC Drill Files, PDF Schematic, 3D PDF, 3D STEP File, Assembly Drawings, Draftsman, Pick and Place

Component placement, Filters, Cross Probe, Assembly Drawings, Variants

Starting a new PCB, Doing Layout, Layer Sets, DRC Check

Creating Footprints, Adding 3D models, Updating Schematic Symbols, Annotating, Schematic

Starting a new Project, Creating Schematic Symbol Library, Drawing Schematic

Connecting pads, drawing tracks, placing VIAs, doing fanout, moving & sliding tracks, adding shapes, creating shortcuts.

After watching this video you will have the most important info which will help you to simulate your own PCB layout. We will be using Cadence Sigrity, SystemSI, SPEED2000 and Allegro.

If you would like to be sure, that you have generated all the files needed to manufacture and assemble your board, this video can be useful for you.

This video includes also explanation about setting up rules, T-Points and how to do length matching of individual branches / segments.

In this video series I am commenting a PCB layout done by someone starting with hardware design. We will speak about the things which could be done differently or which could be improved.

In this video series I am commenting a PCB layout done by someone starting with hardware design. We will speak about the things which could be done differently or which could be improved.

In this video series I am commenting a PCB layout done by someone starting with hardware design. We will speak about the things which could be done differently or which could be improved.

In this video series I am commenting a PCB layout done by someone starting with hardware design. We will speak about the things which could be done differently or which could be improved.

This video shows how a PCB or electronic circuit will look under thermal camera FLIR ONE PRO.

This video explains how you can create, run and use SKILL scripts to create your own commands in Cadence Allegro.

About how to design boards that you can sell to your customers as the very first version.

About teardrops, slivers, drilling, coupons, VIAs, plating, 90 Degree corners, thermal relief, cost and more …

Why? You really want to be sure, that you have done all the necessary steps and you have generated all the documents.

Why? If your product is ESD sensitive, you may be risking a lot of returns as ESD discharge is very common.

Why? It may be very difficult to add mounting holes into already routed area.

Why? It makes PCB much easier to work with during layout.

Why? It helps to create easy to read and easy to understand schematics.

Why? Sometimes it can be very difficult to add components into already routed areas.

Why? In some cases it is not clear if the signals are connected or if wires are just crossing. Also, it can cause problems when manipulating with wires (e.g. moving or copying them).

Why? It helps everyone read and understand your schematic very quickly.

Why? It’s easy to connect them to GND and it keeps current loops small.

Why? So you don’t forget about them until you are ready to create variants.

Why? Sometimes you may be very limited in space and it can be the only way to place the crystal. Tested on many boards, it works.

Why? The solder transfers heat to all the pins at once and you can easily remove the component. Do not worry to short all the pins with a lot of solder. It can be easily removed.

Why? You do not want to forget them, but you do not want to have them in BOM.

Why? Sometimes you may need to open two different versions of the same board and you would like to know what version you are looking at.

Why? Anyone can simply open and see the schematic. Also, opening a PDF is much quicker than opening a CAD system.

Why? You can place components under them.