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Microsystems, electronic packaging and

interconnection technologies

FYS4260 2015 Lab Project Intro

FYS4260 Lab project:

Make your own PCB

• All the way from idea to an assembled, tested

and hopefully working hardware.

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What is a PCB?

• A printed circuit board (PCB) mechanically

supports and electrically connects electronic

components using conductive tracks.

• Made up of a core material and alternating

conductive and non-conductive layers

laminated together.

What is a PCB?

• Components are soldered to pads on the

surface of the PCB.

• Using vias to connect the different conductive

layers.

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What is a PCB?

• Made at PCB manufacturing houses, PCBs

range from very simple single layer boards to

complex high density boards with tens of

layers.

PCB build-up

• A pcb is made up of a core substrate and

one or more conductive layers

• On outer layers we add a solder mask to

protect the conductive layer and improve

soldering results.

• Notation layers can be used for adding text

and symbols on the board.

• The exposed copper has to be protected

from oxidation to allow for good soldering.

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Example on stack-ups

OK, How to design a pcb?

• Use MS Paint? Draw by hand?

• Use a CAD software -> CadSTAR

• A CAD software links the schematic

representation of a circuit with the real

components used, and helps in designing the

pcb according to a given rule set.

• Start with the circuit design and schematic

capture.

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Symbols

• The use of symbols increases the readability

of the design.

Simple schematics

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How do we get from this graphical

representation to the real PCB?

PCB Library

• We need a library that maps the symbols to the real functional chip.

• A PCB library is a collection of parts, where each part has its own graphical symbol and a ”footprint” that the part is going to be soldered to.

SYMBOL

(Schematic)

PARTS-LIB

FOOTPRINT

(PCB)

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Symbols

• Components with multiple functions can be

divided into separate symbols

Process flow

FYS4260

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Lab info

• Find/decide on a design you want to do.

• Make the schematics in CadSTAR.

• Route the design in CadSTAR PR Editor.

• Generate production files.

• The PCB is produced externally.

• Assemble the board at ELAB.

• Test the board, do modifications.

• -> Make it work!

Lab info

• Write a report.

• Oral presentation.

• Everyone does their own pcb!

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Lab work

• At room FV204

• Approx 10 computers.

• We are available Mondays and Wednesdays

9-16, but the lab is open every day.

• It’s mandatory to show your work once a

week, preferably in the lab or by sending us

your design by email.

About the design

• Find a design you want to do!

• Ideas at www.discovercircuits.com

or pick one of these:

• ISM tranceiver

• Headphone amplifier

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ISM Tranceiver

Headphone Amplifier

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Custom design

• You can only use components that are

already in the course library. See parts.rep

• Other components will be considered, but

this has to be agreed on before the design is

accepted.

• ELAB is available for guidance.

• No microcontroller designs except for the

ISM tranceiver! (This can be extended, as long as the original

functions are not changed. But remember board space!)

About the circuit layout (pcb)

• Size 5x7cm

• Use ELAB components -> parts.rep

• Two layers

• Components only on top side

• Use default FYS4260 settings

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Time scedule

• 26/1 – Deadline for project choice

• 23/2 – Deadline for delivering final

schematics

• 23/3 – Deadline for delivering final pcb

production files

• 27/4 – Assembly of boards at ELAB.

– Start 0900! Ends when your boards are working!

• 11/5 – Deadline for delivering project report

• 18/5 – Oral presentation

– 1015 at LilleFy.

Lab report and oral presentation

• The report should contain something about

your initial circuit design, placement, layout

and assembly. What went wrong, what did

you do to correct it?

• Oral presentation ~10 minutes.

• Prepare some powerpoint slides.