Art & Science of PCB Design Practice Exam
Art & Science of PCB Design Practice Exam
About Art & Science of PCB Design Exam
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are essential in modern electronics, serving as the foundation for electrical components to function efficiently. Eagle software is a powerful tool for designing PCB schematics and layouts, allowing engineers and hobbyists to create custom circuit boards. This course provides a step-by-step guide to using Eagle, covering single and double-sided PCB designs, SMT components, custom libraries, and manufacturing preparation. By the end of the course, you will master the skills needed to design, test, and produce your own PCBs.
Skills Required
- Basic understanding of electronics (knowledge of components like resistors, capacitors, LEDs, and ICs is helpful but not mandatory)
- Willingness to learn PCB design principles
- No prior experience with Eagle software required
Knowledge Area
- Fundamentals of PCBs and circuit board design
- Working with Eagle software for schematic and layout creation
- Designing single-sided and double-sided PCBs
- Using copper pours and SMT (Surface Mount Technology) components
- Creating and integrating custom libraries for reusable components
- Automating PCB design with the autorouter tool
- Generating Gerber files and Bill of Materials for manufacturing
Who should take the Exam?
- Electronics students and hobbyists looking to develop PCB design skills
- Engineering professionals wanting to expand their expertise in circuit board design
- Makers and DIY electronics enthusiasts interested in creating custom PCBs
- Anyone who wants to learn how to use Eagle software for electronic circuit design
Course Outline
The Art & Science of PCB Design Exam covers the following topics -
Domain 1 - Introduction to PCB Design and Eagle Software
- Understanding Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and their role in electronics
- Learning about essential PCB concepts such as traces, pads, and vias
- Downloading and installing the latest version of Eagle software
Domain 2 - Setting Up Eagle and Starting a Project
- Step-by-step guide to installing Eagle software on your system
- Creating a new project in Eagle and understanding the workspace layout
Domain 3 - Library Management and Schematic Design
- Designing a circuit schematic using Eagle’s built-in tools
- Adding external libraries to expand available components
- Directly accessing external libraries online for efficient design
Domain 4 - Designing a Single-Sided PCB
- Creating a complete schematic for a PCB project
- Placing components properly on the PCB layout to ensure functionality
- Developing a single-sided PCB using Eagle software
- Adding names and labels to schematics for clarity and documentation
Domain 5 - Building a Complete PCB Project
- Working on a microcontroller-based PCB project
- Step-by-step guide to designing a real-world PCB using Eagle
- Refining PCB designs through multiple iterations
Domain 6 - Using Copper Pour for Better PCB Design
- Applying copper pours to improve PCB performance and reduce noise
Domain 7 - Designing a Double-Sided PCB
- Creating a double-sided PCB layout using Eagle software
- Hands-on practice in designing and testing double-sided PCB layouts
Domain 8 - Working with SMT (Surface Mount Technology) Components
- Introduction to Surface Mount Devices (SMD) in Eagle
- Designing a schematic using SMT components (FTDI Project example)
- Combining SMT components with double-sided PCB layouts
Domain 9 - Creating Custom Library Components in Eagle
- Building your own custom library components for Eagle
- Step-by-step tutorial on designing and saving custom parts
- Organizing and managing custom libraries for future projects
Domain 10 - Using the Autorouter for Faster PCB Design
- Applying the autorouter tool to speed up PCB layout design
- Using the autorouter effectively for single-sided and double-sided PCBs
Domain 11 - Organizing Frequently Used Components
- Copying commonly used parts into a personal library for easy access
Domain 12 - Preparing PCB Designs for Manufacturing
- Printing single-sided PCB designs for prototype testing
- Generating Gerber files for professional PCB fabrication
- Creating a Bill of Materials (BOM) for ordering components
Domain 13 - Solution Videos and Additional Guides
- PCB artwork and real-world project demonstrations
Domain 14 - Final Notes and Advanced PCB Concepts
- Understanding current calculations for PCB design optimization
- Final thoughts and recommendations for further learning
