PCB Design Hub

Printed Circuit Board Explained

A PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is the backbone of all electronic devices. It's a flat board that holds and connects electronic components using copper tracks instead of wires.

Imagine a PCB as a city map where:

• Copper tracks are the roads that connect different places
• Electronic components (like resistors, chips) are the buildings
• Holes and pads are where components are placed and connected

PCBs make electronics smaller, cheaper to produce, and more reliable than hand-wired circuits.

Different layers of a typical multilayer PCB

The PCB Design Workflow

PCB design is the process of planning and creating the layout of a printed circuit board. It involves several key steps:

1. Schematic Design: Drawing the circuit diagram showing how components connect
2. Component Placement: Deciding where to place each part on the board
3. Routing: Drawing the copper tracks that connect components
4. Design Review: Checking for errors before manufacturing
5. Manufacturing Files: Creating files needed to produce the PCB

Your First PCB Design Project

Here's a simple project to start with that will teach you the fundamentals:

1. Choose a simple circuit: Start with an LED blinker or voltage regulator
2. Draw the schematic: Use your chosen software to create the circuit diagram
3. Design the board: Place components and route connections
4. Check for errors: Use the design rule checker in your software
5. Order the PCB: Use services like JLCPCB or PCBWay (very affordable)
6. Solder components: Practice your soldering skills
7. Test your board: Make sure it works as expected