PCB layout and design

PCB layout and design has some basic rules, good practices and rules of thumb however it is a highly creative and individual process.

Methods

PCB layout design is possible with tape and dry transfers, or permanent marker pen however EDA software will offer schematic capture, PCB layout, ERC (electrical rule checks), DRC (design rule checks) and other features such as simulating the circuit with SPICE.

Further reading

• The Circuit Designer's Companion by Peter Wilson, Newnes, 2012, ISBN 0-08-097138-5
• The Art of Electronics, by Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill ISBN 0-521-37095-7, pages 835-852
• How to Design and Make Your Own PCBs by R. Penfold, Babani, 1983, ISBN 0-85934-096-1
• Fabricating Printed Circuit Boards' by Jon Varteresian, Newnes, 2002, ISBN 1-878707-50-7
• Build Your Own Printed Circuit Board by Al Williams, Tab, 2003, ISBN 978-0-07-142783-8
• Thermal Design: Still a Process Pinch Point? by Dr. John Parry CEng, The PCB Design Magazine, November 2013, p. 28

Externallinks

• Printed_circuit_board/Design, Wikipedia
• The layout factory, electro-music.com sub-forum

Video

• EEVblog #1129 - Creating a Nice Readable Schematic