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How to Draw and Design a PCB Schematic?
A schematic diagram is a logical and visual representation of an electrical circuit. It is the very first step of ... more »
PCB Design
How to Run a Design Rule Check (DRC) for Your PCBs
PCB design and manufacturing is a complex process managing thousands of components and connections across a multi-layer board. It is ... more »
Design Guidelines
How to Handle Crosstalk in High-Speed PCB Designs
Signal integrity measurements have become a critical step in the process of developing digital systems. Signal integrity problems such as ... more »
High Speed
Best PCB Grounding Techniques for High-Power and HDI Designs
Incorporating proper PCB grounding techniques such as dedicated ground planes, ground vias, and galvanic isolation is critical in building reliable ... more »
PCB Design
Aerospace PCB Design Tips for Efficient Thermal Management
Advanced electronics in aerospace applications experience temperature fluctuations. A good aerospace PCB thermal management system isolates sections with different temperatures ... more »
PCB Design
Benefits of Choosing Turnkey PCB Manufacturing and Assembly from a Single Facility
Turnkey PCB manufacturing services include design review, fabricating bare boards, procuring components, assembly, and testing of your prototype. Choosing a ... more »
PCB Assembly
10 Best Electronic Circuit Design Practices for a Successful Prototype
Implementing decoupling schemes, efficient grounding, circuit safety measures, and capturing a schematic diagram are a few of the best electronic ... more »
PCB Design
How to Design Connectors and Cables for Signal Integrity
We interviewed Keven Coates at PCB West 2022 on how to use cables and connectors for signal integrity. Watch the ... more »
PCB Design
How to Design a Castellated Circuit Board in Altium Designer and Allegro
Castellation is a technique used by PCB manufacturers to achieve efficient board-to-board connections. Using this approach, you can integrate multiple ... more »
PCB Design
The New H Revisions of IPC-J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 Soldering Standards
One of the primary prerequisites for manufacturing a reliable circuit board is having a high-quality soldering process. IPC-J-STD-001 and IPC-A-610 ... more »
PCB Assembly
12 PCB Thermal Management Techniques to Reduce PCB Heating
Modern electronics use high-power components like high-performance processors, MOSFETs, high-power LEDs, IGBTs, etc. We know there is a trend in ... more »
PCB Design
Auto Grouping of Repetitive PCB Design Blocks
Replication of design blocks is essential to reduce the complexity of your board layout. This is accomplished in your EDA ... more »
PCB Design
10 Automotive PCB Design Guidelines
Automotive PCBs have gained popularity due to the ongoing race between car manufacturers to capture the market share. Electric or ... more »
Automotive
Wire Bonding: An Efficient Interconnection Technique
For an IC package to function as intended, the channel that connects it to the power supply should be reliable. ... more »
PCB Assembly
IPC-2223 Standards and Design Violations for Rigid-Flex Boards
Rigid-flex circuit boards are the best solution for space-constrained environments. They can withstand a significant number of flex cycles and ... more »
Flex PCBs
Common Errors Encountered in Discrete Components
Component selection is one of the important steps in the PCB design process. As a designer, be aware of the ... more »
PCB Assembly
The Importance of PCB Layer Count Estimation
PCB layer count estimation allows a designer to gauge the number of signal and power layers required in a design. ... more »
PCB Design
OhmegaPly and TCR Materials with Embedded Passives Technology in PCB Manufacturing
OhmeagPly (resistive conductive material) and TCR material (thin-film resistor foil) follow the method of embedded passives technology (EPT) that manufactures ... more »
PCB Manufacturing
Lamination Voids and Delamination in PCB Manufacturing
Lamination voids refer to the absence of epoxy resin in a circuit board. This can be detected while observing a ... more »
PCB Manufacturing
Schematic and Netlist Checks to Ensure Error-Free Designs
Schematic and netlist checks are performed to check schematic symbols, verify electrical characteristics, and analyze the netlist consistency. A schematic ... more »
PCB Design
7 Factors that Impact RF PCB Design
An RF PCB design is a bit different from a conventional board. What makes it distinct are parameters like: Impedance ... more »
PCB Design
PCB Assembly Inspection Report Format
Documentation is a pivotal component of the product lifecycle. PCB assembly inspection report is an essential element of the documentation ... more »
PCB Assembly
PCBAs for Aerospace Thermal Control System
At first glance, the term thermal control system (TCS) may seem complex. But it simply means maintaining the desired temperature ... more »
Defense & Space
Common Problems Associated With Gerber Files
The most common problems seen in Gerber files include design mismatch, insufficient clearances, obsolete file formats, unregistered layers, and incomplete ... more »
PCB Design
5 Attributes to Detect Counterfeit Electronic Components
Counterfeit electronic components pose a significant risk to various industries across the globe. These fake parts affect almost all sectors ... more »
PCB Assembly
How to Generate PCB Assembly Files
PCB assembly requires certain files to provide a basic idea about the component positions, orientation, and courtyard information of each ... more »
PCB Assembly
6 Types of Electronic Component Failures in PCBs
Electronics is at its peak with the advent of digitization. The components used in electronic equipment may experience certain failures ... more »
PCB Assembly
How to Reduce Ground Bounce in PCB Assembly
Ground bounce is a source of noise in a PCB assembly. It is important to prevent this as it interrupts ... more »
PCB Assembly
Medical Device Regulations for PCB Assembly
Adhering to industry-specific rules and regulations is an essential prerequisite for any product. Medical device regulations for PCBA are crucial ... more »
Industry News
How Vibrations in Space Vehicles Affect PCBA
Effects of vibrations on PCBA causes fatigue and eventually fail some parts in space missions. These electronic devices should function ... more »
Defense & Space
IPC J-STD-001 Standard Soldering Requirements
J-STD-001 is a standard issued by IPC for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies. The standard specifies material specifications, process requirements, ... more »
IPC
Specifying Your Controlled Impedance Requirements
Circuit board manufacturers have invested in advanced modeling software and testing devices to specify the controlled impedance requirements to fulfill ... more »
Controlled Impedance
DFM for Flex and Rigid-Flex PCBs Utilizing SMT
Design for manufacturing (DFM) guidelines resolves potential issues that can occur during the manufacturing and assembly of circuit boards. DFM ... more »
Flex PCBs
Choosing Smaller Footprints for HDI Design
The main agenda of using HDI technology is to pack more components on a smaller board. Choosing smaller footprints for ... more »
HDI / Blind & Buried Vias
Handling Differential Signaling in Flex PCBs
Most modern devices employ differential signaling to meet high-speed and high data-rate needs. Controlling differential signaling in rigid PCBs is ... more »
Controlled Impedance
PCB Footprint Creation in Allegro, Altium Designer and KiCad
Components that need to be assembled on a PCB will have designated locations according to the design. Footprint is the ... more »
PCB Design
Key Aspects of DFM for HDI PCBs
Design for manufacturability (DFM) for HDI PCBs refers to designing layouts that reduce the errors associated with fabrication and assembly.
Defense & Space
Top 6 Missing Information When Requesting a PCB Quote
Once a circuit board designer prepares the design, the next step is to find a manufacturer to transform it into ... more »
PCB Assembly
Impedance Matching in HDI PCB Design
Impedance matching is the way of configuring the input impedance of a load or the output impedance of its signal ... more »
Controlled Impedance
Decoupling Capacitor Placement Guidelines for PCB Design
Decoupling is a way of isolating signal components from composite signals based on frequency. Therefore, understanding which range of frequencies ... more »
PCB Assembly
How to Work Around Black Pad in ENIG Finish
Black pad has long been a problem for ENIG surface finishes. What are the best ways to work around it?
PCB Manufacturing
What Should a PCB Fab Drawing Include?
A fab drawing is one of the different file types that convey the manufacturing details of a printed circuit board.
PCB Design
Mastering the Art of PCB Design Basics
To be a proficient designer, understanding the basics of PCB design is vital. The knowledge of appropriate component selection, schematic ... more »
PCB Design
The Touchscreen Technology Market
The global touchscreen technology market is expected to witness a CAGR of 6.75% during the forecast period to reach revenue ... more »
Industry News
Significance of Electromagnetic Field Solvers
Electromagnetic fields are part of the spectrum ranging from static magnetic fields to high-intensity gamma rays. These fields are generated ... more »
PCB Design
The Underwater Monitoring Market
APAC is leading the global underwater monitoring system for oil and gas market today. North America is expected to grow ... more »
Industry News
Case Study: PCBs for Healthcare and Life Science Industry
PCBs are an essential part of electronics used in scientific and medical cameras, machine vision, spectroscopy, and research & development ... more »
Case Studies
The Connected Car Market
North America is leading the global connected car market, with the U.S. expected to increase its dominance through 2025.
Automotive
How to Reduce Signal Attenuation in High-Speed PCBs
Signal attenuation is the most prevalent term when high-speed signals propagate on a circuit board. It is one of the ... more »
High Speed
The LiDAR Market
The global LiDAR market is expected to witness a CAGR of 14.1% during the forecast period to reach revenue of ... more »
Automotive
The Cube Satellite Market
The global cube satellite market is expected to witness a CAGR of 12.2% during the forecast period to reach revenue ... more »
Defense & Space
What is a Bill of Materials in PCB Design?
Before we start any project, it is a good habit to make a list of all the components and materials ... more »
PCB Assembly
How Does Circuit Simulation Work?
PCB designers have to consider various design parameters in order to design a successful board. To ensure their design is ... more »
PCB Design
What Are QFN Packages?
The surface-mount IC packages that are assembled on a PCB are available in different types. The most popular ones among ... more »
PCB Assembly
PCB Via Design Using Altium Designer
The early days of PCB fabrication saw the exclusive use of through-hole vias that span the complete thickness of the ... more »
PCB Design
How does Laser Drilling Work in PCBs?
Laser drilling creates precise holes on a PCB to establish connections between different layers. The sleek gadgets that we all ... more »
PCB Manufacturing
What is Conformal Coating?
A critical part of PCB manufacturing is to protect the board from adverse environmental conditions by using various treatments and ... more »
PCB Assembly
What is the Use of a Decoupling Capacitor?
System noise has become a critical issue for both analog and digital devices. The requirement for speedy interfaces and lower ... more »
PCB Design
Case Study: PCBs for Automotive Sensors
The latest automobile designs involve multiple auto sensors. These sensors are integrated into automobile systems to identify and notify changes ... more »
Automotive
What is a Pad in PCB Design and Development?
The quality of a circuit board assembly depends on several factors such as the interface between the board and the ... more »
PCB Design
What is ITAR, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations?
Think about the technology that your company has developed recently and planning to have a patent. You are even ready ... more »
Defense & Space
What is Surface Finish in PCB Manufacturing?
In circuit board manufacturing, the process of implementing the PCB surface finish is critical in enhancing the reliability and shelf ... more »
PCB Assembly
How to Reduce Parasitic Capacitance in PCB Layout
A PCB consists of several parallelly spanned conductors, say traces, separated by an insulator. These traces, along with dielectric material, ... more »
PCB Design
What Is PCIe (PCI Express)?
Innovation in computing is an ongoing trend that keeps growing exponentially in today's digital world. With data transfer being a ... more »
PCB Design
Case Study: Enabling the LiDAR Industry
LiDAR is an emerging technology along the lines of radar and sonar which identifies and maps objects besides terrain. While ... more »
Case Studies
Case Study: Meeting the Robotic Surgery PCB Challenges
Robotic surgery requires remotely operated, minimally invasive surgical tools. It assists the surgeon with more control, accuracy, and flexibility during ... more »
Case Studies
How to Export Gerber and Design Files in Allegro
After the layout, the design is converted into a standard file format called Gerber files. Most PCB makers use this ... more »
PCB Design
High Voltage Circuit Boards and Safety Standards
High voltage board designing requires an understanding of international safety standards such as IPC 2221A and UL 60950-1. In this ... more »
PCB Design
How to Handle Current Return Path for Better Signal Integrity
Before we start with today’s article, something needs to get engraved in your mind. If some current goes out somewhere, ... more »
PCB Design
Copper Wrap Plating Requirement for PCB Manufacturing
Multilayer PCB fabrication is a consistently evolving, progressively complex interplay of processes, design rules, and product specifications. In this article, ... more »
PCB Design
9 Cost Drivers for Rigid Circuit Boards
Cost control steps should be taken in the early PCB production stages, including the actual circuit development stage. Be aware ... more »
PCB Assembly
What Is the Difference Between Microstrip and Stripline in PCBs?
PCBs typically use two types of transmission lines: microstrips and striplines. Each of the transmission lines consists of a signal ... more »
Controlled Impedance
Why We Perform PCB Ionic Contamination Analysis
What can be more problematic than seeing your expensive PCB not performing as intended? What would you do if your ... more »
PCB Assembly
Controlled Impedance Routing Using Altium Designer
Controlled impedance is the characteristic impedance of a transmission line formed by PCB traces and its associated reference planes. It ... more »
Controlled Impedance
Why Use Thermal Pads in PCB Design and Manufacturing
With the advancement of technology and miniaturization of devices, the heat generated per unit area on a PCB has increased ... more »
PCB Design
Network Theory for Better PCB Design and Development
The study of resolving issues with electrical circuits and networks is called network theory. Network theory concepts are essential for ... more »
PCB Design
Laser Direct Imaging and its Advantages
When manufacturing a circuit board, one of the most critical aspects is printing and etching the layout on the copper-clad ... more »
PCB Manufacturing
Case Study: PCB Design for CubeSat Development
Cube satellite is a nascent market. Universities, research organizations, and even high schools have used simple, modular satellite design and ... more »
Case Studies
How to Control your Controlled Impedance
While manufacturing a PCB, controlled impedance can be achieved through specific dielectric thickness and by providing the target ohms on ... more »
Controlled Impedance
Component Placement Guidelines for PCB Design and Assembly
In the era of miniaturization and HDI PCBs, space optimization on the PCB might frequently affect proper component placement. Appropriate ... more »
PCB Assembly
DDR Memory and the Challenges in PCB Design
Modern electronic designs such as mobiles, laptops, cloud computing, and networking demand very high performance. Apart from processor speed/performance, memories ... more »
PCB Design
What is Back Drilling in PCB Design and Manufacturing?
There are various challenges when it comes to PCB design and manufacture and one of them is retaining signal integrity. ... more »
PCB Design
Why Controlled Impedance Really Matters
Every day, PCB designs and components become smaller, faster – in other words, more complicated. It is now crucial to ... more »
Controlled Impedance
14 Tips For PCB Design For Assembly
Designing with PCB assembly in mind is one of the most important and frequently misunderstood elements. This series is dedicated to ... more »
PCB Assembly
Role of PCB Trace Current Capacity in Design
The restrictions posed by the PCB trace current capacity are critically important when it comes to PCB design. While the ... more »
PCB Design
How to Avoid Crosstalk in HDI Substrates?
Miniaturization of the copper features in electronic circuits results from placing interconnections closely with a high packing density. As a ... more »
HDI / Blind & Buried Vias
PCB Manufacturing Defects Caused By Land Patterns
PCB land pattern defects should be treated with due attention since their design is very essential for the PCB manufacturing ... more »
PCB Assembly
7 Considerations for PCB Power Supply Design
Have you ever thought about how power is being transferred within complex PCBs? Yes, it is a challenging job for ... more »
PCB Design
What is Thermal Profiling in PCB Assembly
In the production and assembly of electronic products, precise control of process parameters is essential. This is done by continuous ... more »
PCB Assembly
8 Common Errors in Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
Surface mount technology is not a zero-defect soldering process. In this article, we will look into simple defects in surface ... more »
PCB Assembly
The Effects of High-Speed Signals in a PCB Design
The designers are constantly challenged to improve the performance of an electronic product. At the same time, the designers need ... more »
High Speed
How to Export Gerber and Other Production Files in KiCad
In this tutorial, we will study how to export Gerber files and other production files in KiCad. To manufacture a ... more »
KiCad Tutorials
How to Export Gerber and Production Files in Altium Designer
In this tutorial, we will show you how to export Gerber and other production files in Altium Designer.
PCB Design
How Flying Probe Testing Works for PCB Assembly
In-circuit testing tests the workings of a PCB assembly, i.e., white box testing. Here, we use electric probes to check ... more »
PCB Assembly
Gerber, ODB++ and Other PCB Design Files Required by a Manufacturer
PCB is the backbone of all major electronic devices and is also responsible for making devices compact and efficient. A ... more »
PCB Design
Understanding Signal Integrity in PCBs
When a signal is transmitted, the received signal will always be distorted as a consequence of impedance and other effects. ... more »
PCB Design
How to Route a PCB in KiCad
We selected an 8-mil track width and spacing for the differential pair. But this needs to be done in a ... more »
KiCad Tutorials
How to Use Via-in-Pad for PCB Design and Manufacturing
Multi-layered printed circuit board design requires a means to establish connections between various layers. This is done using vias ranging ... more »
PCB Manufacturing
The History of Flexible PCBs and Their Modern Application
Modern electronics manufacturers often face contradictory requirements when integrating complex circuits into a finished application. The product needs to be ... more »
Flex PCBs
10 Tips To Help You Choose A PCB Design Vendor
No matter the case, precise manufacturing and quick turnaround times, as well as a reliable single point of support throughout ... more »
PCB Design
Medical PCBs: The Revolutionary Evolution in Healthcare
Healthcare ranges from small wearable devices that promote wellness to full-body imaging systems that analyze the health of internal organs. ... more »
Industry News
Is Industry 4.0 Truly Revolutionary When It Comes to PCBs?
But this revolution is still in its infancy; therefore, it is not really plausible to define all of its attributes. ... more »
Industry News
What is a PCB?
Imagine connecting your motherboard with a bunch of wires or even your phone. Can you make an idea what size ... more »
PCB Design
AI and Machine Learning: Similar and Yet Different
From there to now when it’s about big data, we have come a long way. Or rather it’s wise to ... more »
Industry News
NASA Case Study: Sensor Web Instruments
This NASA case study was originally published in Tech Briefs. It was written by Joshua Forgione, Electronics Engineer, NASA Ames ... more »
Case Studies
Juki Pick-and-Place Assembly Machine in Action
Sierra Circuits PCB assembly uses advanced Juki machines that place up to 15,000 components per hour, all the way down ... more »
Assembly Videos
Thermal Profile for Solder Reflow
Sierra Circuits develops a custom thermal profile for solder reflow that is unique for every PCB we assemble. We develop ... more »
Assembly Videos
Sierra Circuits is Your PCB Fab and Assembly One-Stop Shop
Sierra Circuits is more than just a leading PCB manufacturer. We are a one-stop-shop for all your PCB assembly needs. ... more »
Assembly Videos
How to Reduce EMI to Improve Signal Integrity
EMI may be caused by unexpected radiated emissions as well as though interference conducted along cables and traces. Common reasons ... more »
EMI and EMC
The Free Bill of Materials Tool for PCB Designers
The tool also informs you of long lead-time components, and gives users the option to change to a component with ... more »
PCB Design
Case Study: Quickturn PCB Prototype for Bluetooth Application
Punch Through Design sends prototype circuit board designs to Sierra Circuits, who is then able to turn around the boards ... more »
Case Studies
Steps To Your PCB Prototype (For Hardware Start-ups)
John Teel shares the steps to creating a successful prototype printed circuit board. This includes the design, fabrication and assembly ... more »
PCB Assembly
Fabrication, Procurement, & Assembly. PCBs fully assembled in as fast as 5 days.
- Bundled together in an entirely-online process
- Reviewed and tested by Engineers
- DFA & DFM Checks on every order
- Shipped from Silicon Valley in as fast as 5 days
Fabrication. Procurement & Assembly optional. Flexible and transparent for advanced creators.
- Rigid PCBs, built to IPC-6012 Class 2 Specs
- 2 mil (0.002″) trace / space
- DFM Checks on every order
- 24-hour turn-times available
Complex technology, with a dedicated CAM Engineer. Stack-up assistance included.
- Complex PCB requirements
- Mil-Spec & Class 3 with HDI Features
- Blind & Buried Vias
- Flex & Rigid-Flex boards