Transform Your Constraint Engineering PCB Designs

Download the syllabus.

WEEK 1
Lecture #1: Baseline Understanding of PCB Design Methodologies, Board Types and Model Development

• Previous outdated constraint methodologies
• Current state of constraint engineering
• Introduction to our electrical and mechanical models
• A sample model to show and set your design constraint goals
• Proactive design stack-up ideals and interface to routing features
• Develop SRI plans to meet electrical and mechanical requirements
• Utilize CM tool and set constraint values to initial values
• Organize and visualize models’ unification
• Develop producibility concerns and move to review with producibility SMEs
• Preview all board types and how they make a difference in constraint settings

ASSIGNMENT: Review today’s lecture and list any questions for the next lecture.

Lecture #2: Local and Global Constraint Management Techniques and Clearing Early Design Rule Errors

• Quick Q&A exchange
• Review the sample PCB Design and discuss constraint opportunities
• Develop actual sample design SRI and constraints
• Stack-up discussion to help visualization of PCB design requirements
• Set the layer routing priorities
• Develop initial via structures and transitions
• Organize constraint features into low, medium, and high groups
• Finalize model unification
• Preview all board types and how they make a difference in constraint settings
• ASSIGNMENT: Review today’s lecture and list any questions for the next lecture.

WEEK 2
Lecture #3: A Review of All Board Types and How Their Design Characteristics and Features Make a Difference in Constraint Settings

• Quick Q&A exchange
• Board types have a basic grouping ranging from simple to complex
• The Basic types include one-, two- and multi-layer “CCA” designs
• The complex types include RF, chip-on-board, wire-bond, and mixed-signal designs
• Organize, specify and restrict constraint settings/ideals per board types
• Build overlapping and specialized constraints
• Utilize electronic design notebook and constraint settings output files
• Producibility drives constraint methodologies
• Stack-up features and requirements are the main difference drivers of board type designs
• Consider locking down board type groupings with respect to model unification

ASSIGNMENT: Complete Lecture #3 Questionnaire. Discuss solutions during Lecture #4.

Lecture #4: Understanding Constraint Management Features and Importance of Solid Initial Settings and Routing Priorities

• Questionnaire discussion
• Discussion of constraint management features to define routing priorities
• Examine the Bill of Materials for possible constraints issues
• Forecast local/global/hot zone constraint settings
• Define mechanical model routing constraint O&M features
• Define electrical model grounding features and constraint requirements
• Baseline specific component and component areas for individualized constraint rules
• Finalize initial constraint settings and review with producibility SMEs
• Live sample board development

ASSIGNMENT: Complete Lecture #4 Questionnaire. Discuss solutions during Lecture #5.

WEEK 3
Lecture #5: Routing Features per Constraints and Robust Elimination of Design Rule Errors
Questionnaire Discussion

• The reason why constraints can either stop or cause major design errors
• Review and understand BGA-type component constraints (Hint: Red Zone Area)
• Use of thermal ties (wagon wheels) versus constraints ideals
• Understanding power plane routing and power integrity analysis (PIA) requirements to meet power constraint requirements (Not a trivial discussion)
• Solder masking methodologies to finalize metal constraints
• Finding errors is not just on the PCB Design Engineer (Design Meetings)
• Schedule a mid-route vendor review of preliminary design data and drawings
• Understanding how all of this affects each board design type (First Look)

ASSIGNMENT: Complete Lecture #5 Questionnaire. Discuss solutions during Lecture #6.

Lecture #6: Understanding All Board Type Design Rule Errors While Constraining the Design
Questionnaire Discussion.

• Understand design rule errors that occur in all board types
• Review of first board and second board grouping design rule errors
• Understanding power plane routing for all board types
• Constraint management is a board saver in terms of time and production
• Document your constraint management strategies for reuse
• Live sample board development

ASSIGNMENT: Complete Lecture #6 Questionnaire. Discuss solutions during Lecture #7.

WEEK 4
Lecture #7: Our Model in Action – Let’s Review and Work Routing Priorities and Changes to Initial Plan – Part 1

• Questionnaire Discussion
• Review our sample board design as an EE has issued an ECO update
• Focus on CM changes and how to simplify production updating methodologies
• Oh no, the ME now issued an ECO, and it conflicts with the EE ECO
• Focus and work on the issues and set meetings to finalize changes and updates
• Live updates and better understanding of production constraint workings
• Proactive design team meeting to discuss and confirm changes before actual re-work
• Routing is completed, so what is the next step?
• Perform final metal and non-metal checks for production release
• Final mechanical model check, including final 3-D check
• Oh no! We have a 3-D issue!

ASSIGNMENT: Complete Lecture #7 Questionnaire. Discuss solutions during Lecture #8.

Lecture #8: Our Model in Action – Let’s Review and Work Routing Priorities and Changes to Initial Plan – Part 2

• Questionnaire Discussion
• Mechanical 3-D issue
• Further review shows three possible changes and updates to solve the mechanical issue
• Possible Solution #1: Use a different component and remove height and air gap issue
• Possible Solution #2: Move the component (possible development of other routing issues which means more component updates).
• Possible Solution #3: Supply chain issues and assembly kit issues (Now what?).
• The design team must review and decide how updates will be done.
• Finalize the changes and push to release for production.
• Final thoughts

ASSIGNMENT: As this is the final class for this course, there is no questionnaire to be completed. However, if there are any specific questions or concerns, please ask or place into the Class Forum and I will review and get you answers and solutions.