Introduction to PCB Design I

Taught by an IPC-certified industry expert with more than 25 years of experience in the field, this 6-week online program introduces participants to the concepts and skills required to create real-world designs that comply with IPC standards. This introductory course will focus on front-end design concepts such as schematic capture, library parts creation, basic electrical engineering concepts, and documentation.

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

  • Define and create schematic symbols and PCB footprints that comply with applicable IPC Standards
  • Create simple schematics for use in simulation and prototyping applications
  • Implement industry best practices for:
    •  Schematic capture
    • Hierarchical design implementation
    • Documentation
    • Parts list generation
  • Recognize the trade-offs between the different schematic methodologies and when to use each type
  • Assess different component types and attachment methods
    • Differentiate when to use each type of component
  • Define standard schematic notes
    • Apply best practices in negotiating these terms with customers

Introduction to PCB Design I is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board under ANSI/ASTM E2659-18, Standard Practice for Certificate Programs.

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Member Price
$1,600.00
Non-member Price
$2,000.00
Access
90 Days From Enrollment
Class Schedule

  • Course Level: Introductory

  • Training Time

    6 weeks (12 two-hour online instructor-led sessions)

  • Certificate of Completion

    Certificate of Completion: Introduction to PCB Design I

  • Seasonal Enrollment

    Access for 90 Days

Questions

Need to know more? Send us your questions and we'll get you an answer.

Download the syllabus.

All virtual class sessions are recorded for review. The instructional content of the course is design software independent. During the course's hands-on part, the instructor will use the Altium design tool to demonstrate concepts and methodologies. Students are free to use the software they choose to submit their work. For participants who do not have access to a design software program, IPC will provide a 1-year subscription to Altium Designer.

Week 1: Introduction to PCB Design

  • Fundamentals of PCB Design 
  • Passive components
  • Basic electrical engineering equations. 
  • Fundamentals of PCB fabrication and design

Week 2: Component Library Concepts

  • Creation of library components
  • Schematic symbol and PCB footprint generation
  • Component parameters
  • Simulation models
  • Introduction to course project 
  • Create component library

Week 3: Basic Schematic Concepts

  • Proper schematic structure and layout 
  • Page sequencing
  • Symbol placement
  • Net naming
  • Power and ground symbols
  • IPC standards
  • Create simple schematic pages

Week 4: Advanced Schematic Concepts

  • Advanced schematic concepts 
  • Port / off-sheet connections
  • Circuit reuse
  • Design hierarchy
  • Circuit simulation
  • Net classes
  • Design rules
  • Multi-channel design
  • Differential nets
  • Busses and wire harnesses
  • Complete advanced schematic pages 
  • Create design hierarchy
  • Apply net classes and design rules to schematic pages

Week 5: Schematic Documentation

  • Proper documentation of schematics 
  • Review application of IPC-26xx standards. 
  • Use of standard title blocks
  • Standard page sequencing
  • Readability
  • Standard notes
  • ECO and revision history
  • Annotation methodology
  • Design rules
  • Parts lists
  • Format and generate documentation package for design

Week 6: Content Review and Final Exam

  • Content review, submission of final project, and final exam 
  • Complete final design project package and documentation

 

This course is ideal for engineers, technicians, hobbyists, and anyone else that wants to put their interest in electronics to work in the field of PCB design.

IPC offers different instructional modalities to suit participants with different needs and preferences. This program is only available in the following modality:

Online-instructor-led: Participants go online to meet with an IPC-certified industry expert at a fixed time twice per week for the duration of the course. Class sessions are usually 1.5 to 2 hours. Participants can also access a video recording of each class session on their IPC EDGE course dashboard.

Completion of the program with a score of 70% or higher on the final exam and/or final project is required to earn a certificate of completion and and 24 Professional Development Hours (PDHs)

Review IPC Workforce Training policies and procedures documents including the grievance and appeal forms.

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