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Need Feedback on first Prototype board — Parallax Forums

Need Feedback on first Prototype board

Greg LaPollaGreg LaPolla Posts: 323
edited 2009-07-12 05:16 in Propeller 1
Attached is my first PCB design ever. I need some feedback on the layout. Some of the routing is manual, some is auto, I am sure it can be better, but I would like some feedback before I send it out. I have been working on this on and off for about 5 months and I think this is ready for fab. I removed the GND planes so the board layout is easier to see.

Also, I have done some research and this PCB is 4 x4 so from Gold Phoenix for 99 bucks I can get 6 made. Has anyone else here used gold phoenix?


Thanks


Greg
controller.png
1202 x 1204 - 58K

Comments

  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-07-11 09:09
    There was a recent thread (about 2weeks ago?) where another member (sorry, forgot who) where we discussed a lot of things about layouts. Suggest you read that thread and follow those things first and then reask after those have been done.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
    · Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80), MoCog (6809)
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-07-11 11:13
    I'd start again from scratch!

    Always route critical nets like power and clocks first. Then start routing the remaining nets, shortest ones first. Don't use the autorouter!

    Leon

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
    Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,706
    edited 2009-07-11 22:22
    Greg,

    Firstly, congratulations on your first pcb

    I'm worried about the two Vss / Gnd pins of the Prop coming from two very different paths. Best to cross link the Vss and Vdd at the prop with chunky 50 mil traces.

    Are the AL1-3 relays? Could they be spun 180 degrees to maintain an isolation gap and shorten the tracks?

    Haven't used GP yet, will be interested to hear your experience

    tubular
  • Nick MuellerNick Mueller Posts: 815
    edited 2009-07-11 22:39
    > Are the AL1-3 relays? Could they be spun 180 degrees to maintain an isolation gap and shorten the tracks?

    There are other parts that would help if rotated. C1, C3 for example.
    Placement seems to need some more improvement. And then re-route from scratch. wink.gif

    Nick

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    Never use force, just go for a bigger hammer!

    The DIY Digital-Readout for mills, lathes etc.:
    YADRO
  • Greg LaPollaGreg LaPolla Posts: 323
    edited 2009-07-12 00:47
    @Nick thats RL 1 - 3 yes they are relays.

    @Tubular The VDD is connected VSS was but I removed the GND Plane so it was disconnected.

    I moved some things around and rerouted some things and now there are no vias. So version 2 is now attached, let me know if it is any better.

    Thanks


    Greg

    Post Edited (Greg LaPolla) : 7/12/2009 12:52:16 AM GMT
    controller v2.png
    1202 x 1204 - 53K
  • PainlessPainless Posts: 69
    edited 2009-07-12 00:51
    Cluso99 said: "There was a recent thread (about 2weeks ago?) where another member (sorry, forgot who) where we discussed a lot of things about layouts. Suggest you read that thread and follow those things first and then reask after those have been done."

    That would have been me smile.gif

    Here's the link to the thread:

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=816947

    Russ.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2009-07-12 02:11
    Thanks Russ - sorry I couldn't recall your name [noparse]:([/noparse]

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Links to other interesting threads:

    · Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, RamBlade, TwinBlade,·SixBlade, website
    · Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
    · Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
    · Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index) ZiCog (Z80), MoCog (6809)
    · Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
    My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,706
    edited 2009-07-12 02:13
    Looks a lot better, Greg.

    Some of the power rails alternate what side of the board they are on despite not crossing any tracks. In my opinion it would be better to keep them on the same side - makes it easier to trace by eye when servicing etc. Because you have so much space why not make them wider?

    The three base drive resistors under the prop - do you really want them there when you have so much room nearby (moving the prop powered logo somewhere else perhaps)?
    Greg LaPolla said...

    I moved some things around and rerouted some things and now there are no vias. So version 2 is now attached, let me know if it is any better.

    Thanks


    Greg
  • PainlessPainless Posts: 69
    edited 2009-07-12 03:45
    Cluso99 said...
    Thanks Russ - sorry I couldn't recall your name [noparse]:([/noparse]

    That's OK, Cluso... I'll try to choke back my disappointment cry.gif
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2009-07-12 05:16
    I have no specific information regarding this, but just double check that the size of your holes matches the lead sizes of your components with room to spare. It's terribly hard to wiggle the pins of multi-pin components into holes that don't give any room for error. Also, make sure the holes in your board that are used for mounting screws are indeed HOLES and not just circles drawn on the silkscreen, etc.

    You might also want to post a view with the ground plane intact so that people can look for errors on that.

    have fun,
    Mark
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