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4 Layer PCB Advice — Parallax Forums

4 Layer PCB Advice

ColeyColey Posts: 1,116
edited 2009-09-13 20:24 in General Discussion
Hi,

I've got a particularly small but densely populated design coming up and I am seeking advice for a 4 layer PCB design.
I've read much contradictory information relating to using separate layers for power and ground planes and their position in the pcb.
Without giving too much away it will be a twin Propeller design...

Can any of you point me in the right direction please?

Regards,

Coley

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Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-09-13 18:43
    This isn't necessarily the best way to do it, but it should be OK for your purposes:

    Signal (top)
    Ground plane
    Power plane
    Signal (bottom)

    Leon

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    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
    Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle

    Post Edited (Leon) : 9/13/2009 6:51:09 PM GMT
  • ColeyColey Posts: 1,116
    edited 2009-09-13 18:48
    Thanks Leon,

    I had a little guess it would be you or Mike Green that replied first lol

    Can you explain the logic behind this as I've also read that having the ground and power planes as the top and bottom is preferred in some designs.

    Coley

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    PropGFX - The home of the Hybrid Development System and PropGFX Lite
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-09-13 18:49
    See this:

    www.hottconsultants.com/techtips/pcb-stack-up-2.html

    Leon

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
    Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
  • ColeyColey Posts: 1,116
    edited 2009-09-13 19:20
    Leon,

    Very informative, a great resource, thanks!

    Coley

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    PropGFX - The home of the Hybrid Development System and PropGFX Lite
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-09-13 20:14
    thanks for the link very informative.

    how do you like this layout?

    sig/gnd/pwr
    sig/gnd/pwr
    sig/gnd
    sig/gnd/pwr
    sig/gnd/pwr
    gnd

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  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2009-09-13 20:20
    Power and ground planes should be uninterrupted copper. They won't work very well, otherwise.

    Leon

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
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  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-09-13 20:24
    unfortunately without going to 8 layers they need to be. however they are good solid traces for the power and ground just no particular layer dedicated to them.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    propmod_us and propmod_1x1 are in stock. Only $30. PCB available for $5

    Want to make projects and have Gadget Gangster sell them for you? propmod-us_ps_sd and propmod-1x1 are now available for use in your Gadget Gangster Projects.

    Need to upload large images or movies for use in the forum. you can do so at uploader.propmodule.com for free.
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