Initial Setup and Library Import
- Begin by setting up your project workspace. Open Altium Designer and create a new project. You'll want to organize your files efficiently right from the start.
- Import the necessary libraries. Go to the Components panel and configure your library preferences to source your components. This may involve setting paths or downloading components from Altium's database.
- Define design rules according to your project's specifications. This includes track widths, clearance, and via sizes — all crucial for ensuring electrical performance and manufacturability.
Schematic Design
- Start with the schematic design by creating a new schematic sheet and adding components from the library. Ensure that each component has the correct footprint assigned and electrical characteristics verified.
- Use the Place commands to insert components, wires, power ports, and other required elements. The schematic must be logically organized for ease of troubleshooting.
- Include designators and annotations for components to keep track of each part. This will help both in the layout and when generating the Bill of Materials (BOM).
- Run ERC (Electrical Rule Check) to ensure there are no schematic errors, such as unconnected pins or incorrect wiring.
Transferring Schematic to PCB
- Use the Design > Import Changes From Schematic command to bring your schematic into the PCB layout environment. This process will synchronize your design files and bring in net names, components, and their assigned pins.
- Verify that all components are correctly imported and positioned off to the PCB board outline for easy placement.
- Run a Design Rule Check (DRC) to ensure there's no error due to mismatched components or violations of design rules.
Component Placement
- Begin placing components according to your design requirements. Critical components and connectors should be placed first to reduce trace lengths and improve performance.
- Utilize the layer stack manager to define how many layers your board will have and what each will be used for (e.g., signal layers, power planes).
- Use the component alignment and distribution tools to efficiently place components in a logical and manufacturable manner.
Routing the PCB
- Select the appropriate routing tool for your trace types, such as manual routing for precision or autorouter for quick layout. Manual routing is recommended for sensitive signal lines.
- Route critical traces first, such as high-speed nets and differential pairs, ensuring that they are kept short and correctly impedance matched.
- Employ the use of polygon pours for ground and power planes. These provide a solid return path for your signals and help with signal integrity.
- Perform design rule checks regularly to catch errors early in the routing process. Address any clearance, width, or length constraint violations as they arise.
Running Validation and Preparing for Manufacturing
- Run a final DRC to ensure that your board meets all of the specified design rules. This check helps identify any spacing violations or unconnected nets that might have been missed.
- Generate Gerber files for manufacturing. These files include information for each layer of your PCB, as well as the drill file for vias and component holes.
- Export the BOM and a pick-and-place file if your design will be machine assembled. This will facilitate the manufacturing process by providing necessary information about component layout.
- Review all documentation to ensure completeness and accuracy before sending to the manufacturer. This step is crucial to avoid costly delays in production.
Iterative Testing and Feedback
- Once the initial prototype is manufactured, perform thorough testing to validate the design. This involves checking electrical performance, functional testing, and verifying that the design specifications are met.
- Gather feedback from the testing phase and make any necessary adjustments. Update your schematic and PCB layout based on this feedback for the next revision.
- Maintain a comprehensive change log throughout this process to track modifications and rationale, which will be useful for future design iterations.
