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Designing high speed channels on complex boards requires simulations, measurements on test boards, or both to ensure the design operates as you intend. Simulations can be used to generate predictions of signal behavior given a known input stimulus (pulse, bit sequence, or arbitrary waveform) using transforms and convolution operations. Unfortunately, it’s possible a simulation predicts behavior that doesn’t occur in reality due to incomplete...

Circuit simulations, signal simulations, and impulse response calculations often operate in an ideal world, where bandwidths aren’t limited or where singal artifacts aren’t observable in real measurements. Unfortunately, real interconnects and measurements are bandlimited, and this can create measurement artifacts that can create the appearance of a signal integrity problem like ground bounce, circulating reflection waves, or some level of...

Every electronic device needs components to operate properly, and models of components need to be created for use in CAD programs. All PCB components contain specific sets of information, all of which is stored in schematic symbols, the PCB footprint, and 3D models of a component. All components need to include this information so that they can be displayed, placed, and routed in a PCB design. One question that always comes up is: what exactly...

In this episode, Altium’s Technical Consultant, Zach Peterson will share his insights about the availability and accessibility of education related to PCB design for high school and university students. Zach will also talk about the inspiration behind “Design Secrets,” his new series available on Altium Academy Youtube Channel. Listen to the Podcast: Download this episode (right click and save) Watch the video: Show Highlights: Introduc...

The DVI connector shown above has a very specific pinout that must be implemented when routing a connector if you want to use this interface on your PCB. The same applies to any other connector that is used to provide power, ground, and signals through a standardized interface. Ethernet, USB, HDMI, and many other protocols have a specific pinout that should be used to ensure interoperability between different devices. Although pinouts for common...

This seems to be such a basic question that always goes down a rabbit hole: when should you use an LDO vs. a buck regulator? Some important aspects of selecting an LDO compared to a switching converter are the types of components being powered, the total current drawn from the regulator, and the amount of heat these components can tolerate. In a previous article, I looked at some of the factors that limit LDO efficiency, namely due to the...

An optoisolator is an electronic device that can be used to pass information between a diode without passing an electrical current. Because there is no need to directly pass voltage or current between the inputs and outputs in an optoisolator circuit, these components can be used to provide electrical isolation in two regions in a PCB. Opto-isolators act as a protection mechanism, ensuring that harmful electrical currents cannot flow across the...

Every PCB has silkscreen on the surface layer, and you’ll see a range of alphanumeric codes, numbers, markings, and logos on PCB silkscreen. What exactly does it all mean, and what specifically should you include in your silkscreen layer? All designs are different, but there are some common pieces of information that will appear in any silkscreen in order to aid assembly, testing, debug, and traceability. Anatomy of Your PCB Silkscreen The...

Operating just about any capacitor below its maximum rated voltage ensures a longer operating life. A capacitor's performance will degrade in response to the application of voltages approaching their rated limit and exposure to high temperatures. By choosing to limit the applied voltage, those degradation effects can be reduced. Ceramic capacitors are one of the most common types of capacitors that are in use today thanks to their compact...