PCB Modular Layout Approach
In the face of increasingly integrated hardware platforms and complex electronic products, PCB layout should adopt a modular mindset, requiring modular and structured design methods in both hardware schematic design and PCB routing.As a hardware engineer, under the premise of understanding the overall system architecture, one should consciously integrate modular design concepts into schematic and PCB layout design, planning the basic approach for PCB layout based on the actual situation of the PCB, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 Basic PCB Layout Planning
Placement of Fixed ComponentsThe placement of fixed components is similar to the placement of fixed holes, emphasizing precise positioning. This is mainly based on the design structure.Align and overlap the silkscreen of the components and the structure, as shown in Figure 2. Once the fixed components on the board are placed, the signal flow of the entire board can be organized based on the principles of proximity and signal priority.
Figure 2 Placement of Fixed Components
Interaction Settings Between Schematic and PCBTo facilitate component identification, it is necessary to correlate the schematic with the PCB, allowing for mutual mapping, referred to as interaction. Using interactive layout can quickly locate components, thereby shortening design time and improving work efficiency.1) To achieve interaction between the schematic and PCB, execute the menu command “Tools – Cross Selection Mode” in both the schematic editing interface and the PCB design interactive interface to activate the cross-selection mode, as shown in Figure 3.2) As shown in Figure 4, when a component is selected on the schematic, the corresponding component on the PCB will be selected simultaneously; conversely, selecting a component on the PCB will also select the corresponding component on the schematic.
Figure 3 Activating Cross Selection Mode
Figure 4 Selection in Cross Selection Mode
Modular LayoutThis section introduces a component arrangement feature, which allows for arranging components in a rectangular area. At the initial layout stage, this feature can conveniently separate and place a bunch of disorganized components by module within a designated area.1) Select all components of a module on the schematic, at which point the corresponding components on the PCB will also be selected.2) Execute the menu command “Tools – Place Components – Arrange in Rectangular Area”.3) In a blank area on the PCB, select a range; the components of this functional module will be arranged within the selected range, as shown in Figure 5. This feature allows for quick segmentation of all functional modules on the schematic.Modular layout and interactive layout are closely related. By using interactive layout, select all components of a module on the schematic and arrange them on the PCB one by one. Next, further refine the layout of the ICs, resistors, and diodes, which constitutes modular layout, as illustrated in Figure 6.
Figure 5 Arranging in Rectangular Area and Component Selection
Figure 6 Modular Layout Effect Diagram
During modular layout, the “Vertical Split” command can be used to split the schematic editing interface and the PCB design interactive interface, as shown in Figure 7, facilitating our view for quick layout.
Figure 7 Altium Designer Split Screen Processing
Screenshots of Electronic Books from the 400G Collection
