Difference between revisions of "Techniques"

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== Printed circuit board fabrication ==
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There are a wide variety of techniques used in electronics.
  
 +
== Circuit Design ==
 +
* [[Basic Circuit Building Blocks]]
  
=== Homebrew ===
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== Prototyping ==
* [[Toner Transfer]] -- This method involves laser printing your PCB design onto paper, then transferring toner onto copper-clad board.
+
Prototyping circuitboards:
* [[Photoetching]] -- Exposure of PCB designs onto photosensitized copper-clad board.
 
* [[Chemical Etchants]]
 
  
=== Commercial PCB fabrication ===
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* [[Solderless protoboard]]
* [[Submitting PCB's for fabrication]] -- Common processes for submitting PCB's for fabrication.
 
* [[PCB Manufacturers]]
 
 
 
== Circuit construction (non PCB) ==
 
 
 
* [[Solderless protoboard]] ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breadboard Wikipedia:Breadboard])
 
 
* [[Point-to-point]] ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point-to-point_construction Wikipedia:Point-to-point construction])
 
* [[Point-to-point]] ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point-to-point_construction Wikipedia:Point-to-point construction])
 
* [[Wirewrap]] ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire_wrap Wikipedia:Wire Wrap])
 
* [[Wirewrap]] ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire_wrap Wikipedia:Wire Wrap])
* [[Dead bug style]] -- and a similar method, [http://ciphersbyritter.com/RADELECT/BREADBD/BREADBD.HTM "A Modern Breadboarding Technology: Insulating Pads Soldered to a Ground Plane"]
+
* [[Dead bug style]]
 
* [[Manhattan style]]
 
* [[Manhattan style]]
 +
* Board-less construction, not sure there is a name for it, can be very cool see: http://runawaybrainz.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/audio-crystal-cmoy-freeform-headphone.html this one is potted in clear plastic.
 +
* [http://www.qrp.pops.net/ugly.asp "Ugly Construction"] (like deadbug... )
 +
[http://www.techlib.com/electronics/construction.html "Construction Ideas"] has nice photographs of the above circuit construction techniques.
 +
[[http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/protostyles/proto_styles.htm "Effects Building Techniques"] by R.G. Keen 1999 reviews, compares, and contrasts these techniques for circuit construction -- also a few more.
 +
 +
* [[Stripboard]] (Veroboard): ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stripboard Wikipedia:stripboard].)
  
[[http://www.techlib.com/electronics/construction.html "Construction Ideas"]] has nice photographs of the above circuit construction techniques.
+
Most of these techniques are designed to use through-hole devices with pins on 0.1" centers -- and vice versa: most through-hole devices are designed to fit into stripboard or other prototyping board with holes on 0.1" centers.
  
== Soldering techniques ==
+
So how do people prototype something with a surface mount device (SMD)?
 +
* Some people continue to use prototyping boards with 0.1" holes, with a bit of creativity, for some SMT devices ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/nshdot/6034580576/in/photostream/])([http://www.flickr.com/photos/nshdot/6034026371/in/photostream])([http://www.flickr.com/photos/nshdot/6034580678/])([http://www.flickr.com/photos/nshdot/6034045085/in/photostream])
 +
* Some people solder many SMT devices to tiny "generic" "surface-mount prototyping boards", then those tiny boards wired together into a complete system (perhaps also including through-hole parts on a stripboard or solderless breadboard). ([http://www.whitewing.co.uk/protoboard.html "Universal through-hole and SMD prototyping board"]), ([http://www.schmartboard.com/ Schmartboard] [http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/schmartboardsv/ Schmartboard forum]), ([http://www.capitaladvanced.com/products.htm "Surfboards"]). Alas, none of these are completely generic for most kinds of SMT parts the way that stripboard is completely generic for almost all kinds of through-hole parts.
 +
* Some people buy a [[demo board]] with the SMT part already soldered to it; then these small boards can be wired into a complete system (perhaps also including through-hole parts on a stripboard or solderless breadboard).
 +
* Sometimes people are forced to build a big custom PCB with precise footprints adapted to that SMD device. (This seems to be what manufacturers that make SMDs expect you to do).
  
 +
== PCB Design/Fabrication ==
 +
[[Printed Circuit Boards]]
 +
 +
== Soldering Techniques ==
 
* [[Basic soldering]] -- How to use a soldering iron.
 
* [[Basic soldering]] -- How to use a soldering iron.
 
* Surface Mount
 
* Surface Mount
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** [[Toaster oven reflow]]
 
** [[Toaster oven reflow]]
 
** [[Hot air soldering]]
 
** [[Hot air soldering]]
 +
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:WillWare/Homebrew_surface-mount_construction A few different SMT assembly methods] that you can do at home on a cheap budget
 
* [[Rework]] -- Techniques for fixing mistakes, or for adding new features to a board that ''almost'' does what you want.
 
* [[Rework]] -- Techniques for fixing mistakes, or for adding new features to a board that ''almost'' does what you want.
 
** [http://workmanship.nasa.gov/lib/insp/2%20books/links/sections/302_jumper%20wires.html official NASA recommendations for adding discrete wiring ("jumper wires") to PCBs]
 
** [http://workmanship.nasa.gov/lib/insp/2%20books/links/sections/302_jumper%20wires.html official NASA recommendations for adding discrete wiring ("jumper wires") to PCBs]
  
(Have you seen this [http://www.hackaday.com/2007/06/04/cnc-solder-paste-pick-n-place/ CNC solder paste/pick n place] ?)
+
(Have you seen this [http://hackaday.com/2007/06/04/cnc-solder-pastepick-n-place/ CNC solder paste/pick n place] ?)
 +
''Hackaday has lots of other similar articles: [http://hackaday.com/?s=solder+paste search hackaday for "solder paste"]''
  
== software design tools ==
+
(Optional: ) After all the parts are completely soldered down, some people like to spray the board with some kind of conformal coating, or completely seal in the board with some kind of potting compound.
 +
See [http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/5095/whats-the-best-way-to-protect-a-board-from-corrosion-in-a-hot-moist-environment "Electronics and Robotics: What's the best way to protect a board from corrosion in a hot/moist environment?"].
  
Some people still build circuits without ever using any software tools.
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== [[Hardware tool | Hardware Tools]] ==
For complicated circuits, software design tools can save a lot of time.
+
A directory of [[hardware tool]]s that you may find useful.
  
Here we list "suites" that combine schematic capture, component editor for the components used in schematic capture, circuit simulation, PCB layout, autorouter, and footprint editor for the footprints used in PCB layout.
+
== [[Software tool | Software Tools]] ==
(Is there another place for listing stand-alone tools such as a switching power supply "wizard" and a RF analysis tool?)
+
A directory of [[software tool]]s that you may find useful.
  
Quite often people mix-and-match tools -- using a schematic capture from one suite to generate pretty schematics and a netlist, then importing the netlist a third party Specctra autorouter, then importing the result into a PCB layout program from another suite for the final manual clean-up and design rule checking.
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== [[PC-Microcontroller Communications]] ==
 +
Discussion of the various methods to connect a microcontroller or embedded system to a PC...
  
In no particular order:
+
== Embedded System Programming and Testing ==
 +
To add to the confusion programming in embedded system can mean a person writing a program or a device called a programmer "burning" a program into a chip.  This section is for the "burning" meaning of programming.
  
* gEDA http://geda.seul.org/ ; [http://geda.seul.org/wiki/ gEDA wiki] -- free version; open source. Includes schematic and [http://sourceforge.net/projects/pcb/ PCB].
+
* Many systems use [[JTAG]] for programming and testing. (Such as [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Atmel_AVR Atmel AVR embedded systems]]).
* McCAD EDS Lite http://mccad.com/ -- free demo version available for download, 200 pin limit
+
* Other systems use some other kind of in-circuit programming.
* McCAD EDS SE is free with the book [http://applefritter.com/replica "Apple I Replica Creation" ]  -- supports 750 pins, 11"x17" sheet size, 6-8 data layers. <tangent>(any useful tips in this book for those who want to build a CPU from scratch?)  <reply>No, there are not.  The book is more entry-level. - Tom Owad</reply></tangent>
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* Some people use [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems/Bootloaders_and_Bootsectors bootloaders] to make re-programming a little quicker.
* FreePCB http://www.freepcb.com/ -- free version; open source, Win32 PCB Design Software
 
* TinyCAD http://tinycad.sourceforge.net/ -- free version; open source, Win32 Schematic Drawing Software
 
* KiCad http://kicad.sourceforge.net/ and http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/ -- free version; open source, eda suite, Both Win32 and Linux Version
 
* Express PCB http://expresspcb.com/ -- "free" software
 
 
 
* Protel DXP http://altium.com/ ; [http://techref.massmind.org/techref/app/protel.htm independent Protel users FAQ]
 
* Eagle  http://cadsoftusa.com/ ; http://cadsoft.de/ ; [http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorial/PCB/eagle-output-tutorial.htm Eagle tutorial from Sparkfun] ; [http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/03/how_to_make_a_custom_library_p.html another Eagle tutorial] -- free demo version available
 
* DipTrace http://diptrace.com/ -- free 30 day demo version available for download.
 
* WinQcad http://winqcad.com/ -- free demo version (up to 499 pins) available for download
 
* Rimu Schematic and Rimu PCB http://www.hutson.co.nz/ -- ???
 
  
''(Should I make a huge grid here, with checkmarks for "runs on Mac", "runs under Linux", "open source", "includes autorouter", etc. ?)''
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-- not sure that this next one is not misplaced ? --
(yes!! yes you should!! now get back to work slave!!)
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''We're talking about "programming and testing" ? What else do you use to test op-amp circuits?''
  
Another [http://techref.massmind.org/techref/pcbcads.htm list of software design tools at the Massmind].
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* Many people use an [[oscilloscope]] ([[o'scope]]). See [[oscilloscope]] for a list of  Keith has made a list of low-cost o'scopesl [http://www.techtravels.org/amiga/amigablog/?p=167 "PC USB logic analyzers that cost under $1000."] for a list of low-cost logic analyzers.
  
Is there any way to objectively compare these tools?
+
Humans writing a program almost always do it in a language.  Here is a section that discusses some of these languages: [[Programming Languages]]
How well did they do at the
 
[http://www.pcbwest.com/topgun/ PCB Top Gun contest] ?
 
  
=== Checklist for "The flow of PCB fabrication/PCB 製作流程" using Software Design Tool===
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== Driving Motors ==
*Format and shape of PCB are conformed./底板的幾何圖形和尺寸確認
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See [[Stepper Motor Tester]] and [[motor driver]].
*Via size and location are conformed./定位和開孔尺寸確認
 
*Fixed location item are placed on suitable place./對有所要求之硬件放置的明白確認
 
*A one-first PCB silk layout is made./做一張1:1的PCB白油圖
 
*All item get enough clearance between them./所有硬件排放後檢查相鄰是否過於緊貼
 
*All vias get enough size to install them components./所有孔徑是否符合要求
 
*Make sure no worng footprint is created./肯定了腳銲盤無錯誤
 
*PCB is drew./完成了PCB
 
*Netlist is ran and got a no error result./執行netlist指令直無錯誤
 
*DRC is ran and got a no error result./執行DRC直至無錯誤
 
*Location of item is reasonable./模擬實物放置是否合理
 
*All items are put on to a hard copy of PCB./放置所有零件在影印本的PCB上
 
*Overall is checked./全面檢查確認無誤
 
  
And then the Gerbers are sent to a [[PCB_Manufacturers]].
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== Enclosure ==
 +
* The Earth Signal should short to whole metal Case
 +
* Digital/Analog GND should separate to this Earth Signal, and should connect a Y-cap. to filter the noise between them.
 +
* Attention: do not place near between Earth Signal and Digital/Analog GND, otherwise some spark come out, and affect your whole system.
 +
* ''See [[enclosures]]''.
  
== embedded system programming and testing ==
+
== Misc Tips Tricks ==
 
+
[[Misc Tips Tricks]]
* Many systems use [[JTAG]] for programming and testing. (Such as [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Atmel_AVR Atmel AVR embedded systems]]).
 
* Other systems use some other kind of in-circuit programming.
 
* Some people use [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems/Bootloaders_and_Bootsectors bootloaders] to make re-programming a little quicker.
 
 
 
== further reading ==
 
  
 +
== Further Reading ==
 
* [http://airborn.com.au/method/ "Electronics Design" from Airborn] gives an overview of the complete process: specification, (schematic) circuit design, layout, prototypes, firmware, pilot run, production.
 
* [http://airborn.com.au/method/ "Electronics Design" from Airborn] gives an overview of the complete process: specification, (schematic) circuit design, layout, prototypes, firmware, pilot run, production.
 
* EDA electronic design automation software is a subset of CAD in general. Is there a wiki that discusses CAD in general? Until I find it, I'm going to post these tools here: "Google SketchUp is a powerful yet easy-to-learn 3D software tool" http://sketchup.google.com/ ; "Inkscape is the best tool for SVG standard vector graphics" http://wiki.inkscape.org/ ; Visual Wiki http://visualwiki.org/
 
* EDA electronic design automation software is a subset of CAD in general. Is there a wiki that discusses CAD in general? Until I find it, I'm going to post these tools here: "Google SketchUp is a powerful yet easy-to-learn 3D software tool" http://sketchup.google.com/ ; "Inkscape is the best tool for SVG standard vector graphics" http://wiki.inkscape.org/ ; Visual Wiki http://visualwiki.org/
 +
* [http://www.national.com/rap/Story/0,1562,18,00.html "What's All This Ground Noise Stuff, Anyhow?"] by Robert A. Pease
 +
* [http://www.elecdesign.com/Articles/ArticleID/6150/6150.html "What's All This Teflon Stuff, Anyhow?"] by Robert A. Pease -- explains a situation using lots of metal (instead of carefully insulating everything with lots of Teflon) causes less noise. Also mentions "why am I telling you all of these details? If I design a tester with greatly improved performance to help me test a really high-performance product, why should I tell all our competitors so that anybody in the world can test their products using the improved tester? Why should I give away all of these hard-earned secrets?" and gives some very good reasons.
 +
* [http://groups.google.to/group/sci.electronics.design/browse_thread/thread/889153f0e77b1718/fcaac532bb6d4b12?fwc=1 sci.electronics.design: EDN: Measuring Nanoamperes] discusses some ways to measure extremely small currents.
 +
* [http://www.millpcbs.com/ MillPCBs.com for techniques on using a small cnc machine to mill PCB's]
 +
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs]
 +
* [http://www.electricstuff.co.uk/pcbs.html electricstuff.co.uk/pcbs]
 +
* [http://www.fullnet.com/~tomg/gooteepc.htm fullnet.com/~tomg/gooteepc]
 +
* Dave McGuire says "The notion that through-hole soldering is easier than soldering surface-mount devices is, and always has been, [http://archives.seul.org/geda/user/Aug-2004/msg00175.html a myth.]" (Now, about keeping all the look-alike passive parts straight... :) )
 +
* [http://www.instructables.com/id/Intro-into-SMD-Soldering/ Intro into SMD Soldering]
 +
* [http://PMinMO.com/ PMinMO.com is THE PLACE for DIY CNC driver information]
 +
* [http://uptownmaker.blogspot.com/2009/07/18-essential-skills-for-maker.html 18 Essential Skills for a Maker]
 +
 +
== Environmental Issues ==
 +
See [[better for the environment]].
  
----
+
[[Category:Techniques]]

Latest revision as of 18:38, 11 November 2014

There are a wide variety of techniques used in electronics.

Circuit Design[edit]

Prototyping[edit]

Prototyping circuitboards:

"Construction Ideas" has nice photographs of the above circuit construction techniques. ["Effects Building Techniques" by R.G. Keen 1999 reviews, compares, and contrasts these techniques for circuit construction -- also a few more.

Most of these techniques are designed to use through-hole devices with pins on 0.1" centers -- and vice versa: most through-hole devices are designed to fit into stripboard or other prototyping board with holes on 0.1" centers.

So how do people prototype something with a surface mount device (SMD)?

  • Some people continue to use prototyping boards with 0.1" holes, with a bit of creativity, for some SMT devices ([1])([2])([3])([4])
  • Some people solder many SMT devices to tiny "generic" "surface-mount prototyping boards", then those tiny boards wired together into a complete system (perhaps also including through-hole parts on a stripboard or solderless breadboard). ("Universal through-hole and SMD prototyping board"), (Schmartboard Schmartboard forum), ("Surfboards"). Alas, none of these are completely generic for most kinds of SMT parts the way that stripboard is completely generic for almost all kinds of through-hole parts.
  • Some people buy a demo board with the SMT part already soldered to it; then these small boards can be wired into a complete system (perhaps also including through-hole parts on a stripboard or solderless breadboard).
  • Sometimes people are forced to build a big custom PCB with precise footprints adapted to that SMD device. (This seems to be what manufacturers that make SMDs expect you to do).

PCB Design/Fabrication[edit]

Printed Circuit Boards

Soldering Techniques[edit]

(Have you seen this CNC solder paste/pick n place ?) Hackaday has lots of other similar articles: search hackaday for "solder paste"

(Optional: ) After all the parts are completely soldered down, some people like to spray the board with some kind of conformal coating, or completely seal in the board with some kind of potting compound. See "Electronics and Robotics: What's the best way to protect a board from corrosion in a hot/moist environment?".

Hardware Tools[edit]

A directory of hardware tools that you may find useful.

Software Tools[edit]

A directory of software tools that you may find useful.

PC-Microcontroller Communications[edit]

Discussion of the various methods to connect a microcontroller or embedded system to a PC...

Embedded System Programming and Testing[edit]

To add to the confusion programming in embedded system can mean a person writing a program or a device called a programmer "burning" a program into a chip. This section is for the "burning" meaning of programming.

  • Many systems use JTAG for programming and testing. (Such as Atmel AVR embedded systems]).
  • Other systems use some other kind of in-circuit programming.
  • Some people use bootloaders to make re-programming a little quicker.

-- not sure that this next one is not misplaced ? -- We're talking about "programming and testing" ? What else do you use to test op-amp circuits?

Humans writing a program almost always do it in a language. Here is a section that discusses some of these languages: Programming Languages

Driving Motors[edit]

See Stepper Motor Tester and motor driver.

Enclosure[edit]

  • The Earth Signal should short to whole metal Case
  • Digital/Analog GND should separate to this Earth Signal, and should connect a Y-cap. to filter the noise between them.
  • Attention: do not place near between Earth Signal and Digital/Analog GND, otherwise some spark come out, and affect your whole system.
  • See enclosures.

Misc Tips Tricks[edit]

Misc Tips Tricks

Further Reading[edit]

Environmental Issues[edit]

See better for the environment.