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Once schematics are complete, board layout allows the designer to decide the physical locations of components and route connections between them. All annotations on the schematics will be incorporated into the layout tools Altium provides, enforcing that your physical implementation does not breach requirements set in the schematics!

CONTENTS

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Workflow

This flow chart isn't color coded as all stages can be completed by anyone; it really just comes down to if you feel ready to participate in these tasks

Read more below:

 Click here to expand...

Import Changes

Once schematics are complete, the first import will populate the layout file with all the components and connections necessary to design the actual board.

Changes may still be imported again if there are last minute changes to schematics. This will impact how the layout needs to be completed, which is why it is best to be confident in the schematic before starting layout.

Setup Design Rules

Before starting placement and routing, it is best to go through the design rules and ensure they meet the project requirements. By default, the NER template will include a set design rules based on manufacturing requirements. This will not however account for clearances that need to be enforced for other reasons, such as high voltage, water resistance, or anything else.

Complete Component Placement

Using the “rats nest” view, it is possible to see how all the pads on a PCB should be connected, without actually placing copper. Component placement is arranging the components loosely such that pins should be able to connect when we start routing, but without putting in the actual effort of routing every pin. This allows the opportunity to think about overall layout of the board and potential major collisions that need to be discussed.

Preliminary Placement Review & Feedback

It’s recommended before routing to complete a preliminary design review. This will allow for others to provide feedback before you need to go through the efforts of complete routing. In this stage a design review should be hosted and feedback should be recorded and addressed.

Complete Routing

Once confident in component placements, the actual routing can begin. This consists of running traces, polygons, vias, and more to actually establish the connections dictated in schematic.

Complete Silks

Importing Changes

As mentioned in the workflow above, importing changes instructs Altium to determine changes to the schematics and implement them in the layout. Altium has this rigid barrier between the two to allow the designer to preview and confirm the impact to the board before changes are made via an ECO (engineering change order).

In the normal day to day, you should always import changes to the layout such that you minimize major changes that accumulate in schematics.

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{explain how to do it}

{explain the minor variations (import to schematic and such)}

Basics of Layout

Before going deep into a layout, make sure design rules are all setup!

For controls basics, check out https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/153026566/Intro+to+Altium#Layout-View

This section will provide a cursory look at how to create a PCB layout. Covered in this will be all you need to make and manage connections. The following section, design rules, is also quite important for forming a successful layout!

As always, check out the Vault Guidelines for requirements in NER projects and Altium Reference, Tips, Troubleshooting for quick tips.

Altium is a massive piece of software and even more is covered in the Advanced Layout page.

Arranging Components

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Adding Traces

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Using Polygons

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Design Rules

Design rules and DRC are one of the key features of PCB layout software. It allows the designer to program rules based on engineering requirements and allow the software to complete checks for compliance across the thousands of interactions that may occur within the board. Some examples include:

  • Clearance and creepage distances needed to maintain isolation

  • Copper width needed for current/power

  • Transmission impedance for high speed signals

  • And so much more!

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Defining Rules

{talk about the standard NER template and link to standards}

{give a quick list of critical/frequently used rules. Perhaps we treat this list as “template will set it but you should confirm it matches your needs”}

Design Rule Check (DRC)

{explain difference between rules being live checked (“Online”) and only via reports (“Batch”)}

{show how to change which are which, and strategies for when it’s best to enable or disable certain checks}

Export for Fabrication (Out Jobs)

Typically when ordering plain boards or simple assembly fabrication houses will require fabrication files in Gerber format. To simplify this process we have created “Out Jobs” which are a feature of Altium allowing automatic generation of Gerbers, BOMs, STEP files, and other useful exports. Additionally, releasing via out jobs creates a “release” in the version control system.

Some nicer (more expensive) “turn-key” PCBA companies will take direct Altium files and do all the processing for you.

 CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Out Job Configuration

{include reference to template files. Maybe we’ll add to the guidelines page}

{brief overview of what it should look like and how to tweak things}

Creating a Release

{explain out job release process}

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