OVER ALL COURSE OBJECTIVE:

This course provides students with comprehensive, industry-aligned skills

in designing and simulating single and double-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs)

using software tools like OrCAD and KiCad. The curriculum bridges theory and

practice by guiding students through schematic creation, layout design,

component placement, routing, simulation, troubleshooting, and fabrication of

PCBs for real-world electronic circuits

LEARNING OUT COMES:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• List the types and applications of PCBs in various industries.

• Identify common electronic components and their packaging types.

• Apply the PCB design workflow from schematic capture to fabrication and assembly.

• Apply design rules and standards for single and double-layer PCBs.

• Use OrCAD tools effectively for schematic capture, PCB layout design, and footprint creation.

• Design and implement microcontroller-based circuits using OrCAD.

• Employ optimal component placement strategies considering heat dissipation, signal integrity, and manufacturability.

• Implement proper routing techniques for single and double-layer PCBs, adhering to design rules and signal integrity considerations.

• Identify problems during PCB design and troubleshoot them effectively.

• Generate Gerber files for PCB manufacturing.

• Apply best practices in PCB design, including design for manufacturability (DFM), thermal management, and documentation standards.

• Design and layout a single or double-layer PCB for a specific electronic project using the acquired knowledge and KiCad tools.

• Create comprehensive PCB design documentation, including schematics, layout files, and a Bill of Materials (BOM).

       Finally, the PCB is manually fabricated by transferring the layout onto a copper- clad sheet and then etching the unwanted copper areas using a ferric chloride solution.

Once the PCB is fabricated and etched, the electronic components are assembled onto the board, followed by testing to verify the circuit operates as intended.