How To Design A
PCB (Printed Circuit
Board) From Scratch
All PCBs are built from alternating
layers of conductive copper with
layers of electrically insulating
material. Conductive features on
printed circuit boards include
copper traces, pads, and
conductive planes. The mechanical
structure is made up of the
insulating material laminated
between the layers of conductors.
Designing A PCB From Scratch
01. Define the Requirements
Understand the Project
Specify the function of the PCB (e.g., power supply,
microcontroller board, signal processing).
Define size, shape, and constraints.
Consider operational conditions (e.g., voltage, current,
temperature).
Key Requirements
Number of components.
Power supply requirements.
Signal integrity (e.g., high-speed signals, RF signals).
02. Choose the Design Software
Popular PCB design tools:
Free tools: KiCAD,
EasyEDA, Fritzing.
Professional tools: Altium
Designer, Eagle, OrCAD,
DipTrace.
Designing A PCB From Scratch
03. Create a Schematic
Capture the Circuit Design
Start with a schematic editor in your chosen tool.
Import standard libraries for components (e.g., resistors,
capacitors, ICs).
Component Placement
Add all components (ICs, connectors, resistors, capacitors,
etc.).
Connect components using nets (wires).
Verify Design Rules
Check voltage levels, current capacities, and pin compatibility.
Add annotations for clarity (e.g., pin numbers, values).
Designing A PCB From Scratch
04. Select PCB Stack-Up and Layers
Decide the Number of Layers
Single-layer: Simple designs.
Two-layer: Moderate complexity.
Multi-layer: High-density, high-speed designs (e.g., 4, 6, 8
layers).
Layer Functions
Top Layer: Components and signal traces.
Bottom Layer: Signal traces (for 2-layer boards).
Internal Layers: Power planes (Vcc, GND) or additional signal
routing.
Material Selection
FR-4 (common for general-purpose boards).
Rogers materials (for RF or high-frequency designs).
Designing A PCB From Scratch
05. Place Components on the PCB
Placement Rules
Position high-speed components (e.g., microcontrollers) near
related circuits.
Keep power components (e.g., regulators) near power input.
Ensure sufficient space between components for routing.
Keep-Out Zones
Reserve space for connectors, mounting holes, or thermal
zones.
Designing A PCB From Scratch
06. Routing the PCB
Trace Width Calculation
Use tools like PCB trace width
calculators to determine trace
width for current handling.
Signal Routing Guidelines
Use short and direct traces for
high-speed or sensitive signals.
Maintain clearance between
traces (minimum 0.1mm for low-
voltage).
Use differential pairs for high-
speed signals (e.g., USB,
Ethernet).
Power and Ground Planes
Use solid copper planes for power
and ground to reduce noise and
improve thermal dissipation.
Layer Organization
Top and bottom layers for
signals.
Inner layers for power (Vcc,
GND).
Designing A PCB From Scratch
07. Add Silkscreen and Final Touches
Labels and Annotations
Add component labels (R1, C1, U1).
Include version numbers, company names, and warnings.
Board Outline and Holes
Define the board’s edge.
Add mounting holes and cutouts if needed.
08. Perform Design Rule Check (DRC)
Use the DRC tool in your software to check for:
Clearance violations.
Unconnected nets.
Overlapping traces or components.
Designing A PCB From Scratch
08. Generate Manufacturing Files
Gerber Files
Export Gerber files for copper layers, silkscreen, solder mask, and
drill files.
Bill of Materials (BOM)
List all components with part numbers and quantities.
Pick and Place the File
If using automated assembly, generate pick-and-place data.
09. Fabricate and Assemble the PCB
Choose a Manufacturer
JLCPCB, PCBWay, OSH Park (for small quantities).
Submit Design Files
Upload Gerber files to the manufacturer’s platform.
Select parameters (e.g., board thickness, finish, solder mask color).
Component Assembly
Use manual soldering for prototypes or an assembly service for
large quantities.
Designing A PCB From Scratch
10. Test the PCB
Visual Inspection
Check for manufacturing defects (e.g., misaligned components,
broken traces).
Electrical Testing
Verify connectivity with a multimeter.
Test for functionality under actual load conditions.
11. Design Keys to Follow
Signal Integrity: Avoid long, narrow traces for high-speed signals.
Thermal Management: Use thermal vias and copper pours for heat
dissipation.
Grounding: Always provide a solid ground plane.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Avoid features difficult to
fabricate.
12. Example PCB Design Layers
1 Layer PCB: Simplest for basic designs.
2 Layer PCB: Common for general applications.
4 Layer PCB: Signal, Ground, Power, Signal.
6 Layer PCB: Advanced designs (e.g., Signal, Ground, Power,
Signal, Power, Ground).
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Chetan Shidling
@chetan_shidling_ Save
www.cselectricalandelectronics.com
