Best Practices of PCB Design

Though the demand for highly-featured boards is increasing, custom PCBs still performs an important role in electronic industry. In this article, we outline several best practices of PCB design, which are very useful and can generally be applied to any PCB design project.

Decoupling capacitors are not optional. Do not try and optimize your design by avoiding decoupling power lines. Capacitors are inexpensive and robust, you should take the time to fit them in wherever possible.

Design rule check as often as possible. The design rule check function on PCB software takes a little time, but it can save hours on more complex designs. Though every layout decision is important, the design rule check is absolutely the most important one.

Double check your PCB manufacturing data before fabricating PCBs as per your data. You may catch an error unintentionally before it's set forever in fiberglass, resin, and copper, etc.

Get a right grid. Find a grid spacing that suits as many of your components as possible and use it throughout. A little additional thought at the early stages of the layout can avoid spacing difficulties and will maximize board use. 

Keep trace length as short and direct as possible. This applies particularly in analog and high-speed digital circuitry where impedance and parasitic effects will always play a part in limiting your system performance.

Use silkscreen wisely. The silkscreen can show the board builder, device operator, etc. Full use of silk screening on both sides of the board streamlines can reduce re-work.

Manage the distribution of power lines and ground. Using a power plane is a quick and easy option in most PCB design software. It helps ensure power flows as effectively as possible with minimal impedance or voltage drop. If possible, run multiple supply lines in the same area of the board and remember that if the ground plane is run over a large section of one layer, it can have a positive impact on cross-talk between lines running above it on an adjacent layer. 

Hope the above 7 basic rules can help you in printed circuit board design.