FAQ

Circuit Board and PCB Boards design and Manufacture FAQ

We have a lot of experience with creating library data for a large number of customers. We have created and maintained complete libraries as well as generate symbols, footprint and padstacks that are then incorporated into the company library.

As part of the design process we create all the necessary data required for the full manufacture of the PCB, including fabrication and assembly drawings as well as the BOM – Bill Of Materials.

We have the capability to create 3D images and STEP models from the PCB data. This is useful at any stage of the layout process to help in visualisation of the design while the STEP models allow the mechanical team to import the data into their assemblies etc.

We have a lot of experience in the non-digital arena. We have created classical microstrip/stripline layouts for power amplifiers etc as well a wide range of analogue designs including small signal, power supply and amplifiers etc.

No. We can create the schematic data either using your libraries or using our own tried and tested libraries. After the review of the schematic we can then move on to complete the design.
We have a great deal of experience in designing boards that have high-speed content. We have successfully completed (right first time requiring NO modifications) many controlled impedance designs that use DDRn memory as well as Gigabit (SERDES) protocols. We have successfully implement topologies to ensure good signal quality.

We offer both on-site and off-site services. For on-site services we can supply either man ‘n’ machine + license (to free up internal resources) or just the man.

We have forged links with both bare board fabricators and assemblers to provide a complete manufacturing, black box, solution. We send the completed, approved data pack to directly to the manufacturers and coordinate with them so that the product moves seamlessly through the process. Once the boards have been fabricated and assembled they are then sent directly to you. During this process we keep you in touch will the progress so that you know where your design is every step of the way.

We have expertise in the majority of main EDA PCB design tools including:

  • Altium Designer
  • Board Station®
  • Expedition Enterprise
  • PADS
We pride ourselves on the way in-which we integrate into your design team. We work with you to guarantee that the design intent is captured and reviewed during the design process, using the telephone, internet meeting tools (allowing designers to share their desktop for viewing and editing purposes) and face to face meetings when required.
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The complexity of electronic design is constantly increasingly driven by the need to deliver more real-time functionality which requires faster computation and all this using a smaller form factor. The IoT has added to the complexity with the need of mixed technology (Digital, Analogue and RF) solutions. In many cases the devices are portable and so required to be power using a battery, so making power consumption critical. 

IC manufacturers have risen to the challenge by designing components that provide the necessary functionality while optimising the performance – one aspect of this is understanding the Power Distribution Network, choosing the appropriate voltage level to deliver both the speed and power consumption; long gone are the days of VCC and GROUND, there are now multiple voltage rails to consider.

As part of the design task the power supplies must be prioritised as it is impossible to assign a complete copper plane to every unique voltage rail. Traditionally this process would be down to experience, this solution is no longer acceptable. With so many supplied the demands on the PDN requires a more analytical approach to be used. 

 

 

PDN analysis Current Density


PDN Analyzer software, powered by CST® allows us at TBS to undertake PDN analysis for each supply on the PCB, taking into account the actual copper making the connection including planes, copper areas, traces and vias on the board. The PCB designer can then assess the voltage drop along the network as well as considering if extra vias are required due to an excessive current density through layer transition points. The process takes into account the components that are distributed along the network regarding the current consumption shared across the device or on a per bases thus removing any assumptions.

 

 

PDN analysis Voltage Drop


Using this analysis TBS can quickly and easily identify, assess and resolve any PDN issues during the design phase, giving the PCB designer the confidence that all the various will function correctly.