WIP: Teaching Advanced PCB Design in a Collaborative, Project-Based Learning Approach

This innovative practice work-in-progress paper de-scribes an integrated course to introduce students to challenges in real world Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design. With the increasing complexity and speed of modern electronics, PCBs have become an integral part of electronic systems. Thus, acquiring knowledge in the field of PCB design is of great importance for aspiring engineers. At the same time the cost to manufacturing PCBs has fallen considerably, that even advanced processes are within reach of design courses taught at the university level. In the lectures, the PCB design workflow is introduced to establish a baseline between all learners. Part selection, schematic capture and creating a layout of a two-layer PCB is demonstrated live. Design rules are established, allowing more effective design reviews. The students acquire knowledge on advanced topics, such as multilayer technology, signal integrity and manufacturability. Exercises allow students to consolidate the most important learnings with impulse discussions. An integrated lab is successfully implemented and encourages students to practice PCB design. Using open-source software throughout the course lowers the barrier for students to get started with their designs,