The topic of Electronics Design can cover a vast array of technical options.  This article will focus on some of the basics.

A schematic drawing is only one part of creating a design in electronic engineering. Your schematic should be able to be read and understood by others in the electronic engineering field. If you do well with your schematic, the reader of your design should be able to understand at least the objectives of your design. This can be done successfully if you follow five simple tips.

 

Electronics Design Tip #1 – Block Diagram

The first part in your electronics design schematic should be a block diagram. This diagram should be an extract from your document showing the hardware design. This section should not take long to add, and is similar to an outline for an essay. It gives you the ability to provide an overview of your architecture, as well as giving your reader a reference. Great block diagrams will include page numbers to your schematic sections.

 

Electronics Design Tip #2 – Name the Nets

Even though it can be a time consuming process, you need to name every net you have on the board, as well as state its purpose. The reason naming the nets is vital is because you will need them to debug your program and allow simulation runs. Regardless of what anyone else tells you, naming them is needed on every electronics design schematic created.

 

Electronics Design Tip #3 – Make it Flow

When you create an electronics design, make it flow. This may mean you have to create dozens of pages to show the design and organize the blocks. You should never try to shortcut with your schematics. When you try to condense your plans, they can be very hard to follow. This means it may not be able to be recreated.

 

Electronics Design Tip #4 – Visible Connectors

You need to make your connectors appear as connectors. Your electronics design schematic should have pins in order and draw the connector. If they are easy to identify, then they will be easier to follow. You will also allow all readers to know exactly which pin you are looking for.

 

Electronics Design Tip #5 – Keep Notes

In electronics design you never, ever throw out your notes. Whatever you are thinking and utilizing when planning your electronics design, you need to make available to the readers. If you need to, create a separate document and attach it to the design. Ideas for notes include why you included a component, or why you did not include a component. What your logic table settings are, and any considerations with the power supplies should be made are two other items that should be included in your notes.

 

If you have done a great electronics design, then others will be able understand where you were going with the schematic. If you follow these tips, then you will have a design that people can understand, simulate, and reproduce. You will also have a plan that you can quickly debug if needed. Another key tip in electronics design is using the right tools for creating your schematics drawings.   The option to create your own schematic is not available in some of the available PCB design software.  You can always hand sketch out your schematic or even prototype your design with a “bread board” using wires and components.  This works great for simple electronics design, however, when using more complex components and surface mount components creating a printed circuit board from your schematic will be a much better option.

Bay Area Circuits’ free PCB Creator software is an excellent electronics design tool for both making your schematic and also converting that schematic to your pcb layout.

 

 

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