Changes

If you're looking at this right now, you have probably finished the design process of your PCB and picked out all the parts/components you need. If yes, it is highly recommended to make sure you also have schematics and footprints associated with every part before moving on with reading. If not, you should refer to [[The Art of PCB Design]] page before coming back.  

 

If you're looking at this right now, you have probably finished the design process of your PCB and picked out all the parts/components you need. If yes, it is highly recommended to make sure you also have schematics and footprints associated with every part. If not, you should refer to The Art of PCB Design page before coming back.

=== PCB Terminology ===

=== PCB Terminology ===

* Symbol: the representation of an electrical component in the schematic file.

* Symbol: the representation of an electrical component in the schematic file.

* Net: Any wire that connects to a node. In Altium, the name of the net is the combination of the index of the block (chip) and the component it connects to.

* Net: Any wire that connects to a node. In Altium, the name of the net is the combination of the index of the block (chip) and the component it connects to.

* Tags: Yellow-colored tags. The input (inward pointing) tag means “From another sheet, import this net” defined by the name of the net indicated in the tag. There can also be output and bidirectional tags.

* Tag: Yellow-colored arrow-shaped items in the schematics file. From a separate sheet, the input (inward pointing) tag imports the net defined by the name of the net indicated in the tag. There are also output and bidirectional tags.

* Harness: a group of nets connected to the same terminal. In GPIO/SPI/UART/I2C serial communication methods, the TX and RX data lines will often be grouped by a harness for clarity.

* Harness: a group of nets connected to the same terminal. In GPIO/SPI/UART/I2C serial communication methods, the TX and RX data lines will often be grouped by a harness for clarity.

* Designing the schematics means you will wire up the necessary electrical components that make your PCB board function electrically. You should refer to the datasheets of different parts to see the additional components you might need.

* Designing the schematics means you will wire up the necessary electrical components that make your PCB board function electrically. You should refer to the datasheets of different parts to see the additional components you might need.

* The Altium schematic of a completed board shows a block diagram with all the electrical components of the board. Each block represents a chip and has a detailed file associated with it.

* The Altium schematic sheet of a completed board shows a block diagram with all the electrical components of the board. Each block represents a chip and has a detailed sheet associated with it.

* If you are confused about the functions of components shown in a schematic file, [https://www.khanacademy.org/science/electrical-engineering Khan Academy] can be a great resource for understanding electrical components and what they are used for.

* If you are confused about the functions of components shown in a schematic file, [https://www.khanacademy.org/science/electrical-engineering Khan Academy] can be a great resource for understanding electrical components and what they are used for.

* When the schematic is done, Altium will generate a netlist and import it to the PCB document. You will see all the nets turned into tracks on the PCB, which size can be customized.

* When the schematic is done, Altium will generate a netlist and import it to the PCB document. You will see all the nets turned into tracks on the PCB, which size can be customized.

After all the checks are done, a 3D model will be generated, and all the information can be sent to a fabrication company.

After all the checks are done, a 3D model will be generated, and all the information can be sent to a fabrication company.