Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1511130
NOVEMBER 2023 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 69 Keep It Simple "Less is more" is a timeless adage and it holds no less true in interconnection design. (It has been a key objective of the Occam Pro- cess which I have been advocating for many years.) Certainly, there are many interconnec- tion designs that require circuit substrates hav- ing multiple layers but they can significantly increase design complexity and signal integrity management. Strive to keep layer count down. Fewer layers, with thoughtful, simplified rout- ing will reduce manufacturing costs and make it easier to debug and troubleshoot your PCB (if, but hopefully not, needed). DRC and DFM Use design rule check (DRC) and design for manufacturing (DFM) tools that are com- monly provided in PCB design soware. ese tools automatically check your design against manufacturing constraints and provide feedback on potential issues. Leveraging these tools can save you from costly design errors and revisions, as well as simplify the commu- nication with your board manufacturer. In this regard, I refer one of my previous columns about designing with manufacturing (DWM). While I can't say for certain that I was first to use the term (perhaps not) but I've noticed that it's used more frequently these days. is is a good thing as the need to work closely with manufacturing is becoming ever more appar- ent, especially with more challenging inter- connections, like flexible circuits. e manu- facturer knows where the limits are, then taps into and uses that knowledge. at said, every PCB manufacturer has their own specific design rules and guidelines that must be understood and abided by to assure a successful fabrication process. Familiarize yourself with those rules and incorporate them into your design process early on. is will help circumvent issues related to minimum line and space widths, as well as minimum capture pad and via or drilled hole sizes that can negatively impact the manufacturing process and lead to delays and/or costly mistakes. Present-generation PCB design soware typically comes with built-in DRC and DFM tools that automatically check your design against general manufacturing constraints and provide feedback on potential issues when identified. Leveraging these tools can save you from costly design errors and revisions, as well as simplify communication with your vendor. Auto-routing tools are also common and are a godsend for today's increasingly complex designs. Auto-route tools can significantly simplify the routing process by automatically connecting components while adhering to