Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1523825
JULY 2024 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 51 stayed in touch with your project stakeholders throughout the course of the layout, you are ensuring you won't be put "on trial" for negli- gence or coverups. So, be transparent: Show the status of your layout and how it meets the identified design constraint criteria. The Defense Rests e ideal PCB project stakeholder is a sub- ject matter expert of "sound mind and charac- ter," worthy of their title and pay. You want to be known as a communicative, collaborative team member who is always learning and evolving, sometimes invent- ing, and able to lead by experi- ence but willing to follow. When called upon for a PCB design review, you can eloquently defend the design decisions made without insulting others or under- mining the process. You easily articu- late the detailed steps taken to ensure that the needs of every project stakeholder have been met. You present sound evidence, showing concurrence with each stakeholder along the process steps of the design. You will defer to other teammates for explanations on issues that are outside your own expertise but acknowledge ownership of the entire com- pleted layout. The Verdict How was your last PCB design review? If you only reviewed the design yourself or maybe with another EE, there's a good chance your layout may be subject to a future indictment for DFX non-conformance, negligence, or worse, by the time your project manager releases it to production. When your team of project stake- holders wants to know why so many competi- tive production facilities cannot build your printed circuit board and assembly—or why it continues to fail in the field—will you have the means to defend your layout? Please take early identification of design con- straints and manufacturing capability buy-in seriously. If you need to, turn over a new leaf. e only time a PCB designer should ever hear the term "lock 'em up" is at the conclusion of the final, formal design review. "Locking" or "freezing" is part of formal design protocol, ensuring the critical features won't inadver- tently change aer each stakeholder has been thoroughly convinced the PCB rules of DFX "law" have been followed. On a good day, the f i n a l P C B d e s i g n re v ie w w ith your p eer s should con- c l u d e s o m e t h i n g like this: P r o g r a m m a n - ager: "Project stake- h o l d e r s , yo u h av e heard the evidence and have been informed of the project timeline, costs, risks, and design and manu- facturing expectations. What is your verdict?" Fabrication supplier: "Materials, fab, and inspection documentation easily meet DFM requirements. Lock 'em up!" Test engineers responsible for ICT: "We have 100% accessibility to all nets with ade- quately sized and spaced test points. Lock 'em up!" EEs responsible for performance and sig- nal integrity: "Lines look great and simulate within spec. Lock 'em up!" MEs responsible for package form and fit: "Mechanical attributes meet all interface requirements; no interference. Lock 'em up!"