Advanced PCB Engineering (APE) [Spring 2025]

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Lecture: 8-10PM TuTh, Cory 125
Enrollment

Week Topic Helpful Links Lab Lab Checkoff Due Project Checkpoint
1
9/12
Intro to Altium

Intro to the class, Altium, and key tools and plugins required for the class content.
Altium Access Instructions

Introduction to Altium
Project Logistics

BOM Template
2
9/19
Part Selection, Intro to Advanced Schematics - Filters and Basic Analog Design

Covering considerations for part selection beyond the base electrical rules. Exploration of analog design fundamentals within schematic creation.
Continue Introduction to Altium
3
9/26
Advanced Schematics, Digital Design, Data Buses and Protocols

Exploring information is encoded, translated, and transported at high speeds and the key issues of high-speed transmissions.
Digital Communication and Signal Integrity Introduction to Altium
4
10/3
Advanced Schematics, High Power Circuit Design

Understanding key principles to develop systems designed to accomodate high power draws.
Continue Digital Communication and Signal Integrity Project Groups Due
(2 people minimum)
5
10/10
Advanced Schematic to Layout: High Power design and Thermal Management

Designing layouts optimized for high-voltage and high-current applications. Develop understanding of thermal implications of high-power designs and best practices to mitigate them.
High Power Design and Thermal Management Digital Communication and Signal Integrity Project Proposal Due
6
10/17
Advanced Layout Digital Layout: and Via Management

How to route high-speed signals, differential pairs, and implications of vias, board parasitics, and other physical factors on signal integrity.
Continue High Power Design and Thermal Management Proposal Review
7
10/24
Advanced Layout + RF Design 1

Introduction to transmission line theory, differential pairs, impedance matching and other key topics.
EMI Considerations and RF Design
High Power Design and Thermal Management Project BOM & Schematic Due [TBD]
8
10/31
Advanced Layout + RF Design 2

Exploration of practical RF design.
Continue EMI Considerations and RF Design Project Work Session
9
11/7
Design Reviews

In-class review of APE student projects.
Project Design Review in Class
Design Review Requirements {}
EMI Considerations and RF Design Layout Due [TBD]
10
11/14
Advanced Mechanical Design and Integration

Exploring PCB design in constrained environments and PCBs as mechanical and structural elements.

Project Worksession FINAL PCB files due 11/14 (Thursday)
11
11/21
Fun Topics

Exploring other advanced design topics, such as Altium AutoRoute, Ethernet, RS485, PCB Antenna Design, DDR Memory, Flex PCB Design, and kW Power Designs

Constraint-Based Mechanical Design
12
12/5
Guest Lecture TBA

Constraint-Based Mechanical Design Project Assembly
13
12/12
Project Presentations