PCB Design Pre-Planning Checklist

Before starting a new PCB design, careful planning is essential to ensure performance, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness. Here’s a comprehensive list of key considerations:

 

✅ PCB Design Pre-Planning Checklist

🔧 1. Define Design Requirements

• Define PCB function and key features

• Specify I/O types (analog, digital, power)

• Determine performance targets (speed, voltage, frequency)

• Set board size, shape, and mechanical constraints

💡 2. Component Selection

• Verify part availability and lifecycle status

• Choose correct footprints/packages

• Confirm voltage/current ratings

• Validate pricing and lead times

🧠 3. Schematic Design

• Organize schematic into functional blocks

• Use correct symbols and pinouts

• Label nets clearly and consistently

• Review with electrical simulation if needed

🖥️ 4. PCB Layout Planning

• Plan layer stack-up (2-layer, 4-layer, etc.)

• Place components for optimal routing

• Define clear zones for analog, digital, power

• Plan thermal relief and copper pours

⚡ 5. Power Integrity

• List all power rails and loads

• Allocate decoupling capacitors near ICs

• Simulate or estimate voltage drops

• Include test points for key rails

📶 6. Signal Integrity

• Match impedance for high-speed traces

• Route differential pairs with proper spacing

• Match trace lengths where needed

• Avoid stubs and signal reflection paths

🏭 7. Manufacturability (DFM/DFA)

• Follow fab house rules for trace/via sizes

• Keep minimum spacing and clearances

• Use standard component sizes (e.g., 0603, SOIC)

• Design for pick-and-place automation

🌍 8. Environmental & Compliance

• Design for expected temperature/humidity ranges

• Apply EMI/EMC best practices (grounding, filtering)

• Check for required certifications (UL, RoHS, CE)

• Include silkscreen markings for revision/date

🧪 9. Test & Debug

• Add accessible test points on all power rails

• Include programming/debug headers

• Leave room for probe access

• Plan for in-circuit testing if required

🛠️ 10. Tools & Output Files

• Use version control for project files

• Double-check DRC and ERC reports

• Generate accurate Gerber, BOM, pick-and-place files

• Create fabrication and assembly drawings

If you are looking for PCB Design Services, please  contact Precision PCB to review your project today.