[b]How to check a PCB Prototype[/b]
[b]How to check a PCB Prototype[/b]
(OP)
Hi! What are the basic steps in order to check your new prototype board? What should you check at first...things like supply, clocks(to see if the board is working and then what)?
Thanks!
Thanks!





RE: [b]How to check a PCB Prototype[/b]
If it's a small BOM, I solder it all together and plug it in, wait for smoke. If it's a large BOM, I'll put in the power supply circuits (SMPS, linear regulators, etc.) and make sure they're doing their job. Then the large major function chips an test for basic functionality. Protection logic (resistors, diodes, etc.) go in last, and a full bench test is run. A real-world test is the final step, with lots of test equipment hovering around.
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: [b]How to check a PCB Prototype[/b]
RE: [b]How to check a PCB Prototype[/b]
Used to work at a company that didn't test their boards until after assembly. Found out 2 yrs into production that they didn't do much testing after assembly either, since we found a circuit that was shorted on because of a bad layout. Very embarrassing and unbecoming of a high-tech company.
TTFN
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RE: [b]How to check a PCB Prototype[/b]
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: [b]How to check a PCB Prototype[/b]
If anyone has a goob manual or book to propose I would appreciate it a lot :)
RE: [b]How to check a PCB Prototype[/b]
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: [b]How to check a PCB Prototype[/b]
When possible, I solder power supply parts first, then plug power and check for right VCC levels before mounting the rest of the BOM.
Clocks, SPI and digital buses often lead to more 'esotheric' failures that are best solved with firmware self-tests, even after the PCB passed all 'copper tests'.