A Guide To Circuit Design
If you’re designing a circuit from scratch, it is imperative that you work both efficiently and effectively. To maximise both of these, we suggest you follow the proceeding six rules:
1) Net Naming
Naming nets is one topic that does cause a stir within the world of circuit design as some feel it is a complete waste of time, whereas others think it is of vital importance. Of course, it is entirely up to you to decide on which side of the fence you choose to place yourself, but we feel that although it does take some time to do, it is most certainly worth the effort. The reason we feel it is a wise thing to do is that it allows you an easy way out if you need to run a debug or simulation. By giving your nets poignant names, it will allow you to identify issues more easily later down the line.
2) Notes are Essential
To give yourself a clearer picture of both the construction and implementation process, it is absolutely vital that you note down every step taken and modification made. In addition, if you ever need to troubleshoot or are ever tasked with designing another circuit that is similar, you can refer back to your notes.
3) Shortcuts are not needed
When designing a circuit, it is very easy to be tempted to use shortcuts and find simple and easy ways out problems, rather than creating extensive schematic or block diagrams with expansive notes and connectors. However, if you do take shortcuts, you will regret it later down the line for a variety of reasons. Block diagrams are there to enhance understanding of the person viewing your circuit design and allow them to comprehend it with as much ease as is possible. Shortcuts do not facilitate this; instead, they make the process far more complicated and muddled, which makes everyone’s lives much more difficult.
4) Reviewing
When creating block diagrams and schematics, ensure that you implement a design review process in three stages: block diagram, schematics and layout. Allowing teams members, supervisors and managers review your work will enhance the chances that the design you have created will work as intended. We suggest allotting a couple of hours for the review process, which includes providing team members and managers with documentation so as to allow them to work as efficiently as possible.
5) Prototypes and Testing
It goes without saying that the best way to ensure the success of your design is to test it. Our advice is to create prototypes throughout the design process and allow the customers to seen and use them. This way you’ll be able to receive first-hand feedback from them, which will allow you to make any necessary changes throughout the design process, rather than potentially having to have a huge overhaul of the design at the end of the process - or potentially even having to start from scratch.
6) Reuse
Many circuit designs will often be used in future designs also; therefore, when designing your circuit, always ensure it is easy to cut and paste, or add notes or make any amendments to, as this will make life much easier in the future for you or whoever has been tasked with designing a circuit based on your original work. Again, this works towards the principle of maximising both work efficiency and quality.
Although only a brief and concise list, we really do hope you found this useful - particularly if you’re new to the world of circuit design.
We’d love to know your thoughts and receive some feedback on this article, so please let us know what you think!
If you require custom circuit design, go to: https://www.tronicszone.com
Have a super day!