Please critique this PCB layout

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TheRock
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Posted by TheRock: Tue. Aug 14, 2007 - 02:34 PM
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But do please be gentle. :D

This is a two layer board for the laser tag system I've been working on as a hobby.

Here begins the weasel statement:
I am not a professional, I have no formal electronics training. Here ends the weaseling.

Now, this is a 3D rendering, and not every component I used had a 3D model. (Pity)

So, a couple of quick explanations:
Green traces are on the bottom side, red on the top (component side).

The outline on the board that is a rectangle with a small arc on one side is an Infrared Receiver.

The big red things are LEDs, the small yellow pieces are caps, and I think you can figure out the 8 pin headers. :P

First is the shoulder and then I will put up some views of the front board.

Thanks for your input.

Attachment(s): 

Image icon Shoulders - this is what is going to go on the shoulder area of the pack.

Tags:

Learning and Information, General Electronics
Last Edited: Tue. Aug 14, 2007 - 02:39 PM
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TheRock
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Posted by TheRock: Tue. Aug 14, 2007 - 02:38 PM
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Here are some views of the front board.

Attachment(s): 

Image icon Top half of the front board; this is worn on the chest area.
Image icon Bottom half of the front board; this is worn on the chest.
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daqq
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Posted by daqq: Tue. Aug 14, 2007 - 02:41 PM
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No copper pour. I'd advise one. Also, the board looks abit...empty?

There are pointy haired bald people.
Time flies when you have a bad prescaler selected.

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TheRock
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Posted by TheRock: Tue. Aug 14, 2007 - 03:13 PM
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By copper pour, you mean to fill in the space on the copper side with a large plane of copper. (Is this sometimes called fill? Or a ground fill?)

And yes, the board looks a bit empty; some of that space is to give it the correct shape and some is for expansion (I'm planning on a ISD sound chip in the next version or so)

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dl8dtl
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Posted by dl8dtl: Tue. Aug 14, 2007 - 03:22 PM
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As you've got SMDs anyway, is there any reason for those huge DIP
parts?

Jörg Wunsch

Please don't send me PMs, use email if you want to approach me personally.

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leon_heller
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Posted by leon_heller: Tue. Aug 14, 2007 - 03:36 PM
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I'd put all the components apart from the LEDs in a much smaller area at the centre of the board, with the LEDs around the edge. It'll be much better from an EMC point of view. It'll need some sort of enclosure anyway, so you could mount the LEDs on that and use a small PCB.

Leon

Leon Heller G1HSM

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sgomes
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Posted by sgomes: Tue. Aug 14, 2007 - 03:48 PM
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I just realized it has been so long since I've worked with DIPs! I'd advise getting rid of all the through-hole parts.

Go electric!
Happy electric car owner / builder

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daqq
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Posted by daqq: Tue. Aug 14, 2007 - 03:48 PM
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By copper pour I mean: http://images.google.sk/images?q... . Simply connect a large area of copper to a stable potential. I'd use the GND connection.

There are pointy haired bald people.
Time flies when you have a bad prescaler selected.

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TheRock
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Posted by TheRock: Tue. Aug 14, 2007 - 04:31 PM
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I did DIPs for a couple of reasons:

This is a prototype, basically, and I have all the non AVR parts in DIP. :)

Hopefully, version 2 will be all surface mount.

I can't put the LEDs on the external box or enclosure; they have to be protected from damage. Let me take a couple of pictures of some other laser tag gear so you get a feel for what I am talking about.

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johnrk
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Posted by johnrk: Wed. Aug 15, 2007 - 11:57 PM
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Hello,

Considering:

Quote:
I am not a professional, I have no formal electronics training.

Then I have to say it looks very groovy :D

I was wondering what type of layout software you use?
You even took the time to do a 3-D rendering, I never do that! I am sometimes lucky to get the 2-D done :lol:

And just for the record: Honest disclosure of essential information is not 'weaseling'! Because, in the future - when I do it - I don't want to think of it that way!!

John

Just some guy

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