After this course, you will know how to design your own boards in Altium Designer.

What will you learn?

This course is for Beginners, Hobbyists, Students and young Engineers. No previous Altium Designer knowledge is required.

Who is this course for?

It’s a step-by-step commented video that had been captured throughout the whole power supply design process. Even if you have never designed a board before, just by repeating all the steps in the video, by the end of this course you will design switching power supply board. When you design the board from this course, you will have all the most important knowledge about using Altium Designer, you can continue all by yourself on your own projects and design your own boards.
 
<ul>
<li>Starting a new project 
( Creating project, adding schematic pages, creating schematic symbol library )</li>
<li>Creating schematic symbols 
( Creating a chip, resistors, capacitors, inductors, transistors, pads, … )</li>
<li>Drawing a schematic 
( Placing components into schematic, connecting pins, … )</li>
<li>Finishing schematic 
( About annotations and designators, adding text and descriptions, schematic compilation and check, … )</li>
<li>Schematic Tips & Tricks 
( About net names, power names, about pull up/downs … )</li>
<li>Creating footprints 
( Creating footprints, using component wizard, about layers in Altium, … )</li>
<li>Stackup and Rules 
( Setting up stackup, setting up rules for layout )</li>
<li>Component placement 
( How to place components into your PCB, what is important, how to select component in schematic and place it in PCB, … )</li>
<li>Working in Altium 
( Explains all the important commands and settings, going through all the common situations that you may need )</li>
<li>Doing PCB layout 
( What is important during layout, connecting pins and drawing tracks, working with polygons, … )</li>
<li>Improving and finishing PCB layout 
( DRC check, clearing violations, setting up thermal relief, adding text, … )</li>
<li>Generating outputs for PCB manufacturing 
( Output to PDF, NC Drill, Gerber files, … )</li>
</ul>

Description

Every student who actively engages with course activities will receive their own Learn Altium Essentials or Switching Power Supply Design Certificate (you can choose one).

Certificate

Price

Total of 6 lessons. Each lesson has a pre-recorded tutoring video that is approximately 1 to 2 hours long (watch when it’s best for you) and includes activities for practicing.

Duration

This course is for version AD18 and higher. If you are working with AD17 and lower, have a look at the <a href='https://academy.fedevel.com/pricing/learn-altium-essentials-second-edition' target='_blank'>Learn Altium Essentials Original Course</a>. However, you can follow this course with <a href='https://youtu.be/1DUYrVK8OKY' target='_blank'>any Altium Designer version</a> and license (you can possibly use <a href='http://www.altium.com/en/free-trial' target='_blank'>Altium 15-day FREE trial</a>).

Requirements

Hi, I'm a junior RF electronics engineer. I usually work on Mentor xPCB but I never had the opportunity to test Altium designer before this training. I find your training very interesting and with very relevant explanations, thank you.

This course was very nice and really well explained. As a complete beginner with Altium Designer, I now feel more comfortable using this software. Looking forward to learning more at Fedevel Academy. Thank you Robert.

Thanks for this detailed and good description. I appreciate this method of description. Thanks Robert, this is a really helpful course.

I love the fact that this isn't just copying an existing schematic, but also thinking about "why doing like this" and taking the schematic as a real application - not just a dummy circuit that has no purpose. Note though: Altium 21 seems not to have the "compile" option, but "validate", or I couldn't find it. This action seems to also include a check for footprints, which obviously does not exist yet. But I do also give you the "compile successful" message (that is, when I fixed two overlapping reference designators that I accidentally did).

Excellent course. One thing I greatly appreciate is the repetition of your lessons. It might be easy enough for you to say "this is how you make a footprint. moving on..." Instead, you practice again and again with us. I really appreciate that!

After this course, you will know how to design your own boards in Altium Designer. A switching power supply design is used as an example to demonstrate the whole process of designing a board. You can follow all the steps based on the video, repeat them and then design your own boards.This course is perfect for beginners and anyone starting with Altium Designer. Ideal for companies with fresh hires or young engineers. You will get many useful tips about designing a switching power supply and using Altium Designer.Subtitles are available in English, Portuguese, Italian, Turkish and Spanish.

Learn Altium Essentials Second Edition

1) Starting a new project, Creating a schematic symbol library 2) Drawing a schematic 3) Creating footprints and a PCB library 4) Doing PCB Layout 5) Improving PCB Layout 6) Finishing PCB, Generating manufacturing outputs 

<ul>
<li>Starting a new project</li>
<li>How to place symbols into schematic</li>
<li>Creating symbols (ISL6236A, 1uF / 100nF / 220nF / 10nF / 4.7uF / 10uF / 330uF capacitors, 200k resistor, inductors, transistor)</li>
</ul>

Starting a new project, place symbols into schematics, and create a schematic symbol library. Creating symbols for various capacitors, a 200k resistor, inductors, and a transistor, enhancing your skills in PCB design.

Starting a new project, Creating schematic symbol library

<ul>
<li>Placing symbols into schematic (placing the created resistors, capacitors, transistors and inductors)</li>
<li>Drawing schematic + Tips (connecting pins, about power and net names, about resistors, about pull up/downs, ...)</li>
<li>Creating symbols (1uF capacitor, 0R / 10R / DNF / 10k resistors, pads)</li>
<li>Finishing schematic (adding text, annotation, naming important nets)</li>
</ul>

Placing symbols into schematics, drawing schematics with tips on connecting pins, power, net names, and more. Creating additional symbols, including capacitors and resistors. Finalizing your schematic with text, annotation, and naming important nets.

Drawing Schematic

<ul>
<li>Creating footprints (C0805 / C1206 / C1210 / 7343-43 capacitor, DR125 inductor, R0805 resistor, ISL6236A, PAD, SO-8 MOSFET)</li>
<li>Updating schematic symbols and updating schematic with the new footprints</li>
<li>Creating a new PCB and synchronizing it with schematic</li>
</ul>

Creating footprints for capacitors, inductors, resistors, and more. Updating schematic symbols with new footprints. Creating and synchronizing a new PCB with your schematic for seamless integration.

Creating footprints

<ul>
<li>Placing components (placing components in PCB, finding the right place for the components, placing from schematic)</li>
<li>Setting up PCB stackup (add layers, rename layers, layers vs planes, assigning nets to planes)</li>
<li>Setting up rules (minimum track width, minimum clearance, default VIA, ... )</li>
<li>Doing layout (routing and connecting all the components in your layout)</li>
<li>Checking for violations, fixing violations</li>
</ul>

Placing components on PCBs, setting up PCB stackup, and defining layout rules for track width, clearances, and default VIAs. Practicing routing and connecting components. Checking and fixing design violations for an error-free PCB layout.

Doing PCB layout

<ul>
<li>Improving important nets (going through all the nets, making them nicer, wider, ...)</li>
<li>Drawing polygons (adding new polygons, adjusting polygon shape, copy & paste polygons, thermal relief ...)</li>
</ul>

Enhancing the PCB layout by refining important nets, making them neater and wider. Drawing polygons, adjusting their shapes, and implementing techniques like copy, paste, and thermal relief for optimal layout design.

Improving PCB layout

<ul>
<li>Finishing the board (adding reference designators, adding text, )</li>
<li>Generating outputs for PCB manufacturing (pdf outputs, gerber files, drill files)</li>
</ul>

Finalizing your PCB by adding reference designators and text. Generating essential manufacturing outputs, such as PDFs, gerber files, and drill files.

Finishing PCB, Generating manufacturing outputs

Includes: Online video access for 8 weeks (can be extended by 1 month for FREE) The first lesson is available after payment, then next lessons open every 7 days1 certificate (if you complete activities) 100% money-back guarantee up to 30 days from order

Online

Includes: Online access to this course for up to 3 people, each access for 8 weeks Every online access can be extended 2 times for FREE, each time for 1 more month ALL lessons accessible immediately after payment Unlimited video access (after downloaded) Video download available (after 30 days) Certificate for up to 3 people (when they complete activities) 100% money-back guarantee up to 30 days from order

Online and Download

(Recommended)

Includes: Online access to this course for up to 5 people, each access for 8 weeks Every online access can be extended 3 times for FREE, each time for 1 more month ALL lessons accessible immediately after payment Unlimited video access (after downloaded) Video download available immediately after payment Certificate for up to 5 people (when they complete activities) 100% money-back guarantee up to 30 days from order

Quick Download

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Extra Online licenses for Online and Download or Quick Download options

Extra Online license

Additional Online license

Extra Online licenses for Online and Download or Quick Download options. For Companies, which need additional online access to this course for their engineers.

Paper certificate upgrade

Paper certificate

English,Italian,Portuguese,Spanish,Turkish

You will learn how to do Advanced PCB Layout ( DDR3, PCIE, SATA, Ethernet, etc. ).

This course is for Students, Engineers and Professionals. This course requires some basic knowledge of Altium Designer. If you are just starting with board design, you may want to look at the Advanced Hardware Design first.

This course covers all the important subjects you need to know for Advanced PCB Layout:
 
<ul>
<li>Placement ( how to place CPU, memories, power supplies, connectors, protection, etc. )</li>
<li>Basic Rules & Basic Stackup ( initial rules and stackup settings to start your layout )</li>
<li>Fanout under CPU ( how to do placement and fanout in high-density areas )</li>
<li>DDR3 preliminary layout ( deciding on how to use layers, pin & bank swapping, … )</li>
<li>Board fanout ( how to do fanout, good practice and recommendations )</li>
<li>Planning Layout ( how to plan layout for high speed interfaces, wide buses, power distribution, … )</li>
<li>Crosstalk ( how to calculate and minimize crosstalk )</li>
<li>Impedances & Stackup ( how to calculate impedance and decide on stackup )</li>
<li>High Speed Design Rules & Routing ( recommendations & examples for high speed design layout )</li>
<li>Layer ordering ( how to decide on layer ordering )</li>
<li>Number of layers ( how to decide on number of layers )</li>
<li>Layout ( recommendations on routing different peripherals & buses, Powers, … )</li>
<li>Length matching ( DDR2/3, PCIE, HMDI, LVDS, GbE, … )</li>
<li>About memory routing ( T-branch vs Fly-by topology, calibration, … )</li>
<li>Polygons & Power Planes ( how to work with polygons & planes, what is important, useful rules, … )</li>
<li>Checking PCB ( recommendations for checking your PCB )</li>
<li>Length tuning ( differential pair length tuning, finishing memory layout, … )</li>
<li>Finishing PCB ( adding useful information e.g. manufacturing notes, mechanical drawing layer, … )</li>
<li>Generating & Checking gerber files ( how to generate gerber files, tips about how to check them, ... )</li>
</ul>

Every student who actively engages with course activities will receive their own Advanced PCB Layout Certificate.

7 Lessons. Each lesson has a pre-recorded tutoring video that is approximately 2 hours long (watch when it’s best for you) and includes activities for practicing.

You can follow this course with <a href='https://youtu.be/1DUYrVK8OKY' target='_blank'>any Altium Designer version</a> and license (you can possibly use <a href='http://www.altium.com/en/free-trial' target='_blank'>Altium 15-day FREE trial</a>).

The course is extremely helpful. Complex parts are done properly while looking back to the very basic stuff.

Very good lessons, full of useful tricks and tips. A ton of knowledge and examples to back them up. The activities are very interesting and really emphasize the need to think in advance. More theoretical information about high speed is very good and easy to follow and understand. The last part with the video on pcb layering is gold. It gives good insight into board manufacturing that beginning pcb designers such as myself really need to have.

Hi Robert, I found the course very good. Even though I'm quite experienced in PCB design (NOT HIGH SPEED), I still picked up something helpful. Thank you very much for this course. Best Regards Rolf

Thank you FEDEVEL Academy for a great session. Good course and very useful for hardware design. Worth time spending and very helpful for learners like me.

Took the course mainly to familiarize myself with high-speed signal design, and picked up countless Altium tricks along the way. Well worth the money spent in my opinion (came out of my own pocket, not my company's). Thanks Robert!

You will learn how to do Advanced PCB Layout (DDR3, PCIE, SATA, Ethernet, etc.).

You will learn how to do Advanced PCB Layout (DDR3, PCIE, SATA, Ethernet, etc.).This course is for Students, Engineers and Professionals and requires some basic knowledge of any EDA tool. If you are just starting with board design, you may want to look at the Advanced Hardware Design course first.Subtitles are available in English, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish.

You will learn how to do Advanced PCB Layout (DDR3, PCIE, SATA, Ethernet, etc.)

Advanced PCB Layout Course

1) Placement 2) Basic Rules & Basic Stackup, Fanout under CPU, DDR3 preliminary layout  3) Board fanout, Planning Layout, Crosstalk, Impedances & Stackup 4) High Speed Design Rules & Routing, Layer ordering 5) Number of layers, Layout 6) Length matching, About memory routing, Polygons & Power Planes 7) Checking PCB, Length tuning, Finishing PCB, Generating & Checking gerber files

<ul>
<li>Placement (where & how to place components, what is important during placement of CPU, memories, power supplies, connectors, protection, etc.)</li>
</ul>

Placing components on PCBs, focusing on CPU, memory, power supplies, connectors and protection. Discovering crucial factors for optimal placement, ensuring efficient design and performance.

Placement

<ul>
<li>Basic Rules & Basic Stackup (initial rules and stackup settings to start your layout with)</li>
<li>Fanout under CPU (how to do placement and fanout in hight-density areas)</li>
<li>DDR3 preliminary layout (deciding on how to use layers, pin & bank swapping, ...)</li>
</ul>

Exploring basic rules and stackup settings for layout initiation, master fanout under CPU in high-density areas. Learning about DDR3 preliminary layout, covering layer usage, pin and bank swapping, and more.

Starting

<ul>
<li>Board fanout (how to do fanout)</li>
<li>Planning Layout (how to plan layout for high speed interfaces, wide buses, power distribution, ...)</li>
<li>Crosstalk (how to calculate and minimize crosstalk)</li>
<li>Impedances & Stackup (how to calculate impedance and decide on stackup)</li>
</ul>

Learning about board fanout techniques and how to plan layouts for high-speed interfaces and wide buses. Exploring power distribution planning, crosstalk minimization, and impedance calculation. Understanding stackup decision-making.

Planning & Preparing

<ul>
<li>High Speed Design Rules & Routing (recommendations & examples for high speed design layout)</li>
<li>Layer ordering (how to decide on layer ordering)</li>
</ul>

Getting insights into high-speed design rules and routing through recommendations and examples. Deciding on layer ordering for an effective and efficient PCB layout.

High Speed

<ul>
<li>Number of layers (how to decide on number of layers)</li>
<li>Layout (recommendations on doing layout for different peripherals & buses, Powers, ...)</li>
</ul>

Determining the optimal number of layers for your PCB. Getting recommendations for effective layout design concerning various peripherals, buses, and power distribution considerations.

Layout

<ul>
<li>Length matching (DDR2/3, PCIE, HMDI, LVDS, GbE, ...)</li>
<li>About memory routing (T-branch vs Fly-by topology, calibration, ...)</li>
<li>Polygons & Power Planes (how to work with polygons & planes, what is important, useful rules, ...)</li>
</ul>

Length matching for DDR2/3, PCIE, HDMI, LVDS, GbE, and more. Diving into memory routing, comparing T-branch and Fly-by topologies, and calibration techniques. Exploring polygons, power planes, crucial factors, and practical rules for efficient design.

Improving PCB

<ul>
<li>Checking PCB (recommendations to check your PCB)</li>
<li>Length tuning (differential pair length tuning, finishing memory layout, ...)</li>
<li>Finishing PCB (adding useful information e.g. manufacturing notes, mechanical drawing layer, ...)</li>
<li>Generating & Checking gerber files (how to generate gerber files, tips about how to check them, ....)</li>
</ul>

Finishing your PCBs, including recommendations for checking the PCB, differential pair length tuning, and finalizing memory layouts. Adding essential details like manufacturing notes and mechanical drawings. Generating and checking gerber files.

Finishing PCB

Includes: Online video access for 10 weeks (can be extended by 1 month for FREE) The first lesson is available after payment, then next lessons open every 7 days1 certificate (if you complete activities) 100% money-back guarantee up to 30 days from order

Includes: Online access to this course for up to 3 people, each access for 10 weeks Every online access can be extended 2 times for FREE, each time for 1 more month ALL lessons accessible immediately after payment Unlimited video access (after downloaded) Video download available (after 30 days) Certificate for up to 3 people (when they complete activities) 100% money-back guarantee up to 30 days from order

Includes: Online access to this course for up to 5 people, each access for 10 weeks Every online access can be extended 3 times for FREE, each time for 1 more month ALL lessons accessible immediately after payment Unlimited video access (after downloaded) Video download available immediately after payment Certificate for up to 5 people (when they complete activities) 100% money-back guarantee up to 30 days from order

English,Arabic,Italian,Portuguese,Spanish,Turkish

This course will show you how you can design boards more effectively and produce professional results.

This course is for Students, Engineers and Professionals. This course requires some basic knowledge of Altium Designer. If you are just starting with PCB layout, you may want to look at the <a href='https://academy.fedevel.com/courses/online-switching-power-supply-design-course' target='_blank'>Learn Altium Essentials Course</a> first.

All these you will learn during this course:
 
<ul>
 <li>Starting a new project ( Useful folder structure; importing reference schematics; collecting and sorting documents )</li>
 <li>Schematics design ( Drawing schematics; conventions and useful tips to create readable schematics )</li>
 <li>Selecting components and creating libraries ( How to select components for your designs to prevent problems during production; how to create useful libraries )</li>
 <li>Footprints, 3D models and starting a new PCB ( How to create footprints and a 3D model of your PCB; how 3D models can help you. )</li>
 <li>Variants & BOMs ( Creating and using variants; generating professional BOMs; job files )</li>
 <li>Checking Libraries and Schematics ( Techniques for properly checking your libraries & schematics to help you design boards that work right the first time )</li>
 <li>PCB Layout ( 1st Part ) & Placement ( How to do layout; how to do placement; tips and tricks )</li>
 <li>PCB Layout ( 2nd Part ) & Impedances, Stackup ( How to tweak your layout; how to design your own stackup; what is important )</li>
 <li>Stackup (2nd Part), Finishing PCB, Length Matching ( HDI Stackup; how to finish and check your PCB; how to do length matching )</li>
 <li>Generating Output documentation ( How to add important information for manufacturers; how to generate professional documentation; assembly drawings, Gerber files, etc. )</li>
</ul>

Every student who actively engages with course activities will receive their own Advanced Hardware Design or Schematic & PCB Design Certificate (you can choose one).

10 Lessons. Each lesson has a pre-recorded tutoring video that is approximately 1 hour long (watch when it’s best for you) and includes activities for practicing.

Hello, First would like to thank you a lot for this course and all the info you give us in it. I have already taken "the learn to design your own board" course and that was kind of easy, however this one is a bit difficult to catch and socially that the memory layout was on another board other than the VOIPAC. However, I enjoyed it a lot and would like to thank you again. Keep up the good work.

The explanations are very clear. The "Folder Structure" presented can we used as it is, which already gives value to my project

Unusual video with a group of topics, but it does a good job cultivating curiosity. Altium after Eagle feels like Porsche after old Skoda

Thank you very much, Robert Feranec, for this really interesting and helpful course. Looked forward to each new lesson for the last ten weeks, with pleasure. I will integrate a lot of your knowledge and tips in my daily job. You are a fantastic teacher, I really love the way you explain, deeply and practice-oriented, you don't hide anything, Great! so thanks.. Yvonne

Liked seeing you work through the differential pair routing. Appreciate the use of the example, seeing your thought process and the visible clear-cut example of good/bad design.

You will learn how to design boards more effectively and produce professional results.

You will learn how to design boards more effectively and produce professional results.This course is for Students, Engineers and Professionals and requires some basic knowledge of any EDA tool. If you are just starting with board design, you may want to look at the Learn Altium Essentials course first.Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Italian and Turkish.

Advanced Hardware Design

1) Starting a new project 2) Schematic design 3) Selecting components and creating libraries 4) Footprints, 3D models, starting a new PCB 5) Variants & BOMs 6) Checking libraries and schematic 7) PCB layout & Placement 8) PCB layout & Impedances, stackup 9) Stackup, finishing PCB, length matching 10) Generating output documentation 

<ul>
<li>Starting new project (Useful folder structure, Importing reference schematic, Collecting and sorting documents)</li>
</ul>

Necessary steps when starting a new project. How to create an organized and efficient folder structure. Importing a reference schematic. Collecting and sorting necessary documents. Clear understanding of how to structure your project files and gather the required resources for your project.

Starting Project

<ul><li>Schematic design (Drawing schematic, Conventions and useful tips to create a well readable schematic)</li></ul>

Initial steps of schematic design. Drawing schematics as well as some conventions and useful tips for creating a well-readable schematic. What Top sheet, Cover page, Clock diagram should contain. You will be able to create a schematic for your own project, which will be easy to read and understand.

<ul><li>Selecting components and creating libraries (About how to select components for your designs to prevent problems during production and about how to create useful libraries)</li></ul>

Selecting components for your designs to prevent issues during production. Creating useful libraries for your projects. Knowledge to make informed decisions when selecting components for your designs, and how to create libraries that will streamline your design process.

Components & Libraries

<ul><li>Footprints, 3D models, Starting new PCB (You will learn how to create footprints and 3D model of your PCB. We will speak about how 3D models will help you.)</li></ul>

Creating simple and difficult footprints. Importing symbols & footprints from an existing board. The whole process of creating and assigning existing 3D models to a footprint for your PCB design. Importance of 3D models and how they will help you. You will learn about layer descriptions, about the component reference point and finally how to start a new PCB.

Footprints

<ul><li>Variants & BOMs (Creating and using variants, generating professional BOMs, job files)</li></ul>

Creating and using variants. Advantages and disadvantages of creating variants and creating BOM. How to create and generate custom professional Bills of Materials (BOMs) and job files to help streamline your production process. About how variants influence BOMs. About special components in BOM or PCB only.

BOM - Bill of Material

<ul><li>Checking Libraries and Schematic (Explains techniques to properly check your libraries & schematic to help you design boards which work right at the first time)</li></ul>

Techniques to properly check your libraries and schematic, ensuring that your PCB design will work correctly the first time. Tools you need to create high-quality PCB designs with minimal errors, saving you valuable time and resources in the manufacturing process. Real life error examples and list of the most common errors in schematic design. Project compilation.

Checking

<ul><li>PCB Layout ( 1st Part ) & Placement (How to start layout, how to do placement, tips & tricks)</li></ul>

How to start a new PCB layout and how to do proper placement of components. Basic rules for a new PCB layout. Why is it important and how to run Design Rule Check. Tips and tricks to make the process easier and more efficient. Skills to create a PCB layout and placement for your design project. Advantages of the paper model of your PCB.

<ul><li>PCB Layout ( 2nd Part ) & Impedances, Stackup (How to do your layout, how to calculate impedance and design your own stackup)</li></ul>

About advanced steps and parts of the PCB layout (Memory layout, Fanouts, Routing, Power nets and more). Impedances and Stackup. Designing a PCB layout that meets your impedance requirements and uses the best stackup for your specific application. What topology you should use. Useful tips, such as optimal track width and best workflow system.

Stackup

<ul><li>Stackup ( 2nd Part ), Finishing PCB, Length Matching (HDI Stackup, How to finish / check your PCB, How to do length matching)</li></ul>

More Stackup tips and setting up a real Stackup. Finishing your PCB, including checking for errors and making sure the design is ready for production. Length matching, and how to ensure that your PCB meets the necessary length matching requirements. Routing modes and autorouting. Adding Stitching VIAs. Checking and optimizing all the nets.

<ul><li>Generating Output documentation (How to add important information for manufacturers, how to generate professional documentation, Assembly drawings, Gerber files, ... )</li></ul>

Generating professional documentation for your PCB design such as assembly drawings and Gerber files. Essential information that should be included for manufacturers. Creating Manufacturing notes, Board outline and Mechanical Drawing layers and more. You will be able to generate all necessary output files to submit to a manufacturer to get your PCB made.

Manufacturing Outputs

Includes: Online video access for 12 weeks (can be extended by 1 month for FREE) The first lesson is available after payment, then next lessons open every 7 days1 certificate (if you complete activities) 100% money-back guarantee up to 30 days from order

Includes: Online access to this course for up to 3 people, each access for 12 weeks Every online access can be extended 2 times for FREE, each time for 1 more month ALL lessons accessible immediately after payment Unlimited video access (after downloaded) Video download available (after 30 days) Certificate for up to 3 people (when they complete activities) 100% money-back guarantee up to 30 days from order

Includes: Online access to this course for up to 5 people, each access for 12 weeks Every online access can be extended 3 times for FREE, each time for 1 more month ALL lessons accessible immediately after payment Unlimited video access (after downloaded) Video download available immediately after payment Certificate for up to 5 people (when they complete activities) 100% money-back guarantee up to 30 days from order

This course will guide you through the design of a complex, digital system. From system-level, schematic and PCB design, through to power distribution network design, how to design with modern FPGAs/SoCs/CPUs, DDR3 memory and termination, high-speed peripherals (Gigabit Ethernet, USB HS, eMMC), and finally manufacturing.

This course is for intermediate-level hardware designers (incl. students and hobbyists) that have experience designing hardware (circuitry and PCBs) and wish to advance their skills to tackle larger, and more complicated projects containing FPGAs, SoCs, and high-speed peripherals.

A walkthrough of all aspects of a complex, modern digital hardware design featuring real-life, functional hardware designed specifically for this course.
 
The course hardware ('ZettBrett') features an AMD/Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC, 1GB of DDR3 memory, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0 HS OTG, 4GB eMMC memory, and more.
 
(Although this course has a particular focus on an AMD/Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC, the guidelines in this course can be used to design for most FPGAs, SoCs, or advanced processors, with high-speed peripherals interfaces, and high-speed memory.)
 
<ul>
<li>Introduction 
Course overview, course demo hardware (ZettBrett), choice of ECAD tool, target audience & pre-requisites, course materials & certificate</li>
<li>System-Level Design 
FPGA vs SoC vs MCU, complexity & cost, manufacturers & tools, system specifications & requirements, reference designs & system-on-modules, block diagrams, part selection, ...</li>
<li>Schematic Fundamentals 
Sectioning and flow, power flags, crossings & junctions, texts and calculations, schematic symbol design (via datasheet), net labelling, BoM consolidation, annotation, colour-coding, ...</li>
<li>PCB Design Fundamentals 
Fields/energy/return paths, grounding, sectioning, crosstalk, vias, transfer vias, traces (single-ended, differential), BGA basics & fan-out, delay tuning & matching, working with package delays, design for manufacturing (DFM), manufacturer capabilities & design rules, footprint design (via datasheet), double-sided assembly, ...</li>
<li>Build-Up, Stack-Up, and Controlled Impedance 
Build-up basics & design, stack-up basics, stack-up design rules for signal integrity (SI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance, impedance matching, critical length (analogue, digital), rise/fall times, controlled impedance basics, microstrip traces, stripline traces, controlled impedance differential pairs, power planes as references, manufacturers & impedance control, ...</li>
<li>Power 
Power distribution network (PDN) basics, PDN design & sizing, PDN requirements for FPGAs/SoCs, switching regulators (choice, sizing, layout & routing), PDN protection (ESD, eFuses), traces (non-idealities), vias (low-inductance design), power planes, capacitors (derating, non-idealities, self-resonance, finding non-ideal parameters), simulation of PDN using LTSpice (DC/AC analysis, resonances, ringing), decoupling (choice of PDN for FPGAs/SoCs, capacitor placement/layout/routing (QFP, QFN, BGA)), schematic design, ...</li>
<li>FPGA/SoC Config & I/O 
Part selection, programming circuitry (USB-JTAG, USB-UART), strapping options, boot modes, required external circuitry, configuration memory, clocking, programmable logic (PL) set-up, processing system (PS) set-up, bank voltages, pin-out, schematic design, layout/routing, ...</li>
<li>DDR3 Memory & Termination 
Termination basics, reflection vs load impedance, parallel termination, series termination (reflection mode switching), VTT termination, part selection (resistors, VTT regulator), DDR basics, DDR3 signals & power, pin-out, memory module selection, schematic design, fly-by layout & routing, impedance requirements, delay matching, ...</li>
<li>Gigabit Ethernet 
Ethernet hardware basics, signal interfaces (RGMII, MDIO, MDI), physical layer (PHY) (parameters, part selection, power supplies, ...), SoC pin-out, RJ45 connector (integrated vs external magnetics, part choice, placement), schematic design, layout & routing, ...</li>
<li>USB 2.0 HS & eMMC Memory 
ULPI basics, USB physical layer (parameters, part choice, power supplies, ...), load switches, USB connector choice, SDIO basics, eMMC memory part selection, SoC pin-out, schematic design, layout & routing, techniques for 0.5mm pitch BGAs, ...</li>
<li>Final Touches & Manufacturing 
Unused pad shapes, teardrops, copper pours & stitching vias, edge stitching (edge-fired emissions), testpoints, fiducials, layer indexing, silkscreen, generating Gerber files, manufacturing drawing (incl. build-up, impedance control requirements, ...), Bill of Materials (BoM), pick 'n' place file, assembly drawings, quoting process, cost & lead time, ...</li>
<li>Outro 
Additional free resources, contact, course certificate, ...</li>
</ul>

Every student who creates their own advanced hardware design according to the course guidelines, and submits screenshots of their design, will receive a course certificate.

Total of 10 main lessons, with a total runtime of approx. 11.5 hours.

You will need a PC with your ECAD tool of choice installed (Altium Designer, KiCad, ... The course is ECAD tool-agnostic!).

I am very motivated to start the course, it is a great challenge and I will repeat the lessons as many times as necessary until I learn every detail. Thank you Phil.

I think I will follow your rules for designing PCBs. They seem to be extremely efficient.

Learn how to design your own advanced hardware featuring FPGAs/SoCs/CPUs, DDR3 memory and high-speed peripherals.

Learn how to design your own advanced hardware featuring FPGAs/SoCs/CPUs, high-speed memory and peripherals.Looking at all aspects from system-level design, schematic design and PCB layout/routing, power distribution network design, incorporating modern FPGAs/SoCs/CPUs, DDR3 memory and termination, high-speed peripherals (Gig Ethernet, USB HS, eMMC), through to manufacturing.This course is ECAD tool-agnostic, and suitable for engineering students, advanced hobbyists, and professional engineers.

Learn how to design your own advanced hardware featuring FPGAs/SoCs/CPUs, high-speed memory and peripherals.
 
This course will take you all the way from system-level design, schematic and PCB fundamentals, power distribution network design, incorporating modern FPGAs/SoCs, DDR3 memory and termination, high-speed peripherals (Gig Ethernet, USB HS, eMMC), through to manufacturing.
 
This course is ECAD tool-agnostic, suitable for engineering students, advanced hobbyists, and professional engineers.

Advanced Digital Hardware Design Course

Advanced Digital Hardware Design

1) System-Level Design 2) Part Selection 3) Schematic Fundamentals 4) PCB Design Fundamentals 5) Build-Up, Stack-Up, and Controlled Impedance 6) Power 7) FPGA/SoC Config & I/O 8) DDR3 Memory & Termination 9) Gigabit Ethernet 10) USB 2.0 HS & eMMC Memory 11) Final Touches & Manufacturing

Welcome to the course! This session will give you an overview and what you will learn in this course.
 
<ul>
<li>Course Overview</li>
<li>Course Hardware (ZettBrett)</li>
<li>Choice of ECAD Tool</li>
<li>Target Audience & Pre-Requisites</li>
<li>Course Materials & Certificate</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 14m 49s

Overview and what you will learn in this course. About used hardware called ZettBrett. Choice of ECAD Tool. This course can be followed with your own design using whatever ECAD tool you are comfortable with. This is not a beginner course, it’s for people who already have some experience with designing circuitry and PCBs. Certification and where to find course materials.

Introduction

Before digging deep into a new hardware project (including schematics and PCB), we need to approach the design from a high level. Looking at specifications and requirements, constraints, and from those choosing our main building blocks, components, and peripherals.
 
<ul>
<li>Why use FPGAs/SoCs? Why not?</li>
<li>Complexity & Cost</li>
<li>Manufacturers & Tools</li>
<li>System Specifications & Requirements</li>
<li>Reference Designs & System-on-Modules</li>
<li>ZettBrett Block Diagram</li>
<li>Part Selection: FPGA/SoC, Configuration Memory, DDR3 Memory, Programming, Peripherals, Power, Additional Components</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 51m 33s

Approaching the design from a high level. Looking at specifications and requirements, constraints, and from those choosing our main building blocks, components, and peripherals. Why use FPGAs/SoCs or why not? Complexity & Cost, Manufacturers & Tools, System Specifications & Requirements, Reference Designs & System-on-Modules, ZettBrett Block Diagram and Part Selection.

System-Level Design

Schematics need to be designed as much as the circuitry and the PCB. This lesson will teach you the fundamentals of how to create clean, user-friendly, and future-proof schematics and schematic symbols.
 
<ul>
<li>Sectioning and Flow</li>
<li>Power Flags</li>
<li>Crossings & Junctions</li>
<li>Titles, Texts, Calculations, Title Blocks</li>
<li>Schematic Symbols & Creation Example (with Datasheet)</li>
<li>Net Labelling</li>
<li>BoM Consolidation</li>
<li>Annotation</li>
<li>Colours</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 35m 40s

Schematics need to be designed as much as the circuitry and the PCB. Fundamentals of how to create clean, user-friendly, and future-proof schematics and schematic symbols. Sectioning and Flow, Power Flags, Crossings & Junctions, Titles, Texts, Calculations, Title Blocks, Schematic Symbols & Creation Example (with Datasheet), Net Labelling, BoM Consolidation, Annotation and Colours.

Schematic Fundamentals

Modern, high-speed PCB designs need to strictly follow a set of guidelines. This is with regards to overall function, signal integrity (SI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) performance, as well as taking into account the manufacturing and assembly process. This lesson highlights the core methods to creating well-designed PCBs, while providing practical examples throughout.
 
<ul>
<li>Fields, Energy, Return Paths</li>
<li>Grounding, Sectioning, Crosstalk</li>
<li>Via Sizing & Traces (Single-Ended, Differential)</li>
<li>Transfer Vias</li>
<li>BGA Design Basics & Fan-Out</li>
<li>Delay Tuning and Matching</li>
<li>Incorporating Package Delays</li>
<li>Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Guidelines</li>
<li>Manufacturer Capabilities & Design Rules</li>
<li>Footprint Design (with Datasheet)</li>
<li>Double-Sided Assembly Guidelines</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 1h 26m 54s

Modern, high-speed PCB designs need to strictly follow a set of guidelines. The core methods to creating well-designed PCBs, while providing practical examples throughout. About Fields, Energy, Return Paths, Grounding, Sectioning, Crosstalk, Via Sizing & Traces, Single-Ended, Differential), BGA Design Basics & Fan-Out, Delay Tuning and Matching and more.

PCB Design Fundamentals

Good build-up and stack-up design are essential for a functional, high-speed PCB for best-possible SI and EMI performance. Modern ICs with fast edge-rates and high-speed signalling additionally require tuned, impedance-controlled traces. 
This lesson will teach you guidelines, and show you how to design your own build-ups, stack-ups, and how to calculate and route controlled impedance traces for various high-speed interfaces.
 
<ul>
<li>Build-Up Basics and Design</li>
<li>Stack-Up Basics</li>
<li>Stack-Up Design Rules for SI and EMI</li>
<li>Impedance Matching</li>
<li>Critical Length (Analogue, Digital)</li>
<li>Rise/Fall Times vs Critical Length</li>
<li>Finding Rise/Fall Times</li>
<li>Controlled Impedance Basics</li>
<li>Microstrip Traces</li>
<li>Stripline Traces</li>
<li>Controlled Impedance Differential Pairs</li>
<li>Power Planes as References</li>
<li>Manufacturers & Impedance Control</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 1h 24m 12s

Guidelines and how to design your own build-ups, stack-ups, and how to calculate and route controlled impedance traces for various high-speed interfaces. Impedance Matching, Rise/Fall Times vs Critical Length, Controlled Impedance Basics, Microstrip Traces, Stripline Traces, Controlled Impedance Differential Pairs, Power Planes as References, Manufacturers & Impedance Control...

Build-Up, Stack-Up, and Controlled Impedance

For high-speed, digital PCBs, not only are signals critical to good performance but also the entire power distribution network (PDN). From the many high-current rails needing to be generated by switching regulators, to how this power is delivered to fast-switching ICs via various non-ideal interconnects, and decoupled with non-ideal capacitors. This lesson will explore the elements of PDN design, showing techniques and guidelines, real-world examples, and simulations along the way.
 
<ul>
<li>Power Distribution Network (PDN) Basics
 Elements (VRMs, Traces, Vias, Planes, Caps, ...), target impedance, non-idealities, thermals, sectioning, ...
</li>
<li>PDN Design & Sizing
 Voltage sources, number of voltage rails (FPGA/SoC/peripherals), current/power requirements & estimation, power supply sequencing, ...
</li>
<li>Switching Regulators
 Choice, sizing, noise considerations, layout & routing, ...
</li>
<li>PDN Protection
 ESD, eFuses: choice & key parameters, implementation, ...
</li>
<li>Traces
 Non-idealities (resistance, inductance), trace sizing, IPC-2221 calculations, ...
</li>
<li>Vias
 Via sizing, spacing for low inductance, low-inductance capacitor attachments, ...
</li>
<li>Power Planes
 Benefits, delivery for multiple voltage rails, perforations, necking, ...
</li>
<li>Capacitors
 Class 2 MLCC basics, derating (bias, temperature, ...), non-idealities, non-ideal impedance vs frequency, self-resonance, finding non-ideal parameters, choice guidelines, electrolytics, ...
</li>
<li>Simulation
 SPICE simulation of simple PDN (VRM, traces, caps, load), DC analysis, transient simulation, frequency response, ringing & resonances, ...
</li>
<li>Decoupling
 Choice of PDN for FPGAs/SoCs (type, size, value of capacitors per rail), capacitor placement & layout & routing (QFP, QFN, BGA), ...
</li>
<li>PDN Analyser Tool
 Example PCB DC analysis (voltage drop, current density) (Altium only)
</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 1h 52m 50s

Explore the elements of PDN design, showing techniques and guidelines, real-world examples, and simulations along the way. About Switching Regulators, PDN Protection, Traces, Vias, Power Planes, Capacitors, Simulation, Decoupling, PDN Analyser Tool.

Power

The course demo hardware (ZettBrett) uses an AMD/Xilinx Zynq-7000 series SoC (System-on-Chip). To even be able to boot-up a complex device such as this, we need to add a fair amount of external circuitry. This lesson will show you how the specific part was chosen, how to design the SoC's fundamental schematic and all of its supporting circuitry, assign pinouts, and more.
 
<ul>
<li>Part Selection
 Distributor part search, manufacturer product selection guides, datasheets, ...
</li>
<li>JTAG
 Pinout, USB-to-JTAG/USB-to-UART circuitry, ...
</li>
<li>Configuration
 Strapping options, config. pins, boot modes, configuration memory, clocking, ...
</li>
<li>Programmable Logic (PL)
 SoC FPGA section set-up, pin descriptions, bank voltages, clocking, layout/routing, ...
</li>
<li>Processing System (PS)
 Bank divisions, bank voltages, reset signals, clocking, pin-out, ...
</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 51m 13s

How to choose specific parts, how to design the SoC's fundamental schematic and all of its supporting circuitry, assign pinouts, and more. JTAG, including Pinout and SB-to-JTAG / USB-to-UART circuitry. Configuration such as Strapping options, config. pins, boot modes, configuration memory, clocking. Programmable Logic (PL) and Processing System (PS).

FPGA/SoC Config & I/O

High-speed DDR interfaces can be one of the most challenging sections to design, layout, and route on a modern PCB. This lesson will cover essential signal termination techniques, as well as DDR3 memory basics, schematic design, and layout/routing techniques to guide you through the entire process of adding high-speed memory to your design.
 
<ul>
<li>Termination
 Basics, reflection vs load impedance, parallel termination, series termination ('reflection mode switching'), VTT termination, part selection (resistors, VTT regulator), ...
</li>
<li>DDR3 Memory
 DDR basics, signals (CLK, ACC, DQ) & power, SoC pin-out, memory module selection, bit & byte-lane swapping, single module vs multiple modules, fly-by connection, layout & routing, power delivery & decoupling, controlled impedance, delay matching, diff. pair skew matching, ...
</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 1h 39m 47s

Essential signal termination techniques, as well as DDR3 memory basics, schematic design, and layout/routing techniques to guide you through the entire process of adding high-speed memory to your design. Basics of DDR memory, DDR3 memory signals & power, memory module selection, bit & byte-lane swapping, fly-by connection, power delivery & decoupling.

DDR3 Memory & Termination

Implementing a Gigabit Ethernet interface in your system is not trivial. This lesson will start from the basics, show you how to choose and connect required parts and interfaces, as well as show you how to layout and route this high-speed system.
 
<ul>
<li>Ethernet Hardware Basics
 Media-Independent Interface (MII), physical layers (PHYs), magnetics, RJ45 connectors, ...
</li>
<li>Physical Layer (PHY)
 Parameters, RGMII/MDIO/MDI interface, power supplies, registers, misc. signals (clock, LED, strapping options, ...), part choice, SoC interface and pin-out, schematic design, ...
</li>
<li>RJ45 Connector
 Parameters, part selection, external vs integrated magnetics, ...
</li>
<li>Layout and Routing
 RJ45 connector placement considerations, PHY placement, QFN fan-out and power delivery, RGMII/MDIO/MDI diff. pair routing, controlled impedance, delay matching, series termination, chassis connection, ...
</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 57m 36s

How to choose and connect required parts and interfaces, as well as how to layout and route this high-speed system. About basics of Ethernet Hardware. Physical Layer (PHY), parameters, registers, part choice… The RJ45 Connector selection and placement. Layout and Routing, PHY placement, pair routing, series termination, chassis connection, ...

Gigabit Ethernet

This lesson will show how to add a USB 2.0 high-speed on-the-go (HS, OTG) interface and large amounts of non-volatile memory (eMMC) to your design. We'll see what interfaces (ULPI, SDIO) and additional components (PHYs) we require, as well as how to layout and route these devices. Finally, we'll look at some techniques of how to fan-out a 0.5mm-pitch BGA!
 
<ul>
<li>USB 2.0 HS Basics
 ULPI interface, physical layer (PHY), part choice (PHY, connector), datasheets, ...
</li>
<li>USB 2.0 HS Implementation
 SoC pinout, PHY/load switch/connector schematic, PCB layout and routing (QFN, ULPI, USB HS diff. pair, controlled impedance, delay matching), ...
</li>
<li>eMMC Memory Basics
 SDIO interface, part choice, datasheets, ...
</li>
<li>eMMC Memory Implementation
 Schematic, SoC pinout, PCB layout and routing (SDIO, controlled impedance, delay matching), techniques for 0.5mm-pitch BGAs, ...
</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 43m 59s

How to add a USB 2.0 high-speed on-the-go (HS, OTG) interface and large amounts of non-volatile memory (eMMC) to your design. What interfaces (ULPI, SDIO) and additional components (PHYs) we require, as well as how to layout and route these devices. Techniques of how to fan-out a 0.5mm-pitch BGA!

USB 2.0 HS & eMMC Memory

PCB design does not end directly after layout and routing. We need to add various 'final touches' and then generate all necessary files and documentation for manufacturing and assembly. This lesson shows you how to do that!
 
<ul>
<li>Final Touches
 Removing unused pad shapes, teardrops, copper pours & stitching vias, edge stitching (to combat edge-fired emissions), testpoints, fiducials, layer indexing, silkscreen, ...
</li>
<li>Manufacturing
 Gerber file generation and checking, manufacturing drawing (build-up, impedance control requirements, ...), ...
</li>
<li>Assembly
 Generation of Bill of Materials (BoM), pick 'n' place (CPL) file, and assembly drawings, ...
</li>
<li>Ordering Process
 Getting a quote, adding design information & requirements, cost, lead time, ...
</li>
</ul>

Lesson length: 46m 37s

PCB design does not end directly after layout and routing. Adding various 'final touches' and generating all necessary files and documentation for manufacturing and assembly. All steps required during the ordering Process, such as Getting a quote, adding design information & requirements, cost, lead time, ...

Final Touches & Manufacturing

Congratulations on completing the course! This outro section will show you further, free resources for hardware design, and how to get in touch with the instructor.
 
Make sure to hand in your course submission in this lesson (requirements outlined in Lesson 1)!
 
Lesson length: 2m 38s

This outro section will show you further, free resources for hardware design, and how to get in touch with the instructor. Course submission.

Outro

In this course, you'll learn how to design a mixed-signal (analogue and digital) product prototype from scratch - all the way from concept to manufacturing. I will guide you, step-by-step, through all required design stages for a USB-capable, microcontroller-based signal analyser and signal generator.
 
This includes system-level design, component selection, analogue (e.g. op-amps, filters, ADC/DAC interfaces), digital (e.g. microcontrollers, USB), and power supply (e.g. switching converter) circuitry design, simulation, and schematic capture, as well as PCB layout and routing of a four-layer board in KiCad 6, with final processes to get your boards manufactured and assembled!

This course is for graduate engineers, advanced hobbyists, and electronics enthusiasts. 
Pre-requisites: knowledge of electronic engineering fundamentals, basic knowledge of the PCB design process, and some familiarity with KiCad (v5 or above).

The following content is covered in this course:
 
<ul>
<li>Introduction 
Course overview, pre-requisites, overview of product we'll be designing.</li>
<li>System-Level Design 
Requirements capture, basic and detailed system descriptions with block diagrams, design choices, part selection (power supplies, ICs, MCUs, connectors, etc.), how to read a datasheet, mechanical constraints.</li>
<li>Circuit Design, Simulation, and Schematic Capture 
Datasheets, linear vs switching regulator, switching (buck) regulator design, LED calculations, power supply filtering, RC and RLC filters, microcontroller circuitry (STM32), pin assignment (STM32CubeIDE), decoupling capacitors, ESD protection, EMI/EMC considerations, crystal oscillator design, USB circuitry and USB Type C, ADC/DAC circuitry, analogue front-end design (anti-aliasing filters, buffers, single-ended to differential conversion), simulation of analogue circuitry using LTSpice (free). Schematic tips and tricks for readability. ERC (electrical rules check).</li>
<li>Symbol and Footprint Creation 
How to create good and easy-to-use symbols in KiCad and how to create good footprints for ICs in KiCad. Both via the aid of the datasheet. Adding 3D models to footprints.</li>
<li>PCB Design Essentials 
Stackups, manufacturing capabilites and design for manufacturing, layout and routing principles, return paths, vias and traces, copper pours, mechanical considerations.</li>
<li>PCB Layout and Routing 
Complete and real-time layout and routing of the four-layer PCB in KiCad 6. Setting up design rules in KiCad, setting up board stack-up, track widths, vias, controlled impedance trace calculation and routing, mechanical outline, mounting holes, connector placement, component placement, sectioning, mixed-signal guidelines, EMC/EMI guidelines, silkscreen. Design rule check (DRC).</li>
<li>Getting Your Hardware Produced 
Generating files for manufacturing (Gerber) and assembly (assembly information, footprint positions, and bill of materials). Ordering process using generated files and cost estimation.
</li>
<li>Outro 
Final notes and tips, how to get certificate, and contact to instructor.</li>
</ul>

Every student who submits their own PCB design and activity files will receive a certificate, after the files have been checked by the instructor (Phil).

16 lessons with a total length of 5 hours and 20 minutes.

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