Common PCB design mistakes - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to identify the most common PCB design mistake.

PCB Design

common_mistake = '[1]'

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AAdequate spacing

BProper grounding

CIncorrect trace width

DCorrect component placement

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Choosing proper grounding as the mistake

Confusing spacing issues with trace width

The most common PCB design mistake is using incorrect trace width, which can cause overheating or signal issues.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to detect a common error in PCB layout related to component placement.

PCB Design

if component_spacing < [1]: report_error('Spacing too small')

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A50mm

B0.5mm

C0.05mm

D5mm

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 5mm which is too large

Using 0.05mm which is unrealistically small

Component spacing less than 0.5mm is often too small and can cause soldering or electrical issues.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code that checks for missing ground connections.

PCB Design

if not '[1]' in netlist: raise Exception('Ground missing')

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

AGND

BVCC

CVDD

DCLK

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Checking for VCC instead of GND

Using CLK which is a clock signal

The ground net is usually named 'GND'. Checking for 'GND' ensures the ground connection is present.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to complete the code that identifies signal integrity issues.

PCB Design

if trace_length > [1] and trace_impedance != [2]: flag_issue('Signal integrity problem')

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A50mm

B75 Ohm

C50 Ohm

D100mm

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 50mm as length limit

Using 75 Ohm impedance which is less common

Signal integrity issues often occur when trace length exceeds 100mm and impedance is not 50 Ohm, which is standard for many signals.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to complete the code that checks for thermal issues in PCB design.

PCB Design

if [1] > max_current and [2] < min_trace_width and [3] == False: alert('Thermal risk detected')

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Acurrent_load

Btrace_width

Cthermal_via_present

Dvoltage_level

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using voltage_level instead of current_load

Ignoring thermal vias presence

Thermal risk occurs when current load is too high, trace width is too small, and thermal vias are missing.