Design review checklist in PCB Design - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to check if all components have footprints assigned.

PCB Design

IF(ISBLANK([1]), "Missing footprint", "OK")

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

AComponents[Footprint]

BComponents[Value]

CComponents[Reference]

DComponents[Layer]

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Checking the Value or Reference fields instead of Footprint.

The footprint field defines the physical package of a component. Checking if it is blank helps identify missing footprints.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to calculate the total number of nets in the design.

PCB Design

COUNTROWS([1])

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

AComponents

BPads

CLayers

DNets

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Counting Components or Pads instead of Nets.

The Nets table contains all the electrical connections. Counting its rows gives the total nets.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the expression to find components missing designators.

PCB Design

FILTER(Components, [1] = "")

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

AComponents[Footprint]

BComponents[Designator]

CComponents[Value]

DComponents[Layer]

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Filtering by Value or Footprint instead of Designator.

The Designator field identifies components uniquely. Filtering where it is empty finds missing designators.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to calculate the count of components on the top layer.

PCB Design

COUNTROWS(FILTER(Components, [1] = [2]))

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

AComponents[Layer]

B"Top"

C"Bottom"

DComponents[Value]

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using Value field or wrong layer name in filter.

Filtering Components where Layer equals "Top" counts components on the top PCB layer.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to create a measure that sums the total component count by value for resistors.

PCB Design

SUMX(FILTER(Components, [1] = [2]), [3])

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

AComponents[Value]

B"Resistor"

C1

DComponents[Footprint]

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Summing Footprint or wrong filter value.

This sums 1 for each component where Value equals "Resistor", effectively counting resistors.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a design review checklist in PCB design?

easy

A. To ensure the PCB design meets quality and readiness standards

B. To create the PCB layout automatically

C. To write the firmware for the PCB

D. To order components from suppliers

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of a design review checklist

   A design review checklist is used to verify that all aspects of the PCB design are correct and ready for production.

2. Step 2: Identify the main goal

   The checklist helps catch errors early and ensures quality and readiness before manufacturing.

3. Final Answer:

   To ensure the PCB design meets quality and readiness standards -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Design review checklist = quality and readiness check [OK]

Hint: Check if the option talks about quality and readiness [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing checklist with design automation
• Thinking checklist writes code
• Assuming checklist orders parts

2. Which item should NOT be included in a PCB design review checklist?

easy

A. Schematic verification

B. Electrical rule check

C. Writing marketing content

D. Component placement review

Solution

1. Step 1: List typical checklist items

   Common checklist items include schematic checks, component placement, and electrical rules.

2. Step 2: Identify unrelated tasks

   Writing marketing content is unrelated to PCB design review and should not be included.

3. Final Answer:

   Writing marketing content -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Marketing content is unrelated to PCB design [OK]

Hint: Pick the option unrelated to PCB technical checks [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Including non-technical tasks in checklist
• Confusing marketing with design review
• Ignoring electrical checks

3. Given a checklist with these steps:
1. Verify schematic
2. Check component placement
3. Run electrical rule check
4. Confirm mechanical fit
What is the expected result if step 3 fails?

medium

A. Errors in electrical connections must be fixed

B. The PCB is ready for manufacturing

C. Mechanical parts need redesign

D. Schematic needs no changes

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand electrical rule check failure

   If the electrical rule check fails, it means there are errors in the electrical connections or design rules.

2. Step 2: Determine next action

   These errors must be fixed before proceeding to manufacturing to avoid faulty PCBs.

3. Final Answer:

   Errors in electrical connections must be fixed -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Electrical rule check fail = fix electrical errors [OK]

Hint: Failing electrical check means fix electrical errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming PCB is ready despite errors
• Confusing mechanical fit with electrical errors
• Ignoring the need to fix schematic

4. A PCB design review checklist includes a step to check component footprints. The designer notices footprints do not match the datasheet but ignores it. What is the likely problem?

medium

A. The PCB will function perfectly

B. The components may not fit or solder correctly

C. The schematic is incorrect

D. The mechanical enclosure is too small

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand footprint importance

   Footprints define the physical pad layout for components on PCB.

2. Step 2: Consequences of incorrect footprints

   If footprints don't match datasheet, components may not fit or solder properly, causing assembly issues.

3. Final Answer:

   The components may not fit or solder correctly -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Wrong footprint = fit and solder problems [OK]

Hint: Mismatch footprint means physical fit issues [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring footprint errors
• Confusing schematic errors with footprint issues
• Assuming mechanical enclosure fixes footprint problems

5. You are preparing a design review checklist for a complex PCB project. Which combination of checks best ensures both electrical and mechanical readiness before production?

hard

A. Component placement, electrical rule check, software debugging, mechanical fit check

B. Schematic verification, firmware testing, component placement, packaging design

C. Electrical rule check, marketing review, mechanical fit check, documentation writing

D. Schematic verification, electrical rule check, component placement, mechanical fit check

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify essential electrical checks

   Schematic verification and electrical rule check ensure the circuit is correct and follows design rules.

2. Step 2: Identify essential mechanical checks

   Component placement and mechanical fit check ensure parts fit physically and the PCB fits the enclosure.

3. Step 3: Evaluate options

   Schematic verification, electrical rule check, component placement, mechanical fit check includes all key electrical and mechanical checks. Other options include unrelated tasks like firmware, marketing, or software debugging.

4. Final Answer:

   Schematic verification, electrical rule check, component placement, mechanical fit check -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Electrical + mechanical checks = Schematic verification, electrical rule check, component placement, mechanical fit check [OK]

Hint: Pick option with both electrical and mechanical checks only [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Including unrelated tasks like marketing or software debugging
• Missing key electrical or mechanical checks
• Confusing firmware testing with design review