Test point placement in PCB Design - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a PCB design engineer working on a new electronic device.

📋 Request: Your manager wants a report showing the optimal placement of test points on the PCB to ensure easy access during manufacturing testing without interfering with component placement.

📊 Data: You have a dataset listing PCB components with their coordinates, sizes, and critical nets that require test points. The data also includes areas reserved for connectors and mechanical parts where test points cannot be placed.

🎯 Deliverable: Produce a dashboard showing recommended test point locations on the PCB layout, highlighting areas with high test point density and any potential conflicts with components or reserved areas.

Sample Data

Component	X_Coordinate	Y_Coordinate	Width_mm	Height_mm	Critical_Net	Reserved_Area
U1	10	15	5	5	Yes	No
R1	20	25	2	1	No	No
C1	30	10	3	3	Yes	No
J1	5	5	10	10	No	Yes
L1	25	20	4	4	Yes	No
U2	40	30	6	6	No	No
R2	15	35	2	1	Yes	No
Mechanical_Hole	0	0	15	15	No	Yes

1

Step 1: Filter components that have 'Critical_Net' marked as 'Yes' and are not in 'Reserved_Area'.

Filter dataset where Critical_Net = 'Yes' AND Reserved_Area = 'No'

Expected Result

Components U1, C1, L1, R2

2

Step 2: Calculate potential test point locations around each filtered component by placing points at the center of each component's bounding box.

Test_Point_X = X_Coordinate + Width_mm / 2; Test_Point_Y = Y_Coordinate + Height_mm / 2

Expected Result

U1: (12.5, 17.5), C1: (31.5, 11.5), L1: (27, 22), R2: (16, 35.5)

3

Step 3: Check if any test point overlaps with reserved areas by comparing coordinates and sizes.

Verify Test_Point_X and Test_Point_Y not within any Reserved_Area bounding box (e.g., Mechanical_Hole at (0,0) size 15x15)

Expected Result

All test points are outside reserved areas.

4

Step 4: Create a dashboard visualization with a PCB layout grid showing component outlines and test point markers.

Plot components as rectangles using X_Coordinate, Y_Coordinate, Width_mm, Height_mm; overlay test points as distinct colored dots.

Expected Result

Visual shows components U1, C1, L1, R2 with test points centered and no overlap with reserved areas.

5

Step 5: Add a heatmap layer to the dashboard to highlight areas with multiple test points close together.

Calculate density of test points within a 5mm radius and color code accordingly.

Expected Result

Dashboard highlights moderate density near U1 and L1; no conflicts detected.

Final Result

PCB Layout Dashboard

+------------------------------------------------+
| Components:                                    |
| [U1] [C1] [L1] [R2]                           |
|                                                |
| Test Points (*) placed at component centers    |
|                                                |
| Heatmap: Areas with test point density shown   |
|                                                |
| Reserved Areas (shaded) like Mechanical_Hole   |
+------------------------------------------------+

✓Test points are optimally placed at component centers for easy access.

✓No test points overlap with reserved areas, ensuring no interference.

✓Moderate test point density near components U1 and L1 suggests careful routing needed.

✓Dashboard visualization aids in quick identification of test point placement and potential conflicts.

Bonus Challenge

Extend the dashboard to suggest alternative test point locations if current points conflict with new components added later.

Show Hint

Use spatial analysis to find nearest free space around components avoiding reserved areas and existing test points.