Contact: ieee-ape@lists.berkeley.edu
This course introduces advanced printed circuit board (PCB) design and layout, with a focus on more complex considerations and more nuanced experience with standard tools than the introductory Hands-On PCB Engineering (HOPE) course. It is intended for students with previous PCB design experience (preferably HOPE) and some basic experience with upper division-level circuit design. Students will utilize Altium Designer alongside supporting software and plugins to aid in design and verification of PCBs. Students interested in developing PCBs for class projects, research, or engineering student teams will benefit from this course.
Enrolling in APE
For Fall 2024, APE will be a audit only, semester long pilot. Interested students should fill out this enrollment form to show their interest in attending the pilot.
Please email us if you are a concurrent enrollment student or alumni - we prioritize matriculated UC Berkeley students. Space permitting, however, concurrent enrollment students are welcome to take APE.
Classes begin week of 9/9.
Pre-requisites
At least one upper division course with a circuit design element, such as EE105, EE113A/B, EE140 (240A), EE142, EECS151 (251A), or EE194: Tapeout/Bringup, will provide expected knowledge. HOPE or previous PCB design experience is also highly recommended.
If you have completed alternative coursework or have experience please let us know in the application form!
Those unsure are welcome to email us (the class is not limited to EECS students!).
Logistics
We offer APE as an in-person class this semester. We have a single pilot section on Thursdays in Cory 125.
Office Hours
For students that need that extra support time, we will hold staff office hours Supernode (Cory 246).
Google calendar
A student's grade is primarily based on completion of labs and assignments. The final project is graded on accuracy and demonstration of concepts taught in the course. Students need 70% to pass.
• 45% of the final grade is based on completion and checkoff of lab assignments.
• 15% of the final grade is based on in-class attendance/participation.
• 40% of the final grade is based on the final project.
| Week | Topic | Reference | Lab | Lab Checkoff Due | Project Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 9/12 |
Intro to Altium Intro to the class, Altium, and key tools and plugins required for the class content. |
Altium Access Instructions Light Sensor Schematic |
Intro to HOPE Quiz - Bcourses |
Project Logistics
BOM Template |
|
|
2 9/19 |
Part Selection, Intro to Advanced Schematics - Filters and Basic Analog Design
Covering considerations for part selection beyond the base electrical rules. Exploration of analog design fundamentals within schematic creation. |
Light Sensor Components Light Sensor Layout |
Light Sensor Schematic | ||
|
3 9/26 |
Advanced Schematics, Digital Design, Data Buses and Protocols
Exploring information is encoded, translated, and transported at high speeds and the key issues of high-speed transmissions. |
USB Charger Components | Light Sensor Components+Layout | ||
|
4 10/3 |
Advanced Schematics, High Power Circuit Design
Understanding key principles to develop systems designed to accomodate high power draws. |
USB Charger Schematic | USB Charger Components |
Groups Due 2/23 (3 people minimum) |
|
|
5 10/10 |
Advanced Schematic to Layout: High Power design and Thermal Management Designing layouts optimized for high-voltage and high-current applications. Develop understanding of thermal implications of high-power designs and best practices to mitigate them. |
USB Charger Layout | USB Charger Schematic | Proposal Due 3/1 | |
|
6 10/17 |
Advanced Layout Digital Layout: and Via Management How to route high-speed signals, differential pairs, and implications of vias, board parasitics, and other physical factors on signal integrity. |
Soldering Practice | USB Charger Layout | Proposal Review | |
|
7 10/24 |
Advanced Layout + RF Design
1 Introduction to transmission line theory, differential pairs, impedance matching and other key topics. |
USB Charger Hands-On Instructions |
Project BOM & Schematic Due 3/15 | ||
|
8 10/31 |
Advanced Layout + RF Design 2 Exploration of practical RF design. |
|
Project Work Session | ||
|
9 11/7 |
Design Reviews
In-class review of APE student projects. |
Project Design Review in Class Design Review Requirements |
Layout Due 4/1 | ||
|
10 11/14 |
Advanced Mechanical Design and Integration Exploring PCB design in constrained environments and PCBs as mechanical and structural elements. |
Project Worksession | FINAL PCB files due 11/14 (Thursday) | ||
|
11 11/21 |
Guest Lecture |
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|
12 12/5 |
Guest Lecture In this hands-on lab, you will build and test an interactive trinket that senses touch, temperature, and distance. |
Trinket Lab | Trinket Prelab due | Project Assembly | |
|
13 12/12 |
Project Presentations |