PCB (Printed Circuit

Boards) Design
Table of Contents

I. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2
II. Helpful Background Knowledge and Information ............................................................ 2
A. PCBs .......................................................................................................................... 2
B. EAGLE program ......................................................................................................... 2
C. Multivibrators .............................................................................................................. 2
III. Designing the PCB in EAGLE Program ...................................................................... 3
A. Schemetics................................................................................................................. 3
B. Board ......................................................................................................................... 4
IV. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 5
 I. Introduction
Nowadays, PCBs have become a very fundamental component for almost all of the modern
electronic devices. In this session, we are exploring some fundamental knowledge about
PCBs, and will be using the EAGLE program to construct a PCB design for an astable
multivibrator.

II. Helpful Background Knowledge and

Information
A. PCBs
PCBs are plain boards on which layout designs are constructed and components can be
placed upon to create functioning circuits. It usually consists of copper parts, which serve as
signal traces or conductive connection paths, laminated with a non-conductive material. As
they can be used to do complex work with high efficiency, it is no wonder that PCBs are
widely utilized in a large variety of electronics these days, which demands a great deal of
functionality. There are in fact, quite a number of different PCB types; here, single layer PCB
will be used.

B. EAGLE program
EAGLE actually stands for Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor. It is an EDA (electronic
design automation) software which is scriptable and has multiple functions including PCB
layout and schematic capture. This software can be manipulated with input from the mouse
or keyboard hot keys, as well as specified commands typed into the provided command line.
It can also store files with different file type extensions, to serve different purposes. The file
types used in this session will be:
- “.sch” for schematics, and
- “.brd” for board files

C. Multivibrators
A multivibrator is a type of electronic circuit that can be used to create flip-flops, timers,
oscillators, and other basic two-state devices. Its characterization is defined by the cross-
coupling of two amplifying devices (transistors, electron tubes, or other devices) with
resistors or capacitors. Originally, the free-running oscillator version of the circuit was the
one referred to as a "multivibrator" due to its highly harmonic output waveform. Depending
on how the circuit operates, multivibrator circuits can be classified into three types:
- Astable: a circuit that alternates between two states continuously; it is not stable in
either state. It performs the role of a relaxation oscillator.
- Monostable: there is only one stable state, while the other is unstable (transient).
The circuit enters the unstable condition in response to a trigger pulse. The circuit will
revert to the stable state in a set time after going into the unstable state. A circuit like
this can be used to set a fixed duration timing period time in response to an external
event. Another name for this circuit is a one shot.
- Bistable: stable in both conditions. An external trigger pulse can flip it from one state
to the other. Another name for this circuit is a flip flop. It has the capacity to store a
single bit of data.
The PCB design created here will be for an astable multivibrator.
 III. Designing the PCB in EAGLE Program
A. Schemetics
First of all, the installed EAGLE program is run and from the “File” tab on the starting
interface, a new schematic file is created. Then, grids and frames for the drawing will be
plotted with a suitable scale.
Next, using the “Add” button on the tool bar, the components will be added. The components
used in this design are:
- C025-030x050 capacitor × 1
- B45 181B polarized capacitor × 1
- R-EU-0207/12 resistor × 4
- NPN-TO92 transistor × 2
- LED 5 mm × 1
- GND supply × 1
- con-phoenix- 254/ MPT2 Phoenix Connector × 1
The respective names and values will be assigned to each component after being added.
For positioning the added components into proper layout, “Move” and “Rotate” tools will be
used.
Next, the wire connection is constructed by using “Wire” tool, and the “Delete” tool can be
used to remove any unwanted component or wiring in the schematics. The “Move” tool can
also be utilized to shift the wirings. Using the “Junctions” tool, circuit junctions will be added
where multiple wire paths are connected.
Finally, when the design of the schematics is finished, check for any errors by running a
“ERC” test dropped down from clicking the “Tool” tab at the top of the interface. Everything is
fine as long as the error count is zero, even if there are some warnings.

Fig - 1: PCB Schematics

 B. Board
After finishing the schematics, it can now be switched to board. As there is no existing board
file, a new one will be generated from the current schematics.
The initial state of the generated board design can be quite chaotic and outside of the frame.
To organize it into a more systematic arrangement in the provided frame, the “Move” and
“Rotate” tools will be used. It is best to follow the schematic diagram as close as possible so
that the routing process can be easier.
Now, the wire routes will be laid out with the “Route” tool. Some tools which can be useful in
the process of establishing wire paths are: “Ripup” tool for removing unwanted previous
routings, “Move” tool to move the routes, and the “Split” tool for breaking up the already laid
out wire paths.
While constructing the wirings, it is very important to make sure that the wire paths that
should not be connected as a single pathway never crosses each other. The wires can go
under the components, but cannot have encounters with other wires of different routes.
After the diagram becomes more organized, the components and wirings should be re-
arranged a bit to provide a more compact plan. Then, the frame should also be resized using
the “Move” tool on the edges to better suit the dimensions of the design.

Fig - 2: PCB Board

After finishing everything, make sure to save the files and take some screenshots to be
uploaded.
 IV. Conclusion
Overall, this is indeed a very interesting lab session. I gained new insights about PCB
designing as well as experience in using the EAGLE program. Personally, I actually had to
take a lot of time in learning to navigate the design process in EAGLE, especially during the
wiring/ routing process. Nevertheless, I think it is actually fun and worthwhile.