All of these software packages you use and jump between are very complex, especially for a first time user, and it makes it more difficult when none of the PCB trace elements are properly labeled. Also I think that there is no need to simulate every circuit. Once you have simulated a few, you can guess what will happen with new designs based on best practices and key learnings from old designs. From a novice/hobbyist perspective, all I really want to know are what are the best practices for PCB layout to avoid EMI interference, parasitic capacitance, and inductance. What are the key learnings we can easily apply to any circuit design? Cool videos though.
Thanks for your comment! I agree with the points you raised about the complexity and the repetitive nature of such simulations. I'll explore ways to visually summarize key EMI topics in another video.
@@panire3 Have you tried building a PCB microwave antenna before? And have you studied how it affects circuits close by? For example most mobile smartphone’s today have a microwave/wifi transceiver, which is typically the metal case of the phone itself, which also houses the circuit boards, components and CPU/memory modules. My question is, how do they isolate those components from the microwave radiation, when they are literally sitting inside the emitter itself?
Digital Circuits (CPU/memory) mostly dont really care about noise as long as its not too extreme. If there are sensitive analog circuits (e.g. compass IC, audio IC, current sense,...), in phones they will be shielded with a shield-can and via stiching from all sides, see example pictures below in the link. The Microwave antenna is not the only thing to shield against, each digital IC (e.g. CPU/memory) and the buck converters will also radiate, thats why each functional block is also shielded from each other. drive.google.com/drive/folders/12WIK75Rprk6w3uYxQqoohkPaZf_jGWDk?usp=drive_link In my view, if you want to build something, just go and create it without worrying too much. Big companies invest heavily in shielding because they sell millions of units and cant afford to make mistakes. For DiY projects or Startups, start with a basic design without any shielding and focus on carefully placing your analog circuitry (if any). Adress any issues that arise as they come. There is a high chance your design will work. Take Arduino, for example-the design looks simple and EMC guys will always point out how the layout needs improvement, but it works for many applications, and many commercial products use Arduino components. They might be a bit noisy, but they get the job done.
@@panire3 I notice that in cases where there is high voltage, that things change. Like for example with a CNC plasma machine, it requires the use of fiber optical connections because of the very noisy high voltage power supply and the plasma cutter itself.
Would be nice if all the tools could be bundled under one design environment. BTW, can KiCad import an Altium project? If so, how well, or what are the limitations? Can it convert not just the schematics, but the PCB Layout, libraries, etc?
* Its on the KiCad agenda for many many years already to implement/ bundle Simulation features into KiCad, but there seems to be more urgent topics still to be developed. *Kicad 8.99 has an Altium Designer Layout import option. I tested the import for at least 1 file and it worked to import the layout file. If it works good enough to be able to make a simulation out of it I am not sure. Expect at least some manual work when converting from one application to another. Are you primarily an Altium User? If you already have an Altium license, probaby Ansys HFSS would be an option.
If you encountered any issues while performing this simulation, please comment and include the exact minute and second where the problem occurred.
All of these software packages you use and jump between are very complex, especially for a first time user, and it makes it more difficult when none of the PCB trace elements are properly labeled. Also I think that there is no need to simulate every circuit. Once you have simulated a few, you can guess what will happen with new designs based on best practices and key learnings from old designs. From a novice/hobbyist perspective, all I really want to know are what are the best practices for PCB layout to avoid EMI interference, parasitic capacitance, and inductance. What are the key learnings we can easily apply to any circuit design? Cool videos though.
Thanks for your comment! I agree with the points you raised about the complexity and the repetitive nature of such simulations. I'll explore ways to visually summarize key EMI topics in another video.
@@panire3 Have you tried building a PCB microwave antenna before? And have you studied how it affects circuits close by? For example most mobile smartphone’s today have a microwave/wifi transceiver, which is typically the metal case of the phone itself, which also houses the circuit boards, components and CPU/memory modules. My question is, how do they isolate those components from the microwave radiation, when they are literally sitting inside the emitter itself?
Digital Circuits (CPU/memory) mostly dont really care about noise as long as its not too extreme. If there are sensitive analog circuits (e.g. compass IC, audio IC, current sense,...), in phones they will be shielded with a shield-can and via stiching from all sides, see example pictures below in the link. The Microwave antenna is not the only thing to shield against, each digital IC (e.g. CPU/memory) and the buck converters will also radiate, thats why each functional block is also shielded from each other. drive.google.com/drive/folders/12WIK75Rprk6w3uYxQqoohkPaZf_jGWDk?usp=drive_link
In my view, if you want to build something, just go and create it without worrying too much.
Big companies invest heavily in shielding because they sell millions of units and cant afford to make mistakes. For DiY projects or Startups, start with a basic design without any shielding and focus on carefully placing your analog circuitry (if any). Adress any issues that arise as they come. There is a high chance your design will work. Take Arduino, for example-the design looks simple and EMC guys will always point out how the layout needs improvement, but it works for many applications, and many commercial products use Arduino components. They might be a bit noisy, but they get the job done.
@@panire3 Thanks!
@@panire3 I notice that in cases where there is high voltage, that things change. Like for example with a CNC plasma machine, it requires the use of fiber optical connections because of the very noisy high voltage power supply and the plasma cutter itself.
Would be nice if all the tools could be bundled under one design environment.
BTW, can KiCad import an Altium project? If so, how well, or what are the limitations? Can it convert not just the schematics, but the PCB Layout, libraries, etc?
* Its on the KiCad agenda for many many years already to implement/ bundle Simulation features into KiCad, but there seems to be more urgent topics still to be developed.
*Kicad 8.99 has an Altium Designer Layout import option. I tested the import for at least 1 file and it worked to import the layout file. If it works good enough to be able to make a simulation out of it I am not sure. Expect at least some manual work when converting from one application to another.
Are you primarily an Altium User? If you already have an Altium license, probaby Ansys HFSS would be an option.