MuPhile Labs

Introduction

- Embedded Product Development Lifecycle
- Hardware Engineer Roles and Responsibilities

Component Selection and Circuit Analysis

-Component selection parameters: Active and Passive, Sensors
-Circuit Analysis: Resistor networks, LC circuits, Diode and Mosfet based circuits
-Online Component Search

CAD Design using KiCAD

-Schematic symbol creation, Schematic drafting, Netlisting
-PCB terminologies and manufacturing process
-Layer stackup, Component placement and fanout, Routing, Gerber Generation

Microcontroller based system design

-Architecture, Clock and Reset, ADC, GPIOs, Memories
-DC Analysis, Open drain and Push pull logic
-JTAG and SWD debugging
-RTC and Watchdog

Low Speed Interfaces

-I2C, UART, SPI, CAN
-Interface study using protocol analyser

Power Circuit Design

-Linear and LDO (Low Dropout) regulators
-Buck and Boost converter (Synchronous and Non-Synchronous)
-Charge pumps

PCB Design: Mechanical Considerations

-PCB Dimensions and Geometry
-Electromechanical Component selection: Connector and Cable assembly, Switches

Activities

-Reverse Engineering commercial electronic products
-Soldering TH and SMD components
-Equipment Training: Multimeter, Clamp meter, RPS, Autotransformer and Oscilloscope
-Project: Schematic and PCB design of mini electronic modules

RS (Recommended Standard) Interfaces

-RS232, RS422, RS485

High Speed Interfaces

-Protocols: SD, SDIO, SATA, USB3.0 and PCIe
-Connectors and Cable assembly for high speed signals
-Filters and ESD for high speed signals

Memories - Volatile and NonVolatile

-Volatile: DDR DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM
-Non Volatile: NAND and NOR Flash, eMMC, SD

Processor based system design

-ARM architecture, CPU, GPU, DSP
-Clock and Reset
-Interface and GPIO Mapping
-Flashing and Debugging
-Bootflow and Boot loader
-Power sequence, Power consumption calculations
-Power Management ICs (PMICs)

High Speed Design using KiCAD

-Bus and differential signal drafting, Setting contraints and Design Rule Checks
-Impedance controlled PCB, Length Matching, Serpentine routing, Arc routing

Interface Bridges, Switches and Hubs

-USB to UART, USB to SPI
-USB, Ethernet and PCIe switches
-USB Hub

Power Design - Detailed

-Stability and compensation
-Reducing Overshoots and Ripples
-Losses calculation in power circuits

Thermal Analysis

-Thermal parameters of different IC packages
-Thermal optimization in PCB
-Cooling techniques (Heatsinks, Fan, etc)
-Thermally viable mechanical design

Board Bringup and Design Validation Tests

-Visual Inspection, Impedance and Voltage measurement
-Clock, Reset and power sequence validation
-Power circuit validation
-Timing Analysis,Throughput analysis

Activities

-Soldering SMD ICs
-Board BringUp and Design Validation Testing
-Project: Schematic and PCB design of Controller based applications

Memory Drives

-HDD, SSD

Wireless Communication

-Frequency bands and Spectrum
-RF, RFID, NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, LoRAWAN
-GSM, LTE, VOLTE, NB-IOT

RF Design and Testing

-Antenna types and selection
-Antenna matching network, Balun, PA, LNA, RF capacitors
-RF Mechanical Design
-Introduction to test equipments: VNA, Spectrum Analyser

RF PCB Design using KiCAD

Signal and Power Integrity Analysis

-Pre and post SI analysis
-Impedance control and matching,Transmission lines, Reflections, Differential lines, Crosstalk
-PDN, DC and AC PI analysis, Decoupling capacitor optimization
-Layout considerations to improve SI and PI

EMI/EMC and Certifications

-Layout considerations to reduce EMI
-FCC, CE, UL
-RoHS, REACH

Power protocols & Isolated Power supply design

-POE, USB PD, QuickCharge
-Flyback and Forward converter design

Battery Powered Design

-Cell chemistry, voltage and capacity
-Maximizing battery life

BOM Optimization and MTBF Analysis

DFM, DFA and DFT

-Design rules for Manufacturing optimization
-Design rules for Assembly optimization
-Design rules for Testing optimization, PTS (Production Test System) Designs

Mechanical design considerations

-IP rating, Stress and Vibration tests

Activities

-Soldering and Desoldering SMD packages
-Project: Schematic and PCB design of processor based applications