Printed Circuit Board Designer's Reference; Basics [Paperback]

Chris Robertson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130674818 | ISBN-13: 978-0130674814 | Publication Date: October 23, 2003

Printed Circuit Board Designer's Reference: Basics, by Christopher T. Robertson, teaches the fundamentals of printed circuit board design and manufacture. The book also serves as a valuable reference work, defining a wide range of common industry standards, formulas, and techniques that are otherwise undocumented. A software calculator stocked with useful data rounds out the package.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

• PCB design instruction and reference manual, all in one book!
• In-depth explanation of the processes and tools used in modern PCB design
• Standards, formulas, definitions, and procedures, plus software to tie it all together

Buy it to learn, but keep it as a valued reference tool!

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) literally form the backbone of electronic devices. The electronics industry continues its spread into every aspect of modern life, yet surprisingly little written material exists about PCB standards and design. At the same time, the industry is beginning to feel the effects of a lack of new designers entering the field! To address this situation, PCB design authority Christopher T. Robertson wrote Printed Circuit Board Designer's Reference: Basics.

This book teaches the essentials of PCB design—the same standards and techniques used in the field, but collected in one place. You'll learn most of the key design techniques in use today, and be in the perfect position to learn the more advanced methods when you're ready. On the job, Printed Circuit Board Designer's Reference: Basics will continue to serve as an indispensable reference source filled with tables, charts, and task checklists you'll definitely want to keep on hand. Rounding out the book is a valuable software package DR Resource (Designer's Reference Resource) a multifunction calculator that manages the day-to-day activities of the PCB designer, performs project management functions, and keeps vital documentation and standards data right at your fingertips. Inside you'll find:

• Thorough coverage of PCB design tools and techniques
• Tools for everyday calculations, useful tables, quick reference charts, and a full checklist covering the entire design process
• Clear explanations of where values come from, how to use and adjust them, and much more

This book was written for new designers looking for a solid foundation in PCB design, although designers with more experience will find the reference material, software, and explanations of the values that manufacturers use invaluable as well.

About the Author

CHRISTOPHER T. ROBERTSON has worked nearly a decade in the PCB industry. His background includes developing standards and procedures for PCB design, creating a training course for new designers, and writing a regular column for a PCB trade magazine. Robertson has also worked in PCB manufacturing, testing, maintenance, assembly, and software beta testing. A member of the IPC Council, he has spent the past few years providing technical assistance and developing and defining the organization's technology conventions.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (October 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130674818
• ISBN-13: 978-0130674814
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,066,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Basic info, but confusing, incomplete, and poorly written., November 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Printed Circuit Board Designer's Reference; Basics (Paperback)

I wanted to like this book very much, but the deeper I look into it, the more disappointed I get. I keep telling myself that the title says "Basic", and perhaps the information I'm looking for will be found in an advanced, follow-on title. But, there are too many important basic details that are simply missing or mentioned only in passing.

I'll offer one example, of many possible. From page 118:

"Fiducials come in several different sizes and shapes. Figure 5-16 shows the old-style fiducials or targets. ... It is highly recommended to place at least three (or more) fiducials toward the extents of the board."

OK, there's a nice figure of an 'old-style'; but what would a 'new-style' fiducial look like? Its not shown or described. How big is it? Even the old-style figure is not dimensioned. Where do they go - where is the extent, and how close is "toward"? (The term 'extent' is never defined.) Fiducials are an elementary and necessary aspect of layout, and I expected to find at least a couple of pages on their use and definition. If you were depending only upon this book, it would be impossible to figure out why, how, when, or where to use one.

What's an aperture? What's a Gerber? You can't possibly get any more fundamental than that, but those terms aren't found in the index or in over 70 pages (out of the book's 260 total) of lists of terms and acronyms (which do, however, include such useful entries as: Sequential Electrochemical Reduction Analysis, Systems Network Architecture, and Geiger Counter?).

This profession needs a good introductory reference work, but I'm sad to report that this isn't it.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The author gave the five star review!, November 30, 2004

By 

Dave "Dave" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Printed Circuit Board Designer's Reference; Basics (Paperback)

It looks like the author decided to give the book its only good review (see the review above). I have read enough of this book to know it can only be fully understood when someone already knows enough about circuit board design and therefore does not need the book. If it was intended for beginners then it is not worth the money.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars disappointed, November 30, 2004

By 

reader (utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Printed Circuit Board Designer's Reference; Basics (Paperback)

I agree that the only review that this guide could get is from the anyone involved with this book. I was new to circuit board design when I read this book and I am even lost more now, it really didn't answer the basic questions that I had.