PCBWay offers professional electronic design services. This article outlines the key information required for successful electronic design
1. For PCB design, the following requirements need to be provided:
Functional Requirements:
• Clearly specify the functions that the PCB mainboard needs to perform, such as data processing, signal conversion, power management, etc. For example, a smartwatch mainboard may need to support functions like step counting and heart rate monitoring.
• Specify the types and quantities of input/output interfaces, such as the number and purpose of USB or HDMI ports.
Performance Requirements:
• Define the operating frequency range of the mainboard. For circuits involving processor chips, provide appropriate clock frequency requirements.
• State requirements for signal integrity, including transmission speed and limits on signal attenuation—this is particularly important for high-frequency circuits.
Dimensions and Physical Specifications:
• Provide dimensional constraints for the mainboard, including the allowable length, width, and thickness, depending on the size of the product’s enclosure.
• Specify the mounting method and the requirements for fixing holes—for example, whether it is to be secured with screws or clips.
Power Requirements:
• Clearly define the type of power input—DC or AC—and the input voltage range. For example, a mobile phone mainboard typically requires around 5V DC input.
• Set limits on power consumption to ensure the circuit’s energy use aligns with the product design expectations.
Compatibility Requirements:
• Indicate compatibility with other components such as sensors and displays. For example, ensure that the mainboard can communicate properly with a specific camera model.
• Consider software compatibility, since some PCBs need to work with specific firmware or drivers.
Reliability and Stability Requirements:
• Specify the expected service life, such as requiring the mainboard to operate reliably for a certain number of years or hours under normal conditions.
• Define environmental operating conditions, including temperature and humidity ranges. For example, automotive mainboards may need to operate in the range of -40°C to 85°C.
2. Enclosure Design Requirements
Functional Requirements:
• Specify the protective functions of the enclosure for internal components. For example, if the product is electronic, consider whether the enclosure needs to be anti-static, waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof, and to what standards. For instance, the enclosure may be required to meet IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating.
• Indicate whether the enclosure has heat dissipation or insulation requirements. If the product is an electronic device that generates heat, the design may need to include ventilation holes or use thermal conductive materials.
Dimensional Requirements:
• Provide precise dimensions of internal components so that the enclosure can properly accommodate all parts, including their shapes and spatial arrangement. For example, specify the length, width, and height of each component, as well as the spacing requirements between them.
• Indicate the overall dimensional range of the product, including the maximum and minimum values for length, width, and height, to ensure the enclosure size meets the intended product specifications.
Aesthetic Requirements:
• Describe the preferred style of the enclosure, such as minimalistic, retro, or futuristic/tech-inspired.
• Specify the color of the enclosure—whether it should be a solid color, gradient, or if special patterns or textures are required, such as brushed metal finish or matte texture.
• Labeling and logo placement should also be specified.
Ergonomic Requirements:
• For handheld or user-operated products, consider the shape, size, and texture of the grip area to ensure comfort and usability. For example, if the product is a handheld tool, the grip section should follow the ergonomic curvature of the human hand.
• If the product includes buttons, ports, or other interactive features, specify their positions and layout on the enclosure to ensure user-friendly operation.
Material Requirements:
• Clearly indicate the type of material to be used for the enclosure, such as plastic, metal, glass, or composite materials. Different materials have different characteristics—for example, plastic is cost-effective and easy to mold, while metal offers higher strength and a premium feel.
• Consider the manufacturing process requirements of the chosen material, such as whether it needs to be injection molded, stamped, CNC machined, etc., as these processes affect the final quality and appearance of the enclosure.
Interface and Opening Requirements:
• Identify the required interface positions and sizes on the enclosure, such as charging ports, data ports, headphone jacks, etc.
• For products that require sound transmission or ventilation, specify the positions and dimensions of speaker holes, ventilation openings, and other necessary cutouts.
3. Software Development Requirements
Functional Requirements:
• Clearly define the primary tasks and functionalities the software should achieve. For example, if it is an office software suite, specify whether it needs to support document editing, spreadsheet creation, and presentation slides, as well as the specific operational requirements of each feature.
• Consider whether the software includes any special or advanced functions, such as support for multiple drawing tools and layer management in a graphics application.
User Interface Requirements:
• Describe the style of the software interface, such as whether it should be modern and minimalist or follow a specific thematic design.
• Mention the layout of the interface, including the distribution of menus, the position and size of buttons, and other visual elements.
Performance Requirements:
• Set expectations for software performance, such as maximum launch time and acceptable response time ranges for complex operations.
• Specify limits on memory and storage usage when running the software on various devices.
Compatibility Requirements:
• Clearly state the operating systems the software must support, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile platforms like iOS and Android.
• Consider compatibility with other software applications—for example, whether it needs to support data exchange with commonly used office programs.
Security Requirements:
• If the software involves user information, define the data security measures, such as encryption methods for data storage and transmission.
• Specify user permission levels to ensure secure access control to sensitive data.
4. Environmental Testing Requirements
Test Objectives:
• Clearly define the purpose of the test—for example, to evaluate the product’s performance, reliability, or safety under various environmental conditions, or to determine its service life. For instance, testing how an outdoor lighting fixture performs under harsh weather conditions.
Environmental Parameters:
• Temperature: Specify the testing temperature range, including extreme high and low temperatures. For example, electronic products may need to be tested from -40℃ to 85℃. Also indicate the rate of temperature change—whether it involves rapid or gradual temperature transitions.
• Humidity: Define the range of relative humidity, such as from 10% to 90%. Accurate humidity testing is crucial for humidity-sensitive products like paper-based materials.
• Air Pressure: If the product is used in aerospace, high-altitude, or similar applications, pressure testing may be required. For example, test the performance of sealed products under low-pressure conditions found at high altitudes.
• Dust and Solid Particles: Specify parameters like dust concentration and particle size. Dust testing is important for products like outdoor machinery and automotive engines.
• Salt Spray: For products related to marine environments (e.g., shipboard equipment or coastal electronic devices), define the salt spray concentration and exposure time to evaluate corrosion resistance.
Test Equipment:
• Use standard-compliant environmental test equipment, such as high-precision temperature and humidity chambers, dust test chambers, and salt spray test machines. The accuracy and stability of the equipment directly affect the reliability of test results.
Test Samples:
• Clearly specify the number of samples required to ensure statistically significant results. Also describe the condition of the samples—whether they are new, pre-aged, or otherwise treated.
Test Duration:
• Define the duration of each environmental condition test—whether it is a short-term test lasting a few hours or a long-term test spanning months or even years (such as durability tests for construction materials). Also consider whether cyclic testing is required, for example, repeated transitions between high and low temperatures.
Performance Monitoring:
• Determine which product performance parameters need to be monitored, such as mechanical strength for mechanical products, electrical characteristics (voltage, current, power, etc.) for electronic products, and changes in appearance. Also specify the monitoring frequency—whether it is real-time or at set intervals.
Standards and Regulations:
• Ensure the testing process complies with relevant national or international standards, such as those published by ISO, IEC, or other industry-specific organizations, to guarantee the credibility and general applicability of the test results.
