Course content summary:

The whole course is focused on preventing problems before they occur based on my 42 years of experience in electronics, so you'll have a much higher chance of getting your design right the first time. The course covers the design process from a conceptual schematic to a working PCB. The course includes the following topics:

• The "Think 5 Steps Ahead" mindset
• Floor-planning
• How to draw clean schematics
• PCB mechanics
• Considerations for test options
• A schematic checklist (covering common schematic/circuit design errors)
• Component selection (capacitors, resistors, inductors)
• Design for reliability (how to increase lifespan)
• How to read datasheets
• Grounding/RF basics theory
• Layer stack-ups
• Supply crosstalk
• Component placement
• Library parts checking
• How to layout a PCB for best results
• PCB reliability design rules
• EMC
• ESD
• A checklist of common layout design mistakes

During the course, you'll design a signal generator board using an FPGA module and a fast 14-bit DAC chip. You'll also learn how to design that FPGA module, which is quite challenging. A preliminary block diagram is shown here:

During this online video course you'll have 1 hour per week to ask me questions during an 6 week period. You'll also get access to an online chat-room for course members where you can post questions as well. I'll be regularly checking in there.