Miscellaneous

5 PCB Design Tips for Automotive Applications

    #

    In the evolving landscape of automotive engineering, printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the backbone that power the intricate systems within advanced modern vehicles. With the rapid research and development of the autonomous vehicle segment, the importance of PCB design in this field has reached new dimensions. Modern cars rely heavily on printed circuit boards, which act as a central nervous system coordinating many operations, including engine control, sensor systems, and safety measures.

    This article will discuss the importance of printed circuit boards in automotive applications and provide five design tips to improve their performance.

    Why are PCBs highly critical components in the automotive industry?

    For various applications in the vehicle, companies use different types of boards, such as rigid PCBs, flexible PCBs, HDI PCBs, and more. Management of the engine, safety systems, entertainment, and networking are all essential services that are controlled by automotive applications PCB. The reliability and efficiency of these circuit boards are paramount for the overall performance and safety of the vehicle, making them a focal point of innovation in automotive design.

    Design Tips for Automotive Applications:

    Modern automobiles are designed for high-performance, compact, and feature-loaded. To mitigate all the critical aspects, PCB design needs critical considerations.

    Orientation and Placement of Components:

    • Ensuring precise component placement and orientation is crucial for optimising PCB performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
    • Aligning similar components in uniform directions streamlines trace routing and soldering processes during assembly.
    • During wave soldering, aligning components parallel to the solder wave direction prevents solder-related defects.

    Accurate Lead Positioning:

    • A short and direct signal trace will reduce signal deterioration and improve system performance. In applications involving high frequencies, this is of the utmost importance. 
    • This will reduce interference. By following this approach, the likelihood of crosstalk is decreased, improving signal clarity and avoiding accidental interactions between various circuit components. 

    Signal Routing: 

    • Components drawing significant power or current demand effective thermal management strategies to prevent overheating. 
    • Utilizing ground and power planes on internal layers of the PCB enhances heat dissipation efficiency. 
    • Shielding sensitive signals like clock signals minimizes noise interference, while impedance control preserves signal integrity. 

    Efficient Thermal Management: 

    • Sequential placement of larger components followed by smaller ones optimizes PCB layout efficiency. 
    • Segregating analog and digital components minimizes signal interference and maximizes signal performance. 
    • Maintaining a viewing angle above 45 degrees during solder joint inspection ensures rigorous quality control. 


    Proper Design Rule Check: 

    • Identifying high-heat-generating components is essential for effective thermal management. 
    • Leveraging thermal vias and copper planes enhances overall heat dissipation capabilities. 
    • Distributing heat sources evenly across the PCB mitigates the formation of localized hot spots. 


    PCB Design is becoming an increasingly important aspect in the ever-changing world of automotive electronics, impacting the dependability and efficiency of automobiles. Engineers can improve the performance and lifespan of automotive applications PCBs by following the above design tips, which range from strategically placing components to effectively managing heat. 


    Explore our comprehensive EMS services today and elevate your boards to new heights of excellence. Connect with us here.

Wave Icon