John Popelish wrote:
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Mycroft2152 <mycroft2152@...> wrote:
> (snip)
>
>>The critism of the layout, is just normal 'artsy'
>>comments. PCB layouts are definitely more of an art
>>than a science, and everyone has a different opinion
>>of what looks best.
>
> (snip)
>
> When I look for beauty or uglyness in a PCB design, I try to visualize
> the fields surrounding the traces and heat generated in them. Traces
> carrying high currents generate large magnetic fields that can affect
> other traces or components. The current also produces voltage drop
> and heat in those traces. Traces carrying currents with a high rate
> or change generate voltages in nearby conductors and components,
> produce inductiove voltage drops, and bud off photons. Traces that
> carry high voltage create electric fields and push leakage currents.
> Traces with voltage that has a high rate of change, capacitively
> couple to nearby traces and bud off photons. Sensitive nodes in the
> circuit get unwanted signals from the above nodes and paths.
That is one thing most "designers" don't do enough of, if at all.
By visualizing the voltages, currents, and EM fields in 3D, you
can get just about any high-power/high-frequency pcb to work first time.
> A beautiful board can have all these things happening, but still
> functions well because the layout limits the unwanted effects.