MODULE DETAILS

Printed Circuit Board Design Issues DIAPCB614

Nominal duration: 24 hours total time commitment

This time commitment includes the structured activities, preparation reading, and attendance at each webinar, completing exercises, practical assessments and proctored assessments.

It is also expected that students spend additional time on readings, personal study, independent research and learning, practicing on remote labs and required software and working on any projects and assignments.

This module covers the identification, design, prevention, and fixing of common EMI/EMC problems encountered in industrial plants. It also covers the design and layout of circuits and components on a printed circuit board (PCB) to minimise noise generation.

MODULE PURPOSE

The purpose of the module is for participants to develop a broad general knowledge of electromagnetic compatibility, in particular shielding, noise reduction, earthing and circuit board design.

MODIFICATION HISTORY

Original module approved in 2007 (51935); June 2011 (52403WA); 2014 (52708WA).  This version: V4.0

PREREQUISITE AND/OR CO‑REQUISITE MODULES

Modules that must be delivered and assessed before this module:

Hazardous Areas and Hazops DIAHAZ612

Modules that must be delivered concurrently with this module:

None

SUMMARY OF LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Outline basic principles of EMI
2. Explain the concepts of earthing and shielding
3. Determine noise issues with cables, connectors and circuits
4. Outline the principles of application of protection and filtering components

5.    Determine noise-related PCB design issues

LEARNING OUTCOMES

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Learning outcomes specify what students will be able to do as a result of the learning.

Assessment criteria provide the criteria by which achievement of the learning outcomes will be judged.

1

Outline basic principles of EMI

1.1

Outline coupling mechanisms for electromagnetic interference

1.2

Explain basic principles of electromagnetic field theory

1.3

Outline coupling modes of EMI

1.4

Determine sources of transient noise

1.5

Compare spectrum usage and created interference

1.6

Examine the Fourier representation of EMI

2

Explain the concepts of earthing and shielding

2.1

Outline effective methods by which LF magnetic shielding is accomplished

2.2

Outline effects of apertures on shielding effectiveness

2.3

Describe practical applications for gaskets and sealing

2.4

Determine possible approaches for ventilation of shielded devices

2.5

Outline principles involved in PCB shielding

2.6

Distinguish between safety grounds (earthing) and signal grounds (EMC function)

3

Determine noise issues with cables, connectors and circuits

3.1

Explain fundamental cable parameters and their EMC implications

3.2

Justify selection of cable routing and screening techniques

3.3

Compare different types of screened cables and screened connectors

3.4

Outline EMC effects of stray capacitance and lead inductance

3.5

Explain methods to reduce noise emitted by various components

4

Outline the principles of application of protection and filtering components

4.1

Outline in general terms the application of filters for reducing interference

4.2

Outline practical approaches for filter mounting and shielding

4.3

Calculate the effects of impedance matching on filter performance

4.4

Explain applications of the following Surge Protection Devices (SPDs):

(a) Gas Discharge tubes

(b) Metal Oxide Varistors

(c) Avalanche Diodes

(d) Thyristor devices

4.5

Compare SPDs in terms of:

(a) Ratings

(b) Fusing

(c) Correct positioning

(d) Application

5

1.    Determine noise-related PCB design issues

5.1

Describe PCB design techniques used to reduce noise problems

5.2

Explain the key features of differential and common mode coupling issues with PCBs

5.3

Identify effective PCB design techniques, specifically in relation to:

(a) Board layout

(b) Planes and layering

(c) Grounding

(d) Decoupling

(e) Transmission lines

DELIVERY MODE

Online and/or face-to-face

SPECIALISED RESOURCES

N/A

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, structured assessments, samples and questioning. This will include short answer questions on the knowledge content, the use of remote and virtual labs, and writing tasks to apply the learning to academic tasks.

CONDITIONS OF ASSESSMENT

Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this module. The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required.

The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Assessments may be open book assessment and may be completed off campus. Invigilation software will be used for some assessments to ensure authenticity of work completed.

Model answers must be provided for all knowledge-based assessments to ensure reliability of assessment judgements when marking is undertaken by different assessors.