Project Checklists

General Notes

• If any checklist item fails and requires any change to the design, start that checklist over from the start after the change.
  • Really. It's important. The 2 extra minutes will save re-spinning a board.
• Once checklists are all complete, wait 24 hours and take another brief look at the design before sending to manufacturing.
  • Don't have to re-run checklists, just look it over. It's surprising how many things jump out at you after not looking at a design for awhile.

Schematic Completion

• Does the schematic pass ERC?
• Is there a way to power the board?
• Is there a way to program any MCU/CPLD/FPGAs on the board?
• Are all clock signals routed to clock pins (if CPLD/FPGA)?
• Are all MCUs on the board clocked (if required)?
• Are required bypass capacitors included?
• Are any required protection devices (e.g. PTC resettable fuses) included?
• Are required test points included?
  • One small SMD point on every net that could conceivably require troubleshooting and does not appear on a connector
  • At least one PTH ground test point for scope/logic analyzer probes
  • PTH test points for nets that are very likely to require extensive troubleshooting, if space is available
  • 8/16-bit test/debug bus connector for CPLD/FPGA projects that could require logic analyzer connection
• Is there a way for the user to receive status information (like LEDs)?
• Are all nets named something useful (not N$)? Use the SHOW @ N$* command to check, if using EAGLE.
• Are all nets properly classed (if required)?
• Is there a way to set the address of the board (if on a multidrop bus)?
• If an Arduino-compatible shield, make sure a reset button and power LED are included.
• Are all connector pins rated for the current they will be carrying?
• Do all specified PMICs have appropriate input voltage ranges, power levels, and topologies?
• Are source/sink-only I/O connectors provided with the correct companion voltages?

PCB Completion

• Is the DRC engine set up to match the board house being used?
• Does the board pass DRC?
• Are all connectors set up so that they won't interfere with each other?
  • Do a physical mockup if required to make sure everything fits in properly.
• Are all connectors on the correct side of the board?
• If the design has multiple boards with connectors between them, trace the path of a couple signals and make sure both connectors match up.
• Has the footprint/pinout of any new components been double checked?
• Are all sharp bends mitered?
• Are all high-speed signals properly laid out?
• Is the ground plane set up properly?
• Are QFN/DFN/high-power parts properly thermally laid out?
• Will the board plug into a standard 0.1" perfboard/breadboard (if applicable)?
• Are mounting holes included if required?
• Is the required silkscreen all added?
  • Connector/pin descriptions
  • Board name
  • Copyright/left information
  • URL (if possible to fit)
  • Revision number
  • ECO tracking boxes
  • Area for serial number
  • Strich
• Switch to 3D view (if using Kicad) and check the following:
  • Does text on both sides of the board all face the same direction?
  • Do labels all appropriately describe what they're next to?
  • Will the test points be easy to get to once the board is stuffed?

CAM Completion

• Do drills line up with pads?
• Are vias tented appropriately?
• Does mask extend between component pins?
• Are test points left exposed on the correct side of the board?
• Do silkscreen layers look reasonable and non-overlapping?
• Does any silkscreen overlap drills?
• Are required ground ties in place (if required)?
• Are break-out tabs set up correctly?
• Does board outline appear correct and contiguous?
• Are slots/cutouts properly set up?
• Are thermal pads left exposed and not covered in solder mask?
• Are PTH pads excluded from paste layers?