Key PCB Design Rules and Constraints for Laptop Motherboards and Small Boards

I've designed a kind of PCB now, but never put much thought into good practices. They were small boards and most of the emphasis was put into just making sure everything connected that needed to be connected.

I want to get more serious into making well designed boards currently. I've designed and redesigned my current project multiple times trying to come up with a good layout.

I wand to know what are the constraints for this type of PCB(laptop) and what rules I need to follow when (generally speaking) I make a layout ?

I have read some articles about PCB layout such as “Before You Create A PCB You Should Know”; “Guide to PCB Design”; “Common Mistakes in PCB Design Beginners and Hobbyists” . Before I make it, I must to know it well.

After I read some materials about PCB, the problem I seem to run into the most is understanding an appropriate method of running power to each IC. I look forward to some advice from the more experienced designers. Thanks a lot.

Hi Haley-I'm glad you've already started researching this.  There is lots more information on this subject out there.  Don't forget to check out Youtube.As for running power to each IC- most of the boards I design have two copper layers- one on top and one on the bottom. I start by drawing the schematic in my CAD system (I use Diptrace).  Then I click on "convert to PCB"  I spend a LOT of time optimizing the placement of all of the parts so the traces will be short and the high voltage/ high current stuff is in one area and the low voltage stuff is in another area. I usually manually route the + voltage to all of the chips and then autoroute many of the other connections EXCEPT ground. After I'm pretty much happy with the way things look I pour a ground plane on both sides of the PCB.  Next, I "stitch" the ground plane together between both sides of the board.  Do this by adding vias to the ground plane in areas that have very little copper in them. Finally, in Diptrace I open the "verification" tab and click on "check net connectivity", then "compare to schematic", and finally "check design rules".  I never order PCB's until all three of these checks tell me there are no errors on my boards.-Rick

Rick's approach is a good one for two layer boards.
If you are doing a much more complex design with fine pitch or BGA surface mount devices, you are likely to find that you need more board layers. the next step would be to a four layer board. With that you would typically use one layer as ground and another would be used to route the power.Lately, I've been working more with 6 or 8 layer boards for new designs. With smaller parts packed more tightly together, the extra layers become necessary to get all the signals routed.Other things to pay attention to:Power supply bypassing - I usually consider one capacitor per power pin but look for manufacturer recommendations for the parts you are using.For higher speed design pay close attention to trace lengths and impedance. You may also need to worry about crosstalk between traces.

In the PCB structure of gadgets circuit, it is vital that one arrangement and has an agenda of the do's and don'ts before continuing to do the printed circuit board design. The comprehension of the circuit is basic to the structure, for instance one needs to comprehend the greatest current and voltage that are conveyed by every conductor with the end goal to decide the track width of the conductor and the kind of PCB that will be utilized.
The voltage contrast between each track will decide the freedom between every conductor. On the off chance that the freedom isn't sufficient, odds are that the electrical potential between each track will cause start over and impede PCB.
This will make practical disappointment the item and the wellbeing of the clients that are utilizing the item will be imperiled. It is thusly basic for one to see a portion of this rudiments necessities before one continue to plan the PCB.
Tracks Confined Region
Tracks ought not be situated on the territories that can made them be stripped off effortlessly. One of the confined zone is gaps on the PCB which are utilized to mount screws or PCB spacers. These openings are generally used to anchor the PCB to a packaging or to anchor it in a settled place.
The edges of the PCB ought not have any tracks as these zones are generally used to transport the PCB starting with one process then onto the next procedure by utilizing a transport line. These edges are places where the likelihood of scratches and splitting of the PCB occurs. The suggested regions that ought not have any track is as appeared in the graph underneath expecting a gap width of 4 mm which is utilized to mount a PCB spacer.
PCB Configuration Guidelines
Conductor Thickness and Width
The PCB conductor thickness and width will decide the current conveying limit of the track. The IPC standard for the conductor thickness and width of the regular 1 oz/square-feet PCB is as demonstrated as follows. In any case, it is constantly fitting to utilize a greater incentive because of the resilience and variety of the PCB forms. On the off chance that higher current conveying limit is required, a 2 oz/square-feet or 3 oz/square-feet sort of PCB is favored. Numerous gadgets specialist like to bind a thick cooper conductor on the PCB track to expand the current conveying limit of the track.
PCB Structure Electrical Leeway
Numerous security norms require at least 8mm leeway between 40V mains and other confined flag tracks. These security guidelines are to guarantee that the clients that are utilizing the items will be shielded from any electrical risks.
For non fundamental voltages, IPC prescribe the electrical leeway between adjoining tracks. It is imperative to know the most extreme contrast in voltage that are connected on the neighboring tracks of a PCB. The electrical freedom specs of IPC standard is as appeared underneath for different state of the PCB.
Covering the PCB will lessen the prerequisites of the track leeway. Be that as it may, the nature of the covering and also the material utilized are basic to guarantee that these prerequisites are met. Once more, it is constantly fitting to build the freedom to provide food for the varieties of the PCB forms.

Hi Haley,
The top 5 PCB design guidelines for you.
1. Fine-Tune Component Placement
2. Power, Ground & Signal Traces
3. Keep Things Separate
4. Minimize Heating Issues
5. Verify Your Layout Against Your PCB Design Rules

Linda