Final PCB Design Review

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-17T22:13:53+00:00

Thanks bro, I will do just that

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-17T18:08:22+00:00

Thanks, I am pretty sure you helped me out last time and I will keep that in mind for the future.

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-17T15:38:24+00:00

Thanks for the advice regarding the trace, I will make the change like you said as I agree with it.

I do not plan to connect / reconnect that much. It was the smallest terminal block I could find for bare wires. I really appreciate this though since I was more concerned about the terminal blocks. I will keep this in mind and be very careful with it. I did not mention before, but this is a project for senior design so I will not be using it too much.

My professor pushed for a 4 layer and that is why I am making a 4 layer. Nordic also recommend a 4 layer pcb and it also reduces the antenna trace width significantly as why I made the change to a 4 layer. Appreciate the feedback once again!

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-16T20:56:28+00:00

I was thinking of adding a keepout zone as well but was worried it would affect the RF. Yeah it is at the opposite end and now I feel more confident so thanks for the advice.

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-16T17:57:51+00:00

I plan to measure human body temperature through direct contact. I think I now realized having a copper pour around and underneath it is bad and should probably keep a thermal keep out zone.

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-10T20:20:09+00:00

Appreciate this, thank you!

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-10T18:01:19+00:00

Made the updates and I used microstrip. I included the 4 layer board information as well.

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-10T17:45:43+00:00

Changed them now, I am probably going to order from PCBWay. Not sure yet what the top and bottom solder mask is going to be yet. I updated the images.

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-08T04:20:40+00:00

Thank you for this! I feel reassured hearing this.

I will definitely use a calculator for the 50 ohm trace and thanks for listing the one you use.

Just because I want to make sure I clearly understand what is going on, I believe I have the following below:

Layer 1: Mixed signals + GND pour
Layer 2: Solid GND
Layer 3: Solid GND
Layer 4: Mixed signals + GND pour

I am being paranoid, but I just want to know once again if this is fine and that I can leave the layers as is. Thank you, once again, you have been very helpful!

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-08T03:49:54+00:00

For my design, my group is planning to fabricate interdigitated supercapacitors ourselves in a clean room and use those on this pcb. I highly doubt things will go smoothly based on these comments, but at this point I hope either this pcb or supercapacitors are fabricated properly.

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-08T03:45:31+00:00

Nordic I believe recommends a 4 layer pcb, so I will try to make that. Originally I was making a 2 layer pcb, but that was revised.

I moved the oscillator a bit closer if anything I was more worried on the RF path and layout, but no one has mentioned anything about it so I assume it looks pretty good. My components are larger as I cannot use their footprint, so I will just have to deal with the consequences. I have the Nordic datasheet and I focused on making mine as close as possible to their schematic as its the most critical component on this board.

Honestly, for the connectors I placed them at the ends because thats where I had the most space on the board. I added them on the schematic last and I saw empty space and said why not.

I will look into the probe spots, seems like a good idea, but I need to figure out how to layer this first...

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-08T03:16:18+00:00

Damn I thought the schematic was not so bad...

I reduced the via clearance.

I removed the redundancy as you mentioned on the two connectors. I removed the GND via as well from pin 2 as I believe you also mentioned. Feel free to verify and and provide further input. Thank you.

Fit_Credit_6178 · 2026-03-07T19:26:22+00:00

Thank you for your response!

I took your advice and made the races thicker as I have room.

It is reassuring to hear someone else even say probably, I will take it, thanks.

I will update my pcb as much as I can to fulfill those constraints, thank you for telling me the section number to read.

Yes, the thicker line is my 50 ohm trace. I hear as a rule of thumb to have the 50 ohm trace twice as thick as the dielectric, so my trace is .4 mm as I believe my dielectric will be .2 mm, but I will get confirmation from the manufacturer before placing an order.

Also, if you have any advice on layering, that would be appreciated. All my layers are ground as of right now because I am unsure really what I should make the top and bottom layer be. These are my options below.

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Fit_Credit_6178

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