Engineering & Technology
WWW.CLARVIS.CO.UK
WWW.CLARVIS.CO.UK
Before circuits and circuit boards are manufactured it is a good idea to prototype them first. If a circuit (or many circuits) are manufactured, and then it turns out that the design is incorrect both money and time is wasted. The prototyping of circuits can be achieved by using a number of methods, each with their relative merits.
Breadboards consist of an array of holes into which electronic components and wires can be interconnected. Metal strips run underneath the holes to join components together.
Advantages
• Board and components can be re-used
• Specialist components such as microcontrollers can be prototyped.
• Chances are, if it works on breadboard then it will work when built on a PCB
• Easy to make component changes
Disadvantages
• Can be difficult to prototype more complex circuits
• Components must be in stock
Stripboards are a form of circuit board, consisting of copper strips glued to an epoxy board. Components are soldered onto the board to make the desired circuit. Breaks in the tracks can be made with the use of a track cutter, which is just like a drill bit with a handle.
Advantages
• Specialist components such as PIC chips can be prototyped
• Chances are, if it works on stripboard then it will work when built on a PCB
Disadvantages
• Can be difficult to prototype more complex circuits
• Components must be in stock
• Components and board cannot be reused
• Difficult to make component changes
It is possible for circuit diagrams and PCBs to be simulated in software. The circuit is drawn on the screen from a range of components available in the software's library. Virtual components such as oscilloscopes and voltmeters can be connected to the circuit, just as when testing physical electronic circuits.
Advantages
• A wide range of components are available in the software
• Components do not have to be stocked or bought in order to simulate circuit
• Circuit diagrams and PCBs can be simulated
• Virtual instruments (voltmeters etc) can be connected up without having to own them
• Both Simple and complex circuits can be simulated
• Easy to make component changes
Disadvantages
• Less sophisticated software is sometimes unable to simulate effectively.
• Specialist and programmable components (eg PICs) can not always be simulated.