| Author |
Message |
Shreyas Kulkarni
Guest
|
 Posted:
Sun Dec 19, 2004 5:00 am Post subject:
PCB construction for PCI |
|
|
Hi there,
currently i have been working on a project involving developement of a
simple PCI target for data acquisition. all that i want is a "simple"
target device that will get detected and will work properly as a
target, i.e. cause data transfer from the PCI card to the PC when
requested. i need to keep the cost at bare minimum. i cannot use the
readymade kits/cards like the one from PLX. i m going to use spartan2
fpga. again i m pretty an inexperienced person in this regard. hence i
have some doubts regarding the PCB developement that i will have to
undertake -
will a two layer PCB suffice for this purpose?
are plated through holes are necessory? any alternative?
what will be the approximate cost for a PCB with plated through holes?
can i hand solder the PQFP/TQFP packages to the board?
any extra precautions to take while doind that?
can you recommend me a good soldering gun assembly (of course low cost)
for that purpose?
any suggestions, recommendations regarding further references, books
that i should read for this kind of PCB developement, softwares that
can be useful, tools of the trade, and any other thing that may be
useful, will be greately appreciated; as they are you people whom i m
banking on for guidance, in this critical project. Seriously.
TIA,
Shreyas Kulkarni |
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DJ Delorie
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Dec 19, 2004 5:24 am Post subject:
Re: PCB construction for PCI |
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|
I don't know about PCI, but for cheap board fabrication I know this
combination works: pcb.sourceforge.net and barebonespcb.com. You get
plated through holes by default, minimum quantity ONE, and fast
service too. You'll have to do some cutting to make it fit into a PCI
slot though, as they only do rectangles with that service (4pcb can do
ANYTHING, but their barebones deal doesn't allow it). A 4x6 board is
$48.20 ($35 to set up, $13.20 per board). |
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Ben Jackson
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sun Dec 19, 2004 7:24 am Post subject:
Re: PCB construction for PCI |
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|
In article <1103414414.755056.267120@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
Shreyas Kulkarni <shyran@gmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | will a two layer PCB suffice for this purpose?
|
I made (at home, even) a 2 layer PCB which worked, but it's probably not
a good idea. There are cheap board places that will make a 4 layer board
where the interior layers are limited to gnd/vcc for not that much more
than a 2 layer board.
You can see my board at: http://ben.com/minipci/
| Quote: | are plated through holes are necessory? any alternative?
|
You will have to have vias (there are necessary signals on both sides)
but you can do it with wires if necessary (like you would at home).
| Quote: | what will be the approximate cost for a PCB with plated through holes?
|
There are places you can check like expresspcb, pcbexpress (yes, they're
different), olimex. You'll probably be stuck cutting your own registration
slots, though. Not many places cut outlines with notches that small.
| Quote: | can i hand solder the PQFP/TQFP packages to the board?
|
Yes, it's not hard. Use a lot of flux, tack the corner pins and then
you can 'wipe' the solder on. Use solder wick to correct bridges.
Or you can order (fairly expensive) solder paste and reflow in your
toaster oven (google it).
| Quote: | can you recommend me a good soldering gun assembly (of course low cost)
for that purpose?
|
You don't want a gun for fine work. Get a quality solder station with
a fine tip.
--
Ben Jackson
<ben@ben.com>
http://www.ben.com/ |
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Gabor
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:00 am Post subject:
Re: PCB construction for PCI |
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|
Before you start hand-routing a PCI connector (not to
mention plugging tin-plate "fingers" into a gold socket)
why not check out:
http://www.getcatalyst.com/adapters.jsp
The PCIPX-64 extender brings all PCI signals to .1 x .1
headers which you can plug another board on with the
appropriate mates. The header to header spacing is not
a multiply of .1" so you can't use standard breadboard
for this, but you can design a rectangular PC board that
is easy to fab at one of the cheap quick-turn places and
connect to this PCI riser for about $79.00 US. Don't
worry about the "keying" option (3V vs 5V) unless you're
also going to use the card as an extender. Only the
socket is voltage keyed, the board itself is universal.
Good luck,
Gabor
Ben Jackson wrote:
| Quote: | In article <1103414414.755056.267120@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
Shreyas Kulkarni <shyran@gmail.com> wrote:
will a two layer PCB suffice for this purpose?
I made (at home, even) a 2 layer PCB which worked, but it's probably
not
a good idea. There are cheap board places that will make a 4 layer
board
where the interior layers are limited to gnd/vcc for not that much
more
than a 2 layer board.
You can see my board at: http://ben.com/minipci/
are plated through holes are necessory? any alternative?
You will have to have vias (there are necessary signals on both
sides)
but you can do it with wires if necessary (like you would at home).
what will be the approximate cost for a PCB with plated through
holes?
There are places you can check like expresspcb, pcbexpress (yes,
they're
different), olimex. You'll probably be stuck cutting your own
registration
slots, though. Not many places cut outlines with notches that small.
can i hand solder the PQFP/TQFP packages to the board?
Yes, it's not hard. Use a lot of flux, tack the corner pins and then
you can 'wipe' the solder on. Use solder wick to correct bridges.
Or you can order (fairly expensive) solder paste and reflow in your
toaster oven (google it).
can you recommend me a good soldering gun assembly (of course low
cost)
for that purpose?
You don't want a gun for fine work. Get a quality solder station
with
a fine tip.
--
Ben Jackson
ben@ben.com
http://www.ben.com/ |
|
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| Back to top |
|
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Guest
|
| Posted:
Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:38 am Post subject:
Re: PCB construction for PCI |
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|
Shreyas, I certainly agree with Ben Jackson's comments. My 2 layer PCI
target card is at the bottom of www.ece.pdx.edu/~steenl. I think I
went through 4pcb.com. Plated holes are standard in all the places I
know of. There is a via-rivet that allows you to make via connections
on non-plated boards, but I have no experience with that. A tech
soldered the PQFP, and I used a soldering iron for the voltage
regulators and caps. You can see the difference in quality from the
picture.
Good luck,
-Steen
Shreyas Kulkarni wrote:
| Quote: | Hi there,
currently i have been working on a project involving developement of
a
simple PCI target for data acquisition. all that i want is a "simple"
target device that will get detected and will work properly as a
target, i.e. cause data transfer from the PCI card to the PC when
requested. i need to keep the cost at bare minimum. i cannot use the
readymade kits/cards like the one from PLX. i m going to use spartan2
fpga. again i m pretty an inexperienced person in this regard. hence
i
have some doubts regarding the PCB developement that i will have to
undertake -
will a two layer PCB suffice for this purpose?
are plated through holes are necessory? any alternative?
what will be the approximate cost for a PCB with plated through
holes?
can i hand solder the PQFP/TQFP packages to the board?
any extra precautions to take while doind that?
can you recommend me a good soldering gun assembly (of course low
cost)
for that purpose?
any suggestions, recommendations regarding further references, books
that i should read for this kind of PCB developement, softwares that
can be useful, tools of the trade, and any other thing that may be
useful, will be greately appreciated; as they are you people whom i m
banking on for guidance, in this critical project. Seriously.
TIA,
Shreyas Kulkarni |
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| Back to top |
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