CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was drilling a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), constructing electronic
components on the top of the PCB, soldering all components, and testing the PCB, as shown
the Figure 1.1.

The circuit diagram of the PCB had already designed. The lists of electronic devices were
given students to construct the PCB. This study was an initial attempt to assemble the PCB
which must be checked before it can be used.

Con
str
u cting
Id
entif
y in
g a
ndsold erin
g
D
rillin
gth
e e
lec
tro
n ic T
es
tin
gth
e O
scillo s
cop
e
an
d testin
g
P C B d
evices P C
B te sting
de
v ic
e s
th
rough th e
hole

Figure 1.1. Diagram of task

CHAPTER 2

1
 PROBLEM ANALYSIS

There were four problems which were identified and they were identification of electronic
components, drilling, soldering and testing respectively. All the problems were analysed
carefully.

2.1 Identification of Electronic Components

Students were given electronic components and some of them were very sensitive to insert
and to solder on the top of the PCB. All the electronic components must be constructed in the
right way as given component side. In addition, all the electronic devices must be inserted
carefully to avoid damaging and prevent the PCB from being a short circuit.

2.2 Drilling

Students were demonstrated how to use the drill by lecturer. A 0.9 mm drill was given
students and most of the holes were 0.8 mm, but the two power pins which were J7 and J8,
those needed to be drilled with a 1.00 mm drill. If a hole is drilled smaller than its suitable
size, it is not possible to push them in the hole.

A single in line (SIL) resistor had 9 legs, whereas, there were 8 points to be drilled. The ninth
hole was drilled on the top of the PCB. The end of this component had been marked with a
black dot which was its the ninth leg.

2.3 Soldering
Students were shown how to use the soldering iron and a few proficiency techniques must be
followed in order to see a good electrical connection. Soldering should be started with the
smallest components.

Circuit resistance can be increased by doing corrosion and high resistance was unwanted.
Also current leakages and bridge the components can be occurred [Manko, H. H.]. 8 legs of
the SIL resistor were soldered on the bottom of the PCB and the ninth leg of this element was
soldered on the top of the PCB.

2.4 Testing

After drilling and soldering, the PCB was tested. A supply was set to 5.01 V and connected to
power connection pins at the bottom of the PCB to search for a short circuit on the board. If
there was no a short circuit, then second test would move on. The PIC18F1320 was inserted
carefully in the 18 pin DIL socket.
CHAPTER 3

2
 PROBLEM SOLUTIONS

3.1 Checking Electronic Components

Before inserted components which were needed to be checked. All the resistors were
measured with a multimeter and their values were compared with the part list as shown in
Appendix B. Push buttons were checked. When press the buttons, they become flat, which is
ON position, when buttons are released, which is OFF position. The longer leg of the LEDs is
positive side and they were constructed carefully. The 15 pin D connector was added between
the two rows of connector pins. All the electronic components must be placed into the right
place as shown in Appendix B.

3.2 Drilling

Two holes needed to be drilled with a 3.0 mm diameter for the black studs of the RJ12. These
holes must be drilled with a 1.00 mm drill and was re-drilled again with a 3.00 mm drill. Also,
it was very difficult to push the two power pins in the hole. These two holes were re-drilled
and were expanded carefully. The most important matter was that the drill must be held
straight and it must not be bended when the hole has started to drill.

3.3 Soldering

Common soldering problem can be confronted during the soldering and conductive pathways,
electronic board and electronic components can be damaged, if the metal and solder are not
clean, the solder has been heated than unnecessary heat, staying longer at the same point with
a soldering gun.

The ninth leg of SIL resistor was soldered on the top of the PCB. The position of this resistor
was sloping down from the dot. So it was much easy to solder on the top of the PCB.

3.4 Testing

The PCB was connected to a power supply. When the power supply was set to 5.01 V and
was turned it on, if there was a much smaller value that means there was a short circuit. The
solder links around the power pins and other connections on the PCB where these signals
need to be checked.

CHAPTER 4

3
 PROBLEM IMPLEMENTATIONS

Formerly problems were recognized and analysed theoretically. The list of electronic devices
was checked in case of missing components, as shown parts list in Appendix B. A 0.9 mm
drilling head was used to drill the PCB. Values of resistances were measured with a
multimeter and not to run into any problems. During the drilling, safety glasses were worn
and all the holes were drilled the maximum speed of the drill machine.

After completing the drill, soldering process started. Except the reset button, all components
were soldered at the bottom of the PCB; however, some of the components were soldered on
the top of the PCB. The PCB was connected to a power supply which were set to 5.01 V. The
circuit was checked, if there was a short circuit or not. The PIC 18F320 was inserted in the
socket and the PCB worked successfully. Also there was a flowing current. A digital storage
oscilloscope was connected to a computer. A short length of red single core wire was soldered
to pin 11 of the PCB and a clear signal of the PCB was seen on the screen.

Picture 4.1. PCB view from top

4
Picture 4.2. PCB view from bottom

5
 CHAPTER 5

RESULTS

5.1 Test-1: PCB Construction and Testing

The power supply was set to 5.01 V and it was connected to the PCB. The PCB was checked
fully and it was found that there was no a short circuit.

The Figure 5.1 shows that the pin of DIL socket was measured, while the circuit was supplied
with 5.01 V and the pin number of ground pin VSS and VDD were found from the circuit
design. The pin number of VDD was 14, which was measured 5.01 V.

5 .0 0 V 1 18

5 .0 0 V 2 17

3 16

5 .0 0 V 4 15

G ro u n d 5 14 5 .0 1 V

5 .0 0 V 6 13

5 .0 0 V 7 12

8 11 3 .7 4 V

9 10 3 .6 7 V

P IC 1 8 F 3 2 0
VSS =5
V D D =14

Figure 5.1. Pin numbers of the socket

5.2 Test-2: Testing the PCB

The PIC 18F1320 IC was programmed and was inserted carefully in the socket.

5.2.1 Test-2 (a)

When the power was turned on, all LEDs were on for 500 ms and then were off 500 ms. It
was repeated 3 times. There was a flowing current which was measured 0.12 mA.

6
5.2.2 Test-2 (b)

A single LED was switched on and off, starting from LED1 to LED6 respectively. All LEDs
were run 3 times.

5.2.3 Test-2 (c)

While the four push buttons were pressed, the four LEDs were lighted up. It can be seen
clearly in the Figure 5.2 that LED1 was controlled by B1 button, LED2 was controlled by B2
button, LED3 was controlled by B3 button, LED4 was controlled by B4 button.

L E D L 6 E D L5 E D L 4 E D L 3 E D L 2 E D 1

T est F1 320

B 1

B 2 B 3

B 4

Figure 5.2. View of buttons and LEDs

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5.3 Test-3: Using the Digital Storage Oscilloscope

Firstly, a short length of red single core wire was soldered carefully to pin 11 (RB5) of the
DIL socket. Secondly, a digital oscilloscope was connected to a computer and was set up and
a power supply was set to 5.01 V. When the power supply was turned on, a signal was seen
clearly on the screen of the digital oscilloscope, that signal was seen on the screen of the
computer as well. The signal was shown in the Figure 5.2 as below.

Figure 5.3 The signal of pin 11 of the DIL socket

Source Parameters were found as shown below.

Ch1/Ch2 : CH1
Vertical Scale : 2.00V
Vertical Position : -1.36V
Coupling : DC

Horizontal Scale : 100.0us

Horizontal Position : 0.000s

Trigger Type : CH1

Trigger Source : 1.36V
Trigger Level : Rising
Trigger Slope : DC
Trigger Coupling : Sample

Acquire Mode :

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 CHAPTER 6

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Following all introductions carefully and constructing all electronic components in the right
way, the printed circuit board was worked accurately in the end of the task. Being
experiences, such as soldering and testing took a couple of hours. It can be seen in the picture
4.1 and 4.2, there was no damage on top of the PCB and at the bottom of the PCB.

During the test-1, there was no a flowing current. When the PIC was inserted, a small current
was measured. That means, there was an exchange between the input and the output of the
PIC. A digital oscilloscope was used to get a clear graph which showed how signal changed
over time, as shown in the Figure 5.3.

All the tasks were done successfully which was an expected outcome.

9
 CHAPTER 7

CONCLUSION

On the basis of the results of this assignment, it can be concluded, that having experienced
before such as soldering, testing carefully were certainly significant to complete this
assignment successfully. Recognition and a good knowledge of electronic components were
vitally important to finish the tasks as well. Analysing and finding soluble problems can lead
to achievable results for new circuit designs.

10
 REFERENCES

Manko, H. H., 1979, Solders and Soldering, 2nd ed., London: McGraw Hill.

Clyde F. Jr., 1995, Printed Circuits Handbook, 4th ed., McGraw-Hill.

Floyd, L. T., 2007, Electronics Fundamentals: Circuit, Devices, and Applications, 7th ed.,
The USA: Pearson Prentice Hall.

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