The art of pcb design

 

Coincidentally, the rotary encoders and Microchip microcontrollers for the current version of the frequency synthesiser project both came in the post today; one of each is required in each synthesiser. I had been waiting especially for the arrival of the encoders as I had to create that part in a new component library inside the CAD software so that I could complete the artwork for the track layout of the double-sided printed circuit board.
Microchip had protected the microcontrollers in a little plastic box, ( like a presentation box for jewellery, rings etc), lined with static dissipative foam. I must say that this level of care impressed me ! A pity, though, that both chips flew out when I opened the box for the first time.
An encoder and microcontroller will be in the positions of SW1 and IC1 respectively. For clarity, just for this posting, the picture of the pcb design, ( actual size 4.0" x 3.2" ), doesn't show the copper-fill for the ground-plane on the topside. I have made pcb's many times in the past for various projects; but this one will have to be manufactured commercially.
The encoder is an Alps part, type EC11B152420Q, ( having 30 positions and 15 pulses per revolution plus switch ), and the Microchip microcontroller is type 18F4550-I/PT, in a 44 pin thin quad flatpack (TQFP) plastic package.