TEC1805 · Electronic design and prototyping

Overview

This unit introduces you to the principles and practices of printed circuit board (PCB) design and fabrication, which are fundamental to modern electronics development. You will explore PCB types, materials, layout structures, electronic components, and packaging standards, while gaining an understanding of the complete PCB development workflow. Topics include schematic capture, netlist generation, PCB layout, and fabrication processes such as printing, etching, drilling, soldering, and component assembly. Emphasis is also placed on industry standards, documentation practices, and fabrication quality to ensure reliable and manufacturable PCB designs. A strong practical focus is integrated throughout the unit through hands-on training with Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools such as KiCad and Cadence. You will learn to create schematics, define design rules, manage component libraries, perform auto-routing, configure PCB layers, and generate Gerber files for manufacturing. Laboratory sessions and project-based activities provide opportunities to design and test PCBs for analog, sensor-based, and embedded system applications while applying verification techniques such as DRC and DFM. By the end of the unit, you will be able to design, fabricate, and evaluate functional, industry-ready PCB prototypes suitable for academic and commercial applications.

Areas of study: E2000 Bachelor of Technology

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Continuous assessment: 100% Assessment in this unit includes competency hurdle assessment task/s. The consequence of not achieving a competency hurdle is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Design and develop complete, fabrication-ready PCB solutions using advanced features of KiCad and Cadence OrCAD, integrating schematic design, layout optimisation, design rule validation, and Gerber file generation for complex circuit applications.
2. Investigate and adopt appropriate PCB design and fabrication techniques through guided and independent lab work, demonstrating adaptability to new tools, evolving design constraints, and practical implementation challenges.
3. Explain design rationale, fabrication workflow, testing procedures, and analysis of outcomes for PCB-based project while using well-structured technical documentation and oral presentations

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.