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April 10, 2007
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TESTIMONIALS
“I am Matt Gilbert an Engineer from Texas Circuitry. First of all, I want
to comment you for doing good work on our jobs so far. You do very well with very
little instruction for some very difficult customers we do work for."
- Matt Gilbert, Texas Circuitry, Engineer
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CAD / CAM Terminology
Analog Circuit
An electrical circuit that provides a continuous quantitative output as a response
from its input.
Automated Test Equipment (ATE)
Equipment that automatically tests and analyzes functional parameters to evaluate
performance of the tested electronic devices.
Built-In Self Test
An electrical testing method that allows the tested devices to test itself with
specific added-on hardware.
CAD
Computer Aided Design.
CAM
Computer Aided Manufacturing
Chip
The individual circuit or component of a silicon wafer, the leadless form of an
electronic component.
Design For Manufacturing (DFM)
Ensures that the design fits the fabrication process requirements. DFM includes
a check for minimal trace width, minimal trace-to-trace distance, minimal hole clearance,
etc.
Dielectric
An insulating medium between conductors.
DIP
Dual In-Line Package with two rows of leads from the base in standard spacing between
the leads and row. DIP is a throughhole mounting package.
DRC
Design Rule Check
Edge Connector
A connector on the circuit-substrate edge in the form of plated pads or lines of
coated holes used to connect other circuit board or electronic device.
Electronic Component
A part of the printed circuit board, such as resistor, capacitor, transistor, etc.
Fine Pitch
Fine Pitch is more commonly referred to surface-mount components with a lead pitch
of 25 mils or less.
Footprint
Qeometry of pads for soldering certain electronic component.
Functional Test
The electrical testing of an assembled electronic device with simulated function
generated by the test hardware and software.
Gerber File
Data file used to control a photo-plotter.
Ground Plane
A conductive plane as a common ground reference in a multilayer board for current
returns of the circuit elements and shielding.
IC
Integrated Circuit.
In-Circuit Test
Electrical test of individual component or part of the circuit board instead of
testing the whole circuit.
Leakage Current
A small amount of current that flows across a dielectric area between two adjacent
conductors.
Legend
Printed letters or symbols on the board, such as part numbers and product number
or logos.
Minimum Conductor Width
The smallest width of any conductors, such as traces, on a board.
Minimum Conductor Space
The smallest distance between any two adjacent conductors, such as traces, on a
board.
Net
A set of pads that are to be connected electrically on the board.
Netlist
Parts and their connection points which are connected in each net of a circuit.
NPTH
Non-plated throughhole.
PCB
Printed Circuit Board.
Pin (pinout)
Part of an electronic component which is soldered to the board.
Pitch
The center-to-center spacing between conductors, such as pads and pins, on a board.
Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC)
A component package with J-leads.
PTH (plated-through hole)
A plated hole used as a conducting interconnection between different layers or sides
of a board either used as connection for throughhole component or as a via.
Routing (tracing)
The process of placing electronic connections (traces) between pads on the board.
Signal layer
Layer of a board, in which traces can be placed. For a two-sided board two signal
layers are available - the Top and the Bottom layers.
Silk screen
A layer designed for placing legend elements on the top or bottom side of the board.
Two corresponding layers are available - the Top Silk and the Bottom Silk.
Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC)
An integrated circuit with two parallel rows of pins in surface mount package.
SMD
Surface Mount Device.
SMT
Surface Mount Technology.
Test Point
A specific point in a circuit board used for specific testing for functional adjustment
or quality test in the circuit-based device.
Thermal pad
Pad of a special form used when it is connected to copper pours. Thermal pads improve
solderability of the joint, reducing the chance of a so called "cold solder joint".
Throughhole
A drilled hole in the board, usually for mounting purposes.
Trace (or Route)
A layout or wiring of an electrical connection.
UL
Underwriter's Laboratories. A popular safety standard for electrical devices supported
by many underwriters.
Via
A plated-throughhole used for interconnection of conductors on different sides or
layers of a circuit board.
Wave Soldering
A manufacturing operation in which solder joints are soldered simultaneously using
a wave of molten solder.
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