Conductive Ink Trace Resistance Blog Series - NovaCentrix/conductive-inks GitHub Wiki

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How Much is Too Much?

This will be a series of articles where we look at the topic of PCB trace resistance, comparing standard Copper traces with a variety of conductive printed inks. I envision the following 8-part series, each one being maybe 1500 words, and containing substantial charts, tables, and images (this is just a first guess, to be revisited after the first couple are completed). Depending on how it goes, there are a few additional articles that might be spawned from this work.

Proposed Basic Series

  • Part 1: Introduction

    • Overview of PCB conductors and ink printing technology
    • Properties of typical materials to be used
    • Examples of typical electrical sigals to be used
    • Approach we plan to use in the series

  • Part 2: Static DC Analysis

    • Overview of concept reference circuit
    • Kinds of interfaces to be studied
    • Static DC analysis results

  • Part 3: Dynamic AC Performance

    • Review of issues for high speed signaling
    • Calculation using out test interfaces
    • SPICE analysis and results

  • Part 4: Let's Make a Reference PCB

    • Specifying a PCB based on previous analyses
    • Proposed measurement techniques
      • bit errors
      • scope eye diagrams
    • Block diagram and PCB design

  • Part 5: Building a Test Bench

    • Testing concept (don't reinvent the wheel)
    • Raspberry Pi as main test computer
    • Writing test software in Python
    • Measuring with the Oscilloscope \newpage

  • Part 6: Look at the Results

    • Unbox the PCB from the factory
    • Bring up the new PCB, make sure it works
    • Perform bit error tests
    • Analyze results
    • Look at DC Power supply signals

  • Part 7: Transient Analysis

    • Perform dynamic tests
    • Present eye diagram charts
    • Analyze AC test results
    • Examine crystal oscillator performance

  • Part 8: Wrap Up

    • How do printed inks stack up against Copper?
    • What precautions should we consider?
    • How do the measured results match the theory?
    • What can we extrapolate from these tests?

Possible Follow-on Articles / Series

  • What are the Speed Limits?

    • take a look at some higher-speed interfaces, e.g.:
      • HDMI / LCD connections
      • Ethernet
      • RF antennas
    • This topic could possibly spawn another PCB test

  • PCB Trace Width Calculator

    • make an enhanced PCB calculator design tool
    • not just Copper, but include material like printed inks
    • consider making a physical Novacentrix PCB calculator
      • could be uploaded over USB with latest software / algorithms
      • possibly built exclusively using conductive inks?
      • if successful, could be a nice freebie to give potential clients

  • Printed Ink Demo Board(s)

    • Using lessons learned from this series
    • Build a sample board on some flex material
    • Use conductive ink(s) per our research
    • Demonstrate that it works