Designing a PCB isn’t just about connecting components — it’s about ensuring the board can be manufactured reliably and tested effectively. This course focuses on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) principles, showing you how to reduce production costs, improve yield, and make debugging easier. With a hands-on, demo-driven approach in KiCAD, you will learn how to apply these practices directly to a microcontroller development board project. Through a structured curriculum, you’ll explore component placement, routing for manufacturability, applying design rules, adding test points, and performing verification checks — all while building a consistent, real-world PCB design.

PCB/CAD Design – DFM & DFT Considerations

Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Explain the importance of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT) in PCB design.
Apply PCB rules (trace width, clearance, vias, silkscreen) and optimize placement and routing for manufacturability, soldering, and testing.
Add test-friendly features (thermal reliefs, test points, headers) and validate PCBs with DRC/ERC to generate Gerbers, BOM, and assembly files.
Skills you'll gain
Details to know

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December 2025
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There are 3 modules in this course
In this module you’ll learn the fundamentals of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Testability (DFT) You'll also understand key challenges in PCB manufacturing and testing, and how to optimize designs for cost-effective production and easy testing.
What's included
4 videos2 readings1 peer review
This module covers key Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles through hands-on KiCad demos, focusing on component placement, efficient trace routing, and layer stackup strategies.You'll also learn to set design rules, optimize for assembly, and ensure reliable soldering practices.
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 peer review
In this module, you’ll master essential Design for Testability (DFT) concepts through hands-on KiCad demos—covering test point placement, debug headers, and JTAG integration. You’ll also learn how to design for Automated Test Equipment (ATE) and perform complete DFM/DFT verification to ensure reliable, production-ready boards.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment2 peer reviews
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