6 Reasons to choose SECO for your PCB Design & Hardware Validation
Customers looking for world-class embedded solutions cannot avoid custom-designed printed circuit boards (PCBs) for non-standard solutions. The choice of supplier makes all the difference. An unbalanced design, lack of or outsourced testing and prototyping, or uncoordinated production can lead to fatal flaws in the board design – at the customer’s expense. A poor final design results in excessive costs, reduced performance, and increased risk of short circuits or other latent failures, especially in long-term applications. This can result in expensive redesigns or even product recalls.
SECO specializes in custom and standard solutions for x86, Arm, and FPGA platforms, focusing on deep customization to maximize value, lower costs, and speed up market entry. Overseeing every project stage, from design to testing, we ensure alignment with each product’s unique requirements. Our durable, versatile products are designed for manufacturing and testing efficiency which maximizes product yields and on-time delivery. SECO’s broad tech offerings, including energy-efficient and high-performance solutions, are supported by direct, localized technical guidance for swift, effective market launches.
Reason 1: PCB Development is Completely In-House
There is a misconception in the industry that important processes in a chain should be outsourced to specialized third-party companies in the hope of securing expertise in each step. The problem with this approach is that it increases costs and development time and makes the flow of information considerably more difficult.
SECO began operating the entire PCB design process chain in-house at an early stage. Throughout the entire process, from stackup design to final production, there is no step that is outsourced to external providers. We only externalize the fabrication of the unassembled printed circuit boards.
The advantages are clear: complete control over the PCB design and extremely short development times, with processes such as validation and testing all performed in-house. This significantly reduces waiting times and keeps information paths very short.
Reason 2: Our Approach to Circuit Board Design
The typical and most common approach to PCB design is as follows: PCB layout, build a prototype, test the prototype, identify errors at great expense. Once the bugs are fixed, the changes are incorporated into the redesign, starting a second design cycle where the steps are repeated. This can often result in 3-5 design cycles with an average turnaround time of 3-6 months.
SECO executes this workflow differently: We typically require only 2 design cycles (a third depending on complexity) before a new product is ready for mass production. This reduces the project time by up to 12 months.
Marginally extending the initial design phase constitutes the cornerstone of our approach, necessitating only two, or at most three, development cycles. The rationale underpinning the efficacy of a limited number of design cycles is elucidated in points three through six.
After just 30-60 days, customers can expect a prototype for testing, often achieving production within 100 days. The streamlined process also reduces redesign cycles, which can be as long as 3-6 months each.
Reason 3: PCB Stackup Library
Delivering a flawless PCB design in such a short time requires significant advantages right from the printed circuit board stack-up definition. While many companies start from scratch with every project – as does SECO – we have a considerable pool of proven designs at our disposal.
Established in 2013, SECO has a stackup layer database with a large number of tested designs. All of these designs have been extensively verified and are ready for immediate use. The database therefore covers many performance requirements and certain industry-specific specifications. Leveraging the stackup library enables us to often deliver a first design to the customer in 30-40 days, where the industry average is about twice as long – not including physical prototyping and industry average testing! SECO has reduced these steps thanks to simulations.
This database is constantly growing and new stackups are being added. New stack-up designs go through a multi-stage validation procedure that includes simulations. SECO’s design rules form the basis for validation and verification. Any of this large amount of designs can be used immediately!
Illustration: Verification process for the stackup layers.
Reason 4: PCB Simulation
In addition to a unique database during stackup, we are also able to bypass testing on physical prototypes in the early design cycles.
During the design phase, we run signal integrity and power integrity simulations directly in the design and eliminate errors early in the project. As a result, the initial design phase is a bit longer than others in the market. In this way, we significantly reduce design errors at the outset, reducing time-consuming debug and redesign phases later.
Simulations are effective only if they are based on reliable fundamentals. Our simulation toolset includes software by the market leaders:
SECO’s design rules are the foundation for simulations and stackup definitions, allowing for a streamlined process with a maximum of two to three design phases. (see Reason 5: Design Rules)!
Simulations include stress tests for all components, circuit nodes, and PCB stackup layers. This directly minimizes the risk of avoidable errors. Rigorous simulation of an antenna, for example, can significantly shorten redesign phases. Influencing factors such as materials, position, and type are simulated in order to achieve the most optimal performance.
By using simulation alone, we save up to 2 redesign cycles for new developments and are often able to implement the “one kill shot” principle. This results in a first physical prototype that meets 99% of the requirements.
Reason 5: Ruleset for PCB Design and Stackup Verification
Being able to control the entire chain, including full testing, and intervene immediately saves the customer considerable time and money, as the product has been thoroughly tested by us, including every connection and every component (electromagnetic compliance or EMC tests included).
The design rules are created based on a precise evaluation of each component and the most optimal connections and possible influence on other components. The result is a comprehensive set of rules for building components and layer levels.
We spend significant time analysing components and interconnects in the stackup, so we know which components work best where on the circuit board!
Reason 6: Prototype Verification and Validation
Subcontracting the testing of prototypes is common practice in the industry – but not at SECO. We test our prototypes within our collocated engineering/production sites. Verification testing ranges from industry standard compliance (such as CE and FCC) to temperature cycling and harsh environments. Where other companies may have a few people dedicated to testing, SECO has over 20 people dedicated primarily to testing, validating and verifying circuit board prototypes.
Our range of tests include vector network analysis (VNA) for signal integrity performance, EMC (emissions & immunity), climatic chamber, power measurement, and safety instruments. On top of this, we perform detailed test planning, tracking and report archiving. This all contributes to the continuous improvement of our circuit board designs and significantly improves our simulations.
Illustration: CLIMATIC CHAMBER Model MKT 720 – Temperature range: -70 °C to 180 °C
Illustration: In-house 3m Anechoic Chamber @40GHz
For more information on our certification and standards, click here.
PCB Design Projects with SECO
- Circuit board design completely in-house
- Significantly shortened development time and time savings of up to 24 months
- PCB stackup database with a large number of verified designs built up since 2013
- Extensive prototype testing and verification in our own laboritories
SECO will work with you to design the solution that best suits your needs: contact us now to speak with an expert:
