Electronics development and conceptual design

Reading time: approx. 3 minutes – In this article, you can read why a well thought-out concept is of fundamental importance for successful electronics development.

In the first part of our electronics development series, we look at the topic of conceptualisation. The modularity of power electronic components required in all sectors and the standardisation of communication buses place high demands on manufacturers. Against this background, the rapid progress in development and the rapidly growing range of components require a very good knowledge of the latest innovations. The associated risk of discontinuation of existing components requires a high degree of foresight in electronics development right from the start.

Electronics development and safety requirements

In order to recognise potential certification problems or missing safety requirements at the start of the electronics development project, the planned intended use and the respective market must be well known. The resulting standards to be applied to the product have an influence on component selection, layout, housing design and filter design for suppressing electromagnetic interference.

If these application-specific guidelines are not taken into account at an early stage, the risk of project delays and rising costs increases and, in the worst case, may necessitate a complete redesign.

Component selection in electronics development

The electronic components selected influence both the technical possibilities of the product and the necessary thermal management resulting from the efficiency. In electronics development, the choice of material for the semiconductors in particular has a major impact on the technological effort and the PCB design, in addition to the costs.

This limits the selection of suitable components and requires early component research with regard to performance, availability and delivery times in order to avoid delays in prototype construction and subsequent series production.

Design as protection for the electronics

Various measures can be taken during electronics development to protect the electronics from overheating or damage caused by environmental influences such as temperature changes, shock and vibration. In addition to the possibility of encapsulation or partial encapsulation, support and mounting structures can be provided in the layout to compensate for thermal and mechanical loads.

In addition to the electronics, the environment must also be protected from damage and people from injury, which can be realised by selecting a suitable housing concept. The design of the housing also has an influence on the electromagnetic compatibility and thermal behaviour of the product.

Conclusion

In electronics development, a comprehensive and early analysis of product requirements significantly reduces the development effort and therefore the development costs. In order to keep pace with technological trends, an interdisciplinary approach to a wide range of areas is necessary.