A good hardware engineer is not just a designer, but also a project manager. They must gather and interpret requirements from the outside world, translate them into concrete hardware implementations, and collaborate with chip manufacturers and solution providers to select the most suitable components. Once the schematic is completed, they need to organize reviews and inspections with colleagues, work closely with CAD engineers to finalize the PCB layout, prepare the BOM list, initiate procurement, and coordinate with manufacturing to complete the board assembly. This process requires strong communication, technical expertise, and project management skills.
**Basic Knowledge**
1) Basic design specifications
2) CPU basics, architecture, performance, and selection guide
3) Motorola's PowerPC series: fundamentals, performance details, and selection guide
4) Network processor basics, architecture, performance, and selection
5) Common bus types and their characteristics
6) Detailed performance, design considerations, and selection of various memory types
7) Physical layer interface chips used in datacom and telecom: performance, design points, and selection
8) Key considerations for selecting common devices
9) FPGA, CPLD, and EPLD: performance, design points, and selection guide
10) VHDL and VerilogHDL
11) Networking fundamentals
12) Hardware R&D process in large domestic communication equipment companies
**Proficiency in Design Tools**
1) ViewDraw, PowerPCB, Cam350
2) OrCad, Allegro, AD, PADS
3) Circuit simulation tools
4) Learn to use ViewDraw, OrCAD, PowerPCB, Specctra, Allegro, Cam350, and other tools
5) FPGA design tools from various manufacturers
**Overall Hardware Design**
Starting a hardware development project often comes from market demands, system architecture needs, or software requirements. As a hardware designer, you must proactively understand all these needs and propose the best hardware solution. For example, if a high-level software team identifies limitations in the current processor board’s IP forwarding capability, new hardware with two high-performance network processors may be required. Collaboration with software designers is essential to determine memory size, internal structure, and interface configurations. Software teams often prefer separating control signaling paths from data paths, which must be carefully considered during internal data routing.
Early project meetings are crucial. Involve all relevant departments to ensure a full understanding of requirements, prepare for staff coordination, and build a sense of shared ownership. This fosters cooperation and ensures smoother execution.
Mastering the experience and ideas necessary for overall hardware design includes:
1) Product demand analysis
2) Feasibility analysis
3) System planning
4) Overall architecture, CPU selection, and bus type
5) Mainstream CPUs in datacom and telecom: M68k series, PowerPC860, 8240, 8260
6) Overall hardware structure design and key considerations
7) Communication interface selection
8) Task decomposition
9) Minimum system design
10) PCI bus knowledge and specifications
11) Avoiding critical errors in the design phase
12) Efficient task decomposition strategies
13) Case study: Medium and low-end routers
**Schematic Design Techniques**
Objective: Through detailed project cases, learn the principles, experiences, and essentials of schematic design.
1) Principles and experience of mainstream CPU design in telecom and datacom
2) Essentials of Intel PC motherboard schematics
3) Network processor design experience
4) Bus structure design experience
5) Memory system design experience
6) Physical layer interface design in telecom and datacom
7) Watchdog circuit design experience
8) Hot-plug design experience
9) Clock and crystal system design
10) PCI bus schematic design
11) Project case: Medium and low-end routers
Key considerations in schematic design include using reference designs from chip manufacturers, ensuring power, clock, and inter-chip connections are well-designed. For instance, a network processor requiring 1.25V core voltage must have precise power supply design, including ESR selection and remote feedback to prevent voltage drop under load. Clock circuits must minimize jitter, as seen in a case where replacing a PLL-based clock buffer with a simple buffer solved packet loss issues. High-speed differential signaling ensures reliable data transmission.
**PCB Design Experience**
Purpose: Learn PCB design through real-world projects to become an expert.
1) High-speed CPU board design
2) General PCB design
3) PCB design for PowerPC, ARM, MIPS, and microcontrollers
4) Intel PC motherboard design
5) PCB design for industrial and telecom boards
6) PCB design standards from top Chinese communication companies
7) Production and manufacturing requirements
8) Transmission line issues in high-speed PCBs
9) PCB design for telecom and datacom CPUs
10) Physical layer interface design (100M, Gigabit Ethernet, ATM)
11) Network processor PCB design
12) Importance of PCB topology
13) PCI line design
14) SDRAM and DDRSDRAM design
15) Project case: Mid-end router PCB design
In PCB design, attention to signal integrity, power segmentation, and high-speed differential lines is crucial. For a 1G DDR memory design, careful control of data line length differences and timing constraints ensures reliable operation. Clear documentation and constraint definitions help automated routing tools produce accurate results.
**Hardware Debugging**
Purpose: Teach debugging techniques and key points through real project cases.
1) Black-box debugging: How to quickly identify and resolve issues
2) Debugging experience
3) Speeding up the debugging process
4) Solving hardware issues efficiently
5) CE testing requirements for datacom equipment
Before powering up, perform visual checks for short circuits, component placement errors, and measure power supply resistance to ground. A calm mindset is essential during debugging, as problems are inevitable. Trust in the principle that "everything has a solution" and systematically eliminate possible causes.
**Hardware and Software Joint Debugging**
1) Diagnosing software faults
2) Collaborating with software teams
3) Extensive joint debugging experience
**Summary**
While technical implementation is vital, project success depends on timely delivery, product quality, and team collaboration. A good hardware engineer must manage multiple tasks, communicate effectively, and maintain a positive attitude. Attention to detail is critical, as even small mistakes can lead to significant losses. For example, a single error in PCB layout caused a short circuit, leading to costly rework.
Engineering is about learning from past experiences. Companies have design guidelines and checklists based on years of practice. Understanding chip datasheets, application notes, and design guidelines is essential. New graduates should focus on practical skills, such as mastering OrCAD, understanding resistor values, and capacitor types.
Curiosity is valuable, but it should be balanced with focused learning. Documenting knowledge gaps, practicing through design verification, and gaining hands-on experience are the right paths. Transmission line theory, impedance matching, and signal integrity are fundamental concepts that every hardware engineer should master.
**Skill Requirements**
1. **Quick Learning Ability**: Technology evolves rapidly. Engineers must adapt quickly to new standards, chips, and customer needs.
2. **Understanding of Communication Protocols**: Hardware is built around protocols like T1, E1, SDH, Ethernet, etc. Engineers must understand both physical and data link layers.
3. **Documentation Skills**: Clear and detailed documentation is essential for complex projects. HDS and DVT reports must be thorough and well-organized.
4. **Instrument and Software Usage**: Oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and schematic tools are indispensable. Proper use of these tools ensures accurate testing and design.
5. **Circuit Design Capabilities**: From power supply design to signal integrity, engineers must deeply understand analog and digital circuits.
6. **Communication and Global Control**: As a project leader, coordinating with multiple teams and managing timelines is crucial for project success.
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