How to get Intel motherboard reference design

[pcbhobbyist]

Hi,

Does anybody know where I can get a Intel motherboard reference designs?
I would like to become a PCB design engineer and would like to start by learning
how to use the schematic and layout tools to design a motherboard.

Thanks for you help
CD

 

[robertferanec]

Hi, all Intel reference designs what I have been working on are confidential and available only under NDA. In my opinion the best way to learn is start as a junior hardware design engineer. Motherboard design - especially x86 - requires quite a bit of knowledge about how it works. Maybe this post can help you to start x86 Hardware design – What everyone should know - (FEDEVEL)

 

[pcbhobbyist]

Thanks for your reply.

CD

 

[marce]

How to be a Circuit Board Designer

 

[buenos]

https://www.edaboard.com/threads/215434/

For some reason there are people time to time who want to start their electronics career not at a baic level like everyone else, but at the most possible advanced level. I think you should also apply for a CEO position at Intel or IBM, no offence.

 

[marce]

:grin:
Trouble is that a lot of people do view PCB design as somthing anyone can do without any training, knowledge of electronic production, or basic electrical theory. Which irritates me somewhat as I quite often spend a couple of hours at home reading up and learning.

 

[buenos]

I agree marce.
It took me several years of very hard work and learning to be able to work at this level (x86 hardware design), and people with questions above basically they say that my effort was nothing.

 

[marce]

Its definetly a UK thing.
Had a problem recently regarding purchasing controlled impedance boards, and trying to get through to people how important it was. In the end we scrapped a few thousand pounds worth of boards because a manager decided that the origional quote was too expensive, and went to a different supplier. He ignored the controlled impedance requirement, instead quoting the fact that both manufacturers could produce the boards at 1.6mm thickness +/_ 10%, thats wot were are up against.

 

[buenos]

that's a sinking boat, man!
I lived in two other countries before, and know a few people in a few more, this "thing" is everywhere not just in the UK.

 

[nelsonys]

Marce,

In view of your 6th thread, although I'm still new to PCB design field, I do have the same feeling like you. The problem is nowadays even a high-school graduate can also be hired as a PCB designer with "engineer" title. This is somewhat disappointing to me as I do spend a lot of effort starting from zero figuring out what is return current loop, how to visualize the flow of current on PCB, apply basic electronics theory, till DFP...

Even some "big" companies do view PCB design as a sub job scope for an engineer, not a main scope for RnD and successful product implementation.
For instance, I am transferred to Japan now for job training, what really astonished me is my so-called tens of years experienced colleague are all high school graduate who designed board up to 12 layers motherboard which involves a lot of signal integrity issues. PCB manufacturers has provided them with stackup recommendation, what they need to do is just follow blindly the clearance and trace width recommended by the manufacturers, no pre or post design simulation, yet not equipped with proper knowledge of differential signalling and deskewing issues.

One thing I really can't figure out is how come there is no signal integrity issues fed back yet till now with such design???? I guess most probably the product is not working in a harsh environment...

I hope from now on everyone would pay respect to PCB Design "Engineer" as this is not a 1+1=2 job especially to those circuit designers who ignore us always!

 

[buenos]

"I hope from now on everyone would pay respect to PCB Design "Engineer" as this is not a 1+1=2 job especially to those circuit designers who ignore us always!"
-I think unfortunatelly this will not happen for some reason. I design both circuit and PCB, and as I see both have equal challenges.
Try to convince some old people that what they were beliveing for decades was wrong. Decades ago PCB design was a whole different profession than now (at least for complex high-speed boards), but people think its still the same. Also a lot of people belive if they provide well defined constraints then a monkey will be able to design a PCB correctly. Just because occassionally they don't fail, and if they do its someone else's fault, or noone could have done it right. We know its not true, but again: convincing old people or people with power about it... If you are young like me, then not much chance to convince an old colleague or an old manager about anything, they will just lough at you or feel pity. That's the main problem in engineering, a lot of people treat it like if it was an old profession like carpentry/joinery which does not change much over time. Also there is more arogance then engineering skills among engineers.

 

[kj.singh]

Its definetly a UK thing.
Had a problem recently regarding purchasing controlled impedance boards, and trying to get through to people how important it was. In the end we scrapped a few thousand pounds worth of boards because a manager decided that the origional quote was too expensive, and went to a different supplier. He ignored the controlled impedance requirement, instead quoting the fact that both manufacturers could produce the boards at 1.6mm thickness +/_ 10%, thats wot were are up against.

Well, I'd say the designer could have done a better job there too. The notes on master drawing should say about impedance control so that the manufacturer denies doing that job.
-kjs

 

[marce]

kj.singh, the designer in this case has a PCB procurement document thats runs to 10 pages all cross referenced to the relevent IPC specification, all notes were present regarding controlled impedence and on all jobs like this I work closely with the PCB fabricatores to get what I want. When I am on holiday and a management type takes over and send the boards to another unspecified supplier there is not a lot you can do.
For the record I have been designing PCB's since 1984/5, both white goods and some very high tech stuff, and have found that attitudes towards PCB design and designers is of the poor cousins of the engineering world. I have possibly developed a very cynical view of this over the years, having worked with so many people (EEs) who of course know what they are doing better than any PCB designer, each having their pet theorys on the science of signal transmission; and managers!!!

 

[vetribox]

Can anyone tell me how to get the reference design of Intel reference designs for Intel NUC, I am not able to get the design details like circuit diagram, PCB Layout, etc. I have heard people saying the design details are given to OEM, I am starting a company that deals with Intel NUC like CPU. How do I meet people to sign an NDA and get the design. I really need help in this.
Thanks in advance