How to use Altium Layer Stack Planner for 8 Layer, 16 Layer PCBs

(image source)

• Layer stack planning guide
• usual go to stackups
• impedance profile
• ask for the best layer stack from PCB house
• Minimizing noises by choosing best layers stack-ups practices

• Adding vias
• set via settings - hole diameter/outer diameter/copper fill
• adding vias between layers
• name them 
• set netlabels
• set colors
• bind vias/ defalut vias
• impedance profile

Checklist for designed PCB before sending to PCB House

Check List Before Sending to PCB house

Follow this procedure before releasing files. Confirm every action with a date.

1) I confirm that PCB Project compiles with no errors [DAY-MONTH-YEAR]

2) I confirm that Update PCB Document no differences between Schematic and PCB [DAY-MONTH-YEAR]

3) I confirm that Impedance check track width/gap to match required impedance [DAY-MONTH-YEAR]

4) I confirm that Polygons have been repoured [DAY-MONTH-YEAR]

5) I confirm that Run Design Rule Check no errors [DAY-MONTH-YEAR]

6) I confirm that Gerber check visually checked Gerber files placed in \PCB Manufacturing\Gerber Output\ [DAY-MONTH-YEAR]

7) I confirm that I have Checked files placed in subdirectories [DAY-MONTH-YEAR]

Refrerance 

https://www.circuits.dk/electronics-design-checklist/

How to troubleshoot visual studio debugging

 

When debugging check the followings 

• Debug can be done in release x64/ release_opt x64/debug x64 configuration does not matter as default configurations are used 

Method 1 - Attach to process 

• Check all dependencies are placed to exe working directory
• .lib, .dll, PDB
• Run the exe to be debug
• Then go to the project to be debugged
• Toolbar->debug-> attach to process-> select the exe
• Set debug points in the code run local windows debugger

Method 2 - Set working directory in properties 

 

• Make sure to put “\” at the end of the working directory path 

When debug points are not hit check below 

This section provides information to troubleshoot issues when the debugger isn’t displaying any warnings – the breakpoint is a solid red circle while actively debugging, yet the breakpoint isn’t being hit. 

• Disable optimization on debugging project and all relevant projects (DLLs, libs, exe) 

 

• Check your project properties under Linker > Debugging > Generate Program Database File and Generate Debug Info. Be sure these two are set properly. 

 

• Also, check if C/C++ > General > Debug Information Format is set to Program Database for Edit and Continue (/ZI) or something similar. 

 

• Check your symbol file exists, ensure you have the right version of your symbol in the right place. 

Reference 

• https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8341686/visual-studio-no-symbols-have-been-loaded-for-this-document/26174971