Schematic Capture and Modeling

Course Description

EET2724C — Schematic Capture and Modeling is a 3-credit lecture/lab course in the Electronic Engineering Technology program. The course introduces students to the complete electronic design automation (EDA) workflow: creating professional schematic diagrams using industry-standard software tools, building and managing component libraries, simulating circuit behavior with SPICE-based engines, and producing the design outputs required to transition a schematic into a printed circuit board (PCB) layout. Terminology and software tools are used throughout to reinforce lectured material. Laboratory exercises complement every major topic and develop hands-on proficiency with professional EDA environments such as OrCAD Capture / PSpice, Multisim, KiCad, or equivalent.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and correctly apply standard schematic symbols and drawing conventions for passive components (resistors, capacitors, inductors), active devices (diodes, BJTs, MOSFETs), and integrated circuits.
• Use schematic capture software to create, annotate, and save single-sheet and multi-sheet circuit drawings that conform to industry drafting standards.
• Build and maintain a component library, including creation of custom schematic symbols with correct pin assignments and reference designators.
• Perform Design Rule Check (DRC) / Electrical Rules Check (ERC) to identify and resolve errors in a completed schematic.
• Assign SPICE models to schematic components and configure simulation profiles for DC bias point, DC sweep, AC sweep, and transient analyses.
• Run circuit simulations and interpret waveform outputs to verify that circuit performance meets design specifications.
• Generate a Bill of Materials (BOM) and a netlist from a completed schematic for use in PCB layout tools.
• Demonstrate correct schematic annotation practices, including consistent naming conventions for nets, power ports, and ground symbols.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis, students may also:

• Create hierarchical schematic designs using blocks and sub-sheets to manage complex, multi-functional circuits.
• Import manufacturer-supplied SPICE models from vendor datasheets and integrate them into simulation environments.
• Perform advanced PSpice analyses including Monte Carlo, worst-case, parametric sweep, and temperature sweep simulations.
• Introduce PCB footprint assignment and initiate the forward-annotation transfer from schematic to PCB layout editor.
• Use mixed-signal simulation to analyze circuits containing both analog and digital components.
• Compare and evaluate multiple EDA platforms (e.g., OrCAD, KiCad, Multisim, Altium, LTspice) for suitability in various design scenarios.
• Collaborate on schematic designs using cloud-based or version-controlled EDA environments.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Introduction to Electronic Design Automation (EDA) — Overview of the EDA design flow from schematic capture through simulation to PCB layout and manufacturing; industry tools and standards.
• Schematic Symbols and Drawing Standards — IEEE/ANSI and IEC symbol libraries; passive components, semiconductors, logic gates, connectors, and ICs; net naming; power and ground conventions.
• Schematic Capture Software Environment — Project setup, workspace navigation, placing and wiring components, net labels, title blocks, and design hierarchy (flat and multi-sheet).
• Component Library Development — Creating and editing schematic symbols; managing library files; assigning pin numbers, pin types, and attributes; reference designator assignment.
• Design Rule and Electrical Rules Checking (DRC/ERC) — Running automated checks; interpreting error and warning messages; correcting schematic violations.
• SPICE Modeling Fundamentals — SPICE model types (SUBCKT, behavioral, device models); attaching models to schematic parts; model libraries; understanding model parameter files.
• DC Analysis — Bias point simulation; DC sweep for I-V characteristics; operating point verification.
• Transient (Time-Domain) Analysis — Setting up stimulus sources (pulse, sinusoidal, piecewise linear); running transient simulations; probing and plotting node voltages and branch currents.
• AC Frequency Analysis — AC sweep setup; Bode plots (magnitude and phase); frequency response of passive and active filter circuits.
• Waveform Analysis and Result Interpretation — Using the waveform viewer; adding measurements; comparing simulated results with theoretical calculations.
• Netlist and BOM Generation — Exporting netlists in standard formats (e.g., PADS, Allegro, KiCad); generating and customizing Bills of Materials for procurement.
• Introduction to PCB Design Integration — Overview of how schematic data feeds PCB layout; footprint concepts; forward annotation to a layout editor.

Optional Topics

• Hierarchical and Block-Diagram Design — Creating hierarchical blocks, port connections, and multi-level design structures for complex systems.
• Advanced SPICE Analyses — Monte Carlo analysis; parametric and temperature sweeps; worst-case and sensitivity analysis; Fourier analysis.
• Mixed-Signal Simulation — Digital stimulus models; co-simulation of analog and digital sections; timing analysis.
• Importing Vendor SPICE Models — Locating manufacturer model files; editing and validating third-party SPICE subcircuits; mapping to schematic symbols.
• PCB Footprint Assignment and Layout Preview — Assigning physical footprints to schematic components; viewing 3D PCB models; basic design-for-manufacture (DFM) awareness.
• Alternate EDA Platforms — Hands-on exposure to open-source tools (KiCad, LTspice) or other commercial tools (Altium Designer, Multisim) for workflow comparison.
• Version Control and Design Collaboration — Introduction to managing design files using version control systems; collaborative review workflows.

Resources & Tools

• Primary EDA Software: OrCAD Capture / PSpice (Cadence) — industry-standard schematic capture and SPICE simulation platform widely used in Florida college EET programs. Student licenses available through the Cadence Academic Program.
• Alternate/Open-Source Tools: KiCad (free, cross-platform PCB design suite); LTspice (Analog Devices, free SPICE simulator); Multisim (NI, common in lab environments).
• Reference Materials: Manufacturer component datasheets; SPICE model libraries (Cadence PSpice model library, vendor-supplied .lib files); IEEE standard schematic drawing references.
• Lab Equipment: Windows-based lab workstations; digital multimeters and oscilloscopes for correlating simulated results with physical breadboard measurements (where lab component is included).
• Online Resources: Cadence documentation and tutorials; KiCad official documentation; EMA Design Automation training modules; IEEE Xplore for technical references.

Career Pathways

Completion of EET2724C prepares students for entry-level roles and further study in electronic design and manufacturing. Relevant career pathways include:

• PCB Design Technician / Designer — Creating production-ready PCB layouts from schematics for contract electronics manufacturers (CEMs) and OEMs.
• Electronics Technician — Supporting engineering teams in circuit documentation, design verification, and prototype bring-up using EDA tools.
• Junior Hardware Design Engineer — Entry-level role in product development involving schematic capture, simulation, and design review.
• Test & Validation Technician — Using simulation results and schematics to develop test plans and correlate measured hardware performance.
• Avionics / Defense Electronics Technician — Applying schematic and EDA skills in aerospace and defense sectors prominent in Florida (e.g., Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, Raytheon).
• Further Education: This course supports progression into advanced EET coursework and articulates toward Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) programs in Engineering Technology offered at Florida institutions such as EFSC, Daytona State, and Florida Polytechnic University.

Special Information

Laboratory Component: The "C" suffix in EET2724C designates a combined lecture and laboratory course. Students are expected to complete hands-on lab exercises using EDA software in a dedicated computer lab or via remote access to institution-licensed software.

Industry Certification Alignment: The skills developed in this course align with competencies assessed in the IPC-7711/7721 rework and repair standards awareness and support preparation for industry-recognized credentials in electronics manufacturing and PCB design. Students pursuing the Certified Electronics Technician (CET) credential through ETA International will find the schematic reading, component identification, and simulation skills directly applicable to exam preparation.

Program Context: EET2724C is offered as a technical elective within the Engineering Technology A.S. degree (Electronics Specialization) at Florida colleges including Eastern Florida State College. It complements core courses in DC/AC circuits, analog electronics, and digital systems, and is typically taken after foundational circuit theory coursework.