Custom PCB Design: Electronic Development with LCD Display

Developing custom PCBs is at the heart of our expertise. For this project, we created a fully integrated control board with an LCD display for industrial applications.

Project requirements

Our customer required a compact, reliable control unit with the following specifications:

• Compact designMaximum dimensions 100x80mm
• LCD integration.8″ TFT display for user interface
• RobustnessIndustrial suitability to IP65
• ConnectivityRS485, CAN bus, Ethernet
• power supply-24V DC wide-range input

Design process

Circuit design

• MicrocontrollerSTM32F4 series for high performance
• Display controllerIntegrated TFT Controller
• CommunicationMulti-interface design
• Protective circuitsESD protection and overvoltage protection

Layout optimization

Layer-Stack (4-Layer PCB):
- Top Layer: Komponenten und Signale
- Ground Plane: Durchgehende Massefläche
- Power Plane: Stromversorgung
- Bottom Layer: Routing und Komponenten

Thermal management

• Copper areas for heat dissipation
• Thermal vias under critical components
• Optimized component placement

Production process

PCB manufacturing

• materialFR4 High-Tg
• Surface finishLead-free HASL
• Via TechnologyMicro-vias for dense layouts
• Solder maskGreen, matte

Assembly

• SMD components402 up to BGA
• Automatic assemblyPick and Place
• Reflow solderingOptimized temperature profiles
• Quality ControlAOI and In-Circuit Testing

software integration

Embedded Firmware

// LCD Initialisierung
void LCD_Init(void) {
    // SPI Interface konfigurieren
    HAL_SPI_Init(&hspi1);
    
    // Display Reset
    HAL_GPIO_WritePin(LCD_RST_GPIO_Port, LCD_RST_Pin, GPIO_PIN_RESET);
    HAL_Delay(100);
    HAL_GPIO_WritePin(LCD_RST_GPIO_Port, LCD_RST_Pin, GPIO_PIN_SET);
    
    // Initialisierungssequenz
    LCD_WriteCommand(0x01); // Software Reset
    HAL_Delay(120);
}

User interface

• Touch InterfaceCapacitive touch detection
• Menu structureHierarchical navigation
• data visualizationReal-time graphics
• MultilingualismGerman/English

Testing and validation

Functional Test

• Electrical testingContinuity, isolation
• Functional testsAll interfaces
• Environmental testsTemperature, Humidity
• EMV testsCE compliance

long-term testing

• 000-hour endurance test at 85°C
• Vibration testing according to IEC 60068
• Temperature cycles from -40°C to +85°C

results

The final PCB meets all requirements:

• Size5x75mm (5% below specification)
• power consumption.1W (15% under budget)
• MTBF>50,000 hours under industrial conditions
• production costs0% below target costs

Application areas

This PCB technology is ideal for:

• industrial controlsPLC extensions
• Measurement technologyportable measuring devices
• Automotivetest rigs and diagnostics
• Medical Technologypatient monitoring

Conclusion

Through close collaboration between hardware and software development, we were able to realize an optimal solution. The combination of modern design tools and proven manufacturing processes ensures the highest quality and reliability.

Do you need a custom PCB solution? We support you from idea to series production!