Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Altium Develop takes your first board from schematic to fabricated hardware with integrated manufacturing quotes and real-time collaboration, so incomplete nets and oversized parts get caught before you order: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=one-minute-pcb-design-reviews&utm_content=first-cpld-design-so-close
In this 1 Min PCB Design Review, Tech Consultant Zach Peterson reviews a community-submitted CPLD board — the channel's first CPLD design review. Zach notes the CPLD is running under 50% utilization and suggests dropping to a smaller, cheaper CPLD, then flags an STM32 microcontroller carrying a large number of unused open I/Os. His recommendation: swap it for a smaller STM32 that drops the analog interfaces you aren't using and brings USB directly on-chip, trimming both cost and board space.
Zach also digs into the board's layer stackup and DFM details. The design is still incomplete, with several ghost wires left between components, and it's routed on just two layers — Zach recommends moving to a four-layer stackup with two interior planes so power can be routed internally instead of on the top and bottom copper. The surface routing looks clean electrically, but he flags the footprint for connector J2, whose slots were defined with a series of overlapping drill holes. It's a strong first CPLD design with a clear path to a manufacturable revision.
💡 Watch Next:
• Signal Ground Power Ground 4-Layer Stackup? PCB Design Explained!: youtube.com/watch?v=3GCV3959hvM
• PCB Stackup Creation and Editing in Altium Designer: youtube.com/watch?v=wrgWHLvYMwk
• Microcontroller-Based Hardware Design With Altium Designer – #1 Introduction and Part Selection: youtube.com/watch?v=gFmm91c_mr8
• Smart Space Electronics! | 1 Min PCB Design Review: youtube.com/watch?v=YNbADekPrYI
🔹 Connect with Zach: Want your design reviewed by Zach? Reach out to him on LinkedIn with your design and production files for a chance to be featured on our channel: linkedin.com/in/zachariah-peterson
💡 Stay Connected:
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
👉 Subscribe for more: youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1
Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.
👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner
👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: twitter.com/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: facebook.com/AltiumOfficial
The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!
About Altium LLC
Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.
#altium #pcbdesign #cpld
Altium Develop takes your first board from schematic to fabricated hardware with integrated manufacturing quotes and real-time collaboration, so incomplete nets and oversized parts get caught before you order: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=one-minute-pcb-design-reviews&utm_content=first-cpld-design-so-close
In this 1 Min PCB Design Review, Tech Consultant Zach Peterson reviews a community-submitted CPLD board — the channel's first CPLD design review. Zach notes the CPLD is running under 50% utilization and suggests dropping to a smaller, cheaper CPLD, then flags an STM32 microcontroller carrying a large number of unused open I/Os. His recommendation: swap it for a smaller STM32 that drops the analog interfaces you aren't using and brings USB directly on-chip, trimming both cost and board space.
Zach also digs into the board's layer stackup and DFM details. The design is still incomplete, with several ghost wires left between components, and it's routed on just two layers — Zach recommends moving to a four-layer stackup with two interior planes so power can be routed internally instead of on the top and bottom copper. The surface routing looks clean electrically, but he flags the footprint for connector J2, whose slots were defined with a series of overlapping drill holes. It's a strong first CPLD design with a clear path to a manufacturable revision.
💡 Watch Next:
• Signal Ground Power Ground 4-Layer Stackup? PCB Design Explained!: youtube.com/watch?v=3GCV3959hvM
• PCB Stackup Creation and Editing in Altium Designer: youtube.com/watch?v=wrgWHLvYMwk
• Microcontroller-Based Hardware Design With Altium Designer – #1 Introduction and Part Selection: youtube.com/watch?v=gFmm91c_mr8
• Smart Space Electronics! | 1 Min PCB Design Review: youtube.com/watch?v=YNbADekPrYI
🔹 Connect with Zach: Want your design reviewed by Zach? Reach out to him on LinkedIn with your design and production files for a chance to be featured on our channel: linkedin.com/in/zachariah-peterson
💡 Stay Connected:
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
👉 Subscribe for more: youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1
Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.
👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner
👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: twitter.com/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: facebook.com/AltiumOfficial
The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!
About Altium LLC
Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.
#altium #pcbdesign #cpld
