TCD1304 CCD driver board - revisited

Jan 20

In this video, I show you the new version of my TCD1304 linear CCD driver board. I updated the board because I have a few projects that involve this CCD and I needed a smaller board. The previous board was designed specifically for the spectrometer I found on eBay, so I could not make it this small.

Key changes

The redesign of the PCB involved several key changes to improve its performance and decrease its size. Firstly, the 0805 components were replaced with smaller 0603 parts, allowing for a more compact layout and reducing the overall footprint of the board. This optimization of component size contributed to the overall size reduction of the PCB. Also, this might result in cheaper production or a larger number of boards for the same price.

In addition to the component changes, the parts were rearranged to a certain extent. This rearrangement helped to optimize the board's layout, (hopefully) improve signal routing, and enhance the overall functionality of the design.

As a result of using smaller parts and a better layout, the board was shrunk in size. This reduction in board size can lead to cost savings and improved portability. For example, the board can be mounted in smaller places.

Finally, the removal of two 2.54 mm connectors was made possible due to the fact that the 3.3 V voltage source was no longer required. I found a workaround that allowed me to use the voltage reference as a power supply for the OPAMP and the CCD. This simplification of the design not only reduces the complexity of the PCB but also contributes to the overall size and cost optimization.

The combination of these design changes resulted in a more compact, efficient, and optimized solution.