I was wondering if I'd be able to solder complete modules onto a PCB…
E.g. BLE module, GPS module, Accelero/Baro modules, etc.
If not, what components can I use to get these features?
Electrical – solder any module onto a PCB?
bluetooth low energycircuit-designpcbsoldering
Related Solutions
It has been my experience that you would have to re-certify if you are replacing the firmware in the module.
Be aware that despite the pre-certified nature of certain modules that ultimately you or your company are responsible for meeting the legal requirements for emissions and immunity of the product as a whole. So even though a module may be pre-certified you still need to test your system with the module present.
The only place I know of where a pre-certified type module may have some decided advantages are as follows:
- For an embedded module you at least know that the pre-certified module is much less likely to be the source of issues for your system.
- A module like an analogue telephone line modem that probably carries several pre-certs may excuse you from testing the analogue phone line requirements whereas the emissions and immunity part may need to still be qualified with your system as a whole.
- Externally applied attachments to your product such as power bricks and cords can come pre-certified and safety inspection labeled such that you do not have to deal with that over again for your product. (A very common reason so many products today have external power bricks or wall warts).
Though EAGLE is a graphical editor, it can be controlled entirely via command line, which is the single input line above the drawing area. The commands can also be written to a script file, and though I haven't looked for it, it is for sure possible to start EAGLE from the operating system's command line and tell it to run the script and then do a CAM job to generate the Gerber files.
This is the layout of the well known simple astable multivibrator:
and this is a (cleaned-up) script which would draw it. (I've drawn it and exported it via the export-board.ulp from here):
GRID INCH 0.005 ADD 'C1' C025-024X044@rcl R0.000 (0.300 0.700); ADD 'C2' C025-024X044@rcl R0.000 (0.600 0.700); ADD 'GND' P1-13@testpad R0.000 (1.000 0.150); ADD 'R1' 0204V@rcl R90.000 (0.100 0.750); ADD 'R2' 0204V@rcl R90.000 (0.350 0.900); ADD 'R3' 0204V@rcl R90.000 (0.550 0.900); ADD 'R4' 0204V@rcl R90.000 (0.800 0.750); ADD 'T1' TO92@transistor R270.000 (0.800 0.400); ADD 'T2' TO92@transistor R270.000 (0.100 0.400); ADD 'VCC' P1-13@testpad R0.000 (1.000 0.950); LAYER 20 WIRE 0.000 (0.000 0.000) (1.187 0.000); WIRE 0.000 (1.187 0.000) (1.187 1.100); WIRE 0.000 (1.187 1.100) (0.000 1.100); WIRE 0.000 (0.000 1.100) (0.000 0.000); LAYER 1 SIGNAL 'N$1' R1 1 C1 1 T2 3; WIRE 'N$1' 0.016 (0.100 0.450) (0.100 0.700); WIRE 'N$1' 0.016 (0.100 0.700) (0.250 0.700); SIGNAL 'N$2' C1 2 R2 1 T1 2; WIRE 'N$2' 0.016 (0.350 0.850) (0.350 0.700); LAYER 16 WIRE 'N$2' 0.016 (0.875 0.400) (0.450 0.400); WIRE 'N$2' 0.016 (0.450 0.400) (0.350 0.500); WIRE 'N$2' 0.016 (0.350 0.500) (0.350 0.700); LAYER 1 SIGNAL 'N$3' R3 1 C2 1 T2 2; WIRE 'N$3' 0.016 (0.550 0.850) (0.550 0.700); WIRE 'N$3' 0.016 (0.175 0.400) (0.450 0.400); WIRE 'N$3' 0.016 (0.450 0.400) (0.550 0.500); WIRE 'N$3' 0.016 (0.550 0.500) (0.550 0.700); SIGNAL 'N$4' C2 2 R4 1 T1 3; WIRE 'N$4' 0.016 (0.650 0.700) (0.800 0.700); WIRE 'N$4' 0.016 (0.800 0.700) (0.800 0.450); SIGNAL 'N$5' R1 2 R2 2 R3 2 R4 2 VCC TP; WIRE 'N$5' 0.016 (0.100 0.800) (0.100 0.850); WIRE 'N$5' 0.016 (0.100 0.850) (0.200 0.950); WIRE 'N$5' 0.016 (0.200 0.950) (0.350 0.950); WIRE 'N$5' 0.016 (0.350 0.950) (0.550 0.950); WIRE 'N$5' 0.016 (0.550 0.950) (0.800 0.950); WIRE 'N$5' 0.016 (0.800 0.950) (1.000 0.950); WIRE 'N$5' 0.016 (0.800 0.800) (0.800 0.950); SIGNAL 'N$7' T2 1 T1 1 GND TP; WIRE 'N$7' 0.016 (0.100 0.350) (0.100 0.250); WIRE 'N$7' 0.016 (0.100 0.250) (0.200 0.150); WIRE 'N$7' 0.016 (0.200 0.150) (0.800 0.150); WIRE 'N$7' 0.016 (0.800 0.150) (1.000 0.150); WIRE 'N$7' 0.016 (0.800 0.350) (0.800 0.150);
One could simplify this, but yet, that's something for someone with way too much time...
Best Answer
Obviously nobody can answer this since we have no idea what your soldering capabilities are, and what equipment is available. Actually think about it.
As for whether it is generally possible or advisable, no, not in the general case.
Some "modules" are specifically designed to be mounted on another PCB. In that case, yes, it's obviously possible for someone to solder them who has sufficient soldering skill and equipment.
Modules that are meant for being soldered to a PCB are usually clearly sold as such. They usually have what look like half cut off thru hole pads along the outside. These are called castellations or sometimes crenellations, and are meant to provide good solder contact. They can be reflow soldered.