8. Electronics Desgin
Reflection
Group Assignment
- Use the test equipment in your lab to observe the operation of a microcontroller (MCU) circuit board (as a minimum, you should demonstrate the use of a multimeter and oscilloscope)
Attached is the link to group assignment
Individual Assignment
Checklist for this week:
- ☑ Linked to the group assignment page
- ☑ Documented how you made (mill, stuff, solder) the board
- ☑ Documented that your board is functional
- ☑ Explained any problems and how you fixed them
- ☑ Uploaded your source code
- ☑ Included a 'hero shot' of your board
Workflow for Circuit Design in EasyEDA
The process of designing a printed circuit board (PCB) in your EDA is a meticulous journey from conceptualization to the final product. Here's a step-by-step guide to navigate through this process effectively.
Step | Description | Key Actions and Considerations |
---|---|---|
1. Project Creation |
Initiate a new project in EDA for organizing your design files. | Create a new project folder within EDA's control panel to keep your schematic and board layout files together. |
2. Schematic Design |
Design the circuit schematic, which is a symbolic representation of your circuit. | Use the Schematic Editor to place and connect component symbols. Ensure all components are correctly connected according to your circuit design. |
3. Component Selection |
Choose the physical components for your design from EAD's libraries. | Select components based on their electrical characteristics and physical footprint. Use the Library Manager to find or add new components as needed. |
4. Board Layout |
Transition from schematic to physical board layout. | Switch to the Board Editor, where EDA automatically creates a board from your schematic. Arrange components and route traces, considering optimal placement and signal integrity. |
5. Design Rule Check (DRC) |
Ensure the board layout meets specific design criteria and manufacturing capabilities. | Run the DRC tool to check for errors like trace spacing, pad overlaps, and unconnected signals. Adjust your design accordingly to fix any issues. |
6. Electrical Rule Check (ERC) | Verify the electrical connectivity and logic of your schematic design. | Perform ERC to catch any schematic errors, such as unconnected pins or incompatible voltage levels between components. |
7. Generating Gerber Files
|
Prepare files for PCB manufacturing. | Once your design passes DRC and ERC, use the CAM processor to generate Gerber files, which are the standard format for PCB fabrication. |
8. Bill of Materials (BOM) Creation
|
Compile a list of all components required for the PCB. | Generate a BOM from your schematic, listing all components with their values, package types, and quantities for procurement. |
9. Review and Finalization | Conduct a final review of your design and files. | Double-check your Gerber files and BOM for accuracy. Ensure all components are sourced, and your design files are correctly formatted for your PCB manufacturer's requirements. |
This workflow guides you through each critical phase of PCB design in EDA, from initial concept to preparing your design for manufacturing. Adhering to this process ensures a smooth transition from idea to a physical board, ready for assembly and testing.
B2. PCB Components Detailed Overview
Component Identifier | Technical Specification |
---|---|
SW1 (Rotary Encoder) |
An electromechanical transducer that converts angular position or motion of a shaft or axle to analog or digital output signals, featuring detents and a tactile feedback mechanism. |
U3 (DC Power Jack) |
An electrical power connector specialized for direct current (DC) power input, designed with internal switches to manage the connection and disconnection of internal batteries to prevent short-circuiting. |
U4 (Piezoelectric Buzzer) |
An audio signaling device that utilizes piezoelectricity to generate acoustic waves at a set frequency when an alternating electrical signal is applied across its piezoelectric material. |
U5 (Tactile Switch) |
A momentary contact, manual switch that provides tactile feedback and is characterized by a small actuation force and short travel distance for rapid actuation. |
U6 (Microcontroller Unit) |
An integrated circuit (IC) that incorporates core features of a microprocessor with peripheral devices including memory and programmable input/output peripherals, executing embedded firmware. |
R1, R2 (Resistors) |
Passive electronic components with a fixed or variable resistance value, implemented for current control, voltage division, and signal conditioning within the circuit topology. |
LED1 (Light Emitting Diode) |
A semiconductor light source that emits light when current flows through it, utilized for status indication due to its high luminous efficacy and longevity. |
5V, GND, TX, RX (Power and Communication Lines) | Standard voltage supply rail (5V) and ground reference (GND), with transmission (TX) and reception (RX) lines for UART or other serial communication protocols. |
UPDI, GND, VCC (Programming and Power Interfaces) | UPDI interface for in-system programming and debugging of microcontroller units, accompanied by ground (GND) and positive voltage supply (VCC) terminals for circuit biasing. |
PA6321 | PA pins: 6, 3, 2, 1 |
C1 (Electrolytic Capacitor) |
A polarized capacitor with a 10µF capacitance, typically used for energy storage, filtering, and decoupling applications, providing low-frequency filtering or supply voltage stabilization. |