Design a development board to interact and communicate with an embedded microcontroller
In this week it was really an interesting week because I learnt many things regarding electronics and it's the core thing I wanted to learn in this Fabacademy,though it was tough for me to understand the concept but I have learnt the basics which will help me to deepen my understanding and improve electronic skills as mechanical engineer.
Electronic design: is the process of creating and developing electronic circuits, systems, or products using a combination of hardware and software tools.
It involves designing the electronic hardware, including components such as integrated circuits, transistors, capacitors, resistors, and sensors, as well as developing software to control the hardware and make it function as intended.
In designing my PCB board I followed this process;
Firstly was identification of the components I was having to use in my circuit board, the components were:Push button,Resistor,LEDs,Microcontroller(Attiny 45V-10SU) and smd connector with 6 pins.
After identification of the components, I downloaded KICAD Software which is basically an open-source software suite used for electronic design automation (EDA) and is used to create schematics, printed circuit board (PCB) layouts and also perform simulations of electronic circuits,it is the one i used to design my PCB and simulate it.Here's the link because in my PC I have Windows.
After The installation of KICAD software I proceed with the schematic and PCB editor:
Firstly,In the group assignment while we were learning basics of electronics,and we designed the PCB sample in the Group here's link.
As I was done with with downloading and installation the software,I proceeded in creating the new project and saving the file directory and the name, This is the KICAD Interface
The next thing after creating the project was to insert the components, to add the components in the interface I used tool called"add symbol" after clicking the tool I entered the name of the component they gave me the list of similar components and it was really difficult for me to know the right components to choose(it needs more research to be aware of specifications)(tools added were:Attiny 45V,push button,resistor,LED,connector),and I labeled also push button by using tool called"Label".
Next step was to connect the components by using wires as we all know electronic device to work needs power so a wire act as the channel for current distribution and I used tool called"add wire".
The next thing is to name the similar components, this is for identification of the components, for instance I have used more 2 LEDs then I was having to identify them like saying LED1 and LED2 to avoid confusing them and this naming is done automatically.
After annotating the components to assign the components with their specifications,and here I used this icon because there are very many types of connectors and components then I needed to clarify their specifications.
By clicking the footprint icon,concerning components libraries and their filters,in order to obtain the component's footprint which fits to the ones i used.
After Assigning the components,then i went back to starting and click to my project(Kicad.pcb) and then open it for positioning and editing it.
the time I opened my project in PCB,i edited board and linked all the components with the wires.
After editing PCB editor,I checked the board in 3D viewer to check how it looks like.
The next step is to export the designed PCB and save it with an extension of SVG to be used while transform it in readable file.
I changed the properties of the file and change it in black-white and board area only file,and then export to the folder
After exporting and now I had SVG Files, next is to change my SVG file into Machine readable files(with XRM as extension),below are the steps to change it;
Firstly,Browse this link here, the site I can access almost all Machines readable files,then after browsing i got this interface.
Then I go to this menu and right click where there are options, as stated above.
next I clicked on the programs,next click on open server, next is Roland because it is our machine in our node and click on the SVG file since it was my extension.
the next after clicking on SVG File, the displayed interface was this.
and the remaining thing is to select the exported file and put it there to be changed.
after clicking on select file, exactly I go where my file was and click open.
Then we change the settings after inserting the file, we first invert the image and change dpi to 1000 so that our machine could cut it and the ways can be visible.
because i first having to trace the way which looks similar to engrave in laser machine, then i selected mill trace in order machine to engrave the way, and to cut the pcb frame I used another file and I used mill outline.
Then because of the tool to be used after measuring I got that it's diameter of 0.2 mm,and I also setted offset(5) means it passes 5 times and my way will be enough to solder,then it's the one I added.
Next thing is to change the origin or starting point of the machine,by changing and starting point be(0,0,0)
Then add the input and output channel where I will immediately save changed save in my computer, means it will be downloaded, then I right clicked and go to the modules, open server and select save(file) then it will be displayed.
Then after I have to link output and input by dragging the cursor to create a connection.
Then click button calculate under mill raster 2D table
Then automatically the file to be send to the machine will be downloaded and tool path while milling.
Tool Path
Downloaded file: is the file composed of G-Code of the machine (readable form of machines)
Since my node has the machine in this type("Roland SRM-20")
I positioned well my drill bit, to configure the position i used the directions pads,and click button cut to select the file to cut(with extension SRM).
I used scotch tape on the board to attach it on the bed of the machine the board,one part is covered by copper.
after filling one surface with the scotch i proceeded with inserting board and fix it in the machine,to start cutting.
After all procedures to set up the machine, I clicked cut button and I selected the file to do job, and I clicked output to start.
I waited for almost 30 minutes and I was done with machining the next step was to use sand paper for smoothing thr rough surface and after i started the soldering as well as measuring if there's continuity by using multimeter,I used multimeter to measure the continuation of current and I realised that though there's continuity in the board by the trace width are small to solder.
After verification of continuity though it takes 4 times failing because I did test and found continuition but at 4th time it goes well and I celebrated, I proceeded with programming part, and because I use Attiny 45V 10 SU as my Microcontroller I found that it can not be linked with my Computer and this led me to use Arduino Uno as the link between my Computer and Attiny 45V, My codes was in Arduino and programmed to my MCU through arduino Uno
And my codes setted was to blink the LED in every 3 second, below is the hello shot via my youtube channel
