Week 8: Electronics Design
March 16, 2024
Electronic Design
This week was dedicated to electronics design, focusing on components, circuits, and designing with KiCad. I can divide the explanation into two stages. First, for my ToGo project, I attempted to develop a prototype in KiCad that would allow RGB LEDs to light up inside each cube, thanks to the ATTiny412 microcontroller. The second stage involved my opportunity to be at Aalto. As a remote student, I’m affiliated with this location. I had the chance to experience working here for two weeks. Under Kris’s leadership, we had the opportunity to engage in group work. Specifically, this week, Kris demonstrated the use of a Logic Analyzer and Oscilloscope.
Group Assigment Page
Our group assignment involved a deep dive into using Logic Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, and honing our debugging skills in electronic design. The experience was invaluable in understanding the intricacies of electronic diagnostics and troubleshooting. group assignment link 🚀
Greeting KiCad
For the ToGo project, I intended to enable data and power entry with magnetic properties through 4 Pin Pogo Contacts connected to RX, TX, VCC, GND outputs, thus allowing changes in the WS2812B RGB LED with commands received from these contacts.
You can see the parts list here. I wanted to add to the existing ATTiny412 library in Fab Academy, starting by designing with the WS2812B RGB LED in mind. I designed the work according to KiCad rules.
Here’s your text revised and translated into English, maintaining the markdown structure and including the links you’ve provided. I made sure to keep the essential details and structure intact, focusing on clarity and readability for an English-speaking audience.
Fail Time
I conducted tests on the PCB. Kris specifically mentioned the importance of the channels, suggesting the error might stem from a 0.25 discrepancy. When I checked the KiCad rules, the PCB design complied and showed no errors. I also tested all soldering paths but couldn’t find the error. Unfortunately, the circuit did not work in the end.
change the resistor 1k to 0
change the resistor 1k to 0
change the resistor 1k to 0
check issues
debugging time
Kris helped me identify the problem. There was a short circuit under the RGB on my PCB. I learned that before proceeding with the PCB, I should probably check for such issues.Code
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>
#define LED 3 // Defines the pin for the LED
#define PIX_PIN 4 // Pin where the NeoPixel strip is connected
#define PIX_NUM 1 // Number of LEDs on the NeoPixel strip
// Creates an object for the NeoPixel strip
Adafruit_NeoPixel pixels(PIX_NUM, PIX_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);
void setup() {
pinMode(LED, OUTPUT); // Sets the LED pin as output
pixels.begin(); // Initializes the NeoPixel strip
}
void loop() {
pixels.clear(); // Clears all pixels on the strip
byte r = 0;
byte g = 0;
byte b = 0;
// Creates color transitions for each pixel
for (int i = 0; i < PIX_NUM; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < 256; ++j) {
r = j;
g = j + 75;
b = j + 150;
pixels.setPixelColor(i, pixels.Color(r, g, b)); // Sets the color of the pixel
pixels.show(); // Applies the updates
delay(3); // Adds a short delay
}
delay(500); // Delay after the color transition
}
// Increases the brightness of the LED
for (int i = 0; i < 256; ++i) {
analogWrite(LED, i);
delay(3);
}
// Decreases the brightness of the LED
for (int i = 255; i > -1; --i) {
analogWrite(LED, i);
delay(3);
}
delay(500); // Delay before the loop restarts
}