Use the test equipment in the lab to observe the operation of a microcontroller circuit board
(as a minimum, you should demonstrate the use of a multimeter and oscilloscope)
Individual assignment:
Use an EDA tool to design a development board to interact and communicate with an embedded microcontroller
KiCad.
For this week, use the KiCad software. KiCad is an open-source software for designing electronic circuits and printed
circuit boards (PCBs). It is cross-platform and provides tools for capturing schematics, designing PCBs, and generating
manufacturing files. It is a free alternative to commercial programs and is used by hobbyists and professionals alike.
Download the libraries.
First, I downloaded and extracted the Fab Academy components folder.
Now we go to "preferences", then to "manage symbol libraries". From there, we create a folder named "Fab", select the downloaded
folder, and choose the "fab.kicad_sym" document.
The same process is repeated for managing "Footprint Libraries" and "Configuring Preferences". We name the new folder for
Footprint Libraries "fab", all lowercase, and select the "fab.pretty" folder.
We now name "FAB" to the new folder in "Configure Preferences", all uppercase, and select the entire downloaded folder.
Now we enter the schematic editor and place the components and how they will be connected.
Once we have everything, we can transfer it to the PCB Editor. From there, we arrange the components, make the connections and we create the border."
Now we export the first file, which is the inner parts, in SVG format. We select 'F.Cu', 'Monochrome', 'Board area only', and then export
Now, for the outer part, let's also export it as SVG and select 'User.Drawings', 'margin', 'monochrome', 'board area only', and then click 'export'.
With the documents in SVG format, we can now enter mods. Right-click, select 'Programs', 'Open Program', and choose 'Mill 2D PCB' in G-code.
From there, click on 'Select SVG file' and choose the document of the inner parts. Then, under 'Convert SVG image', select 'Invert'. Next, in
'Mill raster 2D', click on 'Calculate' and save the file. For the outer part, repeat the same process.
Now we need to download UGS to control the machine. We open the program and select 'File', 'Open', and choose the document for the inner parts. Within the program, we select the origins for 'Y', 'X', and 'Z', and then click 'Play'.
