Design process and Result

Choosing the Microcontroller

First, it was necessary to decide which software to use to start designing the microcontroller PCB. Then, I decided which microcontroller to use for the design. In this case, I want to use an ATmega328P or an ATTiny44. To do this, I prepared a comparative of the most relevant characteristics:

Preparing EDA Software

After the group meeting, it was agreed to use Eagle software because it is embedded in Fusion 360 and also because it is the most versatile, theoretically allowing the generation of G code for PCB machining.

First, it was necessary to download Fusion 360 software using my educational account to gain access. I visited the (Autodesk student website), registered my account with the university domain (@ulima.edu.pe), and downloaded the program.

To start with the first step, which is the schematic design, it is necessary to download the component libraries used in Fab Academy. For this, I visited the main website of the week and accessed the (GitLab link) and downloaded the Eagle library.

I downloaded the code as a .zip file and saved it in my resources folder. To keep everything organized, I created a FAB LAB UL workgroup in which I created a project called Fab Academy 2024.

Importing Fab Academy Library

To enter the Eagle module, you need to create a library file. To do this, click on the file icon and select the "New Electronics Library" option:

Then, click on the "Import Libraries" icon and select the "Import from local disk" option:

Once in that menu, you should copy the "fab.lbr" file that we downloaded from GitLab into the folder path "libraries".

Verify that it has been added by entering the "Source" filter and selecting the "Local disk" checkbox:

Electronic design

Schematic Design

To enter the Eagle module, you need to create a circuit file. To do this, click on the file icon and select the "New Electronics Design" option:

Then, create a schematic to design the connections of the PCB board by selecting the "New Schematic" icon.

In the search tab, choose each component one by one and place them in the design area.

To place the component in the design area, you can double-click or click and drag the component. To rotate it, right-click.

Connecting Components

After placing all the components, you need to connect them using nets:

1. Add nets (a little bit messy):

   Click on the "Net" tool from the toolbar. This tool allows you to draw connections between components. Click on a pin of one component and drag the line to the pin of another component to establish a connection.

2. Label nets (more organized):

   To keep the schematic organized and readable, label each net. Use the "Label" tool to assign names to the nets. This is especially useful for identifying connections that span different parts of the schematic.

3. Add power and ground:

   Ensure that all components requiring power are connected to the appropriate power source. Use the power (5V) and ground symbols from the library and connect them using the net tool.

4. Check connections:

   After all connections are made, use the "Electrical Rule Check" (ERC) tool to verify that there are no errors in the schematic. This tool will highlight any missing connections or potential issues. You can dismiss the warnings in the pins that have no connection.

5. Review the schematic:

   Review the entire schematic to ensure all components are correctly placed and connected.

Result

Schematic - V1