Electronics Design

Hero Shot

Task: Electronics Design

Group assignment

  • Use the test equipment in your lab to observe the operation of a microcontroller circuit board
  • Demonstrate the use of a multimeter and oscilloscope
  • Document your work on the group work page and reflect on your individual page

Individual assignment:

  • Use an EDA tool to design a development board
  • Ensure the design uses parts from the inventory to interact and communicate with an embedded microcontroller

Learning Experience

I studied Electronics Design this week, where I discovered how to utilize an EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tool to make a development board. I also used test tools like an oscilloscope and multimeter to examine a microcontroller circuit board. My comprehension of PCB design principles, component placement, and circuit debugging has improved as a result of this experience.

Key Accomplishments

✅ Utilized KiCad 9.0 to design a PCB and create files for fabrication.
✅ Examined microcontroller circuits to comprehend connections and signal flow.
✅ Employed test instruments (oscilloscope, multimeter) for signal analysis and debugging.
✅ For circuit design, the right electronic components were chosen from stock.
About Electronic Design

Electronic design is the process of selecting and combining various electronic components—such as resistors, capacitors, ICs, and transistors—to create a working circuit or device.

  • Selecting and connecting components to meet specific requirements.
  • Designing each part of the circuit to ensure proper functionality.
  • Using computer software to plan, simulate, and test the design.

    • Voltage - the electric potential between one place and another. How much the electricity wants to move from one point to another. Measured in volts.

    Current - the current flow from one point to another, literally based on how many electrons are moving per second. Measured in amps

    Power - work that is being done per second. In circuits, this usually means the amount of heat given off by a circuit. Measured in watts, or joules per second.

    Energy - total amount of work done. There is no time component for this, which is the differentiator between power and energy. Measured in joules. These are clarified more later in this tutorial.

    More info click the link
    About Electronic Components
    • Resistor: Limits the flow of electrical current in a circuit.
    • Capacitor: Stores electrical energy in an electric field.
    • Diode: Allows current to flow primarily in one direction.
    • Transistor: Amplifies or switches electronic signals and electrical power.
    • MOSFET: A type of transistor that controls current flow using an electric field.
    • Sensors: Detect changes in the physical environment and convert them into electrical signals.
    • Actuators: Convert electrical signals into mechanical motion, enabling machines to perform physical tasks.
    Types of Electronic Components
    • Based on Mounting Type:
      • SMD (Surface Mount Device): Components are mounted directly onto the surface of the PCB.
      • Through-hole: Components are inserted into holes on the PCB and soldered on the opposite side.

    • Based on Functionality:
      • Active Components: These components can actively control the flow of electricity, provide gain, or generate signals. They usually require an external power source to function.
      • Passive Components: These components do not control the flow of electricity actively. They do not require an external power source to function and do not provide gain or generate signals.
    PCB Design Tools
    • KiCAD: A free and open-source tool for PCB design, offering a complete workflow from schematic capture to PCB layout and Gerber file generation.
    • Eagle: A widely used PCB design software, especially popular in the maker and hobbyist communities. It offers comprehensive features for schematic capture and PCB layout.
    • TinkerCAD: A free, browser-based platform that offers 3D modeling, simulation, and basic electronics design.

    Why I Chose KiCAD
    • Open-source: KiCAD’s open-source nature means it benefits from a robust community that continuously contributes to its development.
    • Complete Workflow: It offers everything needed for PCB design, from schematic capture to layout and file generation.
    • Advanced Features: KiCAD supports complex designs and includes an excellent 3D viewer to help visualize the final PCB and ensure mechanical fit.

    About the KiCad

    KiCad is an open source software suite for Electronic Design Automation (EDA). The programs handle Schematic Capture, and PCB Layout with Gerber and IPC-2581 output. The suite runs on Windows, Linux and macOS and is licensed under GNU GPL v3.

    KiCAD Download Process
    KiCAD Home Page
    • Visit the official KiCAD website.
    KiCAD Download Options
    • Download the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
    GitHub Page
    • Click on GitHub.
    Download the Fab Library Process

    In our class, we were told about the Fab Library. This library contains all the components needed to design a PCB. We install the Fab Library so that all the required components appear in the software and can be used easily while designing. The library is downloaded based on the components we need for our design. That’s why I downloaded the Fab Library for my project.


    Search Fab Library
    • Search for "Fab library" in a search engine.
    KiCad GitLab Fab Cloud Link
    • Click on the KiCad GitLab Fab Cloud link.
    Fab Library GitLab Page
    • On the opened page, click on "Code." Download the ZIP folder.
    Download ZIP Option
    • Select "Download ZIP" and extract the downloaded ZIP file to a location.
    KiCAD PCB Design

    I started working on my PCB design using the RP2040 microcontroller. In this project, I also included 3 4-pin one LED, and a switch.

    Opened KiCad software to begin the design process.

    Created a new project to start the schematic design.

    Entered the desired project file name and saved it.

    Opened the schematic editor from the main window.

    Schematic page was successfully opened for component placement.

    Navigated to Preferences → Manage Symbol Libraries.

    Opened and browsed the external symbol library file.

    Loaded the `Fab.kicad_sym` file from the Fab Library.

    Fab library loaded successfully and confirmed by clicking OK.

    Clicked on the symbol icon to begin placing components.

    Symbol library loaded and components became available.

    Selected required components including RP2040, connectors, LED, and switch.

    Completed the schematic diagram by placing and connecting all components.

    Performed Electrical Rule Check (ERC) to detect and fix any schematic errors.

    Opened the PCB Editor to start board layout design.

    Ran Design Rule Check (DRC) to ensure correct spacing and layout standards.

    Viewed the designed PCB in 3D mode for inspection and verification.

    Used the 'Plot' function to prepare output files for manufacturing.

    Generated Gerber files required for PCB fabrication.

    Verified all layers in the 'Plot' window before exporting.

    Exported SVG files.

    Confirmed successful plotting of all necessary layers.

    Saved all output files in the project folder for future use.

    SVG format

    Edge Cut SVG format

    PCB Connections and Debugging Features
    Pin Connected To Description
    D0 Switch SW1 Input
    D1 LED D1 Output
    D6 Header J1 Pin 2 Debug/External IO
    D7 Header J1 Pin 1 Debug/External IO
    D2, D3 Header J3 Extra GPIO / Debug
    D4, D5 Header J2 Extra GPIO / Debug
    3V3 All Headers Power Output
    GND All Headers Common Ground
    Original File
  • Schematic SVG format
  • Edge Cut SVG format
  • KiCad File