Electronics Design

About this week

This week, we learned about circuit design, including how to use software to design and finalize PCBs. We worked with schematic and PCB editors to design circuits and then turned those designs into a finished printed circuit board (PCB). This process involved drawing the schematic, placing components, connecting the traces, and making sure the design is ready for manufacturing. It gave us practical experience in turning a design into a real, working product.

Objctive of the Assignment

1.Gropu Assignment -

Use the test equipment in your lab to observe the operation of a microcontroller circuit board

2. Indivisual Assignment -

use an EDA tool to design a development board that uses parts from the inventory to interact and communicate with an embedded microcontroller

extra credit: try another design workflow

extra credit: simulate your design

extra credit: design a case around your design

About Electronic design

Electronic design is an intricate process where various electronic components, such as transistors, resistors, capacitors, and other devices, are carefully selected and integrated to achieve a specific purpose, resulting in a functional circuit or device. This involves meticulously designing each part of the circuit to ensure proper operation, while also connecting these components in a way that allows them to interact seamlessly and maintain system stability and safety. The process often utilizes computer software to plan the design, which is then tested and transformed into a tangible product. This approach ensures that the electronic system not only meets its intended function but also operates reliably and efficiently.

What is Current ?

Current - Current is the flow of electrical charge carriers, which are usually electrons or electron-deficient atoms.

The general symbol for current is the capital letter "I"

Its standard unit is the ampere, which is symbolized by the letter A.

One ampere is the electric current in which one coulomb (6.24 × 10²⁰ charge carriers) of charge moves past a specific point in one second.

Current is conventionally said to flow from a positive point to a negative point. This is called conventional current or Franklin current.

However, electrons, which are the most common charge carriers, are negatively charged. They flow from a negative point to a positive point.

Type of Current

There are two types of current: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current)

AC (Alternating current): Alternating current (AC) is an electric current that periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time.

1. It contrasts with direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction.
2. AC is the form of electrical power commonly used in homes and businesses.
3. The direction of the current reverses at regular intervals, creating a cycle.
4. The standard waveform of AC power is a sine wave.

DC (Direct current): Direct current (DC) is an electrical current that flows in only one direction.

1. Unlike alternating current (AC), which changes direction periodically, DC maintains a constant flow in a single direction.
2. Common sources of DC include batteries, solar cells, and DC power supplies.
3. DC current is used in many electronic devices, such as those powered by batteries, and in applications like charging batteries.

About Voltage and Power

Voltage: Voltage, measured in volts (V), is the electrical potential difference between two points in a circuit. Essentially, it's the "pressure" that pushes electrons through a conductor.Voltage provides the force needed to make electrical current flow.

Power - Power, measured in watts (W), is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred or used. It indicates how much work can be done. Power determines how much energy an electrical device consumes or produces.

About electronic components

Resistor - A resistor limits the flow of electrical current within a circuit.

Capacitor - Capacitor stores electrical energy in an electric field between two conductive plates.

Diode - Diode allows electrical current to flow primarily in one direction.

Mosfet - MOSFET is a type of transistor that uses an electric field to control current flow.

Sensors - Sensors detect and respond to changes in the physical environment, converting them into electrical signals.

LED - An LED is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. It is used for indication, illumination, and display purposes in electronic circuits.

Tactile Switch SMD - A Tactile Switch SMD is a small, surface-mounted push-button switch used to momentarily complete a circuit when pressed. It is widely used in keypads, control panels, and electronic devices for user input.

SMD Pin Header - SMD Pin Header is a type of electrical connector used to establish connections between a PCB and external components, modules, or other PCBs. Unlike through-hole headers, SMD pin headers are mounted directly on the PCB surface, making them suitable for compact and automated assembly.

Transistor - Transistor amplifies or switches electronic signals and electrical power

Actuator - Actuator is a device that converts a signal or energy into mechanical motion. Essentially, it's what makes something move or do work based on an electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic command. Actuators are crucial in automation and control systems, enabling machines to perform physical actions.

Resistor	Capacitor	Diode	Mosfet	Sensor

LED	Tactile Switch	Pin Header	Transistor	Actuator

Type of Electronic Components

Components are of two types: SMD (Surface Mount Device) and Through-hole.

SMD (Surface Mount Device) - An SMD is an electronic component designed to be mounted directly onto the surface of a printed circuit board (PCB).

Through-hole - Through-hole is an electronic component mounting technology that involves inserting component leads through holes in a printed circuit board (PCB) and then soldering them on the opposite side.

SMD (Surface Mount Device) Components	Through-hole Components

Type of Electronic Components

Components are of two types: Active and Passive components.

Active Components - An active component is an electronic component that can actively control the flow of electricity, provide gain, or generate a signal. It typically requires an external power source to function..

Passive Components - passive component is an electronic component that cannot actively control the flow of electricity, provide gain, or generate a signal.It does not require an external power source to function.

An example of active and passive components

Click here to visit our group assignment.

Individual Assignment

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

extra credit: try another design workflow

extra credit: simulate your design

extra credit: design a case around your design

PCB Design tools

KiCAD - KiCad is a free and open-source software suite for Electronic Design Automation (EDA). It's a powerful tool that covers the entire PCB design workflow, from schematic capture to PCB layout and Gerber file generation. It's known for its robust features, active community, and cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux).

Eagle - Eagle is a PCB design software that was originally developed by CadSoft Computer GmbH and is now owned by Autodesk. It's a widely used tool, especially in the maker and hobbyist communities, but also used by professionals.

Tinker CAD - TinkerCAD is a free, browser-based 3D modeling, simulation, and electronics platform developed by Autodesk. While it's primarily known for its 3D modeling capabilities, it also includes a module for basic electronics and PCB design.

About DRC (Design Rule Check) and ERC (Electrical Rule Check)

DRC(Design Rule Check) - Ensures the PCB layout follows manufacturing constraints, checking trace width, spacing, hole sizes, and clearance to prevent fabrication issues.

ERC (Electrical Rule Check) - Checks the schematic for electrical mistakes, such as missing connections or incorrect power links, ensuring the circuit works properly

I have used KiCad because --

KiCad has become a very popular choice for PCB design - Being open-source means a vibrant community contributes to its development, leading to continuous improvements and new features.

KiCad offers a complete workflow, including schematic capture, PCB layout, and 3D visualization.

It supports complex PCB designs with advanced routing capabilities.  

The 3D viewer is particularly valuable for checking component clearances and ensuring mechanical fit.

KiCAD Download Process

Please go through this link and follow the steps mentioned below: -

First, click on the link above or visit the website "kicad.org" Then, click on the 'Download' option.	After that, a new download page will open. Now, you can select the software based on your device and click on it.

After that, the software version page will open, and now you can click on 'Git' to download.	Now, the software download will begin. Once the download is complete, you can proceed to install the software.

Fab Library download

Please go through this link and follow the steps mentioned below: -

First, click on the link above or visit the website "fab labraries" Then, click on the 'fabcloud.org' portal.	After that, the Fab Cloud page will open. Now, click on the 'Code' option.

After clicking on the 'Code' option, click on 'Download ZIP' to begin the download.	Now, the fab libraries will begin to download.

Fab Library setup in kiCAD

First, Open the preference and select the "Manage Symbol Libraries"	Then Select folder option

Click on the folder option and select fab library file from the device	Now the feb library will visible in KiCad library

Now, We can search this feb librry and components in KiCad

PCB Schematic Designing

KiCad is a powerful open-source tool for designing PCBs, from schematics to manufacturing files.

Designing a PCB in the schematic phase involves creating a detailed circuit diagram, selecting appropriate components, defining electrical connections, and ensuring proper functionality before moving on to the layout and fabrication stages.

First, open KiCad. Then, click on the "File" menu and select "New File"	Save new file to device

After this, KiCad will generate two files: one for the "Schematic" and the other for the "PCB Layout". Then, select the "Schematic File".	After this, the Schematic Editor workspace will open.

After this, clicking on "Place Symbol (A)" will open the library	Now, you can view the available components in the library.

Select the components based on your PCB requirements.	After selecting the components, place them in the workspace.

I selected the "Xiao ESP32C3 module" and added the required components. Then, connect all the components using the "Draw Wire" option.	After completing all the wire connections, I opened the "Preferences" menu and selected "Manage Symbol Libraries" to assign footprints. Then, I added the footprint file.

PCB Layout Design

After finalizing the schematic, the next step is placing components and routing traces on a PCB

Converting schematic to a physical board design

After this, I clicked on "Switch to PCB Editor" and then selected "Update PCB from Schematic" to apply the changes and routing the components.	Then, I carefully placed all the components in the correct positions and drew the copper traces and connected all components.

After that, I removed all the "Airwires" (Ratsnest Lines) and finalized the copper traces.

Edge Cut (PCB Outline) and 3D Viewer

Edge Cut- The edge-cut process in PCB design defines the board’s shape and ensures precise fabrication. It starts by designing the board outline using the Edge.Cuts layer in software like KiCad or Altium.

3D Viewer - A 3D viewer in PCB design software allows engineers to visualize the board in a realistic 3D model before fabrication. It helps check component placement, clearances, and overall design aesthetics.

Now, I selected the "Edge Cut" option.

After that, I draw a rectangle around the PCB design using the Edge Cut layer to define the PCB boundary & outer line.	Then, I clicked on the "3D Viewer" option to visualize the PCB design in a 3D view.

Gerber File Generation (For PCB Fabrication)

Once the PCB layout is ready, Gerber files (standard manufacturing files) are generated

Now, to save the design, I went to the "File" menu and clicked on the "Plot" option.	Next, in the "File Format" option, I selected +Gerber File" and generated the final file

After that, I followed the same process to save the file in "SVG" format.	PCB Layout in SVG Format

Download Original File's

Download edge cut file in SVG formet here

Download in cut file in SVG formet formet here