individual assignment
For my individual assignment, I simulated a smart light sensor circuit, designed and checked an embedded microcontroller system using KiCad with XIAO RP2040, and explored an alternative design workflow
I downloaded and installed KiCad KiCad download
Open KiCad
I installed the required component libraries in KiCad to ensure all necessary symbols and footprints were available for my PCB design Next, select plugin and content Manager and choose library for adding fab library
Choose fab KiCad library and click install
I opened KiCad and created a new project by selecting File → New Project, preparing the workspace for schematic
I opened the Schematic Editor and used the Symbol Tool to add the XIAO RP2040 microcontroller
Components Used
- XIAO RP2040 microcontroller
- LDR ( senses ambient light)
- 10 Ω resistor
- 220 Ω resistor
- LED 1206
I started by opening the schematic editor in KiCad and adding the XIAO RP2040 microcontroller using this symbols
Next, I added the resistors from the component library and LDR ( senses ambient light)
Next, I added the LED
Next, I updated the resistor values
Next, I connected all the components by wiring and Place Global Labels to keep the schematic clean the XIAO RP2040 pins, LDR, resistors, and LED according to the circuit schematic
Next, I assigned footprints to verified that all connections were correct and All components were correctly connected
After assigning footprints, I switched to the PCB Editor
In the PCB Editor, I updated the board from the schematic and positioned all components in the editing area
For PCB routing, I set the track thickness to 0.8 mm
I routed the PCB carefully with 0.8 mm tracks, keeping the layout clean and minimizing crossovers.
After completing the track routing, I added edge cuts to define the final shape and outline of the PCB
