Electronics Design — KiCad

Designing an electronic board in KiCad, documenting schematic creation, footprint selection, PCB layout, checks, and manufacturing-ready outputs.

Assignment

Electronics Design

Design Tool

KiCad

Output

Schematic + PCB

Status

In Progress

Goal: Design a functional board in KiCad and prepare it for fabrication.

🧠 Learning Objectives

Design a complete electronic circuit schematic in KiCad.
Assign correct footprints and create a manufacturable PCB layout.
Run validation checks and prepare final fabrication files.

📌 Documentation Requirements (Checklist)

Show the full process

From idea and schematic to PCB layout and export files.
Document design decisions

Explain why each component and connection was used.
Show evidence

Include screenshots of schematic, PCB layout, and checks.
Provide manufacturing files

Attach KiCad project, exports, and fabrication-ready outputs if possible.

🛠️ Tools & Components

EDA Software: KiCad
Microcontroller: ESP32
Components: Ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04), Tempreature sensor (BMP280), Sparkfun OLE Display
Manufacturing Process: PCB milling / PCB fabrication (replace based on your workflow)

Why KiCad? It allows schematic design, footprint assignment, PCB routing, checks, and file export in one workflow.

📐 Schematic Design

I started by defining the circuit’s purpose and selecting the required components. Then I created the schematic in KiCad, connecting each component according to its function.

Power section: voltage input, VCC, and GND connections
Microcontroller section: main control logic and pin mapping
Input/Output section: sensors

KiCad schematic overview — Full schematic created in KiCad.

KiCad schematic close-up — Close-up of the main functional section of the schematic.

📦 Footprint Assignment

After completing the schematic, I assigned footprints to each component to match the parts I plan to use during fabrication and assembly.

Selected footprints that match the package type of each component.
Verified pad spacing and sizes for manufacturability.
Checked orientation and pin numbering before moving to the PCB editor.

Important: Incorrect footprint selection can make the PCB impossible to assemble, even if the schematic is correct.

🧭 PCB Layout

In the PCB editor, I arranged the components to make routing easier and to keep the board compact and organized.

Placed the microcontroller first as the main reference point.
Positioned connectors and headers based on accessibility.
Kept power traces clear and organized.
Routed signal traces while minimizing crossing and unnecessary turns.

✅ ERC / DRC Validation

Before exporting the final files, I ran KiCad’s validation checks:

ERC (Electrical Rules Check): confirmed that the schematic connections were valid.
DRC (Design Rules Check): checked spacing, trace widths, and layout issues in the PCB.

Any reported issues were fixed before generating the final files.

✅ Results

Replace these placeholders with your actual final screenshots and board outputs.

Stage	Status	Notes
Schematic	Completed	All functional blocks connected and labeled
Footprints	Completed	Matched to intended physical components
PCB Routing	Completed	Board routed and arranged for fabrication
Checks	Completed	ERC and DRC verified

3D view of PCB in KiCad — 3D preview of the final board.

📦 Files & Exports

KiCad Project Schematic PDF Gerber Files Bill of Materials (BOM)

Reflection — What I Learned

KiCad provides a complete workflow from schematic to PCB layout.
Careful component placement makes routing much easier.
Validation tools like ERC and DRC are essential before fabrication.
Documenting footprints, routing, and exports helps ensure the design can be reproduced later.