Electronics > Beginners
Why am not able to get a grasp of PCB designing?
NivagSwerdna:
--- Quote from: redgear on November 12, 2019, 10:37:54 am ---Im using Kicad too. I got everything in a single schematic.
--- End quote ---
set PCBCAD_Wars ON
Try DipTrace. Work through the tutorial.
set PCBCAD_Wars OFF
PS
re: Layout... In my DIY hobby experience as long as the main current paths are nicely flooded it normally works.
Rerouter:
ebastler, I did not mean split the schematic, I meant group up parts into smaller sections, and just attack section by section, to reduce how "overwhelming" the project feels to the OP
Nivag, Why would anyone want to lock themselves in with software that limits what they can do, e.g. pay $1000 USD to not be limited, vs spend an amount of time learning the tool like approaching diptrace would involve. I'm personally unclear what diptrace offers that would make me be willing to pay that amount + the time investment to relearn a locked down tool?
To the OP, the other thing that may help is you can adjust how the routing works, my personal preference is in the attached image, when routing a wire, right click and you will see "Interactive routing settings"
redgear:
--- Quote from: ebastler on November 12, 2019, 11:05:29 am ---I may be underestimating the complexity of a powerbank -- but splitting it into multiple schematic pages seems a bit over the top to me. And if most of the components (or little functional blocks) are connected to a central microcontroller, then the placement of that controller and all the components interfacing to it is a central part of the layout task, and will need to be done with all relevant components in the picture.
Also, the placement of connectors and user interface components (LEDs, buttons, or more complex parts) often creates an additional layout constraint. Again, I would want to see all these parts in context. It's OK to start with a larger-than-needed board, but I want to get an idea of what goes on the front and back, how much room the connectors take there, etc.
Could you share your schematic and non-routed ratsnest to give us a better idea of the complexity? Preferably as a picture or PDF, since not everyone runs KiCAD. Thanks!
--- End quote ---
Yep! Almost everything is connected directly to the microcontroller. Sure, I'm attaching the schematic and ratsnest here.
--- Quote from: Rerouter on November 12, 2019, 11:20:24 am ---To the OP, the other thing that may help is you can adjust how the routing works, my personal preference is in the attached image, when routing a wire, right click and you will see "Interactive routing settings"
--- End quote ---
Thanks, I will see if that helps.
ebastler:
--- Quote from: redgear on November 12, 2019, 11:28:03 am ---Yep! Almost everything is connected directly to the microcontroller. Sure, I'm attaching the schematic and ratsnest here.
--- End quote ---
Alright, I can see how that looks intimidating at first. ;)
I would start by giving myself lots of room (i.e. pretend that the PCB will be huge), and roughly arrange the components: Connectors to the sides of the board where you want them, passives in loose groups (grouped by function according to the schematic). Roughly shuffle things around to untangle some of the wires.
Quite a few of your ratsnest wires will be for GND connections. Not sure how KiCAD handles this, but I would create a GND layer early on to take care of these, to clear up the remaining picture a bit. You might even create a "temporary" GND layer on the top layer, such that KiCAD auto-connects all the GND pads and removes these ratsnest lines. (Eventually, you probably want your GND pour on the bottom, and most of the other connections on top. Then you will need to place vias near the SMD pads which need to be connected to GND.)
redgear:
--- Quote from: ebastler on November 12, 2019, 11:39:55 am ---
--- Quote from: redgear on November 12, 2019, 11:28:03 am ---Yep! Almost everything is connected directly to the microcontroller. Sure, I'm attaching the schematic and ratsnest here.
--- End quote ---
Alright, I can see how that looks intimidating at first. ;)
I would start by giving myself lots of room (i.e. pretend that the PCB will be huge), and roughly arrange the components: Connectors to the sides of the board where you want them, passives in loose groups (grouped by function according to the schematic). Roughly shuffle things around to untangle some of the wires.
Quite a few of your ratsnest wires will be for GND connections. Not sure how KiCAD handles this, but I would create a GND layer early on to take care of these, to clear up the remaining picture a bit. You might even create a "temporary" GND layer on the top layer, such that KiCAD auto-connects all the GND pads and removes these ratsnest lines. (Eventually, you probably want your GND pour on the bottom, and most of the other connections on top. Then you will need to place vias near the SMD pads which need to be connected to GND.)
--- End quote ---
Thanks... Let me try and post the progress.
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