PCB Design

This section goes over the fundamentals of PCB board design by creating an odometry measurement board. We will be going through the complete processes from concepts, design, and part sourcing to PCB footprints and layouts.

Table of Contents

  1. Software Requirements

  2. System Conceptualization

    1. System Overview
    2. Power Flow Diagram
    3. Pinout Spreadsheet

  3. Schematic Layout

    1. Component Selection
    2. PCB Library
    3. Layout Design
    4. Transfer to PCB

  4. PCB Layout

    1. PCB Shape
    2. Component Placement
    3. Routing Traces
    4. DRC Check
    5. Gerber Files

    Initial Thoughts and Concerns

    This board has been designed with the understanding that the components will be exposed to stronger than normal magnetic fields due to the motors. Since the MCU will be reading digital signals coming from the Magnetic Hall Effect sensors (acting as a latch), and only transmitting odometry related information to other components in the system, I feel the PCB layout should be satisfactory.

    However, if more sensors are added that can be easily corrupted due to magnetic noise, or issues arise in the communication processes, this board could be broken up into two separate PCB boards. One board containing the Magnetic Hall Effect sensors and a connector, and the other board containing the MCU and signal filtering circuitry.