Designing Process

This page briefly covers the basic steps in designing a Function Module on KiCAD. Before starting a new project, you should download the Template files. Move the template files in the new project folder and rename the files to match with the name of your new project. Once all files are synced and renamed, you may start working on Schematics.

###1. Schematics In the schematics editor ‘Eeschema’ provided, you will find OpenCNX 34-pin connector module component with labelled pins. A detailed pinout file is provided here. It’s important to make yourself familiar with the connections available to the Function Module in order to have a compatible circuit design.

If you are new to KiCAD, you will find this tutorial helpful. This document also contains a detailed step-to-step guide on designing circuit on Eeschema as well as designing PCB with tracks and footprints.

All the basic components are available on KiCAD’s libraries. However, you can create your own components or customize current components. You can chose to create your own component library to keep all of your custom components in one place. A detailed guide on schematic components is provided as well.

Once you finish the circuit schematics, annotate your components and click on ‘Run CvPcb to associate components and footprints’ to link your components with their respective footprints. Like the component libraries, KiCAD also has Footprint libraries where you can find a lot of common footprints. However, you can always customize current footprints or create one from scratch. The 3D viewer feature uses a CAD model associated with a particular footprint. This way, you can view your finalized PCB board in 3D. If you create your own footprint, you can import a CAD model for your footprint.

After associating components with footprints, click on ‘generate a netlist’. You will find all the footprints available on Pcbnew file – the one downloaded from Template file.

###2. PCB Design After generating a netlist, all the footprints are connected according to the schematics in Eeschema file. As the PCB edges and connector placement are already provided in the template file, you only need to arrange the footprints and set tracks to make all the connections. This page will guide you through setting up track routes.

Function Module’s mechanical specs file shows the space provided on each side of the board for the components. It’s important to follow these limits so your Functional Module can fit in the device properly.

Once done with track layouts, check if any connections are left unconnected and then fill the zones. Use the 3D viewer to see your finalized PCB design in 3D.