Individual Assignment Enhancement
Cursor AI Transcript · HTMAA 2025
Table of Contents
Overview
Cursor AI assistance for updating individual assignment with Fusion360 design process and board designs
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I'll help you update the individual assignment section in week4.html with the design process and board designs. Let me first read the current file to understand the structure and then make the necessary updates.
Now I need to check what files are available in the week4/individualassignment directory to understand the structure and then update the individual assignment section with the design process and board designs.
Let me also check if there are any .brd and .sch files in the week4 directory:
Perfect! Now I have all the information I need. Let me create a todo list to track the updates needed and then implement them.
Now I'll update the individual assignment section with the detailed design process and board designs:
Week 4 · Electronics Design
![[Profile Image Placeholder]](profile.jpg)
Week 4
Electronics Design
Week Highlights
This week focuses on electronics design using EDA tools to create embedded microcontroller systems. We'll learn schematic design, PCB layout, design rule checking, and simulation techniques.
Table of Contents
Course Content
Training & Documentation
Electronics Design Week
This week introduces Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for creating embedded microcontroller systems. We'll learn to design schematics, create PCB layouts, perform design rule checks, and simulate circuit operation before fabrication.
• Understanding microcontroller architectures and embedded systems
• Learning EDA tool workflows for schematic capture and PCB design
• Implementing design rule checks for successful fabrication
• Using simulation tools to verify circuit operation
This Week's Goals
- Master EDA Tools
Learn KiCad or Eagle for schematic capture and PCB layout design
- Design Embedded System
Create a complete microcontroller system using parts from the Fab inventory
- Simulate & Verify
Use simulation tools to verify circuit operation before fabrication
- Test Equipment Proficiency
Learn to use oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other test equipment
Assignments
- Group Assignment
Use test equipment to observe embedded microcontroller operation
- Individual Assignment
Design embedded system with EDA tool, check design rules, and simulate
Tools & Materials
- EDA Software
KiCad, Eagle, or Altium Designer
- Test Equipment
Oscilloscope, multimeter, function generator
- Simulation Tools
LTspice, ngspice, Wokwi
- Fab Inventory Parts
Microcontrollers, passive components, connectors
Training Documentation
Essential training materials for electronics design, EDA tools, and test equipment operation.
Introduction to EDA tools and schematic design
EDA Tool Training
- KiCad schematic capture
- PCB layout and routing
- Design rule checking
- Footprint libraries
Test Equipment
- Oscilloscope operation
- Multimeter measurements
- Function generator setup
- Probe calibration
Useful Documentation
Essential resources for electronics design, EDA tools, and embedded systems development.
EDA Tools & Software
- KiCad — Open-source EDA suite
- Eagle — Professional PCB design
- Altium Designer — Advanced PCB design
- Wokwi — Online Arduino simulator
Simulation & Testing
- LTspice — Circuit simulation
- ngspice — Open-source SPICE
- Falstad Circuit — Interactive simulation
- Fab Inventory — Available components
Test Equipment Guides
- Oscilloscope Basics — Tektronix tutorial
- Multimeter Usage — SparkFun guide
- MIT Academy Electronics Design — Course reference
Design Guidelines & EDA Tools
Key design rules and EDA tool recommendations from course Slack discussions.
PCB Design Rules
- 1 mil = 0.001 inches (not millimeters!)
- Trace width: >10mil minimum
- Trace spacing: >16mil between traces
- Component sizes: ~1206 or larger recommended
- Flexibility: Break out extra pins, multiple power/ground copies
Microcontroller Options
- Xiao: All-in-one, multiple footprint choices
- ATtiny/SAMD: More parts but powerful and cheap
- Note: Tape-bottomed components need Kapton tape
EDA Tool Options
Leo's Open Source Tool
Easiest starting point for this class
KiCad
Open source, widely used, improved UI
Fusion 360
Cloud-synced part libraries, team access
Feedback Available: Send schematic/PCB files and screenshots for design review.
View Design Guidelines Discussion •
View EDA Tools Discussion
Group Assignment: Test Equipment Operation
Use the test equipment in your lab to observe the operation of an embedded microcontroller. This assignment focuses on understanding how to use oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other test equipment to analyze microcontroller behavior and circuit operation.
Oscilloscope and multimeter setup for microcontroller testing
Test Equipment Used
- Digital oscilloscope
- Digital multimeter
- Function generator
- Logic analyzer
Measurements Taken
- Clock signal frequency
- Power supply voltage
- Digital I/O waveforms
- Current consumption
Key Learnings
Understanding how to properly probe circuits, interpret oscilloscope traces, and use test equipment to diagnose embedded system operation. This foundation is essential for debugging and verifying circuit designs before and after fabrication.
Individual Assignment: EDA Design & Simulation
Use an EDA tool to design an embedded microcontroller system using parts from the inventory, check its design rules for fabrication, and simulate its operation. This assignment involves complete schematic capture, PCB layout, design rule checking, and circuit simulation.
Fusion360 Design Process
Complete step-by-step workflow for designing embedded systems in Fusion360 EDA:
Schematic Design Steps
-
1
Add board outline and define board dimensions
-
2
Add switch component and configure properties
-
3
Add LED component with proper orientation
-
4
Add resistor for current limiting
-
5
Add net connectors for dev board integration
PCB Layout Steps
-
6
Switch to PCB view and arrange components
-
7
Ensure no component overlaps
-
8
Route traces (flip and add holes if needed)
-
9
Resize board and create polygon pour
-
10
Add mounting holes and finalize design
Simulation: After completing the PCB design, remake the circuit in simulation websites like Wokwi to verify operation before fabrication.
Board Designs
Two ESP32S3-based designs created using Fusion360 EDA: a standalone LED board and a dev board connector with LED on the back.
ESP32S3 LED Base Design
Standalone LED board design for ESP32S3 microcontroller with integrated LED and supporting circuitry.
Schematic Design
📥 Download .sch file
PCB Layout with Polygon Pour
📥 Download .brd file
ESP32S3 Dev Board Connector Design
Development board connector design with LED mounted on the back for easy integration with ESP32S3 development boards.
Schematic Design
📥 Download .sch file
PCB Layout with Polygon Pour
📥 Download .brd file
Design Process
- Schematic capture
- Component selection
- PCB layout design
- Design rule checking
Simulation & Verification
- Circuit simulation
- Timing analysis
- Power consumption
- Signal integrity
Design Requirements
- Use components from Fab inventory
- Include microcontroller and supporting circuitry
- Pass design rule checks for fabrication
- Simulate operation before fabrication
EDA Tools & Workflow
Overview of Electronic Design Automation tools and the complete design workflow from schematic to fabrication.
Schematic Design
- Component library management
- Symbol creation and editing
- Netlist generation
- Electrical rule checking
PCB Layout
- Component placement
- Routing and trace optimization
- Design rule checking (DRC)
- Gerber file generation
Recommended EDA Tools
KiCad
Open-source, full-featured EDA suite with excellent community support
Eagle
Professional PCB design tool with extensive component libraries
Altium
Advanced PCB design with integrated simulation capabilities
Design Files
All design files, schematics, PCB layouts, and simulation files for the electronics design assignments.
Schematic Files
- schematic.kicad_sch — KiCad schematic
- schematic.pdf — PDF schematic
- bom.csv — Bill of materials
PCB & Simulation
- pcb.kicad_pcb — KiCad PCB layout
- gerber.zip — Gerber files for fabrication
- simulation.asc — LTspice simulation
Reflections & Learnings
Key insights and learnings from the electronics design week, including challenges faced and skills developed.
Technical Learnings
- EDA tool workflow mastery
- Design rule checking importance
- Simulation before fabrication
- Test equipment proficiency
Design Insights
- Component selection strategies
- PCB layout best practices
- Signal integrity considerations
- Fabrication constraints
Contributions
Acknowledgements and team contributions for the electronics design week assignments.
Group Assignment
- Collaborative test equipment setup
- Shared measurement techniques
- Documentation of procedures
Individual Work
- Complete EDA design workflow
- Simulation and verification
- Design file documentation
Ethical AI Use
AI tools used to assist with electronics design, EDA tool learning, and circuit simulation guidance.
AI-Assisted Tasks
- EDA tool workflow guidance and troubleshooting
- Circuit simulation setup and parameter optimization
- Design rule checking interpretation and fixes
- Component selection and datasheet analysis
Week 4 HTML Template Creation
Cursor AI assistance for creating the week4.html template with comprehensive electronics design content, including EDA tools, assignments, and documentation resources.
Focus: HTML template creation, electronics design content population, assignment structure, and documentation integration
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Now let me update the todo list to mark the completed tasks:
Perfect! I've successfully updated the individual assignment section in week4.html with all the requested content:
✅ Completed Updates
1. Fusion360 Design Process
2. Board Design Images with Download Links
ESP32S3 LED Base Design:esp32s3_led_pcb_schematic.pngesp32s3_led_pcb_polygon_pour.png.sch file linked to schematic, .brd file linked to PCBesp32s3_led_connector_pcb_schematic.pngesp32s3_led_connector_pcb_polygon_pour.png.sch file linked to schematic, .brd file linked to PCB3. Professional Presentation
The individual assignment section now provides a comprehensive overview of the Fusion360 EDA design process and showcases both board designs with proper documentation and download links for all design files.
I'll help you update the highlights section and improve the alignment and aesthetics of the board design images. Let me make these changes step by step.
Now let me update the highlights section first:
Week 4 · Electronics Design
Week 4
Electronics Design
Week Highlights
This week focuses on electronics design using EDA tools to create embedded microcontroller systems. We'll learn schematic design, PCB layout, design rule checking, and simulation techniques.
Table of Contents
Course Content
Training & Documentation
Electronics Design Week
This week introduces Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for creating embedded microcontroller systems. We'll learn to design schematics, create PCB layouts, perform design rule checks, and simulate circuit operation before fabrication.
• Understanding microcontroller architectures and embedded systems
• Learning EDA tool workflows for schematic capture and PCB design
• Implementing design rule checks for successful fabrication
• Using simulation tools to verify circuit operation
This Week's Goals
- Master EDA Tools
Learn KiCad or Eagle for schematic capture and PCB layout design
- Design Embedded System
Create a complete microcontroller system using parts from the Fab inventory
- Simulate & Verify
Use simulation tools to verify circuit operation before fabrication
- Test Equipment Proficiency
Learn to use oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other test equipment
Assignments
- Group Assignment
Use test equipment to observe embedded microcontroller operation
- Individual Assignment
Design embedded system with EDA tool, check design rules, and simulate
Tools & Materials
- EDA Software
KiCad, Eagle, or Altium Designer
- Test Equipment
Oscilloscope, multimeter, function generator
- Simulation Tools
LTspice, ngspice, Wokwi
- Fab Inventory Parts
Microcontrollers, passive components, connectors
Training Documentation
Essential training materials for electronics design, EDA tools, and test equipment operation.
Introduction to EDA tools and schematic design
EDA Tool Training
- KiCad schematic capture
- PCB layout and routing
- Design rule checking
- Footprint libraries
Test Equipment
- Oscilloscope operation
- Multimeter measurements
- Function generator setup
- Probe calibration
Useful Documentation
Essential resources for electronics design, EDA tools, and embedded systems development.
EDA Tools & Software
- KiCad — Open-source EDA suite
- Eagle — Professional PCB design
- Altium Designer — Advanced PCB design
- Wokwi — Online Arduino simulator
Simulation & Testing
- LTspice — Circuit simulation
- ngspice — Open-source SPICE
- Falstad Circuit — Interactive simulation
- Fab Inventory — Available components
Test Equipment Guides
- Oscilloscope Basics — Tektronix tutorial
- Multimeter Usage — SparkFun guide
- MIT Academy Electronics Design — Course reference
Design Guidelines & EDA Tools
Key design rules and EDA tool recommendations from course Slack discussions.
PCB Design Rules
- 1 mil = 0.001 inches (not millimeters!)
- Trace width: >10mil minimum
- Trace spacing: >16mil between traces
- Component sizes: ~1206 or larger recommended
- Flexibility: Break out extra pins, multiple power/ground copies
Microcontroller Options
- Xiao: All-in-one, multiple footprint choices
- ATtiny/SAMD: More parts but powerful and cheap
- Note: Tape-bottomed components need Kapton tape
EDA Tool Options
Leo's Open Source Tool
Easiest starting point for this class
KiCad
Open source, widely used, improved UI
Fusion 360
Cloud-synced part libraries, team access
Feedback Available: Send schematic/PCB files and screenshots for design review.
View Design Guidelines Discussion •
View EDA Tools Discussion
Group Assignment: Test Equipment Operation
Use the test equipment in your lab to observe the operation of an embedded microcontroller. This assignment focuses on understanding how to use oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other test equipment to analyze microcontroller behavior and circuit operation.
Oscilloscope and multimeter setup for microcontroller testing
Test Equipment Used
- Digital oscilloscope
- Digital multimeter
- Function generator
- Logic analyzer
Measurements Taken
- Clock signal frequency
- Power supply voltage
- Digital I/O waveforms
- Current consumption
Key Learnings
Understanding how to properly probe circuits, interpret oscilloscope traces, and use test equipment to diagnose embedded system operation. This foundation is essential for debugging and verifying circuit designs before and after fabrication.
Individual Assignment: EDA Design & Simulation
Use an EDA tool to design an embedded microcontroller system using parts from the inventory, check its design rules for fabrication, and simulate its operation. This assignment involves complete schematic capture, PCB layout, design rule checking, and circuit simulation.
Fusion360 Design Process
Complete step-by-step workflow for designing embedded systems in Fusion360 EDA:
Schematic Design Steps
-
1
Add board outline and define board dimensions
-
2
Add switch component and configure properties
-
3
Add LED component with proper orientation
-
4
Add resistor for current limiting
-
5
Add net connectors for dev board integration
PCB Layout Steps
-
6
Switch to PCB view and arrange components
-
7
Ensure no component overlaps
-
8
Route traces (flip and add holes if needed)
-
9
Resize board and create polygon pour
-
10
Add mounting holes and finalize design
Simulation: After completing the PCB design, remake the circuit in simulation websites like Wokwi to verify operation before fabrication.
Board Designs
Two ESP32S3-based designs created using Fusion360 EDA: a standalone LED board and a dev board connector with LED on the back.
ESP32S3 LED Base Design
Standalone LED board design for ESP32S3 microcontroller with integrated LED and supporting circuitry.
Schematic Design
📥 Download .sch file
PCB Layout with Polygon Pour
📥 Download .brd file
ESP32S3 Dev Board Connector Design
Development board connector design with LED mounted on the back for easy integration with ESP32S3 development boards.
Schematic Design
📥 Download .sch file
PCB Layout with Polygon Pour
📥 Download .brd file
Design Process
- Schematic capture
- Component selection
- PCB layout design
- Design rule checking
Simulation & Verification
- Circuit simulation
- Timing analysis
- Power consumption
- Signal integrity
Design Requirements
- Use components from Fab inventory
- Include microcontroller and supporting circuitry
- Pass design rule checks for fabrication
- Simulate operation before fabrication
EDA Tools & Workflow
Overview of Electronic Design Automation tools and the complete design workflow from schematic to fabrication.
Schematic Design
- Component library management
- Symbol creation and editing
- Netlist generation
- Electrical rule checking
PCB Layout
- Component placement
- Routing and trace optimization
- Design rule checking (DRC)
- Gerber file generation
Recommended EDA Tools
KiCad
Open-source, full-featured EDA suite with excellent community support
Eagle
Professional PCB design tool with extensive component libraries
Altium
Advanced PCB design with integrated simulation capabilities
Design Files
All design files, schematics, PCB layouts, and simulation files for the electronics design assignments.
Schematic Files
- schematic.kicad_sch — KiCad schematic
- schematic.pdf — PDF schematic
- bom.csv — Bill of materials
PCB & Simulation
- pcb.kicad_pcb — KiCad PCB layout
- gerber.zip — Gerber files for fabrication
- simulation.asc — LTspice simulation
Reflections & Learnings
Key insights and learnings from the electronics design week, including challenges faced and skills developed.
Technical Learnings
- EDA tool workflow mastery
- Design rule checking importance
- Simulation before fabrication
- Test equipment proficiency
Design Insights
- Component selection strategies
- PCB layout best practices
- Signal integrity considerations
- Fabrication constraints
Contributions
Acknowledgements and team contributions for the electronics design week assignments.
Group Assignment
- Collaborative test equipment setup
- Shared measurement techniques
- Documentation of procedures
Individual Work
- Complete EDA design workflow
- Simulation and verification
- Design file documentation
Ethical AI Use
AI tools used to assist with electronics design, EDA tool learning, and circuit simulation guidance.
AI-Assisted Tasks
- EDA tool workflow guidance and troubleshooting
- Circuit simulation setup and parameter optimization
- Design rule checking interpretation and fixes
- Component selection and datasheet analysis
Week 4 HTML Template Creation
Cursor AI assistance for creating the week4.html template with comprehensive electronics design content, including EDA tools, assignments, and documentation resources.
Focus: HTML template creation, electronics design content population, assignment structure, and documentation integration
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Now let me update the LED Base Design section to align the images and make them the same size:
Week 4 · Electronics Design
Week 4
Electronics Design
Week Highlights
This week focuses on electronics design using EDA tools to create embedded microcontroller systems. We'll learn schematic design, PCB layout, design rule checking, and simulation techniques.
Table of Contents
Course Content
Training & Documentation
Electronics Design Week
This week introduces Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for creating embedded microcontroller systems. We'll learn to design schematics, create PCB layouts, perform design rule checks, and simulate circuit operation before fabrication.
• Understanding microcontroller architectures and embedded systems
• Learning EDA tool workflows for schematic capture and PCB design
• Implementing design rule checks for successful fabrication
• Using simulation tools to verify circuit operation
This Week's Goals
- Master EDA Tools
Learn KiCad or Eagle for schematic capture and PCB layout design
- Design Embedded System
Create a complete microcontroller system using parts from the Fab inventory
- Simulate & Verify
Use simulation tools to verify circuit operation before fabrication
- Test Equipment Proficiency
Learn to use oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other test equipment
Assignments
- Group Assignment
Use test equipment to observe embedded microcontroller operation
- Individual Assignment
Design embedded system with EDA tool, check design rules, and simulate
Tools & Materials
- EDA Software
KiCad, Eagle, or Altium Designer
- Test Equipment
Oscilloscope, multimeter, function generator
- Simulation Tools
LTspice, ngspice, Wokwi
- Fab Inventory Parts
Microcontrollers, passive components, connectors
Training Documentation
Essential training materials for electronics design, EDA tools, and test equipment operation.
Introduction to EDA tools and schematic design
EDA Tool Training
- KiCad schematic capture
- PCB layout and routing
- Design rule checking
- Footprint libraries
Test Equipment
- Oscilloscope operation
- Multimeter measurements
- Function generator setup
- Probe calibration
Useful Documentation
Essential resources for electronics design, EDA tools, and embedded systems development.
EDA Tools & Software
- KiCad — Open-source EDA suite
- Eagle — Professional PCB design
- Altium Designer — Advanced PCB design
- Wokwi — Online Arduino simulator
Simulation & Testing
- LTspice — Circuit simulation
- ngspice — Open-source SPICE
- Falstad Circuit — Interactive simulation
- Fab Inventory — Available components
Test Equipment Guides
- Oscilloscope Basics — Tektronix tutorial
- Multimeter Usage — SparkFun guide
- MIT Academy Electronics Design — Course reference
Design Guidelines & EDA Tools
Key design rules and EDA tool recommendations from course Slack discussions.
PCB Design Rules
- 1 mil = 0.001 inches (not millimeters!)
- Trace width: >10mil minimum
- Trace spacing: >16mil between traces
- Component sizes: ~1206 or larger recommended
- Flexibility: Break out extra pins, multiple power/ground copies
Microcontroller Options
- Xiao: All-in-one, multiple footprint choices
- ATtiny/SAMD: More parts but powerful and cheap
- Note: Tape-bottomed components need Kapton tape
EDA Tool Options
Leo's Open Source Tool
Easiest starting point for this class
KiCad
Open source, widely used, improved UI
Fusion 360
Cloud-synced part libraries, team access
Feedback Available: Send schematic/PCB files and screenshots for design review.
View Design Guidelines Discussion •
View EDA Tools Discussion
Group Assignment: Test Equipment Operation
Use the test equipment in your lab to observe the operation of an embedded microcontroller. This assignment focuses on understanding how to use oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other test equipment to analyze microcontroller behavior and circuit operation.
Oscilloscope and multimeter setup for microcontroller testing
Test Equipment Used
- Digital oscilloscope
- Digital multimeter
- Function generator
- Logic analyzer
Measurements Taken
- Clock signal frequency
- Power supply voltage
- Digital I/O waveforms
- Current consumption
Key Learnings
Understanding how to properly probe circuits, interpret oscilloscope traces, and use test equipment to diagnose embedded system operation. This foundation is essential for debugging and verifying circuit designs before and after fabrication.
Individual Assignment: EDA Design & Simulation
Use an EDA tool to design an embedded microcontroller system using parts from the inventory, check its design rules for fabrication, and simulate its operation. This assignment involves complete schematic capture, PCB layout, design rule checking, and circuit simulation.
Fusion360 Design Process
Complete step-by-step workflow for designing embedded systems in Fusion360 EDA:
Schematic Design Steps
-
1
Add board outline and define board dimensions
-
2
Add switch component and configure properties
-
3
Add LED component with proper orientation
-
4
Add resistor for current limiting
-
5
Add net connectors for dev board integration
PCB Layout Steps
-
6
Switch to PCB view and arrange components
-
7
Ensure no component overlaps
-
8
Route traces (flip and add holes if needed)
-
9
Resize board and create polygon pour
-
10
Add mounting holes and finalize design
Simulation: After completing the PCB design, remake the circuit in simulation websites like Wokwi to verify operation before fabrication.
Board Designs
Two ESP32S3-based designs created using Fusion360 EDA: a standalone LED board and a dev board connector with LED on the back.
ESP32S3 LED Base Design
Standalone LED board design for ESP32S3 microcontroller with integrated LED and supporting circuitry.
Schematic Design
📥 Download .sch file
PCB Layout with Polygon Pour
📥 Download .brd file
ESP32S3 Dev Board Connector Design
Development board connector design with LED mounted on the back for easy integration with ESP32S3 development boards.
Schematic Design
📥 Download .sch file
PCB Layout with Polygon Pour
📥 Download .brd file
Design Process
- Schematic capture
- Component selection
- PCB layout design
- Design rule checking
Simulation & Verification
- Circuit simulation
- Timing analysis
- Power consumption
- Signal integrity
Design Requirements
- Use components from Fab inventory
- Include microcontroller and supporting circuitry
- Pass design rule checks for fabrication
- Simulate operation before fabrication
EDA Tools & Workflow
Overview of Electronic Design Automation tools and the complete design workflow from schematic to fabrication.
Schematic Design
- Component library management
- Symbol creation and editing
- Netlist generation
- Electrical rule checking
PCB Layout
- Component placement
- Routing and trace optimization
- Design rule checking (DRC)
- Gerber file generation
Recommended EDA Tools
KiCad
Open-source, full-featured EDA suite with excellent community support
Eagle
Professional PCB design tool with extensive component libraries
Altium
Advanced PCB design with integrated simulation capabilities
Design Files
All design files, schematics, PCB layouts, and simulation files for the electronics design assignments.
Schematic Files
- schematic.kicad_sch — KiCad schematic
- schematic.pdf — PDF schematic
- bom.csv — Bill of materials
PCB & Simulation
- pcb.kicad_pcb — KiCad PCB layout
- gerber.zip — Gerber files for fabrication
- simulation.asc — LTspice simulation
Reflections & Learnings
Key insights and learnings from the electronics design week, including challenges faced and skills developed.
Technical Learnings
- EDA tool workflow mastery
- Design rule checking importance
- Simulation before fabrication
- Test equipment proficiency
Design Insights
- Component selection strategies
- PCB layout best practices
- Signal integrity considerations
- Fabrication constraints
Contributions
Acknowledgements and team contributions for the electronics design week assignments.
Group Assignment
- Collaborative test equipment setup
- Shared measurement techniques
- Documentation of procedures
Individual Work
- Complete EDA design workflow
- Simulation and verification
- Design file documentation
Ethical AI Use
AI tools used to assist with electronics design, EDA tool learning, and circuit simulation guidance.
AI-Assisted Tasks
- EDA tool workflow guidance and troubleshooting
- Circuit simulation setup and parameter optimization
- Design rule checking interpretation and fixes
- Component selection and datasheet analysis
Week 4 HTML Template Creation
Cursor AI assistance for creating the week4.html template with comprehensive electronics design content, including EDA tools, assignments, and documentation resources.
Focus: HTML template creation, electronics design content population, assignment structure, and documentation integration
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Now let me update the Dev Board Connector Design section with the same improved styling:
Week 4 · Electronics Design
Week 4
Electronics Design
Week Highlights
This week focuses on electronics design using EDA tools to create embedded microcontroller systems. We'll learn schematic design, PCB layout, design rule checking, and simulation techniques.
Table of Contents
Course Content
Training & Documentation
Electronics Design Week
This week introduces Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for creating embedded microcontroller systems. We'll learn to design schematics, create PCB layouts, perform design rule checks, and simulate circuit operation before fabrication.
• Understanding microcontroller architectures and embedded systems
• Learning EDA tool workflows for schematic capture and PCB design
• Implementing design rule checks for successful fabrication
• Using simulation tools to verify circuit operation
This Week's Goals
- Master EDA Tools
Learn KiCad or Eagle for schematic capture and PCB layout design
- Design Embedded System
Create a complete microcontroller system using parts from the Fab inventory
- Simulate & Verify
Use simulation tools to verify circuit operation before fabrication
- Test Equipment Proficiency
Learn to use oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other test equipment
Assignments
- Group Assignment
Use test equipment to observe embedded microcontroller operation
- Individual Assignment
Design embedded system with EDA tool, check design rules, and simulate
Tools & Materials
- EDA Software
KiCad, Eagle, or Altium Designer
- Test Equipment
Oscilloscope, multimeter, function generator
- Simulation Tools
LTspice, ngspice, Wokwi
- Fab Inventory Parts
Microcontrollers, passive components, connectors
Training Documentation
Essential training materials for electronics design, EDA tools, and test equipment operation.
Introduction to EDA tools and schematic design
EDA Tool Training
- KiCad schematic capture
- PCB layout and routing
- Design rule checking
- Footprint libraries
Test Equipment
- Oscilloscope operation
- Multimeter measurements
- Function generator setup
- Probe calibration
Useful Documentation
Essential resources for electronics design, EDA tools, and embedded systems development.
EDA Tools & Software
- KiCad — Open-source EDA suite
- Eagle — Professional PCB design
- Altium Designer — Advanced PCB design
- Wokwi — Online Arduino simulator
Simulation & Testing
- LTspice — Circuit simulation
- ngspice — Open-source SPICE
- Falstad Circuit — Interactive simulation
- Fab Inventory — Available components
Test Equipment Guides
- Oscilloscope Basics — Tektronix tutorial
- Multimeter Usage — SparkFun guide
- MIT Academy Electronics Design — Course reference
Design Guidelines & EDA Tools
Key design rules and EDA tool recommendations from course Slack discussions.
PCB Design Rules
- 1 mil = 0.001 inches (not millimeters!)
- Trace width: >10mil minimum
- Trace spacing: >16mil between traces
- Component sizes: ~1206 or larger recommended
- Flexibility: Break out extra pins, multiple power/ground copies
Microcontroller Options
- Xiao: All-in-one, multiple footprint choices
- ATtiny/SAMD: More parts but powerful and cheap
- Note: Tape-bottomed components need Kapton tape
EDA Tool Options
Leo's Open Source Tool
Easiest starting point for this class
KiCad
Open source, widely used, improved UI
Fusion 360
Cloud-synced part libraries, team access
Feedback Available: Send schematic/PCB files and screenshots for design review.
View Design Guidelines Discussion •
View EDA Tools Discussion
Group Assignment: Test Equipment Operation
Use the test equipment in your lab to observe the operation of an embedded microcontroller. This assignment focuses on understanding how to use oscilloscopes, multimeters, and other test equipment to analyze microcontroller behavior and circuit operation.
Oscilloscope and multimeter setup for microcontroller testing
Test Equipment Used
- Digital oscilloscope
- Digital multimeter
- Function generator
- Logic analyzer
Measurements Taken
- Clock signal frequency
- Power supply voltage
- Digital I/O waveforms
- Current consumption
Key Learnings
Understanding how to properly probe circuits, interpret oscilloscope traces, and use test equipment to diagnose embedded system operation. This foundation is essential for debugging and verifying circuit designs before and after fabrication.
Individual Assignment: EDA Design & Simulation
Use an EDA tool to design an embedded microcontroller system using parts from the inventory, check its design rules for fabrication, and simulate its operation. This assignment involves complete schematic capture, PCB layout, design rule checking, and circuit simulation.
Fusion360 Design Process
Complete step-by-step workflow for designing embedded systems in Fusion360 EDA:
Schematic Design Steps
-
1
Add board outline and define board dimensions
-
2
Add switch component and configure properties
-
3
Add LED component with proper orientation
-
4
Add resistor for current limiting
-
5
Add net connectors for dev board integration
PCB Layout Steps
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6
Switch to PCB view and arrange components
-
7
Ensure no component overlaps
-
8
Route traces (flip and add holes if needed)
-
9
Resize board and create polygon pour
-
10
Add mounting holes and finalize design
Simulation: After completing the PCB design, remake the circuit in simulation websites like Wokwi to verify operation before fabrication.
Board Designs
Two ESP32S3-based designs created using Fusion360 EDA: a standalone LED board and a dev board connector with LED on the back.
ESP32S3 LED Base Design
Standalone LED board design for ESP32S3 microcontroller with integrated LED and supporting circuitry.
Schematic Design
📥 Download .sch file
PCB Layout with Polygon Pour
📥 Download .brd file
ESP32S3 Dev Board Connector Design
Development board connector design with LED mounted on the back for easy integration with ESP32S3 development boards.
Schematic Design
📥 Download .sch file
PCB Layout with Polygon Pour
📥 Download .brd file
Design Process
- Schematic capture
- Component selection
- PCB layout design
- Design rule checking
Simulation & Verification
- Circuit simulation
- Timing analysis
- Power consumption
- Signal integrity
Design Requirements
- Use components from Fab inventory
- Include microcontroller and supporting circuitry
- Pass design rule checks for fabrication
- Simulate operation before fabrication
EDA Tools & Workflow
Overview of Electronic Design Automation tools and the complete design workflow from schematic to fabrication.
Schematic Design
- Component library management
- Symbol creation and editing
- Netlist generation
- Electrical rule checking
PCB Layout
- Component placement
- Routing and trace optimization
- Design rule checking (DRC)
- Gerber file generation
Recommended EDA Tools
KiCad
Open-source, full-featured EDA suite with excellent community support
Eagle
Professional PCB design tool with extensive component libraries
Altium
Advanced PCB design with integrated simulation capabilities
Design Files
All design files, schematics, PCB layouts, and simulation files for the electronics design assignments.
Schematic Files
- schematic.kicad_sch — KiCad schematic
- schematic.pdf — PDF schematic
- bom.csv — Bill of materials
PCB & Simulation
- pcb.kicad_pcb — KiCad PCB layout
- gerber.zip — Gerber files for fabrication
- simulation.asc — LTspice simulation
Reflections & Learnings
Key insights and learnings from the electronics design week, including challenges faced and skills developed.
Technical Learnings
- EDA tool workflow mastery
- Design rule checking importance
- Simulation before fabrication
- Test equipment proficiency
Design Insights
- Component selection strategies
- PCB layout best practices
- Signal integrity considerations
- Fabrication constraints
Contributions
Acknowledgements and team contributions for the electronics design week assignments.
Group Assignment
- Collaborative test equipment setup
- Shared measurement techniques
- Documentation of procedures
Individual Work
- Complete EDA design workflow
- Simulation and verification
- Design file documentation
Ethical AI Use
AI tools used to assist with electronics design, EDA tool learning, and circuit simulation guidance.
AI-Assisted Tasks
- EDA tool workflow guidance and troubleshooting
- Circuit simulation setup and parameter optimization
- Design rule checking interpretation and fixes
- Component selection and datasheet analysis
Week 4 HTML Template Creation
Cursor AI assistance for creating the week4.html template with comprehensive electronics design content, including EDA tools, assignments, and documentation resources.
Focus: HTML template creation, electronics design content population, assignment structure, and documentation integration
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Now let me update the todo list to mark the completed tasks:
Perfect! I've successfully updated the week4.html file with all the requested improvements:
✅ Completed Updates
1. Updated Highlights Section
2. Improved Image Alignment & Sizing
object-fit: contain to maintain aspect ratio
- Added white background containers with subtle shadows
3. Enhanced Aesthetics & Usability
4. Key Visual Improvements
The page now has a much more professional and cohesive look, with properly aligned images, clear visual hierarchy, and easy-to-follow design flow. The highlights section effectively showcases the work while the individual assignment section provides detailed information with excellent visual presentation.
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For the complete technical details and full conversation transcript: