From Rats Nest to a complete PCB layout in 10 steps // Designing a LoRa-GPS tracker in KiCad
Channel: Sayanee Basu
Date: 2021-06-18

#pcb #layout #kicad
In this video, I share some steps to take a PCB design that I manufactured with PCBWay https://pcbway.com, from a bare rats nest to a complete PCB layout. I had episodes where I tried to finish my routes, but it got messier and messier because I went in without any process or thoughts. I did some research and here I share 10 steps that we can take to make the routing a lot easier. As the classic saying goes "PCB design is 90% placement and 10% routing".

‣ Some links below are affiliate. I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS and LINKS
0:00 Intro
Getting to Blinky course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVhWh3AsXQs&list=PLy2022BX6EspFAKBCgRuEuzapuz_4aJCn
1:12 Step 1 - Schematic
1:47 Step 2 - Grid
2:27 Step 3 - Net Classes
PCBWay Capabilities https://www.pcbway.com/capabilities.html
3:09 Step 4 - Component placement
4:21 Step 5 - Physical considerations
18650 battery https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AdYgTp
5:21 Step 6 - PCB Outline
6:16 Step 7 - Silkscreen
6:48 Step 8 - Filled Zones
7:34 Step 9 - Routing
8:37 Step 10 - Gerber format
PCBWay Gerber format with KiCad 5.1 https://www.pcbway.com/blog/help_center/Generate_Gerber_file_from_Kicad_5_1_6.html
9:23 Outro

🎩 DEMO FILES
Commit history of the PCB Layout https://github.com/hutscape/oak/commits/master
Project Oak: LoRa-GPS tracker https://hutscape.com/oak/
KiCad files https://hutscape.com/oak/hardware

📺 WATCH NEXT
Foundations of a good electrical schematic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZLNguQLrs0
A case study of LoRa-GPS tracker and how to evaluate similar projects // LilyGO T-Beam, range test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgxx7jivSes
Common missing steps between the schematic and PCB layout // KiCad, PartsBox with LoRa, E-Ink, GPS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxpuTqal_V0
Online PCB manufacturing and the checklist manifesto // KiCad, PCBWay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhl9gOPUSWg
Design considerations for transferring a breadboard prototype to custom PCB // Arduino, MCU, sensors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZrSC_AGrMM

🔌 TOOLS USED
https://hutscape.com/tools

🎶 MUSIC
New Morning by Track Tribe from YouTube Audio library