- Design an STM32-based prototype from scratch in KiCad V6 – all the way from concept to manufacturing.
- Free tutorial
- Rating: 4.8 out of 54.8 (1,371 ratings)
- 7,511 students
- 1hr 39min of on-demand video
- Created by Philip Salmony
- English
What you’ll learn
- Master the basics of KiCad V6.
- Know what external circuitry is required for STM32 microcontrollers, USB, and more.
- Learn guidelines and best practices for PCB layout and routing.
- Understand what information is required to get your prototype manufactured.
Requirements
- Familiarity with basic electronics and microcontrollers.
- KiCad V6 (free) installed.
Description
Learn how to use KiCad V6 and design your own printed circuit boards (PCBs) featuring STM32 microcontrollers. This course will give you a straightforward and complete way to moving from Arduino-based designs to your own, completely custom, STM32-based hardware. All the way from project creation, through to circuit design, PCB layout and routing, and final manufacturing file generation.
Lesson content:
1) Schematic
How to use KiCad V6 (free ECAD software), creating a schematic in KiCad, populating the schematic with relevant circuitry: STM32 microcontroller, required surrounding circuitry, decoupling capacitors, pin-out planning using STM32CubeIDE, USB 2.0 FS, power supply using an LDO regulator. How to perform an electrical rules check and annotate the schematic, as well as assigning footprints.
2) PCB Layout
Setting up the KiCad V6 PCB editor, finding manufacturer capabilities and importing them into KiCad. Using the 3D viewer. Initial rough layout: placing the MCU, decoupling capacitors, and crystal circuitry. Adding USB, SWD, and GPIO connectors. Changing footprints and adding 3D models. Fine tuning placement and layout. Simple LDO power supply layout. Adding mounting holes and defining the board outline.
3) PCB Routing
Routing order and priorities. Best practices for decoupling capacitors, crystals, and sensitive traces. Signal routing, ground planes, vias, and power routing. Finishing touches with custom silkscreen and custom logo. Design rule check and final project checks.
4) Manufacturing
Producing the files in KiCad required by PCB manufacturers for assembly and production.
Who this course is for:
- Engineering students and hobbyists looking to move away from Arduino and start designing their own boards!
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Course content
5 sections • 22 lectures • 1h 38m total lengthCollapse all sections
Introduction1 lecture • 2min
- Introduction02:28
Schematic8 lectures • 48min
- STM32 Microcontroller and Decoupling11:06
- STM32 Configuration Pins06:14
- Pin-Out and STM32CubeIDE05:43
- Crystal Circuitry03:50
- USB03:07
- Power Supply and Connectors08:57
- Electrical Rules Check (ERC) and Annotation06:30
- Footprint Assignment02:46
PCB Layout7 lectures • 28min
- KiCad PCB Set-Up04:52
- MCU, Decoupling Capacitors, and Crystal Layout06:11
- USB and SWD Layout03:22
- Changing Footprints and Adding 3D Models03:01
- Switch and Connector Placement02:32
- Power Supply Layout02:39
- Mounting Holes and Board Outline05:04
PCB Routing4 lectures • 15min
- Decoupling Capacitors and Crystal Routing04:15
- Signal Routing03:16
- Power Routing05:18
- Finishing Touches and Design Rule Check (DRC)02:36
Manufacturing and Outro2 lectures • 5min
- Producing Manufacturing Files (BOM, CPL, Gerber, and Drill)04:23
- Outro00:20
