1 - 03/09/2015

Austin IoT Hardware Sub-Group

September 2015

About The Austin IoT Sub-GroupThe IoT Hardware Sub-Group offers a more hands-on approach than its broader based parent, the Austin IoT group.

Meetups will feature show-and-tell demonstrations, collaborative discussion, and educational presentations.

The focus is on learning how to create IoT devices, for fun or profit. Most of all, we will have fun! with IoT.

About Tech Shop

A Maker’s Dream!Support for EntrepreneursMembershipToursMeetings

Tonight’s Agenda● Introduction

○ Announcements○ Call for jobs○ Call for demos - project discussions

● CAD Tools for Electronics

Announcements

● Got a Job to announce?● Looking for a Job?● Other announcements?

Demo and Project Discussion

● Show and Tell time!○ Have something to show?○ Working on a project?○ How about for next month?

Electronics CAD ToolsKiCAD Osmand PCBgEDA DesignSpark Fritzing PCWeb BSch3V CometCAD TinyCAD ZentiPCB Sunstone's PCB123 ExpressPCB Altum CircuitMaker Eagle MultiSim Blue

Schematic Capture

PCB Layout

Real PCB

My Opinion!● Many options and opinions, tools are all pretty much the

same. All work, are painful to learn, and could be better.● Most important features (in existing options)

○ Cost vrs Limitations○ Library Management (parts)

■ Symbol for SCH■ Model for PCB

● Not most important○ Existing Part Library

My Personal Favorite

Open Source, Cross Platform, Electronics CAD Suite

● Schematic Capture - PCB Layout - PCB Autorouting - 3D Modeling

● Free - No limits on schematic or board size or number of layers

● Easy (enough) to learn and use○ Lots of online tutorials

● CERN Support○ The hardware fraternity at CERN believes that KiCad can do to PCB design what the

GCC compiler did to software.○ Collaborating with KiCad team to bring advanced features.

■ http://www.eetimes.com/author.asp?section_id=36&doc_id=1320005

Eagle - Highly Popular

Eagle - $ Limits● Schematic Capture - PCB Layout - PCB Autorouting● Windows, Linux and Mac.● Free Version

○ PCB+SCH+Autorouter○ Non-Profit or Evaluation only○ One schematic sheet○ 2 board Layers○ Max board size is 100 x 80mm (4 x 3.2 inches)

● Eagle Business Light $69 ○ Same limits as free, above, except for profit work.

● Eagle Make Personal $135 ○ PCB+SCH+Autorouter○ Non-commercial○ 99 schematic sheets○ 6 board Layers○ Max board size is 160 x 100mm (6.4 x 4 inches)

● Eagle Make Pro $135/year○ Same limits as Make Personal, above, except for profit work.

Unlimited versions $820 - $1640

Verses

FreeUnlimitedOpen SourceGood CommunityEasy Enough

$69 for small$135/year $K unlimitedHuge CommunityLarge Parts LibraryMany OS projectsEasy Enough

● Online, Web Application● $99/Month● $499/Month● $999/Month

Other Tools● Circuit Maker

○ Altium - the big dog.○ Free Schematic, and PCB layout.○ Online only - only two private projects.

● DesignSpark○ Free Schematic and PCB Layout○ RS Electronics

● MultiSim Blue■ Schematic, Simulation, PCB Layout, and BOM■ Free and unlimited■ National Instruments and Mouser Electronics

Ordering PCBs - Gerbers● Gerber Files

○ One per layer○ Copper ○ Silkscreen○ Solder Mask○ Board Layer

● Drill Files○ Every hole in board○ text format

● Description and Package

Ordering PCBs - Suppliers○ OSH Park

■ 2 layer, $5/inch, 2 boards, 2 weeks■ Great online tool for ordering

○ Dirty PCB ■ 5x5cm, 10 boards, $14, 2 weeks■ 10x10cm, 10 boards, $25, 2 weeks

○ Express PCB ■ $51, 3 PCBs, next day, 3.8x2.5”, no solder mask■ Free CAD tools

○ Gold Phoenix (China, 100 inches $100, weeks)○ MyRow (China, Eagle support, weeks)

Advice - Schematic● ERC!!!!● Inputs on left, outputs on right (usually)● + is up, - and gnd are down.● Group functionality● Custom Library file● Good symbols, don’t default to a box● Connector pins and descriptions● Schematics are important documentation● Use multiple sheets as function blocks

Advice - PCB● DRC!!!● Group functionality● Custom Library file● Print and verify placements (Calibrate printer)● Have your real parts● Fit check your board● Layer directions● Auto router concerns● Pad and Drill - Sizes and Shapes● Silk screen and part info● Thermal Relief● Ground Plane

Questions?