Week-1 Electronic Design

Introduction

This week, I learned the basics of the basics of electronics design and PCB development. I designed a simple PCB using Kicad software and created an electronic circuit in Thinkercad software. I also simulated the circuit to understand its working and verify the connections before building the actual hardware. During this week , I studied basic electronic concept such as voltage , current , resistance and ohm`s law . I also learned about the different components and their functions. These activities helped me to understand the complete process of the circuit design , PCB design and circuit stimulation.

Individual assignment

Task:

In the individual assignment , my task is to stimulate a electronic circuit using an EDA tools.

Group assignment

Task:

In the group assignment , our task was to observe the microcontroller board and measure the voltage and current using and multimeter.

Electronic Design:-

Electronic design is the process of creating and developing electronic circuits for a specific application . It involves understanding basics concepts such a current , voltage , resistance . Electronics design also includes creating schematics , simulating circuit and design the PCB`s using the EDA tools like KICAD. This process ensures that the circuit works correctly before it is manufactured.

What is Current?

Electric current is the flow of electric charge through a conductor, such as a wire. It is produced when electrons move due to a voltage in an electrical circuit. The SI unit of electric current is the ampere (A), and it is measured using an ammeter. Electric current is essential for operating electrical devices like lights, fans, televisions, and computers.

There are two main types of electric current:

1. Direct Current (DC)

Direct current flows in one direction only.
It is supplied by batteries, solar cells, and power banks.
It is commonly used in electronic devices like mobile phones and laptops.

2. Alternating Current (AC)

Alternating current changes direction repeatedly.
It is supplied through household electrical outlets and power grids.
It is used to operate appliances such as fans, refrigerators, air conditioners, and televisions.

What is Voltage?

Voltage is the electrical force that pushes electric charges through a circuit. It is also known as electric potential difference. Voltage provides the energy needed for electric current to flow from one point to another. The SI unit of voltage is the volt (V), and it is measured using a voltmeter. Batteries, generators, and power supplies are common sources of voltage in electrical circuits.

What is Resistance?

Resistance is the property of a material that opposes the flow of electric current in a circuit. It controls the amount of current that can pass through a conductor. The SI unit of resistance is the ohm (Ω), and it is measured using an ohmmeter or a multimeter. The resistance of a conductor depends on its material, length, cross-sectional area, and temperature. Resistors are commonly used in electrical and electronic circuits to control current and protect components.

What is Power?

Electrical power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred or used in a circuit. It shows how much electrical energy an appliance consumes or produces in one second. The SI unit of electrical power is the watt (W), and it is measured using a wattmeter. Electrical power depends on both voltage and current and is commonly calculated using the formula P = V × I, where P is power, V is voltage, and I is current. Electrical power is used to operate devices such as lights, fans, computers, and other electrical appliances.

Electronic Components:-

Electronic components are the basic building blocks of an electronic circuit. They are used to control, store, or transfer electrical energy and signals. Common electronic components include resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors and LEDs. These components work together to perform different functions in electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, and communication systems. Each component has a specific purpose and plays an important role in the proper operation of electronic circuits.

Resistor (R):

A resistor is an electronic component that limits or controls the flow of electric current in a circuit. It protects other components from excessive current and is measured in ohms (Ω).

Push Button:

A push button is a switch that temporarily opens or closes an electrical circuit when pressed. It is commonly used to control electronic devices.

LED (Light Emitting Diode):

An LED is a semiconductor device that emits light when electric current passes through it. It is energy-efficient and commonly used as an indicator or for lighting.

Transistor:

A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify electrical signals or act as an electronic switch. It is one of the most important components in modern electronic circuits and is widely used in computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices.

Capacitor:

A capacitor is an electronic component that stores electrical energy in the form of an electric field. It is used to filter signals, smooth voltage fluctuations, and temporarily store energy in electronic circuits. The capacitance of a capacitor is measured in farads (F).

Diode:

A diode is a semiconductor device that allows electric current to flow in only one direction while blocking it in the opposite direction. It is commonly used for rectification, circuit protection, and signal control. LEDs are a special type of diode that emit light when current passes through them.

Sensors :

Sensors are electronic devices that detect changes in the surrounding environment and convert them into electrical signals. They help electronic systems monitor physical conditions such as temperature, light, pressure, humidity, motion, distance, sound, gas, and liquid flow. The image includes different types of sensors such as color, touch, ultrasonic, alcohol, humidity, air pressure, gyroscope and accelerometer, Hall effect, soil moisture, proximity, heartbeat, infrared, IR receiver, temperature, light, load, pulse oximeter, gas, flow, opto speed, PIR motion, rain, tilt, and sound sensors. These sensors are widely used in automation, robotics, healthcare, smart homes, industrial control systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications to collect data and enable automatic decision-making.

Electronic law`s :

Ohm’s Law:

Ohm’s Law states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the applied voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance, provided the temperature remains constant. It is used to calculate voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits.

Formula:

V = I × R
I = V / R
R = V / I

Where:

V = Voltage (Volt)
I = Current (Ampere)
R = Resistance (Ohm, Ω)

2. Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)

Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law states that the algebraic sum of all voltages in any closed loop of a circuit is equal to zero. It is used to analyze voltage distribution in electrical and electronic circuits.

3. Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)

Kirchhoff’s Current Law states that the total current entering a junction is equal to the total current leaving the junction. It is based on the conservation of electric charge and is used to analyze current flow in circuits.

Electronic Components Types:

Based on mount type:

Surface Mount Device (SMD)

Surface Mount Device (SMD) is a method of mounting electronic components directly onto the surface of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). SMD components are small, lightweight, and suitable for automated assembly. This technology allows more components to be placed on a PCB, making electronic devices smaller, faster, and more efficient. It is widely used in smartphones, laptops, televisions, and other modern electronic products.

Through Hole Technology (THT)

Through Hole Technology (THT) is a method of mounting electronic components by inserting their leads through holes in a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and soldering them on the opposite side. This method provides strong mechanical support and high reliability. THT is commonly used for connectors, transformers, switches, and other components that require greater strength or carry high current.

Active Components

Active components are electronic components that require an external power source to operate. They can control, amplify, or generate electrical signals in a circuit. These components are essential for performing functions such as switching, amplification, and signal processing. Common examples of active components include transistors, integrated circuits (ICs), diodes, and operational amplifiers (op-amps).

Passive Components

Passive components are electronic components that do not require an external power source to operate. They cannot amplify or generate electrical signals but can store, transfer, or dissipate electrical energy. Passive components are mainly used to control voltage, current, and signal flow in electronic circuits. Common examples include resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transformers.

Group assignment

Testing of Voltage and Current Using a Multimeter in an ESP32-C3 LED Blinking Project

Multimeter

The DT-830D Digital Multimeter is an electronic device used to measure electrical values in a circuit. It can measure DC voltage, AC voltage, DC current, and resistance. The multimeter has a digital LCD screen that displays the measured value clearly. A rotary switch is used to select the required measurement mode. It comes with two test probes, one red and one black, for testing circuits. The black probe is connected to the COM terminal, and the red probe is connected to the VΩmA or 10A terminal, depending on the measurement. It can also test diodes, continuity, and transistors (hFE). This multimeter is widely used for troubleshooting electrical and electronic circuits. In the ESP32-C3 LED blinking project, it was used to measure the voltage (2 V) and current (0.02 A or 20 mA) of the circuit. It is easy to use, portable, accurate, and suitable for students, hobbyists, and technicians.

Testing of Voltage and Current Using a Multimeter in an ESP32-C3 LED Blinking Project.

The voltage and current of the ESP32-C3 LED Blinking Project were tested using a digital multimeter to verify that the circuit was operating correctly. First, the multimeter was set to DC voltage mode, and the voltage across the LED circuit was measured. The measured voltage was approximately 2.02 V. Next, the multimeter was switched to DC current mode and connected in series with the LED circuit to measure the current consumption. The measured current was approximately 0.02 A (20 mA), which is within the normal operating range for an LED. These measurements confirmed that the LED, resistor, and ESP32-C3 circuit were functioning correctly, and the LED blinking program was running successfully.

Measured Values:

Voltage: 2.02 V
Current: 0.02 A (20 mA)

Simulating a Circuit In Thinkercad:

Circuit Simulation is the process of designing and testing an electronic circuit using software before building the real circuit. It helps identify errors and ensures the circuit works correctly.

I Used Thinkercad software for designing the circuit.

Tinkercad is a free online software used to design and simulate electronic circuits. It helps users test circuits before building them with real components.

I made some some circuit int this software.

PCB designing tools:

PCB Design Software:

PCB Design Software is used to design the layout of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) for electronic circuits. It helps users place components, connect them with copper tracks, and prepare the PCB for manufacturing. Common PCB design software includes KiCad, Autodesk Eagle, Altium Designer, EasyEDA, and OrCAD. These tools are widely used by students, hobbyists, and professional engineers.

Kicad

Why we choose the kicad software ?

KiCad is chosen because it is free and open-source . It provides all the tools needed to design schematics and PCB layouts in one software. KiCad is easy to use, supports 3D PCB viewing, and produces manufacturing files (Gerber files). It is widely used for educational, hobby, and professional electronics projects.

About Kicad Software:

About KiCad Software:

KiCad is a powerful PCB design software used to design and develop electronic circuits. It enables users to create circuit diagrams (schematics), convert them into PCB layouts, and prepare files for PCB fabrication. The software includes a large library of electronic components, supports multi-layer PCB design, and provides a 3D view of the finished board. Since KiCad is free, open-source, and cross-platform, it is widely used by students, educators, hobbyists, and professional engineers for electronics projects.

Step by Step Kicad Software Download:

First , I open chrome and search Kicad software .

Select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and Choose the latest stable version of KiCad.

Then Click on next button to setup the process.

Click on next button.

Click Install and wait for the installation to finish And Click on Finish, then open KiCad from the Desktop or Start Menu. The software is now ready to use for schematic design and PCB layout.

I searched the Fab library because it contains the components required for my project.

Select the code option.

Then, I opened the Git interface and downloaded the Fab library by clicking the ‘Download ZIP’ option for my project.

Then open the kidcad software and clicked on new project then saved the project folder.

Then, Click on preference option and click on the manage symbol libraries.

A dialog box appeared. I clicked on the folder icon to browse and select the fab library that .I had downloaded from GitHub.

Select the symbol file and open the file.

The symbol library was added .

Then, Open the Schematic Editor.

Then, Add the required components from the library.

Then, I search XIAO ESP32 C3 board.

I added the required components and completed the circuit, as shown in the figure.

Then, I ran the Electrical Rules Checker (ERC) in the Schematic Editor to verify that there were no electrical errors, such as unconnected pins, short circuits, or missing power connections. After confirming that the ERC reported no critical errors, I opened the PCB Editor and selected Update PCB from Schematic to transfer all the components and their electrical connections (netlist) from the schematic to the PCB layout. This ensured that the PCB design accurately matched the schematic and helped prevent errors during PCB design and manufacturing.

After that, I confirmed that the Electrical Rules Check (ERC) showed no errors. I then opened the PCB Editor .

Then, I added the required footprint libraries. Each schematic symbol needs a matching footprint to show the actual component size and pad layout. After adding the footprint libraries.

Then, clicked Update PCB from Schematic. This option transferred all the components and their connections from the schematic to the PCB layout, ensuring that the PCB design exactly matched the schematic design.

Then, all the footprints were loaded into the PCB Editor and arranged according to the required PCB design.

Then, I selected the F.Cu layer and used a 0.4 mm track width for routing the PCB connections. After that, I selected the Edge.Cuts layer and used a 0.2 mm line width to draw the PCB outline.

Then, I ran the Design Rules Check (DRC) to check the PCB layout for errors. The DRC showed no errors, which confirmed that the PCB design was correct and ready for the next step.