Author | Lightnews

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 2d

It isn't costly to be special. Today, I spent the entire morning playing with this mini Arduino gadget.

It's mini. The dimensions are 50 x 33 mm.

I discussed with ChatGPT what I want the code to do, and the machine gave me my lines. I started with a simple rainbow effect.

1

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 3d

The current comparator device based on INA214 was presented yesterday.

I’m grateful for the generous support from @aisler.net

As always, the boards arrived quickly and were of top-notch quality. The EU quality with EU delivery time.

Thank You for the Support!

1

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 4d

I needed a way to classify idle, nominal, and excessive currents.

I had to design a current comparator with two LEDs. The comparator must recognise three states.

When the current is below an idle limit. A normal range current. An excessive current.

INA214 from TI.

youtube.com/shorts/bWGFZ...

INA214 I needed a way to classify idle, nominal, and excessive currents.

YouTube video by Petr Dvořák

youtube.com

1

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 6d

When I designed the device below, I took the following into account

The device will be collecting data. The device must have at least one universal sensor input. I added three more.

The device will be sending data to the Internet. I added a universal M.2 interface for various communication boards.

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 9d

See, you can't just sit down and start working on a big, complex project from scratch. Well, you can but...

It's always easier and much faster to start from verified blocks.

If you want to check what I've created and shared, take a look at www.beny-devices.eu

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 10d

I involved AI in my workflow because I had to.

My customers AI-review my design

Yes, it is the norm today. My customers let AI review my designs because they want to be sure that I did a good job.

Should I be scared? No. I implemented AI into my workflow right away, just like that.

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 11d

I love this device so much that I find myself writing about it frequently. I'm sorry about it.

I designed, manufactured and tested this device twice. I designed the 1st version for CELUS and Blues. The second one, the completely redesigned version, was designed for my course, _KiCad for Makers_.

1

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 12d

You ordered. I delivered. A complete buck converter design.

During my two KiCad Live streams, I designed a PCB with a buck converter:

Circuit design with component calculations
Schematic design with uncovered details
1:10 hr + 1:10 hr

Today, I manufactured the BOARD and I love it.

4

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 13d

My customer ordered the design of this RTU. I almost failed to deliver 10 prototypes.

had to design the connector board between the base board and the display board twice.

Why?

I traditionally mirrored signals on connectors.

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 16d

0.645 x 0.645 mm is the size of this LDO!

It's half the size of the 0402.

Low Quiescent Current is here 340 nA

The Dropout Voltage of 140 mV and 300 mA output current isn't so important. An ultra-low current switching regulator would work too, but this LDO has a significantly lower PCB footprint.

1 4

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 17d

Redesigned 555, called MIC155x, was aired yesterday.

Creating the PCB layout using #KiCad is a breeze. I've been using the 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗥 plugin. The PCB manufacturing order is then a task that takes 30 seconds.

Thank You for the support, @aisler.net

1 2

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 18d

What happens when you shrink the classic 555 into a SOT-23-5 package?

Can they beat the 555?

Supply range: 2.7 V–18 V
Active current: ~200 µA at 3 V
Shutdown current less than 1 µA
Output drive: less than 15 Ω resistance
Excellent stability: better than 0.005%/°C

youtube.com/shorts/-wmvQ...

MIC155x What happens when you shrink the classic 555 into a SOT-23-5 package?

YouTube video by Petr Dvořák

youtube.com

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 19d

nRF54L15 with 1524 kB NVM and 256 kB RAM

This MCU was used on one of my recent customer designs. I'm admitting that this was the first time I've used the nRF54 family device.

I luckily use the WE stack-up FLEX4_4F_0,23_12_V2.12—staggered, blind and buried µvias are available.

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 20d

I used this SPDT switch in one of my latest designs. It's a low-cost, low-voltage SPDT.

You can have it in a single-unit package (1G) or in a double-unit package (2G). Both versions are low-cost.

For 1.65–5.5V, the typical RdsON is between 6 and 15Ω.
The switch-off leakage current is about 50 nA.

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 23d

I've improved two things recently. _1_ iPhone on the tripod. _2_ Five+ batches -> machine assembly.

When I need to manufacture more than 5 pieces, I design the device to be compliant with my favourite manufacturer's processes.

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · 24d

I wasn't approved to download the free PADS Viewer

My new customer asked me to make an HW review of one of their designs. The schematic is never an issue. Even the bare PDF works well.

A conclusion?

Use KiCad instead. How? Go to Fedevel.com, look for KiCad for Beginners and KiCad for Makers.

1

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · Sep 26

I checked my PLA stock right now. I have 8 colours.

I have black, white, blue, yellow, green.

I primarily print from the orange PLA. I guess it's an easy question why I do that. I realised a few years ago that my colour isn't pink. Nor black.

What is your colour?

1

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · Sep 22

I've never worked so hard on a video tutorial. But I know one thing. Every single minute pays off.

> You will design two DC/DC power supplies.
> Including calculations!
> Dual-core embedded controller.

It's up to you.

When are you going to start?

Enroll now on FEDEVEL fedevel.com/courses/kica...

1

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · Sep 19

The speed of the firmware flashing was surprising.

The USB beats the UART badly.

The used MCU is ESP32-S3. It was my first usage of this communicator in a customer design.

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · Sep 18

I've never worked so hard on a video tutorial but I know one thing

You'll design two DC/DC power supplies
Including calculations!
Dual-core embedded controller
Four analogue inputs
Four high-power output switches

It's up to you

When are you going to start?

Enroll now fedevel.com/courses/kica...

KiCad for Makers

This hands-on video course takes you step by step through the complete process of designing, building, and testing a custom electronic board in KiCad. Building on the fundamentals covered in KiCad for...

fedevel.com

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · Sep 18

Uncut headers are cheap

Short, precise headers are expensive

Do you cut yours or buy the prepared ones? I do both. But when I have to solder 40 of them, I prefer using the precise ones

Every minute counts, and the cutting takes time

The question might sound silly, but do you cut your headers?

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · Sep 17

0xFFFF, 0x8000, 0x1000?

I am not a programmer, but it caught my eye.

Whenever I see a randomly occurring second power of 2, it cannot be unseen. What is a fun fact is that these two occurrences happened on the same day.

Of course, it's a coincidence only, but who knows.

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · Sep 16

Thermal Simulator

You can upload a PCB screenshot and draw the zones

The screenshot can be hidden, locked, or its transparency can be easily changed using a slider

When drawing all the zones, you can duplicate them or set their transparency

*whenever I say "I made", it means AI did it.

1

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · Sep 15

The KiCad for Makers course will be released THIS week 🫡

You will design two DC/DC power supplies.
Including calculations!
Dual-core embedded controller.
4 analogue inputs.
4 high-power output switches.
Robust industrial design ready for your modifications or extension

When are you going to start?

2

Petr Dvorak @thatkicadguy.bsky.social · Sep 12

𝗜 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱. 𝗦𝗼 𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗜 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘁.

And AI nailed it.

I started with a vigilant prompt on whether it's even possible to simulate the thermal steady-state mode of my PCBA.

AI designed a JSON file for me where I could edit all copper planes, vias, power sources and sinks.