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Last active February 8, 2024 13:42
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Best practices for PCB Design.md

Best practices for PCB Design

Schematics

  • Power symbols should point upwards
  • Ground symbols should point downards
  • Sections should be labeled
  • Nets should generally not cross
  • Nets should be labeled
    • Either global or regular labels are fine
  • Signals flow left to right
  • Labels and values should be visible
  • Footprints should not show up in schematic
  • Differential pairs should be labeled and used as such
  • Use the default symbols and footprints when possible
  • Read the datasheet first
  • Pick out parts for your BOM as you go, and be sure to read their datasheets

Specific tips for keyboards

  • Unless it's really small, put the matrix in a sub-sheet (Press s)
  • With wider boards, consider using a duplex matrix

PCBs

  • Route using busses
  • Use the same thickness of traces for specific things and switch to thicker traces for high current connections
    • Trace width calculator
    • There is one included within KiCad as well
    • It is recommended to use 15-20 mils for power, and 6-10 for traces
  • Place a via for ground on every decoupling capacitor
  • Single-sided assembly will make your board easier and cheaper to assemble
  • Route traces in order of their sensitivity
    • Crystal -> USB -> Power -> Matrix/other
  • Keep your differential pairs length matched
  • Vias in pads should be avoided, especially when getting a pcb assembled. The hole allows solder to flow into and might not leave enough for the part to be correctly soldered
  • Place directionally sensitive parts in the same direction, such as diodes or polarized caps
    • The factory might get confused and misrotate a component
  • Rotate parts and switch GPIO pins around to make routing neater and simpler
  • Consider properly connecting USB shield to ground (Proper ESD protection !!!!)
  • 90 degree bends will work fine, 45 degree bends will most likely look better though

Extra tips and resources

Specific tips for keyboards

  • Try to route columns on the top layer, and rows on the bottom layer
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