Microbot Design

Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Design

We use a program called Target 3001 to do schematic capture and PCB design.

Package types:

All about components in Target3001:

Setting the grid size for easy editing:

PCB Layout Tips:

When routing the circuit board start with the power connections and other tracks that should be as short and direct as possible.
Try to keep the tracks on one side of the PCB going horizontally and the other side vertically, this helps routing when there is limited room.
Things like LEDs which provide indication for signals must be placed on the top side of the PCB.
The DC-DC converter circuit layout is critical for proper operation, the current carrying tracks should be at least .4mm wide, and as short and direct as possible.
Certain components (namely filter capacitors) must be placed close the the IC's they are providing power filtering for..
The only way to tell where they should go is to look for their location next to IC's on the schematic and locate them next to the same IC on the PCB.
The power supply lines to the motor driver IC must go directly to the output of the DC-DC converter and be .4mm wide.
Otherwise interference and power surges may cause erratic behaviour in your entire circuit that will be very hard to diagnose later.

Component Sourcing

Digikey

- Has the best component search engine I know of..

- Usually I find the component I'm looking for here and then search for the manufacturer part number at Mouser to see if they have it cheaper..

- Sometimes cheaper than Digikey, and has parts they may not stock..

Manufacturer Websites

Texas Instruments

- In my view one of the best IC designers in the world, top notch documentation and products

Microchip

- Makes the PIC micro-controllers that we use for our microbots.

- Mostly for discreet MOSFETs and IGBTs, but does some special purpose analog ICs also, and standard digital logic.

Maxim IC

- Lots of specialized analog ICs like charge controllers and interface products.

2011 Microbot Schematic

2011 Student Microbot PCBs

2011 Micro Bipedal PCBs

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