Learn KiCad V6 and STM32 Hardware Design

Learn how to use KiCad V6 and design your own printed circuit boards (PCBs) featuring STM32 microcontrollers. This course will give you a straightforward and complete way to moving from Arduino-based designs to your own, completely custom, STM32-based hardware. All the way from project creation, through to circuit design, PCB layout and routing, and final manufacturing file generation.

Lesson content:

1) Schematic

How to use KiCad V6 (free ECAD software), creating a schematic in KiCad, populating the schematic with relevant circuitry: STM32 microcontroller, required surrounding circuitry, decoupling capacitors, pin-out planning using STM32CubeIDE, USB 2.0 FS, power supply using an LDO regulator. How to perform an electrical rules check and annotate the schematic, as well as assigning footprints.

2) PCB Layout

Setting up the KiCad V6 PCB editor, finding manufacturer capabilities and importing them into KiCad. Using the 3D viewer. Initial rough layout: placing the MCU, decoupling capacitors, and crystal circuitry. Adding USB, SWD, and GPIO connectors. Changing footprints and adding 3D models. Fine tuning placement and layout. Simple LDO power supply layout. Adding mounting holes and defining the board outline.

3) PCB Routing

Routing order and priorities. Best practices for decoupling capacitors, crystals, and sensitive traces. Signal routing, ground planes, vias, and power routing. Finishing touches with custom silkscreen and custom logo. Design rule check and final project checks.

4) Manufacturing

Producing the files in KiCad required by PCB manufacturers for assembly and production.