Memo

Memo: EE - ECAD | KiCAD Usages

Usage of KiCad 8

Table of contents

Install

(2024-10-02)

Include Libraries

References:

(2024-10-17)

  1. Adding Libraries in Kicad - YouTube - Electronics-PCB-Hardware Design
    • Searched by How to include 3rd party libraries into KiCAD in DDG

Notes:

  1. Click: ‘Preferences’ -> ‘Manage Symbol Libraries’ -> Click the folder icon -> Select path where the component library is: C:\Users\ZichenWang\Documents\KiCad\8.0\3rdparty\LIB_STM8AF5288TCX\STM8AF5288TCX\KiCad

Include Footprints

References:

  1. How to add a .pretty directory (footprint library) - KiCad.info Forums
    • Searched by KiCad include footprints in DDG.

Notes:

  1. Footprint editor. Docs

Draw Schematic

Search Symbols

References:

(2024-10-16)

  1. Demo Project: From shematics to PCB routing and to manufacturer Learn KiCad 8 in 45 minutes - From idea to upload in one video - YouTube - AnotherMaker

    • Searched by kicad 8 tutorial in DDG

  2. What component to use for “pin headers”? - KiCad.info Forums

    • Searched by KiCad symbol 4 Header in DDG

  3. Schematic Editor | 8.0 | English | Documentation - KiCad

Notes:

  1. Search keyword: “CONN” for Connecters r1

TestPoint

Start: Don’t know what this symbol is:

Reference:

(2024-10-18)

  1. Create bottom test points on the circuit board as … - KiCad.info Forums
    • Qingjun said: Those are 测试点
    • Search: KiCad add testing point in DDG

Notes:

Hierarchical Sheets

Reference:

(2024-10-18)

  1. KiCad 5 #16 Multisheet Schematics - YouTube - John’s Basement

    • I wanted to draw an exactly same copy of the sample schematic, which spilt the entire circuit into multiple cells.
    • Search: how to split the schematic diagram into cells in KiCAD in Google

  2. Multiple schematic pages in one project - KiCad.info Forums

    • Searched by Kicad add additional page in DDG

  3. KiCad Docs

Notes:

  1. Feels it’s like a “hyperlink” to enable jumping to another sheet. r1

    Tricks:

    1. Connecting two components with a wire, allowing streching when moving around.

    2. Numbering components across sheets by x100

    3. Delete debug markers: “Electrical Rules Checker” -> “Delete All Markers” 12:19

  2. KiCad doesn’t support multiple sheets, in favor of hierarchical sheets. r2

Labels

Reference:

(2024-10-18)

  1. 开源EDA软件kicad6.0讲解之十二-原理图连接方式，网络标签，总线放置，标签语法详解 -bilibili- 含羞草的367朵花

  2. Connecting nets without wires on schematic - Page 1 - EEVblog

    • Searched by KiCad connection name and Net name in DDG

  3. Documentation | KiCad

    • Searched by KICad connection name in DDG

  4. Docs - Schematic Creation and Editing

    • Searched by kicad net name in DDG

Notes:

  1. Same text means a common connection. r1

    • Pressing L to add a Local label across the current sheet.

    • Tricks:

      1. Pressing Ins key to adding repeating objects.
      2. Pressing ~ to highlight the network.

  2. Create a “Net Name” for a connection by the tool: “Add Label” r2:

(2024-10-19)

  1. Is a “GND” symbol not connected with a “GND” net name?

    GND Symbol GND Label

    • Power symbol is global, such as GND r2. While Add Label is adding a local label across the sheet, such as /GND. r3

    • For connections between sheets, use global or hierarchical labels.

Marks on Sheet

Reference:

(2024-10-18)

  1. #4 How To Prettify Your Schematic with Kicad 7.0 | #PCBCupid - YouTube

  2. Symbol Graphics - KiCad Docs

Notes:

  • Each functional unit can be fenced by “Adding a rectangle” forming a “cell”.

Simulation

(2024-10-16)

  • Start: I first saw the word “Simulation” is in the title: “Simulation Workflow Best-Practise for a Complete Project” (Searched by STM8AF5288 in kicad project in DDG)

  • Story: Although the chip STM8AF6223, which is available in KiCad, doesn’t have USART, I can implement the LIN circuit first.

    Then, I started thinking if there is a possible way to verfiy my circuit… How can I see the wave shapes? Can I use a virtual oscilloscope to probe the output? I remember I did some simulation experiments using a software called “Proteus” in my undergraduate course.

    Can KiCad do simulation? Right, it possibly does, as I just saw the searched result.

Searches

(2024-10-16)

  1. Search: Kicad 8 simulation in DDG

NE555 LED

Reference:

(2024/10/17)

  1. Kicad tutorial 31: Design and Simulation of 555 timer flashing led circuit - YouTube - Circuit Generator

    • Searched by KiCad 8 simulation for LED in DDG

  2. SPICE libraries download links:

Missing Model Simu Files

(2024-10-17)

I2C Simu

(2024-10-17)

Make Symbol

Reference:

(2024-10-18)

  1. Symbol for a passive component (Inductor): KiCad初学者 - 第2集 创建元件符号（A） - Michael_AU

    • Recommended by Qingjun.

  2. Symbol for an IC (Controller for Boost): KiCad初学者 - 第3集 创建元件符号（B）- Michael_AU

(2024-10-22)

  1. Getting Started in KiCad - Creating New Symbols

Notes:

(2024-10-19)

  1. Steps:

    1. Symbol Editor

    2. File -> New Library -> Add To Library Table -> Global (For being searchable in other projects)

    3. Symbol file path: C:\Users\ZichenWang\Documents\ECU_Practice-Zichen-2024-10-16\3rd_Party_Libs\Conn_Zichen.kicad_sym

    4. New Symbol -> Fill out properties:

    • Symbol name: TC2030-MCP-NL

    • Default reference designator: J

    • The rest attributes are left as default

    1. Add Pin (P) -> Set properties:

      • Pin name:

      • Pin number:

      • Electrical type:

        • Inductor is a passive component; While pins of IC require Electrical Types.
        • Power and Analog GND are supposed to be “Power Input” type.

      • Orientation

    2. Draw graphical shapes

    3. Edit Symbol Properties:

    4. Modify graphical shape properties by double-clicking it

      • Fill with body background color

Make Footprints

References:

(2024-10-19)

  1. KiCad初学者 - 第4集 创建元件封装 - Michael_AU

  2. Images of TC2030 are from:

Notes:

  1. Steps (r1):

    1. Open “Footprint Editor” 05:48

    2. Set up plotting workspace 06:01

      • Specify unit (inches,mils,mm) and grid size

      • The positive direction of y is down.

    3. File -> New Library -> Global 07:27

      • Custom library foder (.pretty) storage path: C:\Users\ZichenWang\Documents\ECU_Practice-Zichen-2024-10-16\3rd_Party_Libs\Conn_Zichen.pretty

      • The newly created lib may not be inlcuded in search path yet (KiCad 5.1.10).

    4. File -> New Footprint 09:11

      • Read datasheet for pads sizes and layout

      • Enter footprint name for this component: TC2030-MCP-NL-FP

      • Footprint type: SMD

      • To move texts, pressing key ‘M’

    5. Place pads: “Add Pad” 11:42

      • The 3 outer triangle vertices seems through hole for “Alignment pins”

        Interface Footprint Outlook Pins of TC2030 RJ12 for ICD

      • “Add Pads” with type: Through-hole for the 3 “locating holes”.

      • Add 6 pads with type SMD (Surface mounted 贴片)

    6. Draw frames (placeholder) on the layer: F.Silkscreen (Front of Silkscren 丝印层的顶层) 14:24

      • Datasheet instruction: “No other track or signal within 0.020” of any contact pad."

        I drew the illustration for “Optional Bottom Layer”

      • Adjust the texts position

    7. Add 3D model (.step) file 16:25

      • Obtain 3D model from the seller official website and models download website

      • “Footprint Properties” -> “3D Models”

      • Look around the 3D model to check whether the pins match the pads

    8. Link the footprint to the symbol 19:50

      • “Symbol Editor” -> “Symbol Properties” -> “Footprint”.

  1. Make footprint for an IC chip with “templates” 21:58

    1. File -> “Create Footprint” (Create a new footprint using the Footprint Wizard)

    1. Edit the predefined pads parameters according to the datasheet. 23:15

    2. Export footprint to editor 24:35

    3. Add 3D model file: “Footprint Properties” -> “3D Models”

    4. Rename the footprint: “Footprint Properties” -> “Footprint name”

    5. Link the footprint to a symbol in “Symbol Editor” -> “Symbol Properties”

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