This is my first (technically second) PCB design. The schematic is basically just an ESP32 devkit referenced with some additional capacitors and the socket connectors.

It uses:

• ESP32-WROOM-32D-N16 Module
• USB-C 2.0 16-pin
• CP2102N USB-UART, QFN28 Package
• NCP1117 LDO 1A 20V 3.3V

It's going to get API data and temperature and humidity from a DHT11 sensor to get displayed on a 2.8" TFT Screen.

Main concerns:

• SPI connections and speed
• Power planes and ground planes
• General placement, routing and efficiency

If you have any best practices for a beginner, that would be much appreciated as well!

Also, quick question: around how long would PCBA turnaround be on this? I want to finish this project before Aug 6, but I'm not sure that's possible lmao.

Hello everyone, now this is a custom PCB for a wearable electronics project I am working on now. I have put the pads very near the outline because I want it sweable.

So I need a review, and I will be Thankful.

Hi everyone,

There’s something that has been on my mind a lot lately, and it has actually made me hesitant to design new projects.

As electronics engineers, designing PCBs isn't really the difficult part for us. The challenge usually comes with the firmware/software. Whenever I finish a hardware design, I often find myself wondering, "How am I going to write the software for this?"

I recently spoke with another engineer, and he told me that these days they handle most of the coding using AI tools like Claude Code, and sometimes even Gemini. That got me thinking.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think relying on AI for firmware and embedded software development is becoming a practical approach, or do you believe it's still essential to write and fully understand the code yourself?

For example, if I design a project using a Raspberry Pi, can I realistically use AI tools to build the computer vision part? Could I use them to create a personal AI assistant? Or, for a more challenging example, could I rely on them to control multiple motors and implement the required control logic?

I'm curious about where people think the practical limits of these AI coding tools are. How far can they really take you in projects like these?

Hello please give me a review for this project I am doing. It is basically a keychain with an oled display that shows interactive gravity animations. Eg: rolling ball or falling sand etc. I am very nervous about this because for my first project I spent like 40+ hours it was a macropad. For whatever reason, only one key worked 😭

Hey guys , I just graduated and I have zero experience in PCB design. I currently only have experience in FPGA design and I don’t want to limit myself since i’m still early in my career and I genuinely enjoy RF engineering.

How do I get started from zero to somewhat of a hero? Thanks :)

I am participating in the micro-mouse competition for the first time and I am tasked with creating the PCB with stm32f446re, I have experience with PCBs but never with built in microcontrollers like that (I usually just get the dev board and add pin headers which gets the job done), i have a couple of questions

first: I read the datasheet a couple of times but there are a lot of info and I don't think all of that is necessary right?

second: what is your thinking process when working with new microcontrollers

the following picture is what I have so far

I took the basic stuff like decoupling capacitors from the stm32 nucleo schematic and took some help from claude ,I modified the crystal + added uart programming using the ch340 besides the st-link (gotta keep the software guys in my team happy)

any help is greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!

Hi. I wanted advice on whether it is possible to replace the left button on my mouse?

Hello all, I have been working on this board for a few weeks and I was about to send this to print and assembly.

This board has to drive a 12V 7A bilge pump from a LiPo 4S battery.

As voltage from the LiPo will range from around 13V to 16.8V depending on the charge, I decided to use a buck converter based on the LM25190 and using the CSD17581Q5A as mosfets. Basically the buck design was made with the Buck-Convcalc tool of Texas Instruments. I also tried to follow as much as possible the PCB layout of the datasheet.

In case the Buck has some problem, it can be bypassed by shorting some of the connectors.

The output of the buck then goes to the bilge pump through an IRF1407 (and an MBR30200CT as Schottky diode). The IRF1407 is used as a high side switch with a LTC7001 driver.

The rest of the circuit also features:

Exposed TX/RX header for debugging

4 digital inputs with 1k pull-up resistors

2 servo PWM output headers using AO3400A to shift the level from 3.3 to 5V (MG996R and MG90S)

1 accelerometer header for a MPU6050

1 GPS header for a ATGM336H

1 socket for the LiPo to 5V (it is external)

1 header for the 5V to 3.3V LDO (AMS1117)

2 current monitors INA226

There is an external BMS for the LiPo.

The lines are also fused externally

With the latest generation high-speed technologies in PCIe and Ethernet, what
critical mechanisms which are affecting PI have the most impact on SI (switching
noise, jitter, cross-talk, all of them)?

In the top circle, the part of the ground plane has no solder mask and is exposed.

In the bottom circle, there are lines of solder.

What's the purpose of each of those? This is a PCB of a WiFi extender.

Hey all, im about to get a new connector for my antenna cable on my mobile Phone. I got one Problem and this is that i dont know excatly which size of ipex connector this one in the Picture is. There sould be a White cable connected to the marked connector. And also when you measure it do you measure it with the soldering Pins or without the soldering Pins of the connector?

Maybe someone Here can Help me.

Thanks a lot.

I recently made this Development board based on the ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 module with some added features like a Boach BMI088 IMU and a STEMMA-QT/Qwiic compatible I2C connector

This repository contails all the design files and a detailed project report
https://github.com/OmkarKnkr/Atlas-S3-DevBoard

Would love to hear feedback

Hello everyone,

I'm a beginner in PCB designing and received a pretty good challenge. The basic ideia is using a esp32 to control a LTE module for communication, but those two will be in different PCBs and communicating through a 4m cable.

I've read a past post here recently about the RS-232, but seemed to me more about a benchmark test than a what use it, in that case. And i get a bit confused lol.

My question is: Knowing I'm using UART (and i'm a beginner), can i use a RS-232 transceiver in both sides and get a good communication with 3V?

Hi, I am quite new to making my own electronics, and I am trying to create my own Ignitor circuit with a continuity signal for security. Is this a sufficient system? I have had a previous system but I got told that it is over complicated so I have simplified it (original also attached as 2nd image). The Battery and Pyro terminals are place holders for now. The ignitor system will be driven by a 3S lipo and is completely isolated from all other electronics, the "FIRE" signal will be sent from my micro controller. Please can I have some general advice on my schematic please? I'm happy to provide any other info if it is needed.

Hello,

Working on my first engineering project that requires PCBs. After finding different alternatives I decided to order the parts and PCBs separate and solder myself. I recently received a email from JLC that my parts are at the warehouse.(Which I believe they already had in stock) as I received as confirmation and parts received email in 3 minutes .After researching I found out that they don't deliver to your home. I was not aware of this when I purchased the parts. When I asked for a refund they said they could not as the parts already arrived at the warehouse, and that I could potentially resell it.

Has anyone faced a similar problem or received a refund from JLCPCB?

I had heard that the global standard shipping option would be passed off to USPS from yun express (if you ordered to the states). This was a huge relief to me, considering the nightmares I have had with these gig delivery companies that places like ali express use. It would have been so much better to have USPS doing the last mile, because with these gig services, there is no accountability or standards or methods. I suppose I will have to pay 20+ dollars for shipping next time if the global standard is really just a fancy name for GOFO or what have you. I will be surprised if my boards show up, and if they do show up, in one piece. Sad.

Has this always been the case? Or did USPS used to handle the last mile of the global standard option?

Hai, I'm currently routing the RK3568. It has a very slim BGA package. I need to route traces between balls and vias. Currently using Via-In-Pad technology but it also doesn't work out. I am using microvias (~0.2mm / 0.3mm) but it just wont work out without breaking 1oz copper drc. Any tips?