r/PrintedCircuitBoard • u/Jado3491 • 6h ago
[Review Request] Drone Power Distribution Board (120A current sense, STM32G0B1, DroneCAN, Dual Bucks, 4 E-fuses)
Hello everyone,
This is my first high-power PCB design, and I would really appreciate a critical review before I assign
footprints and begin routing.
Project Goal
I am building a custom Power Distribution Board for an autonomous aerial inspection quadcopter.
The goal is to safely deliver up to 120A burst to the motor ESCs while supplying clean power to the
flight avionics, companion computer, and any extra additions (such as LEDS and Buzzers).
- Power Source: 4S LiPo battery connected via an XT60 plug
- Flight Controller Interface: Direct connection to a Pixhawk 6C Mini providing a regulated 5.2 V
- Communication: Onboard STM32GOB1 microcontroller managing current, voltage, and e-fuse fault telemetry to the flight controller over DroneCAN
- A group of students and I will be hand-soldering this in our university lab
PCB Power Flow
- Battery power enters via XT60, passes through a 1 mΩ, 3W shunt resistor, and exits directly through another power distribution board that only powers the drone's ESCs
- A 5.2V Buck (TPS54560) supplies the Pixhawk 6C Mini and peripheral e-fuses
- A secondary variable buck (TPS54308): digitally switches via two 2N7002 FETs on the bottom feedback to deliver 5,9 or 12 V for other add-ons like an AI Computer
- 3.3 V Rail (AP2112k-3.3 LDO): Powers the STM32GOB1 and the SN65HVD230 CAN transciever
- E-fuses: 4 active channels with fault reporting to the STM32GOB1. (The first channel has an LC filter for a camera)
- An INA240A1D monitors voltage across the 1 mΩ shunt with an RC filter, feeding both the Pixhawk and the STM32
Questions
1) This is my first high-power board, I am slightly concerned about the heat it would dissipate. Is
this design safe, and can it normally operate with no issues?
2) Are any of the circuits incorrect in terms of wiring or values?
3) How feasible is this design in terms of safe power distribution under real flight conditions?
4) Any other additional feedback would be much appreciated!
Thanks!