Petr Dvorak

0.645 x 0.645 mm is the size of this LDO!

It's half the size of the 0402.

Low Quiescent Current is here 340 nA

The Dropout Voltage of 140 mV and 300 mA output current isn't so important. An ultra-low current switching regulator would work too, but this LDO has a significantly lower PCB footprint.

Redesigned 555, called MIC155x, was aired yesterday.

Creating the PCB layout using #KiCad is a breeze. I've been using the 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗥 plugin. The PCB manufacturing order is then a task that takes 30 seconds.

Thank You for the support, @aisler.net

YouTube video by Petr Dvořák MIC155x What happens when you shrink the classic 555 into a SOT-23-5 package?

What happens when you shrink the classic 555 into a SOT-23-5 package?

Can they beat the 555?

Supply range: 2.7 V–18 V
Active current: ~200 µA at 3 V
Shutdown current less than 1 µA
Output drive: less than 15 Ω resistance
Excellent stability: better than 0.005%/°C

youtube.com/shorts/-wmvQ...

nRF54L15 with 1524 kB NVM and 256 kB RAM

This MCU was used on one of my recent customer designs. I'm admitting that this was the first time I've used the nRF54 family device.

I luckily use the WE stack-up FLEX4_4F_0,23_12_V2.12—staggered, blind and buried µvias are available.

I used this SPDT switch in one of my latest designs. It's a low-cost, low-voltage SPDT.

You can have it in a single-unit package (1G) or in a double-unit package (2G). Both versions are low-cost.

For 1.65–5.5V, the typical RdsON is between 6 and 15Ω.
The switch-off leakage current is about 50 nA.

I've improved two things recently. _1_ iPhone on the tripod. _2_ Five+ batches -> machine assembly.

When I need to manufacture more than 5 pieces, I design the device to be compliant with my favourite manufacturer's processes.

I wasn't approved to download the free PADS Viewer

My new customer asked me to make an HW review of one of their designs. The schematic is never an issue. Even the bare PDF works well.

A conclusion?

Use KiCad instead. How? Go to Fedevel.com, look for KiCad for Beginners and KiCad for Makers.

I checked my PLA stock right now. I have 8 colours.

I have black, white, blue, yellow, green.

I primarily print from the orange PLA. I guess it's an easy question why I do that. I realised a few years ago that my colour isn't pink. Nor black.

What is your colour?

I've never worked so hard on a video tutorial. But I know one thing. Every single minute pays off.

> You will design two DC/DC power supplies.
> Including calculations!
> Dual-core embedded controller.

It's up to you.

When are you going to start?

Enroll now on FEDEVEL fedevel.com/courses/kica...

The speed of the firmware flashing was surprising.

The USB beats the UART badly.

The used MCU is ESP32-S3. It was my first usage of this communicator in a customer design.

I've never worked so hard on a video tutorial but I know one thing

You'll design two DC/DC power supplies
Including calculations!
Dual-core embedded controller
Four analogue inputs
Four high-power output switches

It's up to you

When are you going to start?

Enroll now fedevel.com/courses/kica...

Uncut headers are cheap

Short, precise headers are expensive

Do you cut yours or buy the prepared ones? I do both. But when I have to solder 40 of them, I prefer using the precise ones

Every minute counts, and the cutting takes time

The question might sound silly, but do you cut your headers?

0xFFFF, 0x8000, 0x1000?

I am not a programmer, but it caught my eye.

Whenever I see a randomly occurring second power of 2, it cannot be unseen. What is a fun fact is that these two occurrences happened on the same day.

Of course, it's a coincidence only, but who knows.

Thermal Simulator

You can upload a PCB screenshot and draw the zones

The screenshot can be hidden, locked, or its transparency can be easily changed using a slider

When drawing all the zones, you can duplicate them or set their transparency

*whenever I say "I made", it means AI did it.

The KiCad for Makers course will be released THIS week 🫡

You will design two DC/DC power supplies.
Including calculations!
Dual-core embedded controller.
4 analogue inputs.
4 high-power output switches.
Robust industrial design ready for your modifications or extension

When are you going to start?

𝗜 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱. 𝗦𝗼 𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗜 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘁.

And AI nailed it.

I started with a vigilant prompt on whether it's even possible to simulate the thermal steady-state mode of my PCBA.

AI designed a JSON file for me where I could edit all copper planes, vias, power sources and sinks.

RGBW LED driver with LP5816 was aired yesterday.

Creating the PCB layout using #KiCad is a breeze. I've been using the 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗥 plugin. The order takes 30 seconds, then.

I’m grateful for the generous support from @aisler.net, whose 2-layer Beautiful Boards.

Thank You for the Support!

YouTube video by Petr Dvořák LP5816 Datasheets don’t glow. So I built an RBGW demo.

Datasheets don’t glow. So I built an RBGW demo

A few weeks ago, I got curious about the Texas Instruments LP5816. A small but powerful RGBW LED driver. On paper, it promised ultra-low power, smooth dimming, and precise current control

After wiring it up and running some tests, the board came alive

My KiCad Design Live Stream pushed me to create this!

A demo fun badge. Neat and miniature design.

I added 4 addressable RGB LEDs. 4 is not so many but I believe I can invent some nice effects with them.

A push-to-on/push-to-off button in the very centre.

You can start your Arduino. I am ready.

I've been working on a new Fedevel course

It will be called: 𝗞𝗶𝗖𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀

You will design the exact board as in the photo. I recorded the course when creating it

Then, I manufactured the board to verify the design. All works like a charm

One question

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲?

YouTube video by Petr Dvořák KiCad Design Stream Buck converter circuit and schematic design

Circuit and schematic design youtu.be/b6qAjnnKiZg

YouTube video by Petr Dvořák KiCad Design Stream PCB layout of the buck converter

youtu.be/QDvSIgkxZuw

YouTube video by Petr Dvořák KiCad Design Stream Buck converter circuit and schematic design

youtu.be/b6qAjnnKiZg

You ordered. I delivered. A complete buck converter design.

During my two recent KiCad Design Live streams, I designed a PCB with a buck converter:

• LM61440 converter
• Circuit design with component calculations.
• Schematic design with uncovered details. Nothing was kept hidden.

My happiest days are those when I build PCBAs.

• Export iBom.
• Allocate components in my magazine.
• Solder paste printing.
• Manual component placement.
• Export iBom.
• .

To avoid wasting energy, I heat my solder when the last PCB is populated with all components. After that, I reflow them all.

Despite the visible printing offset, the print is absolutely fine for prototype manufacturing. Verified.

The offset on the 0805 footprint is about 20%. It's a huge printing non-quality for a manufacturing floor machine.

For manual printing using the lowest-cost stencils?

Absolutely fine.

The worst-case supply resistance at any VDD pin must be lower than 0.208Ω for STM32F407. Why?

The MCU is a digital device running at 168 MHz.
fmax = 0.32/Trise
Trise ≈ 7% of the period Trise ≈ 417 ps fmax = 768 MHz.

➡️ maximum track impedance of 0.208Ω up to 768 MHz.

How?

Shortly, by decoupling.

You know 𝗪𝗵𝘆 and 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁. I know 𝗛𝗼𝘄.

You are an innovator with a disruptive idea for a product or a technology. I know how to bring your device to life.

Your MVP can be ready in 2 months. Or even sooner.

You know 𝗪𝗵𝘆 and 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁. I know 𝗛𝗼𝘄.

YouTube video by Petr Dvořák ADlink I-Pi OSM IMX93 unboxing | Flashing | Designing

Inside the box was something I’ve been excited to try — the I-Pi 𝗢𝗦𝗠 IMX93 development kit from ADLINK Technology .

Unboxing is always a ritual.

MAX77655 PCB

As always, when I work on my demos, I start with capturing the schematic. KiCad is my constant companion

Creating the PCB layout using #KiCad is a breeze
⏩ 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗥 plugin
The PCB manufacturing order takes 30 seconds

I’m grateful for the generous support from @aisler.net