Design Considerations for Embedded Designs

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QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS Mechatronic Applications Measurements Embedded Systems PCB Design Product Assembly Firmware Programming Low Power Systems Biomedical Instrumentation Analog Design

How do I start planning a microcontroller-based design? Improves time estimates for project completion Ensures project’s feasibility Prevents the addition of new features during the project design (a.k.a. feature creep)

How do I start planning a microcontroller-based design? High level scope of the project Lock in commitment Improves time estimates for project completion Ensures project’s feasibility Prevents the addition of new features during the project design (a.k.a. feature creep)

How do I start planning a microcontroller-based design? Analyze, design, and document algorithms/processes Identify and devise predictable and robust operation High level scope of the project Lock in commitment

Do I need them?

What should I use?

Other factors?

What kind of on-chip peripherals are available? Analog to Digital converters Communication modules (I 2 C, SPI, UART, CAN, USB) Output comparator (PWM, Digital Pulse)

So many choices… How do I choose?

May cut down on code size Decreases complexity Reduces number of pins used...

Power Budget Device usage scenarios Battery capacity, physical size and chemistry Battery or mains powered? Temperature effects Low power vs cost vs size Supply voltage effect

Tips for Power Reduction Built-in peripherals Sleep, Idle, Doze, etc Peripheral availability External peripherals I/O pins and pull-ups Clock sources and clock switching

Code Optimization for Power Reduction Bit shifting vs multiplying/dividing Power vs clock frequency (P=CV 2 F) Impact on peripheral power Interrupts Instruction cycle count Transmission rates

Component Selection Think long term Minimum quantity You get what you pay for Availability Parametric Search Use customer reference (or similar) “Missing or incomplete documentation is the lead cause of production delays, defects and cost overruns” ( Include all details (package, tolerance, temp, etc.)

Schematic/PCB Design Single Sided? (Soldermask) Proper/consistent parameters for all parts Andrew Huang ( Test points Size – How small is too small? Manufacturer (4x4” board): APCircuitsPCB PoolOSH Park Price$167$71.65($125.77)$80 Delivery TimeShips in 3 days with overnight 8 days (4 days)2-3 weeks Notes16 sq inch min$5 sq inch

Case PCB shape first to meet layout requirements Import existing PCB shape Import case to define board shape Use CircuitWorks or Desktop EDA if possible Import PCB into ECAD as part of assembly to create case shape Datasheet drawings

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