nrf52840 pi hat

[sentinel_infinitus]

hi all

i have been working on a raspberry pi hat design and i would like feedback on it's design

this is the link to the github repo and i do update it regularly  https://github.com/sentinelinfinitus/nrf52840-pi-sheild

fair warning i used kicad and for some parts were added using mousers library loader

if you see some things i am doing wrong or have any suggestions on how to do some things better please let me know

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

DEC4 must be connected to DEC6, this was changed after v0.5 of the OPS was released, you might want to reference documentation which is up to date. https://www.nordicsemi.com/DocLib/Content/Product_Spec/nRF52840/latest/keyfeatures_html5

 

For some reason I am not able to view the design layout, probably due to my own KiCad incompetence. Are you able to export gerbers or something else?

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[sentinel_infinitus]

chances are you don't have the parts added and thats why you can't see them

all the parts in use are in the parts folder most of them you have to add via mousers part loader it will create a library that you will have to add manually

there is one part that is not added via part loader for that one you just manually add it

to add parts to the schematic view open the schematic view

preferences>manage symbol library>browse library

ex: nrf52840-qiaa       {pihatfolder}/kicad-library-master/kicad-library-master/schema-components/nrf52840-qiaa.lib

ex:[SamacSys_Parts aka mouser parts lib] C:/libloader/SamacSys_Parts.lib this is where mine is

to add the footprints open footprint library editor

preferences>manage symbol library>browse library

ex:[SamacSys_Parts again the mouser parts] C:/libloader/SamacSys_Parts.mod

ex: RuuviTag    /nrf52840 pi sheild/kicad-library-master/kicad-library-master/RuuviTag.pretty [please note this one is a folder]

also there is a hat.pdf it's the schematic in pdf format this is what i assume you are referencing in the quoted section
{quote}

[For some reason I am not able to view the design layout, probably due to my own KiCad incompetence. Are you able to export gerbers or something else?[

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

I updated my KiCad application, that seemed to do the trick. Please verify that what I am seeing is correct though:

 

This is not good, and probably will not work at all. I recommend that you take a look at our reference layout, there are pdf files which you can look at. Rotate the nRF 90 degrees clockwise so that the ANT pin points towards the RF components and place components similar to the reference layout. You have loads of available space, there is no reason to place components all over the place.

When the ref. layout is replicated you can route GPIOs to targets on their respective side. If any pins are to be connected to anything on the opposite side of the chip it is better to see if you can re-assign the trace to a GPIO on the side which points towards the target, instead of routing a bunch of traces around the chip.

Lastly, add a ground pour in the outer layers and connect all component ground pads directly to it, no wire grounding.

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[sentinel_infinitus]

I plan on redoing part of it anyway but at the moment I can't my pc has been disconnected for the moment and I have ordered a few upgrade parts that have shipped today

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

OK no problem, I can look over it once you have redone it. As mentioned though you should replicate the reference layout as closely as possible. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, you will just risk inventing new bugs or ways to degrade the RF power.

 

You can find the reference layout here: https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Low-power-short-range-wireless/nRF52840

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[sentinel_infinitus]

well i started to impliment the new documentaion and i have learned the part i am using does not have all the pins on it so it looks like i will have to learn how to make custom parts for kicad

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

Unfortunately we do not have any experience with KiCad. I did a quick web search though, seems you should be able to find some nRF52840 libraries which you might be able to use (if this is not what you have done already).

 

Best regards,

Andreas