High-Speed design with KiCad

Learn High-Speed PCB Design with KiCad! This comprehensive course guides you through designing a professional, high-speed computer carrier board from the ground up. Based on the powerful LattePanda Mu compute module, you'll create a fully functional custom carrier board, bringing out essential interfaces like USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and GPIOs to standard connectors.

What You'll Master:

• PCB Design Fundamentals: Gain a deep understanding of modern PCB design practices for high-speed digital systems.
• KiCad Expertise: Utilize KiCad, the leading open-source PCB design suite, for schematic capture, layout, and project management.
• High-Speed Routing: Master differential pair routing and controlled-impedance routing for optimal signal integrity.
• Signal Integrity & Impedance Control: Learn techniques to ensure reliable signal transmission and minimize signal reflections.
• Manufacturing & Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Prepare your PCB design for production using design rule checks (DRC) and DFM verification with the NextPCB DFM tool.
• Advanced PCB Concepts: Explore stack-up configuration, ESD protection, and effective grounding strategies.
• Hierarchical Schematics & Net Classes: Effectively manage complex projects with KiCad's advanced features.

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for:

• Makers looking to move beyond basic projects like Arduino or Raspberry Pi.
• Engineers seeking to design complex, real-world PCBs.
• Students wanting to understand the full process of turning a compute module into a functional computer.
• KiCad users aiming to elevate their skills to a professional level.
• Anyone interested in embedded systems and single-board computers.

Prerequisites:

Some prior experience with electronics and PCB design is recommended. If you're new to PCB design, consider our foundational KiCad Like a Pro course. If you have experience with simpler projects, our Advanced PCB Design with KiCad course will prepare you for this advanced project.

Hardware & Software:

No special hardware is required! You'll use KiCad (free) and the NextPCB DFM tool (free, Windows) to design and verify your PCB. We leverage publicly available LattePanda Mu documentation and reference designs.

Benefits:

By the end of this course, you'll have a working high-speed carrier board ready for fabrication and the confidence to design complex, professional-grade PCBs. Gain practical skills applicable to any advanced hardware project.