Internet of Things:speeding up hardware designs

Speeding up Hardware Designs

Internet of Things2013-12-03

Daniel D LindmarkMake Believe Company

#TLDRSpeed is important: Open Hardware is a great start, but use Experts, MFGs, Distributors, FAEs. Read the Whitepapers, Reference Designs, and Application Notes.

Bonus Design Tip: To Pass FCC Certification, create ground fences with stitched vias surrounding the board and power islands.

Background: Scout Alarm

DIY Crowd Funded Home Security

Background: TeradyneBuilding Circuits and Software to test:Circuits and Software that are used to test:More circuits (Discrete Components).

Semiconductor Verification HardwareMicro volts to hundreds of voltsNano amps to hundreds of amps22 layer boards, 2.5 GHz routing

Dogs Like Steak: Time to Market is Critical

If you beat someone to market, by the time they have their first offering, you will have your second, cheaper offering.

Speed in MFP

Start with an Arduino / RasPi / DevKit Board and accessories:Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, Motor Control, Zigbee, Knobs, Buttons, Capacitive Touch

If you can’t make IoT with these, you’re either a genius or a fool. Either way, proceed.

I was an Arduino Hater

How Dare these Geeks invade my wheelhouse?

Moofi HabitatRadial LED Globe BlinkenLicht Project-Lakes of Fire regional Burn )*(

Moofi Timeline

Software developers with zero hardware experienceProof of concept: HoursPrototype: DaysFinished 1-Off: Weeks

Except that that is not how it went

Are you running towards the finish line?Are you running towards the finish line?

Or away from the start?

“These Never Happen” - no one ever

Incorrect Interoperability Trace Coupling Unforntunate TpyosUnfamiliar Parts Bad Assumptions Impedance MismatchingSplit Plane Routing Decoupling Caps High ESRIncorrect Footprint Unintentional Shorts Dangling NetsMisnamed Pins Poor Layout Flow End of LifeLong Lead Time Sedimentary Code Poor OptimizationPower Supply Folding Counterfeit Parts Poor CoolingInsufficient Power Switching Noise Thermal EffectsRadiated Noise Insufficient Overhead Via Thermals

Find an Expert

I wasted years doing it the hard way with theory and understanding.

Find someone to tell you how to do it right.

Find a product advocateComponent manufacturers and distributors have a vested interest in you buying their product.

If you have hot coals, let them run over your hot coals.

Your FAE is your best friend

White Papers

Reference Designs

Application notes

Read every abstract / summaryCompanies such as Linear Tech and Arrow have hundreds of reference designs.

(And will gladly find someone to explain the parts you don’t get).

Speed in CompleteFunctional Prototype

Modify your dev hardware for your PCB.Arduino

Share Alike HardwareLGPL Software

RasPiLinuxClosed Hardware (CPU)

Dev KitFree as in Beer

Open Vs ClosedAn open hardware will compete against large companies by making it easy for anyone to emerge and difficult for the big guns to compete. This will spur innovation.

A closed hardware will attract investment. Competition will improve cost / features. This will spur innovation.

Open HardwareFastest time to MarketBest Reflection on BrandConsider Fencing your DesignConsider an Open SpinoffThere is no Secret Sauce

You climbed up to the top all by yourself!

Thank you

scoutalarm.commblabs.orgBlog: DanielDLindmark.comemail: ddl@DanielDLindmark.comTwitter: @MakeBelieveInc

Bonus FCC Certification Layout Content Below

You should be worried about emissions

Emissions

Vertical Emissions are from exposed traces on the top / bottom side

Horizontal Emissions are from the side of the board.

Mitigate Vertical EmissionsBury Traces as close to the chip as possible.Keep Top / Bottom side trace lengths short(This means going to a 4-6 layer board)

Mitigate Horizontal Emissions200 mil GND fence around periphery and power islands100 mil stitching viaFlood top / bottom layers with GND

Antenna Layout

Place Antenna at outer edge of the board.No GND / Traces / Metal to the sidesNo GND underneath on any layer

Final Routing

No Vias from Chip to AntennaUse Coplanar Wave Guide for impedance matching (SaturnPcb.com)Install PI Network to Filter

Thank you

scoutalarm.commblabs.orgBlog: DanielDLindmark.comemail: ddl@DanielDLindmark.comTwitter: @MakeBelieveInc